Daily Devotions
Ezekiel
"Set your face toward the mountains"
Text: Ezekiel 6:2
THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL
Mountains were a natural part of the land of Israel. Many mountains were mentioned in the Bible. Famous mountains would include Sinai, Tabor, Hermon etc. But these mountains became places where idolatry was practised fervently by the worshippers.
“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
‘Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel,
and prophesy against them.'”
Ezekiel 6:1-2
1. A special word came from the LORD.
a) This word was first given to Ezekiel.
b) This is quite normal:
i) God gives a word to His servant, the prophet.
ii) The prophet has to study and fathom the word given.
iii) He would then proclaim that word.
iv) Ezekiel 2-3 reveal how God equips His servants for ministry.
2. “Son of man”
a) This was the most frequently used phrase in Ezekiel.
b) It was used when God wishes to speak to him.
c) The phrase “son of man”.
i) It was a phrase that is found in Psalm 8:4.
ii) In this context, man is reminded that he is lower than angels.
iii) Yet, God has also given him honour as “a son of man”.
iv) This term was a favourite phrase used by the Lord Jesus to describe Himself.
3. Ezekiel was to set his face against the mountains of Israel.
a) The mountains of Israel:
i) They are huge.
ii) Majestic
b) Ezekiel as “son of man” in comparison:
i) Small and puny.
ii) But he is a servant of the LORD.
c) He has authority from the LORD:
i) To set his face against the mountains.
ii) To prophesy against them.
4. The mountains of Israel.
a) The actual physical mountains were not the target of Ezekiel’s rebuke.
b) His focus was the idolatrous practices that were being practised in the mountains.