Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 5
Theme : The Certainty of a Destroyed Jerusalem
Shaving the head and beard was a pagan ritual for the dead (27:31; cf. Isa 22:12; Jer 16:16; Amos 8:10), which the law forbade (Deut 14:1), and a sign of humiliation and disgrace (7:18; cf. 2 Sam 10:4). If an Israelite priest shaved his head, he was defiled and no longer holy to the Lord (Lev 21:5). Ezekiel defiled and humiliated himself as a symbol of the humiliation of the people of Judah who were defiled and no longer holy to the Lord. Nothing was left to do but to mourn their death as a nation. Ezekiel’s hair symbolized the inhabitants of Jerusalem. One-third of them would be burned when Jerusalem would be burned after the siege (v.2a; 2 Kings 25:9). Part of these people would have already died through famine and distress during the siege (v.12a). The second third of the inhabitants would die by the sword when Jerusalem fell (vv.2b, 12b; 2 Kings 25:18–21a; 2 Chronicles 36:17). The final third would be scattered to the wind in exile (vv.2c, 12c; 2 Kings 25:11, 21b). A portion from this last group would be judged by fire (which affected all Israel) as they left Jerusalem (v.4), while some would die by the sword in captivity (v.2d). Out of this final third, the Lord would deliver a remnant of Jerusalem’s citizens, as depicted by Ezekiel’s placing a few hairs from this group securely into the hem of his garment (v.3).
[1] Alexander, R. H. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
Praying the Scripture
God is a jealous God in the sense that He demands complete allegiance to Him. This is not egoistic. Since God created humankind and are their Father, it is righteous and good to give a great God our highest loyalty and praise, just as it is right and good for children to love and honor their wonderful parents. It would be ugly and disgraceful for children to reject their parents and give their filial piety to others. The Jews sinned greatly by worshipping idols and committing horrific sins such as children sacrifice, cultic prostitution and violence. God’s judgement on them is righteous and just. Agree with God’s righteous judgement and warn sinners of God’s punishment against their idolatry, but do it with respect and gentleness (1 Pet. 3:15).
经文：以西结书5
主题：耶路撒冷被毁的肯定
剃头发和胡须是外邦人为离世之人所举行的仪式（27:31；参：赛22:12；耶16:16；司8:10），是犹太律法中所禁止的（申14:1）；这也是蒙受羞辱迹象（7:18；参：撒下10:4）。倘若一个以色列祭司剃了头发，他便是污秽的，不再是为主分别为圣的（利21:5）。以西结玷污了自己，使自己蒙羞，为要象征蒙受羞愧的犹大子民——他们已被玷污，不再为主分别为圣。他们如今什么都做不了，唯有举国哀号自己的死亡。以西结的头发象征耶路撒冷的居民。其中三分之一将在耶路撒冷围困后被焚烧时烧死（2节上；王下25:9）；其中一部分人早已在耶路撒冷被困时所经历的饥荒和苦难死去（12节上）。另外三分之一的居民将在耶路撒冷沦陷后死在刀下（2, 12节中；王下25:18-21上；代下36:17）。最后的三分之一将任风吹散，被放逐（2, 12节下；王下25:11, 21下），而其中一部分人则要在离开耶路撒冷时面临火的审判（4节；这火影响全以色列）；有些则将在被掳时死在刀下（2节）。神要在这最后一组人里面救一部分余民；这就是以西结从其中取几根头发包在衣襟里所象征的（3节）。
[1] Alexander, R. H. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
用经文祷告
神是一位忌邪的神——祂要我们对祂完全忠诚。这不是自大的表现。神既然创造了人类，祂就是人类的天父，所以我们理当向这位伟大的神给予我们最大的忠诚和赞美，就如孩子当爱与孝敬他们出色的父母一样。倘若孩子拒绝他们的父母，反倒孝敬别人，这是丑陋与可耻的行为。犹太人因拜偶像犯下重大的罪，还继而将自己的儿女焚烧归偶像，行邪教卖淫和暴力的可憎之罪。神对他们的审判是公义、公平的。我们要认同神公义的审判，并告诫罪人神必要惩罚他们拜偶像的罪，可同时以温柔、敬畏的心如此行（彼前3:15）。
