Ezekiel 14:13
"Son of man, if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully, and I stretch out My hand against it to cut off its supply of food, to send famine upon it, and to cut off from it both man and beast,
Son of man
This phrase is a frequent address to Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a representative of the people. In Hebrew, "ben adam" underscores the prophet's connection to mankind, highlighting the contrast between human frailty and divine authority. It serves as a reminder of Ezekiel's mission to convey God's messages to Israel, acting as a bridge between the divine and the earthly.

if a land sins against Me
The Hebrew word for "sins" here is "chata," which implies missing the mark or straying from the path of righteousness. This phrase suggests a collective moral failure, not just individual transgressions. Historically, Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry led to divine judgment. The phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, where national sin has communal consequences.

by acting faithlessly
The term "faithlessly" comes from the Hebrew "ma'al," indicating betrayal or treachery. It conveys a breach of trust, particularly in the context of Israel's covenant with God. This phrase highlights the seriousness of Israel's infidelity, akin to spiritual adultery, which provokes divine response. It serves as a warning of the consequences of abandoning faithfulness to God.

I will stretch out My hand against it
This imagery of God stretching out His hand is a powerful expression of divine intervention and judgment. In biblical history, this phrase often precedes acts of deliverance or punishment. It reflects God's active role in the affairs of nations, emphasizing His sovereignty and the certainty of His justice when His laws are violated.

to cut off its supply of bread
The cutting off of bread symbolizes famine, a common consequence of divine judgment in the Old Testament. Bread, a staple of life, represents God's provision. The withdrawal of sustenance signifies a withdrawal of divine favor and protection, urging the people to recognize their dependence on God for survival and prompting repentance.

to send famine upon it
Famine is a recurring theme in Scripture as a tool of divine discipline. It serves as a tangible reminder of human vulnerability and the need for reliance on God. Historically, famines often led to societal upheaval, forcing people to confront their spiritual state and return to God. This phrase underscores the seriousness of sin and the lengths to which God will go to bring His people back to Him.

and to cut off from it both man and beast
The inclusion of both man and beast in this judgment highlights the comprehensive nature of divine retribution. It reflects the interconnectedness of creation, where human sin impacts the entire ecosystem. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sin, affecting all aspects of life and creation, and calls for a holistic repentance and return to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the one receiving God's message. He is often referred to as "son of man" in the book, emphasizing his humanity and role as a messenger.

2. God
The speaker in this verse, God is addressing the consequences of a nation's unfaithfulness.

3. The Land
Represents any nation or people group that turns away from God, specifically Israel in the context of Ezekiel's prophecies.

4. Famine
A divine judgment used by God to discipline and bring about repentance among His people.

5. Man and Beast
Symbolizes the totality of life affected by the judgment, indicating the severity of the consequences of sin.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Sin
Sin is not just a personal failing but can have national consequences. It is crucial to understand the gravity of turning away from God.

Divine Judgment as a Call to Repentance
God's judgments, such as famine, are not merely punitive but are intended to lead people back to Him.

Faithfulness in the Community
The faithfulness of a community or nation is vital. Believers are called to be salt and light, influencing their surroundings positively.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God is sovereign and just, and His actions are always in line with His character. Understanding this helps us trust Him even in times of judgment.

Intercession and Repentance
Believers are called to intercede for their land and seek God's mercy, recognizing the power of collective repentance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ezekiel 14:13 reflect the character of God in terms of justice and mercy?

2. In what ways can the concept of national sin and judgment be seen in today's world?

3. How can believers today act as intercessors for their communities, as seen in the context of Ezekiel's message?

4. What are some practical steps individuals and communities can take to remain faithful to God and avoid the consequences described in Ezekiel 14:13?

5. How do the themes of judgment and repentance in Ezekiel 14:13 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28
These chapters outline the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, including famine as a consequence of turning away from God.

Jeremiah 14
Jeremiah also speaks of famine as a result of the people's sin, showing a consistent theme of divine judgment for unfaithfulness.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14
God speaks of sending drought and pestilence as a call to repentance, with a promise of healing if the people turn back to Him.
A Delusion DispelledEzekiel 14:12-14
Good Men: Their Power and Their WeaknessD. Thomas, D. D.Ezekiel 14:12-14
Noah, Daniel, and JobBishop Harvey Goodwin.Ezekiel 14:12-14
The Limit of InfluenceJ. Parker, D. D.Ezekiel 14:12-14
Human Atonement ValuelessJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 14:12-23
People
Daniel, Ezekiel, Job, Noah
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Acting, Animal, Animals, Beast, Bread, Break, Broken, Commit, Committing, Cut, Cutting, Destroy, Faithlessly, Famine, Grievously, Kill, Short, Sinneth, Sinning, Sins, Staff, Stretch, Stretched, Supply, Support, Thereof, Trespass, Trespassing, Unfaithful, Unfaithfulness, Working, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 14:13

     4823   famine, physical
     8840   unfaithfulness, to God

Library
Education of Jesus.
This aspect of Nature, at once smiling and grand, was the whole education of Jesus. He learned to read and to write,[1] doubtless, according to the Eastern method, which consisted in putting in the hands of the child a book, which he repeated in cadence with his little comrades, until he knew it by heart.[2] It is doubtful, however, if he understood the Hebrew writings in their original tongue. His biographers make him quote them according to the translations in the Aramean tongue;[3] his principles
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
From this Commandment we learn that after the excellent works of the first three Commandments there are no better works than to obey and serve all those who are set over us as superiors. For this reason also disobedience is a greater sin than murder, unchastity, theft and dishonesty, and all that these may include. For we can in no better way learn how to distinguish between greater and lesser sins than by noting the order of the Commandments of God, although there are distinctions also within the
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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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