Ezekiel 12:1-16

content/bible_journal/ezekiel_12:1-16.md

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+title = "Ezekiel 12:1–16"
+date = "2023-03-30"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel12.1-16)
+
+The Lord gives Ezekiel another symbolic action to perform before the people
+which demonstrates for them actions happening in far-off Jerusalem. He is to
+pack a bag as if he is going into exile, dig a hole in his wall in the evening,
+and escape through it into the country. As he goes out he is to cover his face
+so that he cannot see the land he is leaving.
+
+As He gives Ezekiel these instructions, the Lord emphasizes again the
+rebellious nature of the house of Israel. He indicates that their stubborn
+rebellion is what keeps them from seeing and hearing the message that Ezekiel
+has been telling them, but maybe if Ezekiel remains faithful to the Lord they
+will eventually realize what's going on. This strategy seems to work, because
+the Lord implies that they have asked Ezekiel what he is doing.
+
+Having gone out for the night, Ezekiel returns to the exiles in the morning to
+explain what he was showing them. The prince in Jerusalem (that is, the puppet
+king Zedekiah who tried to use Egypt to get out from under Babylon's thumb) and
+the rest of the people left in the city are going to be exiled as well. The
+prince will try to escape by night, digging a hole in the wall and covering his
+face so that he cannot see the land. However, Ezekiel explains that he will be
+unsuccessful in his flight, and the Lord will capture him using the Chaldeans.
+It turns out he will be unable to see the land because they will blind him. (_2
+Kings 25:7_) They will take him to Babylon and he wll die there. Everyone
+around him will be scattered or slain, though a few will escape to spread the
+news of what the Lord has done to them.
+
+* * *
+
+Your patience is astonishing, that You continue to reach out to those with
+hardened hearts.