Ezekiel 7:2
"O son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says to the land of Israel: 'The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.
And you, son of man
The phrase "son of man" is a title used frequently in the book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and his role as a representative of the people. In Hebrew, "ben adam" underscores the connection between Ezekiel and the rest of humanity, highlighting his role as a mediator between God and Israel. This title reminds us of the humility required in serving God and the importance of being grounded in our human experience while being open to divine revelation.

this is what the Lord GOD says
This phrase introduces a divine oracle, underscoring the authority and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew term "Adonai Yahweh" combines the concept of lordship and the covenant name of God, Yahweh, emphasizing His ultimate authority and faithfulness. It is a reminder that the message Ezekiel delivers is not his own but comes directly from God, demanding attention and reverence from the listeners.

to the land of Israel
The "land of Israel" refers to the physical territory promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land rich in biblical history and significance, representing God's covenant promises and the place where His people are to live in obedience to Him. This phrase sets the geographical and spiritual context for the prophecy, reminding the audience of their unique relationship with God and the responsibilities that come with it.

The end!
The declaration "The end!" is a stark and emphatic announcement of impending judgment. In Hebrew, "qetz" signifies a conclusion or termination, often associated with divine judgment. This word serves as a wake-up call, urging the people to recognize the seriousness of their situation and the urgency of repentance. It is a reminder that God's patience has limits and that His justice will ultimately prevail.

The end has come
Reiterating the finality of the situation, this phrase emphasizes the certainty and imminence of God's judgment. The repetition of "end" underscores the irreversible nature of what is about to occur. It serves as a sobering reminder that God's warnings are not to be taken lightly and that His prophetic words will come to pass.

upon the four corners of the land
The "four corners of the land" is a phrase that signifies the totality and completeness of the judgment. In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the earth was often viewed as having four corners, representing the entirety of the known world. This expression indicates that no part of Israel will be exempt from the coming judgment, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's justice. It serves as a call to the people to recognize the pervasive impact of their disobedience and the need for widespread repentance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.

2. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who communicates His divine will and judgment through His prophets.

3. The Land of Israel
The geographical and spiritual center of the Jewish people, representing both the physical territory and the covenant relationship with God.

4. The Four Corners of the Land
Symbolic of the entirety of Israel, indicating that the impending judgment is comprehensive and inescapable.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of God's Judgment
God's pronouncement of "The end!" underscores the certainty and finality of His judgment. Believers are reminded of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine justice.

The Sovereignty of God
The message delivered by Ezekiel highlights God's sovereignty over nations and history. Christians are called to trust in God's ultimate control and righteous governance.

The Call to Repentance
The impending judgment serves as a call to repentance. Believers should examine their lives, turn from sin, and seek God's mercy and forgiveness.

The Importance of Obedience
Israel's disobedience led to judgment. This serves as a warning to Christians to live in obedience to God's commands, understanding that disobedience has consequences.

Hope Beyond Judgment
While the message is one of judgment, the broader context of Ezekiel includes promises of restoration. Believers can find hope in God's redemptive plans, even amidst discipline.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the certainty of God's judgment in Ezekiel 7:2 challenge your understanding of God's character and justice?

2. In what ways can the concept of "the end" coming upon the land of Israel be applied to our personal lives and spiritual readiness?

3. How does the theme of God's sovereignty in Ezekiel 7:2 provide comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty or crisis?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's discipline. How did it lead you to repentance and a deeper relationship with Him?

5. How can the message of hope and restoration found in the broader context of Ezekiel encourage you in your walk with Christ today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Amos 8:2
Similar to Ezekiel 7:2, Amos speaks of the end coming upon Israel, emphasizing the certainty and imminence of God's judgment.

Revelation 7:1
The "four corners of the earth" are mentioned, symbolizing the universality of God's reach and the comprehensive nature of His plans.

Jeremiah 4:27
Jeremiah also prophesies about the desolation of the land, reinforcing the theme of judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness.
The Punishment of the WickedW. Jones Ezekiel 7:1-4
The Hand of the Dock on the Hour of DoomJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 7:1-15
People
Ezekiel
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Corners, O, Quarters, Says, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 7:2-4

     7259   promised land, later history

Ezekiel 7:2-6

     4930   end

Library
Motives to Holy Mourning
Let me exhort Christians to holy mourning. I now persuade to such a mourning as will prepare the soul for blessedness. Oh that our hearts were spiritual limbecs, distilling the water of holy tears! Christ's doves weep. They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity' (Ezekiel 7:16). There are several divine motives to holy mourning: 1 Tears cannot be put to a better use. If you weep for outward losses, you lose your tears. It is like a shower
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Healing a Demoniac in a Synagogue.
(at Capernaum.) ^B Mark I. 21-28; ^C Luke . IV. 31-37. ^b 21 And they [Jesus and the four fishermen whom he called] go into { ^c he came down to} Capernaum, a city of Galilee. [Luke has just spoken of Nazareth, and he uses the expression "down to Capernaum" because the latter was on the lake shore while Nazareth was up in the mountains.] And ^b straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. { ^c was teaching them} ^b 22 And they were astonished at his teaching: for he taught
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

"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

Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

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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