Symbolic Action EZEKIEL: THE PROPHET OF SYMBOLIC ACTION

Ezekiel – the watchman Prophet to those in Babylonian captivity Watchman for God's people Fail to warn – their blood on your hands Once warned – the responsibility shifts to them If wicked change – they will not die If righteous sin – they will die

Symbolic Action Some prophets write in poetic form – Isaiah Some prophets tell the story of their life – Hosea Most prophets just record the message from God Ezekiel – puts on a performance – acts out the message

Eat a scroll Ezekiel 3:1-3 1 Moreover He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you." So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.

Ch. 4 – Map of Jerusalem Draw a map of Jerusalem – lay an iron plate against it Lay on right side 390 days (Israel) and 40 days (Judah) Eat small amounts of food, ration water, use human waste (changed to cow) for cooking fuel All of this described what was going on in Jerusalem because of their rebellion to God

Ch. 5 – Shave your head Take sharp razor – shave head and beard Divide the hair into three parts  1 st part – A few in pocket – rest burn  2 nd part – A few in pocket – rest chop and cut  3 rd part – A few in pocket – rest toss into the wind

Ch. 5 – Shave your head Meaning:  Hair in pocket – saved – remnant will return  Burn = die in siege of Jerusalem  Cut = die by sword in battle  Wind = scattered or taken captive

Ch. 8 – Trip to Temple At the door of the temple – pictures of snakes, beasts, pagan gods 70 men (elders) offering incense to these pictures Woman weeping for Tamuz (goddess of fertility) 25 men at door of temple – back to temple, facing the rising sun – worship the sun

Ezekiel 8: And He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them."

Ch. 12 – Chop hole in side of house Chop, chop, chop – from inside out Crawl out the hole – blindfolded Stumble, seek help to get down the road MEANING: Zedekiah – last king of Judah  Tries to escape  Watches as sons are killed  Blinded – taken to Babylon

Ch. 12 – Eat with trembling 17 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 18 "Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water with trembling and anxiety. 19 And say to the people of the land, 'Thus says the Lord God to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the land of Israel: "They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink their water with dread, so that her land may be emptied of all who are in it, because of the violence of all those who dwell in it.

Ch. 15 – Vine wood Gather some vine wood – burn it Burn it again Vine wood – as a wood = worthless Burn it = more worthless Burn it again = absolutly worthless Those still in Jerusalem = worthless

Ch. 24 – Wife died 16 "Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. 17 Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man's bread of sorrow." 18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded.

Ch. 24 – Wife died MESSAGE FOR THOSE IN CAPTIVITY: DON'T WEEP OR MOURN FOR THOSE IN JERUSALEM GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND GET READY TO RETURN

Ch. 37 – Valley of Dry Bones 1 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.

Ch. 37 – Valley of Dry Bones 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord God, You know." 4 Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.

Lessons to Learn God does not delight in punishment He MUST punish or He would not be Just The wicked can be saved – the righteous can be lost Don't get too smug THERE IS HOPE!