Ezekiel 12:10
Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: 'This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are there.'
This is what the Lord GOD says
This phrase underscores the divine authority and origin of the message. The Hebrew term for "Lord GOD" is "Adonai Yahweh," emphasizing both the sovereignty and the covenantal relationship God has with His people. In the prophetic tradition, this introduction is a solemn reminder that the words to follow are not merely human speculation but are divinely inspired and carry the weight of God's authority. It calls the audience to attention, preparing them for a message of significant importance.

This oracle concerns the prince in Jerusalem
The term "oracle" refers to a divine revelation or message, often carrying a sense of impending judgment or significant change. The "prince in Jerusalem" is likely a reference to King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. Historically, Zedekiah's reign was marked by political instability and rebellion against Babylon, which ultimately led to the fall of Jerusalem. The use of "prince" rather than "king" may indicate a diminished status or a focus on his role as a leader under divine judgment. This phrase sets the stage for a prophetic message that is both specific and urgent, addressing the leadership and their accountability before God.

and all the house of Israel who are there
This phrase expands the scope of the oracle to include not just the leadership but the entire community of Israel residing in Jerusalem. The "house of Israel" signifies the collective identity of God's chosen people, who are bound by covenant to follow His laws and commandments. In the historical context, this was a time of great turmoil and impending exile, and the message serves as a call to repentance and awareness of the consequences of their actions. It highlights the communal aspect of sin and judgment, reminding the people that they are not isolated individuals but part of a larger body that is accountable to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites.

2. The Lord GOD
The sovereign deity of Israel, who communicates His will and judgments through His prophets.

3. The Prince in Jerusalem
Likely referring to King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest.

4. The House of Israel
The collective term for the people of Israel, particularly those in Jerusalem during the time of Ezekiel's prophecy.

5. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, significant in biblical history as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple.
Teaching Points
Prophetic Responsibility
Ezekiel's role as a prophet underscores the importance of faithfully delivering God's messages, regardless of their popularity or acceptance.

Divine Judgment
The prophecy against the prince and the house of Israel highlights God's justice and the consequences of disobedience.

Leadership Accountability
The focus on the "prince in Jerusalem" serves as a reminder that leaders are held to a high standard and are accountable for their actions.

Hope Amidst Judgment
While the message is one of impending judgment, it also serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of God's desire for restoration.

Relevance to Modern Believers
The passage encourages believers today to heed God's warnings, live righteously, and trust in His sovereign plans.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ezekiel's role as a prophet inform our understanding of the responsibilities of spiritual leaders today?

2. In what ways can we see the principles of divine judgment and mercy at work in our own lives and communities?

3. How does the accountability of the "prince in Jerusalem" challenge us to reflect on our own leadership roles, whether in family, work, or church?

4. What lessons can we learn from the fall of Jerusalem that apply to maintaining spiritual vigilance in our personal lives?

5. How can we balance the message of judgment with the hope of restoration in our conversations with others about faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 52
Provides historical context about King Zedekiah's reign and the fall of Jerusalem, which aligns with Ezekiel's prophecies.

2 Kings 25
Describes the siege and capture of Jerusalem, offering a account backdrop to Ezekiel's warnings.

Ezekiel 17
Contains another prophecy against Zedekiah, emphasizing the consequences of breaking covenants with God.

Isaiah 6
Illustrates the role of a prophet as a messenger of God's judgment and hope, similar to Ezekiel's mission.

Lamentations 1
Reflects on the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall, providing a poetic lament that complements Ezekiel's warnings.
It Parabolic Appeal to a Rebellious PeopleW. Jones Ezekiel 12:1-16
The Dramatic Form of ProphecyJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 12:1-16
People
Ezekiel
Places
Babylon, Chaldea, Jerusalem
Topics
Burden, Concerneth, Concerns, Jerusalem, Midst, Oracle, Prince, Ruler, Says, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 12:3-11

     1431   prophecy, OT methods

Ezekiel 12:7-11

     1421   oracles

Library
A Common Mistake and Lame Excuse
'... He prophesieth of the times that are far off.'--EZEKIEL xii. 27. Human nature was very much the same in the exiles that listened to Ezekiel on the banks of the Chebar and in Manchester to-day. The same neglect of God's message was grounded then on the same misapprehension of its bearings which profoundly operates in the case of many people now. Ezekiel had been proclaiming the fall of Jerusalem to the exiles whose captivity preceded it by a few years; and he was confronted by the incredulity
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The End
'1. And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. 2. And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 3. And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. 4. And the city was broken up, and all the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Last Agony
'In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. 2. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. 3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus.
God Spelling Himself out in Jesus: change in the original language--bother in spelling Jesus out--sticklers for the old forms--Jesus' new spelling of old words. Jesus is God following us up: God heart-broken--man's native air--bad choice affected man's will--the wrong lane--God following us up. The Early Eden Picture, Genesis 1:26-31. 2:7-25: unfallen man--like God--the breath of God in man--a spirit, infinite, eternal--love--holy--wise--sovereign over creation, Psalm 8:5-8--in his own will--summary--God's
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Believer's Privilege at Death
'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Phil 1:1I. Hope is a Christian's anchor, which he casts within the veil. Rejoicing in hope.' Rom 12:12. A Christian's hope is not in this life, but he hash hope in his death.' Prov 14:42. The best of a saint's comfort begins when his life ends; but the wicked have all their heaven here. Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.' Luke 6:64. You may make your acquittance, and write Received in full payment.' Son, remember that
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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