Ezequiel 12:18-28

18 Filho do homem, come o teu pão com tremor, e bebe a tua água com estremecimento e com receio.

19 E dirás ao povo da terra: Assim diz o Senhor Deus acerca dos habitantes de Jerusalém, na terra de Israel: O seu pão comerão com receio, e a sua água beberão com susto pois a sua terra será despojada de sua abundância, por causa da violência de todos os que nela habitam.

20 E as cidades habitadas serão devastadas, e a terra se tornará em desolação; e sabereis que eu sou o Senhor.

21 E veio ainda a mim a palavra do Senhor, dizendo:

22 Filho do homem, que provérbio é este que vós tendes na terra de Israel, dizendo: Dilatam-se os dias, e falha toda a visão?

23 Portanto, dize-lhes: Assim diz o Senhor Deus: Farei cessar este provérbio, e não será mais usado em Israel; mas dize-lhes: Estão próximos os dias, e o cumprimento de toda a visão.

24 Pois não haverá mais nenhuma visão vã, nem adivinhação lisonjeira, no meio da casa de Israel.

25 Porque eu sou o Senhor; falarei, e a palavra que eu falar se cumprirá. Não será mais adiada; pois em nossos dias, ó casa rebelde, falarei a palavra e a cumprirei, diz o Senhor Deus.

26 Veio mais a mim a palavra do Senhor, dizendo:

27 Filho do homem, eis que os da casa de Israel dizem: A visão que este vê é para muitos dias no futuro, e ele profetiza de tempos que estão longe.

28 Portanto dize-lhes: Assim diz o Senhor Deus: Não será mais adiada nenhuma das minhas palavras, mas a palavra que falei se cumprirá, diz o Senhor Deus.

Ezequiel 12:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 12

In this chapter, under the sign of the prophet's removing household goods, is represented the removal of the king of Judah and his people from their own land into captivity; and under another sign, of the prophet's eating and drinking with quaking, and trembling, and carefulness, is set forth, either the famine that should be during the siege of Jerusalem, or the desolations following the taking of it; and the chapter is concluded with a reproof of the Jews flattering themselves that these prophecies respected times a great way off, and therefore hoped they would never be accomplished. The preface to the first sign is in Eze 12:1,2; which describes the people of the Jews as rebellious, and given up to judicial blindness and hardness; and suggests the cause of all their calamities: the order to prepare goods for removing, to show to the people; for digging a wall; carrying the stuff out in their sight, on his shoulders, at twilight; and covering his face when he did it, is in Eze 12:3-6; the execution of this order, which is declared in part for the whole, is in Eze 12:7; then follows the explication of this sign, Eze 12:8-11; and the application of it, first to King Zedekiah, in whom should be fulfilled several of the particulars mentioned, Eze 12:12,13; and to the people about him, and his army that should be scattered and fall by the sword, Eze 12:14; the end of which should be, that the Lord should be known, his power, truth, and righteousness, by a few that should escape the famine, pestilence, and sword, Eze 12:15,16. The second sign, with the explication and application of it, is in Eze 12:17-20; and the chapter is closed with a reproof of the Jews; the proverbial expression they used, and which the Lord resented, is cited Eze 12:21,22; and the prophet is bid to assure them that it should cease, or there should be no room for it; and also every vain vision and flattering divination, Eze 12:23,24; and that the word of the Lord should not be prolonged, but should quickly and certainly be accomplished; and that their hopes of the contrary were in vain, Eze 12:25-28.