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Commentary on Ezekiel 12 verses 21–28
Various methods had been used to awaken this secure and careless people to an expectation of the judgments coming, that they might be stirred up, by repentance and reformation, to prevent them. The prophecies of their ruin were confirmed by visions, and illustrated by signs, and all with such evidence and power that one would think they must needs be wrought upon; but here we are told how they evaded the conviction, and guarded against it, namely, by telling themselves, and one another, that though these judgments threatened should come at last yet they would not come of a long time. This suggestion, with which they bolstered themselves up in their security, is here answered, and shown to be vain and groundless, in two separate messages which God sent to them by the prophet at different times, both to the same purport; such care, such pains, must the prophet take to undeceive them, Eze 12:21, Eze 12:26. Observe,
I. How they flattered themselves with hopes that the judgments should be delayed. One saying they had, which had become proverbial in the land of Israel, Eze 12:22. They said, "The days are prolonged; the judgments have not come when they were expected to come, but seem to be still put off de die in diem - from day to day, and therefore we may conclude that every vision fails, because it should seem that some do, that because the destruction has not come yet it will never come; we will never trust a prophet again, for we have been more frightened than hurt." And another saying they had which, if it would not conquer their convictions, yet would cool their affections and abate their concern, and that was, "The vision is for a great while to come; it refers to events at a vast distance, and he prophesies of things which, though they may be true, are yet very far off, so that we need not trouble our heads about them (Eze 12:27); we may die in honour and peace before these troubles come." And, if indeed the troubles had been thus adjourned, they might have made themselves easy, as Hezekiah did. Is it not well if peace and truth shall be in my days? But it was a great mistake, and they did but deceive themselves into their own ruin; and God is here much displeased at it; for, 1. It was a wretched abuse of the patience of God, who, because for a time he kept silence, was thought to be altogether such a one as themselves, Psa 50:21. That forbearance of God which should have led them to repentance hardened them in sin. They were willing to think their works were not evil because sentence against them was not executed speedily; and therefore concluded the vision itself failed, because the days were prolonged. 2. It received countenance form the false prophets that were among them, as should seem from the notice God takes (Eze 12:24) of the vain visions, and flattering divinations, even within the house of Israel, to whom were committed the oracles of God. No marvel if those that deceived themselves by worshipping pretended deities deceived themselves also by crediting pretended prophecies, to which strong delusions God justly gave them up for their idolatries. 3. These sayings had become proverbial; they were industriously spread among the people, so that they had got into very one's mouth, and not only so, but were generally assented to, as proverbs usually are, not only the proverbs of the ancients, but those of the moderns too. Note, It is a token of universal degeneracy in a nation when corrupt and wicked sayings have grown proverbial; and it is an artifice of Satan by them to confirm men in their prejudices against the word and ways of God, and a great offence to the God of heaven. It will not serve for an excuse, in saying ill, to plead that it is a common saying.
II. How they are assured that they do but deceive themselves, for the judgments shall be hastened, these profane proverbs shall be confronted: Tell them, therefore, The days are at hand (Eze 12:23), and again, There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, Eze 12:28. Their putting the evil day far from them does but provoke God to bring it the sooner upon them; and it will be so much the sorer, so much the heavier, so much the more a surprise and terror to them when it does come. He must tell them,
1.That God will certainly silence the lying proverbs, and the lying prophecies, with which they buoyed up their vain hopes, and will make them ashamed of both: (1.) I will make this proverb to cease; for when they find the days of vengeance have come, and not one iota or tittle of the prediction falls to the ground, they will be ashamed to use it as a proverb in Israel, The days are prolonged, and the vision fails. Note, Those that will not have their eyes opened and their mistakes rectified, by the word of God, shall be undeceived by his judgments: for every mouth that speaks perverse things shall be stopped. (2.) There shall be no more any vain vision, Eze 12:24. The false prophets, who told the people they should have peace and should soon see an end of their troubles, shall be disproved by the event, and then shall be ashamed of their pretensions, and shall hide their heads and impose silence upon themselves. Note, As truth was older than error, so it will survive it; it got the start, and it will get the race. The true prophets' visions and predictions stand, and are in full force, power, and virtue; they give law, and receive credit, when the vain visions, and the flattering divinations, are lost and forgotten, and shall be no more in the house of Israel; for great is the truth, and will prevail.
2.That God will certainly, and very shortly, accomplish every word that he has spoken. With what majesty does he say it (Eze 12:25): I am the Lord! I am Jehovah! That glorious name of his speaks him a God giving being to his word by the performance of it, and therefore to the patriarchs, who lived by faith in a promise not yet performed, he was not known by his name Jehovah, Exo 6:3. But, as he is Jehovah in making good his promise, so he is in making good his threatenings. Let them know then that God, with whom they have to do, is the great Jehovah, and therefore, (1.) He will speak, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear: I am the Lord, I will speak. God will have his saying, whoever gainsays it. God's oracles are called lively ones, for they still speak when the pagan oracles are long ago struck dumb. There has been, and shall be, a succession of God's ministers to the end of the world, by whom he will speak; and, though contempt may be put upon them, that shall not put a period to their ministration: In your days, O rebellious house! will I say the word. Even in the worst ages of the church God left not himself without witness, but raised up men that spoke for him, that spoke from him. I will say the word, the word that shall stand. (2.) The word that he speaks shall come to pass; it shall infallibly be accomplished according to the true intent and meaning of it, and according to the full extent and compass of it: I will say the word and will perform it (Eze 12:25), for his mind is never changed, nor his arm shortened, nor is Infinite Wisdom ever nonplussed. With men saying and doing are two things, but they are not so with God; with him it is dictum, factum - said, and done. In the works of providence, as in those of creation, he speaks and it is done; for he said, Let there be light, and there was light - Let there be a firmament, and there was a firmament, Num 23:19; Sa1 15:29. Whereas they had said, Every vision fails (Eze 12:22), God says, "No, there shall be the effect of every vision (Eze 12:23); it shall not return void, but every sign shall be answered by the thing signified." Those that see the visions of the Almighty do not see vain visions; God confirms the word of his servants by performing it. (3.) It shall be accomplished very shortly: "The days are at hand when you shall see the effect of every vision, Eze 12:23. It is said, it is sworn, that delay shall be no longer (Rev 10:6); the year of God's patience has now just expired, and he will no longer defer the execution of the sentence. It shall be no more prolonged (Eze 12:25); he has borne with you a great while, but he will not bear always. In your days, O rebellious house! shall the word that is said be performed, and you shall see the threatened judgments and share in them. Behold, the Judge stands at the door. The righteous are taken away from the evil to come, but this rebellious house shall not be so quietly taken away; no, they shall live to be hurried away, to be chased out of the world." This is repeated (Eze 12:28): "There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but judgment shall now hasten on apace; and the longer the bow has been in the drawing the deeper shall the arrow pierce." When we tell sinners of death and judgment, heaven and hell, and think by them to persuade them to a holy life, though we do not find them downright infidels (they will own that they do believe there is a state of rewards and punishments in the other world), yet they put by the force of those great truths, and void the impressions of them, by looking upon the things of the other world as very remote; they tell us, "The vision you see is for many days to come, and you prophesy of the times that are very far off; it will be time enough to think of them when they come nearer," whereas really there is but a step between us and death, between us and an awful eternity; yet a little while and the vision shall speak and not lie, and therefore it concerns us to redeem time, and get ready with all speed for a future state; for, though it is future, it is very near, and while impenitent sinners slumber their damnation slumbers not.
(Verse 21 and following) And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying: The days are prolonged, and every vision fails? Therefore say to them: Thus says the Lord God: I will make this proverb to cease, and it shall be used no more in Israel. Speak to them, and say: The days are at hand, and every vision shall be fulfilled. For there shall no longer be any false vision, nor ambiguous divination in the midst of the children of Israel. Because I, the Lord, will speak, whatever word I have spoken will be done. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak a word and I will do it, says the Lord God. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, behold the house of Israel, saying: The vision that this man sees is for many days and he prophesies for a long time. Therefore, say to them: Thus says the Lord God: My word will no longer be delayed: the word that I have spoken will be fulfilled, says the Lord God. What we have said, the proverb, according to Symmachus, all other interpreters have translated as a parable, which in Hebrew is called Masal. Again, where it has been said by us: 'There shall not be an ambiguous divination,' the Seventy have translated it as 'nor one divining according to favor.' For which reason all have interpreted it as slippery, whereas what we have said is ambiguous, so that we may understand the deceiving words of our prophets. Now the meaning of the entire chapter is this: He had previously prophesied against the ruler who was in Jerusalem, then he declared to the people that there would be famine and a burning thirst. So the unbelieving crowd takes up an old and well-known proverb: The threat of prophets is postponed to a distant time, and every vision will perish, while it is seen in vain; or, according to Symmachus, it will vanish into thin air and a gentle breeze. Therefore, say to them, my threat will by no means be postponed, nor will a false and ambiguous prediction be made to the people that has an uncertain end, so that it is said at one time and fulfilled at another; but now, while you who speak and those who hear are alive, let the word that I have spoken be fulfilled. However, it signifies the imminent captivity of the city of Jerusalem and the capture of Zedekiah with the people of Judah. Not only at that time, but even today the unbelieving crowd and the hard hearts of mortals do not accept the prophecy of God: but they consider everything that the prophets threaten, everything that the Gospel preaches, to be postponed to another time. And here let us understand the parable that is presented by the Septuagint as being received as a proverb, in accordance with what we read in the psalm: 'And I became a proverb to them' (Psalm 68:12). And in the same prophet: What is this parable to you in the people of Israel, saying: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the sons are set on edge? We clearly explain, so that we may remain in the more obscure.
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SUMMARY
Ezekiel 12:21 serves as a foundational prophetic formula, announcing a direct and authoritative divine oracle from the LORD to the prophet Ezekiel. This declaration is pivotal, setting the stage for God's immediate and decisive response to the pervasive skepticism and false security among the exiles in Babylon, particularly their widespread proverb that dismissed the urgency and certainty of prophetic visions. It powerfully underscores the imminence and infallibility of God's word, preparing the audience for a profound shift in divine communication regarding impending judgment and the swift fulfillment of prophecy.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ezekiel 12:21 primarily employs a Prophetic Formula. This formulaic opening, "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," is a ubiquitous literary device throughout prophetic literature. Its consistent use serves as a clear and unmistakable signal to the audience that the message which follows is a direct, authoritative, and undeniable revelation originating from God. It functions as a powerful Framing Device, effectively setting the stage for the divine oracle and clearly distinguishing it from any human discourse or opinion. The explicit mention of "LORD" (YHWH) within the formula emphasizes the profound Divine Authority behind the message, highlighting that the speaker is none other than the covenant God of Israel, whose word is absolute, true, and binding. Furthermore, this formula profoundly establishes the prophet's role as a mere Conduit or vessel for God's message, not its originator, thereby reinforcing the message's divine origin and its inherently binding nature upon all who hear it.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 12:21, though succinct, is profoundly significant theologically, asserting the living God's active and continuous engagement with humanity through direct communication. It establishes the absolute authority, certainty, and efficacy of God's word, particularly in a context of widespread skepticism and disbelief. This verse reminds us that God's prophecies are not idle threats, distant possibilities, or mere human conjectures, but divine declarations that possess inherent power and will inevitably come to pass. It directly confronts the human tendency to dismiss divine warnings or promises due to perceived delays, emphasizing God's perfect timing and unwavering faithfulness to His declared purposes, whether those purposes involve judgment or salvation. The integrity of God's character and His covenant faithfulness are inextricably tied to the fulfillment of His word.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 12:21 serves as a timeless and profound reminder of the enduring truth that God actively speaks to His creation. In an age saturated with information, competing narratives, and countless voices vying for our attention, this verse calls us to cultivate a discerning and attentive spirit, recognizing that the written Word of God, the Bible, remains His primary and authoritative means of communicating His will, His immutable character, and His eternal purposes to us today. Just as the exiles desperately needed to abandon their complacency and heed Ezekiel's urgent warnings, we too are called to listen intently to and obey God's voice as it is revealed in Scripture, trusting implicitly in the certain fulfillment of His divine plan. This involves taking seriously both His precious promises and His solemn warnings, allowing His authoritative word to profoundly shape our worldview, guide our decisions, and ultimately transform our very lives. It challenges any skepticism, spiritual apathy, or dismissiveness we might harbor towards divine truth, urging us to respond with reverence, humble obedience, and a deep, abiding trust in the God who "says" and unfailingly "does."
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible frequently use the phrase "The word of the LORD came unto me, saying"?
Answer: This phrase, or very similar variations, is a crucial and recurrent prophetic formula used extensively throughout the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Its frequent repetition serves several vital theological and literary purposes. Firstly, it unequivocally establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that follows, clearly indicating that the prophet is not speaking his own thoughts, opinions, or political analyses, but is conveying a direct, unadulterated revelation from God Himself. This lends immense weight, credibility, and binding power to the pronouncement. Secondly, it serves to validate the prophet's role as a true and legitimate messenger of God, distinguishing him from false prophets who spoke from their own imaginations or for personal gain. Thirdly, it underscores the certainty and binding nature of God's word; what God declares will undoubtedly come to pass, often with swiftness and precision. Finally, the very repetition of this formula emphasizes the consistency, unwavering nature, and faithfulness of God's communication with His people, even when delivering difficult truths, warnings of judgment, or promises of future restoration, as powerfully demonstrated in the immediate context of Ezekiel 12:21.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 12:21 speaks of the "word of the LORD" coming to a prophet in the Old Testament, a powerful and profound trajectory of fulfillment leads directly to Jesus Christ. This Old Testament prophetic formula foreshadows the ultimate and perfect revelation of God in the person of His Son. The "word of the LORD" that came to Ezekiel, a divine message delivered through human lips, finds its ultimate embodiment in the living Word, Jesus, who is the full, final, and complete expression of God's truth, character, and redemptive purpose. As John 1:1 majestically declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jesus is not merely a message from God, but God Himself, embodying all that the Father desires to communicate to humanity. The author of Hebrews beautifully affirms this trajectory, stating that "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). Thus, the authoritative, certain, and effectual word that came to Ezekiel finds its ultimate fulfillment and most complete expression in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, who is uniquely identified as "the Word of God" (Revelation 19:13) made flesh, through whom all of God's promises are affirmed, and His glorious plan of salvation is fully realized for all eternity.