What is the meaning of Ezekiel 21:18? Then • The timeline in Ezekiel’s book is orderly and purposeful. “Then” connects this verse to what has just been proclaimed—a fiery message of judgment on Judah (Ezekiel 21:1-17). • God’s revelations are not random; they arrive at specific moments to move His plan forward, much like in Ezekiel 12:8 – “Then the word of the LORD came to me in the morning.” • The word signals an immediate follow-up: God is about to deepen or clarify His previous warning, just as He often does in successive visions to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:11, 13). the word of the LORD • Scripture repeatedly testifies that when God speaks, His word is final, flawless, and absolutely authoritative (Psalm 33:4; Isaiah 40:8). • Every prophetic utterance Ezekiel records carries the full weight of divine authorship, echoing the truth that “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). • This phrase grounds the prophecy in the character of God Himself—unchanging, holy, and sovereign—so the coming message is not Ezekiel’s opinion but God’s decree (Numbers 23:19). came to me • God’s word reaches specific servants at specific times. Ezekiel, a priest-turned-prophet in exile, experiences a personal visitation, mirroring the call narratives of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-5). • Prophetic ministry involves receiving before relaying; the message “came” first to Ezekiel so it could later flow through him to the people (Amos 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21). • The intimacy of the phrase highlights God’s grace: even in judgment He draws near to communicate clearly (Ezekiel 3:22-24). saying • This single word signals that God is about to speak more—specifically the parable of the two roads and the drawn sword (Ezekiel 21:19-27). • What follows is an actionable directive, not a mere comment. Throughout Scripture, when God speaks “saying,” obedience is expected (Exodus 3:14-15; Matthew 17:5). • The verse therefore serves as a hinge: it readies the listener for the sobering revelation of Nebuchadnezzar’s impending invasion and God’s ultimate rule over nations (Ezekiel 21:24-27). summary Ezekiel 21:18 is a concise but weighty introduction: at a precise moment, the living God delivers His authoritative word directly to His prophet, signaling a new installment in His unfolding plan. Each phrase underscores God’s sovereignty, the reliability of His revelation, and the personal nature of prophetic callings, preparing us to receive and respond to the message that follows. |
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