What is the meaning of Ezekiel 20:45? Now • “Now” signals a fresh moment of revelation—God is not silent or distant but speaks into real time (cf. Exodus 3:1-4; Hebrews 1:1-2). • Every time Scripture opens with this kind of immediacy, it reminds us that God continues to break into history, guiding His people at the exact point they need direction. • Ezekiel’s audience was in exile; the timing underscores that God addresses His people even in discipline (Jeremiah 29:4-14). the word • What Ezekiel receives is not a vague impression but “the word,” a concrete, authoritative message (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35). • God communicates through words so His will can be clearly understood and obeyed (Deuteronomy 30:11-14; John 17:17). • This highlights the sufficiency of Scripture: when God speaks, His word is complete and trustworthy (2 Timothy 3:16-17). of the LORD • “LORD” (YHWH) is the covenant name that guarantees faithfulness; the same God who led Israel out of Egypt still leads in exile (Exodus 6:2-7). • Because the message originates with the covenant-keeping God, it carries absolute authority and reliability (Numbers 23:19; Psalm 119:89-90). • God’s personal name wrapped around His word invites trust and obedience from His people (Psalm 19:7-11). came • The verb stresses divine initiative—Ezekiel did not seek out the message; it “came” to him (Amos 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21). • Revelation is not human discovery but divine gift. This guards us against elevating personal opinion over God’s revealed truth (Proverbs 3:5-6). • God bridges the gap between heaven and earth, ensuring His purposes are made known (Isaiah 55:10-11). to me • God addresses a specific servant. Ezekiel’s personal commission mirrors how God calls individuals for particular tasks (Jeremiah 1:4-10; Acts 9:15-16). • Though the message is for the nation, it arrives through a faithful messenger—a pattern seen throughout Scripture (Exodus 3:10, Luke 1:30-38). • This personal aspect underscores responsibility: what Ezekiel hears, he must faithfully deliver (Ezekiel 33:7-9; 1 Corinthians 9:16). saying • The word is intelligible and communicative, not mystical mumbling. God intends His people to grasp the content and respond (Nehemiah 8:8; James 1:22-25). • The rest of the passage (Ezekiel 20:46-48) illustrates that God’s message includes warning, imagery, and a call to repentance—each “saying” anchors real outcomes. • “Saying” also cues us to listen expectantly; God’s speech always demands a response of faith and obedience (Revelation 2:7). summary Ezekiel 20:45—“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,”—is far more than a narrative transition. Each phrase highlights a timeless truth: God, the covenant LORD, takes the initiative to deliver a clear, authoritative message to a chosen servant, in real time, for the sake of His people. Because His word is living, reliable, and personal, we can trust it, obey it, and proclaim it with confidence today. |
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