Ezekiel 21

CHAPTER 21

Babylon, God’s Sword of Judgment (21:1–32)

1–7 In these verses, Ezekiel explains the meaning of the parable he told at the end of the previous chapter (Ezekiel 20:45–49). The fire in the parable represents the sword of judgment upon Judah, the sword of Nebuchadnezzar. That sword will consume all the trees, both green and dry (Ezekiel 20:47)—that is, it will cut off both the righteous and the wicked (verse 3). No one will escape the effects of this judgment. Being righteous does not protect one from earthly affliction.

As Ezekiel is describing this judgment, he is told to groan out loud (verse 6). God wants to get the attention of these exiled elders. Judah’s judgment is coming! It will surely take place (verse 7). And within a few years this judgment did take place, just as Ezekiel had prophesied.

8–17 In these verses, Ezekiel prophesies about the sword that will destroy Judah and its people. He asks rhetorically: “Shall we rejoice in the scepter⁴¹ of Judah? Shall we put our trust in Judah’s king?” (verse 10). The answer is “No.” The sword despises every such stick (scepter). In verse 13, the Lord suggests that the scepter of Judah will not continue; kings will no longer rule on the throne of David. And indeed, that throne would remain empty until the coming of the Messiah, to whom it rightfully belonged (see verse 27).

18–23 The Lord then tells Ezekiel to mark out two roads (verse 19); perhaps Ezekiel did this on the earth or pavement outside his house. One road was to go to Rabbah (the capital of Ammon), and the other to Jerusalem (verse 20). When Nebuchadnezzar came to the place where these two roads forked, he would seek an omen telling him which road to take⁴² (verse 21). Since God controls everything, the outcome would not be determined by “chance.” The omens would all point to Jerusalem, because God was sending Nebuchadnezzar there as His agent to bring judgment upon Judah.⁴³

24–27 Here God announces the verdict against Judah: those who do not die by famine or sword will be taken captive; the wicked prince of Israel, Zedekiah, will also be taken captive (verses 24–25). His crown will be removed (verse 26). When God intervenes in history, men’s for—tunes are reversed: the lowly are exalted and the exalted are brought low (see Psalm 75:7; Ezekiel 17:24; Luke 1:52). The king dom of Judah will become a ruin (verse 27). It will not be restored until he (the Mes siah) comes to whom it rightfully be longs⁴⁴ (see Genesis 49:10).

28–32 If there were any Ammonites⁴⁵listening to Ezekiel, they may have thought they had escaped God’s judgment: it seemed as if only Judah was going to be destroyed. But they would have been wrong to think this; Ammon’s turn was coming! It also would be conquered by Nebuchadnezzar.⁴⁶

In verse 30, the Lord says: “Return the sword to its scabbard.” This is probably addressed to Nebuchadnezzar. When Nebuchadnezzar’s work as God’s agent of judgment is finished, then Nebuchadnezzar himself will be judged (verse 31).