Signs of Judgment: God’s Warning Through Symbol and Prophecy
- Be God's Glory
- Sep 1
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 3
Welcome to Day 244 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Ezekiel. These three chapters vividly portray God’s warnings of judgment against Jerusalem and Israel for their rebellion and idolatry. Through symbolic actions, Ezekiel becomes a living prophecy, demonstrating the coming siege, famine, and destruction. God emphasizes His holiness and justice, showing that sin cannot go unchecked, while also underscoring His desire for repentance. These passages reveal both the severity of divine judgment and the depth of God’s grief over His people’s stubbornness.
Ezekiel 4
In this chapter, Ezekiel is commanded to act out prophetic signs of Jerusalem’s coming siege. He uses a clay tablet to represent the city, building a miniature siege against it, symbolizing the Babylonian invasion. God then requires Ezekiel to lie on his side—390 days for Israel’s sin and 40 days for Judah’s sin—showing the weight of their iniquity and God’s patience in dealing with it. He is told to eat a meager diet of bread baked over cow dung, symbolizing the famine and defilement that would come during the siege. This symbolic action underscores the desperate conditions the people would face. Through these powerful signs, God communicates His displeasure with Israel’s unfaithfulness and His determination to carry out judgment.
Ezekiel 5
Ezekiel is instructed to shave his head and beard, a shameful act for a priest, symbolizing judgment on Jerusalem. He divides the hair into three parts: one to be burned, one struck with a sword, and one scattered to the wind—each portion representing how the people of Jerusalem would perish by famine, sword, and exile. A small portion is tucked away, symbolizing a remnant God would preserve. God declares that Jerusalem had become more wicked than the nations around them, rejecting His statutes and defiling His sanctuary. As a result, unparalleled judgment would come, with famine so severe that cannibalism would occur, and nations would be horrified at the devastation. The chapter emphasizes both God’s justice and the seriousness of forsaking His covenant.
Ezekiel 6
In this chapter, Ezekiel is told to prophesy against the mountains of Israel, places where idol worship had taken root. God announces that altars would be destroyed, idols smashed, and the people who worshiped them slain. Yet amid this destruction, God promises that a remnant would survive exile, recognizing their sin and turning back to Him. The chapter shows God’s deep sorrow over Israel’s idolatry but also His unwavering commitment to His holiness. His judgment would make His people know that He is the LORD, the true and living God, in contrast to the lifeless idols they served. This passage highlights both the wrath of God against sin and His desire for His people’s repentance and restoration.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Ezekiel comes from the Hebrew name Yehezqel, which means “God strengthens” or “God is my strength.” This meaning is significant in the context of the book because Ezekiel is called by God to strengthen the faith of Israel and uphold God’s authority in the midst of the nation’s exile and rebellion.
Purpose of the Book:
The book of Ezekiel was written primarily to warn, convict, and comfort the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon (c. 593–571 BC). Its purposes include:
Warning of Judgment: To declare God’s judgment on Israel for their idolatry, rebellion, and unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 5:5–17).
Encouraging Repentance: To call the people to repentance and restore hope for the remnant who return to God (Ezekiel 18:30–32).
Revealing God’s Sovereignty and Glory: Through vivid visions, symbolic acts, and prophetic messages, the book emphasizes that God is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel (Ezekiel 1:26–28; 36:22–23).
Promising Restoration: Ezekiel concludes with promises of renewal for Israel, including the vision of the valley of dry bones and the restored temple, symbolizing spiritual revival and national restoration (Ezekiel 37:1–28; 40–48).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The book of Ezekiel is attributed to the prophet Ezekiel, a priest and prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Evidence for his authorship includes:
Biblical References:
Ezekiel repeatedly identifies himself in the text as the recipient of God’s visions and messages (Ezekiel 1:3, 2:1, 3:4).
The Book of 2 Kings 24–25 provides historical context about the Babylonian exile, confirming the timeframe of Ezekiel’s ministry.
Extra-Biblical Support:
The Jewish historian Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews (Book 10, Chapter 10) references Ezekiel as a prophet active during the Babylonian exile, confirming the traditional attribution.
The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Megillah 14b) also recognizes Ezekiel as the author of the prophetic book that bears his name.
Internal Evidence: The first-person accounts, vivid visions, and symbolic actions consistently present throughout the book strongly suggest a single author with intimate knowledge of priestly practices and the Babylonian exile experience.
Key People:
Ezekiel – The prophet and main figure, called by God to deliver messages of warning, judgment, and hope.
God (YHWH) – Central figure of the book, revealed in powerful visions and messages.
King Jehoiachin – King of Judah taken into Babylonian exile, mentioned in Ezekiel 1:2 and 24:1–2.
Other Israelites – The people of Israel, often depicted as rebellious and in need of correction (Ezekiel 2:3–5; 18:2–3).
Foreign Nations – Babylon, Tyre, Egypt, Ammon, Moab, and Edom, who are often referenced in prophecies of judgment (Ezekiel 25–32).
Conclusion
The book of Ezekiel concludes with a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God’s enduring presence. Despite Israel’s rebellion and judgment, God promises to gather His people, cleanse them from sin, and restore them to their land. The final chapters (Ezekiel 40–48) present a vision of a renewed temple and a reestablished covenant community, symbolizing spiritual revival and the assurance that God remains faithful to His promises. The overarching theme is that God is holy, sovereign, and faithful, and He works through judgment and restoration to fulfill His purposes for His people.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Ezekiel 4
In this chapter, God reveals His holiness, justice, and patience. By having Ezekiel act out the siege and bear the sins of Israel and Judah, God shows that He is a God who takes sin seriously but is also longsuffering in giving warnings before judgment falls. His character is one of righteous justice, but also one who uses vivid, clear ways to reach His people when words alone are not enough.
No specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, but God is revealed as the Sovereign Lord (Adonai Yahweh), the One who rules with authority over nations and history. The lesson is that God calls His people to recognize the weight of their sin and understand the consequences of rebellion. We learn that God sometimes uses difficult and symbolic methods to get our attention, reminding us to repent before judgment comes.
Ezekiel 5
Here, God displays His justice, holiness, and grief over Jerusalem’s rebellion. He makes it clear that His people have become more corrupt than surrounding nations, showing that He does not show favoritism but judges fairly. His character is both righteous and heartbroken, as He must discipline His people for turning away from Him.
This chapter frequently refers to God as “Adonai Yahweh” (Sovereign Lord), emphasizing His supreme authority and covenant relationship. The lesson taught is that God’s people are held accountable for greater knowledge and blessing, and rejecting Him brings severe consequences. We learn that God preserves a remnant even in judgment, reminding us that His mercy remains even when His justice is poured out.
Ezekiel 6
In this chapter, God reveals His jealousy for His glory and His hatred of idolatry. He is portrayed as a God who will not tolerate rivals, showing His people that idols are powerless compared to Him. Yet, even in judgment, His compassion is seen as He promises that a remnant will survive and turn back to Him.
The repeated phrase “You will know that I am Yahweh” (Ani Yahweh) is central in this chapter. This name highlights His covenant faithfulness and the truth that He alone is God. The lesson is that God allows trials and judgment so that people will recognize His Lordship and turn away from false gods. We can relate to this today by remembering that God still calls us to tear down idols in our lives and trust Him fully.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does Ezekiel 4 teach us about God’s patience in warning His people before judgment comes?
How does God’s instruction to Ezekiel to “bear the sins” of Israel and Judah reflect His justice and holiness?
In Ezekiel 5, God declares that His people are more corrupt than surrounding nations—what does this reveal about His impartiality in judgment?
How do God’s actions in Ezekiel 5 demonstrate both His grief and His justice toward His covenant people?
In Ezekiel 6, God repeatedly says, “Then you will know that I am the LORD.” What does this reveal about His desire for relationship with His people?
How does God’s destruction of idols in Ezekiel 6 show His jealousy for His glory and His covenant love?
Across these chapters, how do we see God balancing His holiness, justice, mercy, and desire for repentance?
Questions About Themes:
What is the significance of Ezekiel’s symbolic actions (clay tablet, lying on his side, eating defiled food) in Ezekiel 4?
How does the image of dividing Ezekiel’s hair in Ezekiel 5 symbolize the different outcomes of the people of Jerusalem?
What themes of covenant responsibility and accountability are emphasized in Ezekiel 5?
How does Ezekiel 6 address the theme of idolatry and its destructive influence on God’s people?
What is the recurring theme of the “remnant” in these chapters, and why is it important?
How do these chapters together emphasize that sin has both personal and national consequences?
What major theme connects all three chapters in relation to God’s ultimate goal for His people?
Reflective Application Questions:
What “warning signs” might God be giving you today to call you to repentance or change?
How do Ezekiel’s symbolic actions challenge you to consider the seriousness of sin in your own life?
In what ways do we sometimes take God’s grace for granted, as Jerusalem did, and how can we avoid this?
What “idols” (habits, desires, or distractions) in your life might God be calling you to tear down, as He did in Ezekiel 6?
How can remembering that God always preserves a faithful remnant encourage you during times of hardship?
What does it mean for you personally to “know that He is the LORD” in your daily walk with Him?
How can you live in a way that reflects God’s holiness and covenant faithfulness in a culture that often rejects Him?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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