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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 38

"You shall prophesy against it"

Text: Ezekiel 4:7

THE MINISTRY OF A PROPHET

The prophetic ministry is multi-faceted. Sometimes it is to pray for the nation. At other times it is to rebuke the people who are bent on sin. There were also times when the prophet is called to prophesy against an unrepentant nation.

“Therefore you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem;
your arm shall be uncovered, and you shall prophesy against it.
And surely I will restrain you so that you cannot turn from one side to another
till you have ended the days of your siege.”
Ezekiel 4:7-8

1. Judah was a rebellious nation.

a) Israel had fallen but Judah had not learned the right lesson.

b) The people in captivity in Babylon were no better than those in Judah.

2. Portrayal of the LORD’s stance against Jerusalem.

a) Ezekiel was to set his face against Judah.

b) His arm was to be uncovered.

i) This represents the fact that God was ready to take action.

ii) A possible equivalent in modern day language.

iii) Ezekiel was to roll up his sleeves to work (against Jerusalem).

3. Prophesying against Jerusalem.

a) Ezekiel was to fulfil his role as a watchman.

b) Judah had not been heeding the LORD’s warning.

c) Jeremiah was in Jerusalem preaching and prophesying faithfully.

d) But there was only negative response.

e) Ezekiel was to prophesy against Jerusalem for all in Babylon to hear.

4. Restraining action from God.

a) God would restrain Ezekiel from moving.

b) It would be humanly impossible to lie on one’s side for an extended period of time.

c) Divine action would be needed.

d) Ezekiel would not be able to move from side to side.

i) Lying on the left side for 390 days.

ii) Lying on the right side for 40 days.

e) God’s hand would be upon him till the siege is over.