Earlier Ezekiel declared that the day of judgment had arrived. The Babylonians had arisen arrogantly to deal with the wayward people of God. Jerusalem would be in turmoil. No one could hold on to what they have for their properties and people would all be taken away. Other areas would be affected and troubled too. Ezekiel 7:14-18 showed that militarily they would suffer setbacks. The whole society seemed to be in mayhem.
Seemingly, the people of Jerusalem were prepared for battle, but none
was willing to go out to fight. When trumpets sounded no one would move. Under
divine wrath, they were too petrified to move. Then, because of the siege, people
trapped inside the city would suffer from starvation due to the famine or from plagues
that afflicted them. And those in the country,
in the fields and villages would die from the attacks of the enemies. The few who
managed to evade the attack and flee to the mountain would suffer from anxious restlessness
and misery. So petrified were they that they could not even control their bladder
till their feet were wet with their urine. In humiliation, they would live in
fear and trembling, and despairing in hopelessness. These would be left moaning about the effect of their sins.
What is described in these verses is a people in a state of flux. They lacked courage and were devoid of security. That’s the experience of people suffering from the heavy hand of God. They had toyed with the patience of God for far too long. Proverbs 22:3 comes to mind as we think of the undiscerning people whom Ezekiel was sent to warn. It says, “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naïve go on and are punished for it.” Hear this counsel and learn to hide under the wings of shadow!
Dear Name (Jesus)! The rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never-failing Treasury filled
With boundless stores of grace!
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