Ezekiel 4:9

But take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them in a single container and make them into bread for yourself. This is what you are to eat during the 390 days you lie on your side.

Study Bible

But take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt;
This phrase lists the ingredients for a unique bread that Ezekiel is instructed to make. Wheat and barley were common grains in ancient Israel, often used in daily sustenance. Beans and lentils were also staple foods, providing necessary protein. Millet and spelt, though less common, were known in the region. The combination of these ingredients suggests a time of scarcity, as they are mixed together rather than used separately, indicating a lack of abundance. This reflects the impending siege of Jerusalem, where food would be scarce, and people would have to make do with what was available.

put them in a single container and make them into bread for yourself.
The act of placing these ingredients in a single container symbolizes the coming together of various elements under duress. Bread, a staple of life, is here made from a mixture of grains and legumes, which would not typically be combined. This signifies the dire circumstances of the siege, where normal food preparation methods are abandoned. The personal instruction to Ezekiel to make this bread "for yourself" emphasizes the prophetic act he is performing, symbolizing the suffering and deprivation that the people of Jerusalem will experience.

This is what you are to eat during the 390 days you lie on your side.
The 390 days represent the years of iniquity of the house of Israel, as Ezekiel is commanded to lie on his side for this period to bear their sin. This prophetic action is a vivid illustration of the burden of sin and the consequences that follow. The specific duration underscores the long period of rebellion against God. The act of lying on his side while eating this bread further symbolizes the hardship and judgment that will come upon the people. This period of time also connects to the broader narrative of Israel's history, where prolonged disobedience led to exile and suffering.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. Known for his symbolic actions and visions.

2. Babylon
The place of exile for the Israelites, representing a period of judgment and reflection for the nation.

3. Israel's Exile
A significant event where the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon as a consequence of their disobedience to God.

4. Symbolic Action
Ezekiel's act of lying on his side and eating specific bread symbolizes the siege and suffering of Jerusalem.

5. 390 Days
Represents the years of Israel's sin and the duration of their punishment.

Teaching Points

Symbolism in Prophetic Actions
Ezekiel's actions serve as a visual prophecy, reminding us that God communicates in diverse ways. We should be attentive to how God might be speaking to us today.

Consequences of Disobedience
The exile and Ezekiel's symbolic actions highlight the serious consequences of turning away from God. It calls us to examine our own lives for areas of disobedience.

God's Provision in Judgment
Even in judgment, God provides for His people, as seen in the specific ingredients for the bread. This reminds us of God's faithfulness and provision in our own trials.

Call to Repentance
The 390 days symbolize a call to repentance. We are encouraged to reflect on our actions and turn back to God, seeking His forgiveness and restoration.

Hope Beyond Judgment
While Ezekiel's message includes judgment, it also points to hope and restoration. We are reminded that God's ultimate plan is for our redemption and reconciliation with Him.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Ezekiel's symbolic action of making bread relate to the spiritual state of Israel during the exile?

2. In what ways can we see God's provision in our lives, even during times of discipline or hardship?

3. How do the ingredients of the bread (wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt) symbolize the diversity of God's provision?

4. What lessons can we learn from the consequences of Israel's disobedience, and how can we apply them to our own spiritual walk?

5. How does the message of hope in Jeremiah 29 provide encouragement for us when we face our own "exiles" or difficult seasons?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 26
Discusses the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments, which is relevant to the context of Israel's exile.

Jeremiah 29
Offers hope and a future for the exiles, emphasizing God's plans even amidst judgment.

Daniel 1
Shows the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends during the Babylonian exile, providing a contrast to the disobedience that led to exile.

2 Kings 25
Describes the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, providing historical context to Ezekiel's actions.