Ezekiel 21:8-32

content/bible_journal/ezekiel_21:8-32.md

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+title = "Ezekiel 21:8–32"
+date = "2023-04-24"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel21.8-32)
+
+The sword that will come upon the land of Israel is being given into the hands
+of a slayer. The rod or scepter of Judah's kingship cannot stand against it. It
+will come upon the gates of the city and a great many people will be cut down
+by it. The sun will glint off the edges of the swords of the surrounding army,
+and the sight of them will terrorize the people within it because they will
+know their judgement has come.
+
+The king of Bablyon will have to make a choice where he will march: to Rabbah
+of the Ammonites or Jerusalem in Judah. Ammon was allied with Judah and Egypt
+against Babylon, so it makes sense for Babylon to come against them too. At the
+fork in the road (metaphorically, perhaps) the king of Babylon will perform
+divinations of various kinds to decide which way to send his armies. Ezekiel
+prophecies that the lot will come up for Jerusalem, and that is where he will
+go.
+
+The Lord reiterates that these terrible things are happening because of the
+wickedness and guilt of the people of Judah. The prince of Israel, Zedekiah,
+bears the responsibility as their leader, and he is removed from the kingship.
+
+And if you thought Ammon would be spared because the divinations pointed to
+Jerusalem, the Lord has a prophecy against them too. The sword of slaughter
+will come upon them too. Their wickedness will be heaped upon their heads too
+and they will be destroyed in their land.
+
+* * *
+
+All You have spoken will come to pass, just as You have said.