The Ethics of Exile

[Sung Psalm: 49]

By now, you've probably gotten Ezekiel's point. Everyone has sinned – far worse than you think – and the wages of sin is death – so prepare to die!

The destruction of Jerusalem is a picture of the final judgment. The temple in Jerusalem was designed as a microcosm of the world – the heavens (represented in the holy of holies) the earth (represented in the holy place) and the sea (represented in the great basin outside the holy place. And so when God sends the Babylonians to destroy his temple, he is showing forth a picture of his judgment against all the earth.

Ezekiel 20-23 forms a single unit, comprised of 9 “Words” from the LORD.

• Ezekiel 20:1-44 is the first “word.”
• Ezekiel 23 is the last “word.”
• Ezekiel 20:45-22:31 consists of seven shorter “words”

In Ezekiel 20-23, the LORD is preparing Ezekiel for the message that will come in ch 24. Because in chapter 24 two things will happen. The siege of Jerusalem will begin, and Ezekiel's wife will die.

Death is coming.

And so our passage today is asking you: are you ready for the final judgment? Are you ready for judgment day?