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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 217

"Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter"

Text: Ezekiel 21:10

WARNING OF A SHARPENED SWORD

The word of warning concerning impending war was not heeded by Judah. Ezekiel was given an even stronger message to proclaim.

“Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
‘Son of man, prophesy and say,
‘Thus says the Lord!’ Say:
‘A sword, a sword is sharpened
And also polished!
Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter,
Polished to flash like lightning!
Should we then make mirth?
It despises the scepter of My son,
As it does all wood.””
Ezekiel 21:8-10

1. The word of the Lord.

a) This word was from God.

b) A new revelation was given to Ezekiel to proclaim as a prophet of God.

2. The sword of war.

a) This is a reference to the sword that Babylon would wield against Judah.

b) It would be a terrible sword of war:

i) It would be a sharpened sword.

ii) It would be a well-polished sword.

3. What the sharpened sword could do.

a) It can make a dreadful slaughter.

b) The sword would be used with skill.

c) It was compared to a lightning bolt.

4. Judah was totally unrealistic.

a) The people were still making merry.

b) The king was addressed as “a son” by God.

c) His sceptre was compared to one that was made of wood.

d) The royal household would be cut to piece by the sword of Babylon!

e) How could anyone make mirth when danger looms?