Ezekiel 14:19
Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out My wrath upon it through bloodshed, cutting off from it both man and beast,
Or if I send a plague into that land
The phrase "Or if I send a plague" indicates a conditional statement, emphasizing God's sovereign control over nature and history. The Hebrew word for "plague" is "דֶּבֶר" (deber), which often refers to pestilence or disease sent as divine judgment. Historically, plagues were seen as manifestations of divine displeasure, and in the context of ancient Israel, they were reminders of the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The phrase "into that land" specifies the target of this divine action, underscoring the idea that God's judgments are purposeful and directed.

and pour out My wrath upon it in bloodshed
The imagery of "pour out My wrath" is vivid, suggesting an overwhelming and deliberate act of divine judgment. The Hebrew root for "wrath" is "חֵמָה" (chemah), which conveys intense anger or fury. This wrath is "poured out...in bloodshed," indicating a violent and severe consequence. Bloodshed, or "דָּם" (dam) in Hebrew, often symbolizes the ultimate penalty for sin, reflecting the seriousness of turning away from God's commands. This phrase serves as a stark warning of the consequences of persistent disobedience.

to cut off from it both man and beast
The phrase "to cut off" translates the Hebrew "כָּרַת" (karat), which means to sever or destroy. This action affects "both man and beast," highlighting the comprehensive nature of divine judgment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the destruction of both human and animal life would signify a complete devastation of the land, affecting its economy, sustenance, and social structure. This serves as a sobering reminder of the interconnectedness of creation and the far-reaching impact of sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the mouthpiece of God, delivering messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.

2. God
The sovereign Lord who speaks through Ezekiel, emphasizing His authority and justice.

3. The Land
Refers to the land of Israel, which is under threat of divine judgment due to the people's unfaithfulness.

4. Plague
A divine instrument of judgment, symbolizing God's wrath and the consequences of sin.

5. Man and Beast
Represents the totality of life in the land, indicating the comprehensive nature of God's judgment.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Justice
God is sovereign over all creation, and His judgments are just. Understanding His sovereignty helps us trust in His plans, even when they involve discipline.

The Consequences of Sin
Sin has serious consequences, not just spiritually but also physically and communally. Recognizing this should lead us to repentance and a desire to live righteously.

Call to Repentance
God's warnings are opportunities for repentance. We should heed His call to turn from sin and seek His forgiveness and grace.

Interconnectedness of Creation
The judgment on both man and beast highlights the interconnectedness of creation. Our actions affect not only ourselves but also the world around us.

Hope in Restoration
While judgment is severe, it is not the end. God's ultimate desire is for restoration and renewal, offering hope to those who turn back to Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty in Ezekiel 14:19 affect your view of current world events?

2. In what ways can the consequences of sin, as described in this passage, be seen in today's society?

3. How can we, as individuals and communities, respond to God's call for repentance in our lives?

4. What are some practical ways to recognize and address the interconnectedness of our actions with the world around us?

5. How can the hope of restoration influence our daily walk with God, especially in times of personal or communal judgment?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28
These chapters outline the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, including plagues as a form of divine judgment.

Revelation 6
The imagery of plagues and divine wrath is echoed in the apocalyptic visions, highlighting the consistency of God's justice throughout Scripture.

Jeremiah 24
Similar themes of judgment and restoration, where God uses calamities to bring about repentance and eventual renewal.
Human Atonement ValuelessJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 14:12-23
Public Calamity a Call to Private HumiliationDean Burgon.Ezekiel 14:19-20
People
Daniel, Ezekiel, Job, Noah
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Animal, Animals, Beast, Blood, Bloodshed, Cut, Cutting, Disease, Fury, Killing, Letting, Loose, Pestilence, Plague, Pour, Poured, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 14:14-18

     1652   numbers, 3-5

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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