Ezekiel 7
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CHAPTER 7
The End Has Come (7:1–27)
1–9 In this chapter the Lord, through Ezekiel, again pronounces judgment on all Israel, especially Judah. In this prophecy, the emphasis is on the finality and suddenness of the end (verse 2). Disaster . . . Doom is coming; the day (of judgment) is near (verses 5,7). On that day, the Lord will not spare the people; He will show them no pity (verse 9). For generations the Lord had shown pity and withheld judgment; He had given the people every opportunity to repent. But they had refused. Now the Lord will hold back His judgment no longer.
10–14 The rod has budded, arrogance has blossomed (verse 10). The “rod” of judgment (Nebuchadnezzar) has “budded”; it is ready for use. Now the Israelites will be punished for their own violence and arrogance by the violent, arrogant king of Babylon.
In that day it will be foolish to do business; both the buyer and the seller will suffer total loss (verses 12–13). The Lord’s vision concerning the whole crowd—that is, His judgment on all Israel—will not be reversed (verse 13). It is too late. And yet the Lord will spare a tiny remnant of Israelites (Ezekiel 6:8), not because they deserve it but because He loves them and will not destroy His people completely.
15–22 Here the Lord describes the suffering of the people as the end draws near. They will wear sackcloth and shave their heads in mourning (verse 18). Their silver and gold will be useless, for there won’t be anything to buy (verse 19). Foreigners (Babylonians) will come and desecrate God’s treasured place (the temple), but God will turn His face away from them and let them finish their destructive work (verses 21–22).
23–27 Prepare chains (verse 23); the Israelites are about to be taken captive. They will have nowhere to turn for help; no prophet, priest or elder will be available to give divine guidance (verse 26). God will judge the people according to their own conduct and by their own standards (verse 27); they shall reap what they themselves have sown (Galatians 6:7).