What is the meaning of Ezekiel 21:1? And the word • Ezekiel begins this oracle with the familiar phrase “And the word,” underscoring that what follows is not his own invention but divine communication. • Scripture repeatedly testifies that God speaks with clarity and purpose: “So is My word that goes out from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty” (Isaiah 55:11). • Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that God’s word is “living and active,” and this living word now breaks into Ezekiel’s life, setting the stage for a fresh revelation. • By opening with this phrase, the prophet signals that the message is as binding and trustworthy as any previous word God has given (compare 1 Samuel 3:1, Jeremiah 1:2). of the LORD • The source is “the LORD”—Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). • Because the message originates with Him, it carries absolute authority. “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), so Ezekiel’s audience must listen. • God’s covenant name here also signals both justice and mercy: the same LORD who rescued Israel from Egypt now warns of judgment for their persistent rebellion (Deuteronomy 32:4). • Cross-references like Amos 3:7 show that the Lord consistently reveals His plans through prophets so His people are without excuse. came to me • The phrase highlights God’s initiative; Ezekiel did not seek this word—it “came” unbidden. • Personal encounter: “came to me” stresses that God deals with individual servants (Jeremiah 1:4-5). • It indicates prophetic responsibility. Once the word arrives, Ezekiel must act (compare Jonah 1:1-2, where disobedience brings consequences). • The verb “came” suggests arrival with purpose, much like the Spirit’s empowering in Acts 1:8; the prophet becomes a conduit of divine truth. saying • This final word clarifies that the revelation is articulated: God speaks in intelligible sentences, not vague impressions. • “Saying” introduces the exact content to follow (Ezekiel 21:2-7), where God details the coming “sword” against Jerusalem. • The pattern matches other prophetic commissions: “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, ‘Stand in the gate… and proclaim this message’” (Jeremiah 7:1-2). • 2 Peter 1:21 affirms that “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit,” so Ezekiel’s forthcoming words are Spirit-borne, not self-generated. summary Ezekiel 21:1 serves as the divine heading for a solemn oracle. Every element—“the word,” “of the LORD,” “came to me,” “saying”—emphasizes that the forthcoming message about God’s sword of judgment is authoritative, personal, and verbal. The verse reassures readers that what follows is the infallible voice of the covenant God, delivered through His chosen prophet for the warning and instruction of His people. |
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