Ezekiel 30:3
For the day is near, the Day of the LORD is near. It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.
For the day is near
The phrase "For the day is near" emphasizes the imminence of God's intervention. In Hebrew, the word for "day" is "yom," which can signify a literal day or a period of time marked by a significant event. Here, it underscores the urgency and certainty of God's impending judgment. Historically, this reflects the prophetic tradition where prophets warned of coming divine actions. The nearness of the day serves as a call to repentance and readiness, reminding believers of the ever-present reality of God's sovereign timeline.

the day of the LORD is near—
"The day of the LORD" is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, denoting a time when God will decisively act in history to judge and save. The Hebrew term "Yom Yahweh" conveys both dread and hope, as it is a day of reckoning for the wicked and deliverance for the faithful. This duality is crucial in understanding the prophetic message: it is both a warning and a promise. The repetition of "is near" reinforces the urgency and certainty of this divine intervention, urging believers to live in anticipation of God's righteous judgment.

a day of clouds
The imagery of "a day of clouds" evokes a sense of foreboding and obscurity. In biblical symbolism, clouds often represent God's presence and majesty, as seen in the Exodus narrative where God led the Israelites by a pillar of cloud. However, they can also signify judgment and calamity, as clouds obscure the sun and bring storms. This dual symbolism highlights the complexity of God's actions—His presence brings both protection and judgment. For the nations, it is a time of impending doom, but for the faithful, it is a reminder of God's sovereign control over creation.

a time of doom for the nations
The phrase "a time of doom for the nations" underscores the universal scope of God's judgment. The Hebrew word for "doom" is "tsofeh," which can mean a watchman or a time of calamity. This suggests that the nations are under divine scrutiny, and their actions have led to inevitable consequences. Historically, this reflects the geopolitical realities of Ezekiel's time, where empires rose and fell under God's sovereign hand. For contemporary believers, it serves as a reminder of God's justice and the ultimate accountability of all nations before Him. It calls for humility and trust in God's righteous governance of the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic actions.

2. The Day of the LORD
A prophetic term used throughout the Bible to describe a time of divine intervention, judgment, and salvation. It often signifies a period when God will execute judgment on nations and bring about His purposes.

3. Nations
In this context, it refers to the surrounding nations of Israel, particularly Egypt, which is the focus of the judgment in Ezekiel 30. The prophecy indicates a time of doom for these nations.

4. Clouds
Symbolically, clouds often represent God's presence and judgment. In this passage, they signify the impending judgment and the obscurity of the future for the nations.

5. Doom
This term indicates the severe judgment and destruction that will come upon the nations as part of God's divine plan.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Sovereignty
The "day of the LORD" reminds us of God's ultimate control over history and nations. We should live with an awareness of His sovereignty and align our lives with His will.

The Reality of Judgment
This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of divine judgment. It calls us to examine our lives and repent from sin, knowing that God's judgment is certain.

Hope in God's Justice
While the day of the LORD is a time of doom for the nations, it also signifies the establishment of God's justice. Believers can find hope in knowing that God will ultimately set things right.

Urgency in Evangelism
Understanding the nearness of the day of the LORD should motivate us to share the gospel with urgency, knowing that many are unaware of the impending judgment.

Living in Light of Eternity
This passage encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual matters over temporal concerns.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of the "day of the LORD" in Ezekiel 30:3 compare to other biblical references to this day, and what can we learn from these comparisons?

2. In what ways does understanding God's sovereignty over nations impact your daily life and decision-making?

3. How can the reality of divine judgment motivate us to live a life of holiness and repentance?

4. What practical steps can you take to share the message of salvation with others in light of the urgency of the day of the LORD?

5. How does living with an eternal perspective influence your priorities and actions in your current circumstances?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joel 2:1-2
This passage also speaks of the "day of the LORD" as a day of darkness and gloom, emphasizing the theme of divine judgment.

Zephaniah 1:14-15
Similar to Ezekiel, Zephaniah describes the day of the LORD as a day of wrath and distress, reinforcing the idea of God's judgment on the nations.

Isaiah 13:6-9
Isaiah prophesies about the day of the LORD as a time of destruction from the Almighty, highlighting the universal scope of God's judgment.
The Day of the LordJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 30:1-3
The Day of DesolationW. Clarkson Ezekiel 30:1-3, 7
The Lord's Day in EgyptJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 30:1-19
People
Cherethites, Cushites, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Ezekiel, Lud, Lydia, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Pharaoh, Phut
Places
Arabia, Babylon, Cush, Egypt, Libya, Lud, Memphis, Migdol, Nile River, On, Pathros, Pelusium, Pi-beseth, Put, Syene, Tehaphnehes, Thebes, Zoan
Topics
Cloud, Clouds, Cloudy, Doom, Heathen, Nations, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 30:3

     4805   clouds
     4971   seasons, of life
     9140   last days

Ezekiel 30:2-4

     5899   lament

Ezekiel 30:3-4

     9220   day of the LORD

Library
Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join
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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