Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 20:45-21:32
Theme : Judgement on Judah’s Current Leaders
Burning of Southern Forest (20:45-21:7)
vv. 45-49 is a riddle about a southern forest on fire. The explanation of the riddle is in vv. 1-7. The southern forest is Judah which will be conquered by the sword. War will affect everyone including the righteous and the wicked, every green tree and every dry tree (v. 47). It will be so horrible that God commands Ezekiel to groan, to let the exiles see the pain of the sword. It is designed to instill fear in these idolatrous rebels and repent.
Slaughter of the Sword (21:8-17)
Since Israel did not respond to God’s rod of discipline, the sword of death will be their end. This sword will not be a testing for correction, but it will be a final judgment on these rebels.
Agent of the Sword (21:18-27)
The agent of this sword is Babylon, who will come and destroy Jerusalem completely. Babylon would use divination to decide to attack Israel. Even though God does not approve of divination, He will use such practice to punish Israel.
Sword on Ammonites (21:28-32). Babylon will attack Israel first, instead of Ammonites. Since Ammonites also contributed to the sins of Israel through its idols, God will also punish them. The Ammonites also gloated over the destruction of Israel, for such sin God will also kill them (25:1-7).
Praying the Scripture
God becomes the enemy of those who claim to be His people but refuse to accept the responsibilities accompanying the privilege. In this chapter the sword functions as a frightening instrument of providential fury unleashed against the benefactors of His own covenant. The notion of divine wrath itself is reprehensible to many; that it should be directed at His own people is intolerable. But God’s application of principle is not affected by human sentimentality. If “His people” spurn His grace, they cannot expect to be spared the fate of the wicked.
[1] The judge of the world is impartial. He judges every wicked person, both Jews and gentiles (Rom. 2:11). Agree with God that He is a righteous God who judges impartially.
[1] Block,
The Book of Ezekiel.
经文：以西结书20:45-21:32
主题：对犹大当今领袖的审判
南方森林的火焰（20:45-21:7）。
20:45-49论的是南方森林之火的谜语，其谜底就在21:1-7。南方森林指的是犹大，而她将受刀剑攻击，被侵占。争战会影响每一个人，包括义人和恶人，一切青树和枯树（47节）。这局面惨不忍睹，叫神命以西结叹息，让被掳之民看到刀剑之痛。这是为要在崇拜偶像的悖逆者心中产生惧怕，以致悔改。
刀剑的杀戮（21:8-17）。
既然以色列不肯对神的管教作正面反应，他们将在刀下而死。这把刀不是悔改的刀，而是对这群悖逆者的最后审判。
持刀的（21:18-27）。
持这把刀的是巴比伦；她会前来将耶路撒冷完全消灭。巴比伦会以占扑的方式决定攻打以色列。即便神不赞同占卜的做法，祂仍利用此行为惩罚以色列。
向亚扪人拔刀（21:28-32）。
巴比伦会先攻击以色列而不是亚扪。既然亚扪人借着他们的偶像导致以色列犯罪，神也要惩罚他们。再者，亚扪人还为以色列的毁灭幸灾乐祸，所以神更要为这项罪杀他们（25:1-7）。
用经文祷告
凡自称是神名下的人，却不接受随特权所附有的责任的，便成为了神的敌人。刀在这篇经文中是向神约定里本为受益之人所拔出的愤怒，是可怕的器皿。多数人能明白神会发怒，但就是无法忍受其对象竟是祂自己的子民。可是，神对祂原则的应用并不受到人感性一面的影响。倘若“神的子民”唾弃神的恩典，他们就不能期待自己会逃离同恶人的命运。宇宙间的审判者是不偏待人的（罗2:11）。我们要认同神是公义的，对施行的审判也是公正的。
