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"Prepare your belongings for captivity"

Text: Ezekiel 12:3

ANOTHER OBJECT LESSON

Once again, the Lord had to instruct Ezekiel to teach with an object lesson in full view. Ezekiel was asked to enact this lesson for all to see.

“Therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings for captivity,
and go into captivity by day in their sight.
You shall go from your place into captivity to another place in their sight.
It may be that they will consider, though they are a rebellious house.
By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight,
as though going into captivity;
and at evening you shall go in their sight,
like those who go into captivity.”
Ezekiel 12:3-4

1. The destruction of the Temple.

a) This was already declared.

b) Both the Temple and the City of Jerusalem would be destroyed.

2. The Captivity of Israel.

a) This would occur next.

b) There were false prophets who proclaimed that this would not happen.

3. Enacting the act of escaping from Jerusalem.

a) Ezekiel was instructed to act this out.

b) Proclamation had fallen on deaf ears.

c) Perhaps seeing what Ezekiel was doing would help them understand God’s word better.

4. Gathering belongings.

a) Ezekiel would gather survival items that captives normally gather.

b) He would become a refugee as an object lesson to all.

5. In their sight.

a) As Ezekiel packed his belongings, people would observe his activities.

b) Then the prophet would go out of his house in the evening.

c) The usual time would be twilight so that the darkness would help conceal the movements of the refugee.

d) All that Ezekiel did would be observed by all concerned.

i) Perhaps they would warn their friends and relatives still in Jerusalem.

ii) Many had believed the false prophets that Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord would never be destroyed!