16 July 2002

Text: Ezekiel 21

PAINFUL MESSAGES

A MESSAGE TO JERUSALEM

Addressees:-
1. "The holy places"
"Preach against the holy places…"
Ezekiel 21:2

2. Israel itself
"Prophesy against the land of Israel…"
Ezekiel 21:2

Judgment against Israel- "My sword"

1. The Unsheathing of the sword
"My sword shall go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north, that all flesh may know that I, the Lord have drawn My sword out of its sheath.."
Ezekiel 21:4-5

a) The "sword" is a reference to war

b) It also represents the judgment of the Lord against Israel

2. The Slaying of both Wicked and Righteous
"I will cut off both righteous and wicked from you"
Ezekiel 21:4
(This is inevitable when war breaks out)

THE SADNESS THAT WAR BRINGS TO THE HEART

"Sigh therefore, son of man, with a breaking heart, and sign with bitterness before their eyes…"
Ezekiel 21:6

"Because of the news; when it comes, every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water…"
Ezekiel 21:7

A LAMENT OF THE SWORD TO BE USED AGAINST ISRAEL

1. A Description of the Sword

"A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished!
Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter,
Polished to flash like lightning!
Should we then make mirth?"
Ezekiel 21:9-10

2. The Sword to be Wielded against Israel

"Cry and wail, son of man; for it will be against My people,
Against all the princes of Israel.
Terrors including the sword will be against My people;
Therefore strike your thigh"
Ezekiel 21:12

"I have set the point of the sword against all their gates,
That the heart may melt and many may stumble!
Ah! It is made bright; It is grasped for slaughter:
Swords at the ready!
Thrust right! Set your blade!
Thrust left-
Wherever your edge is ordered!
Ezekiel 21:15-16

3. God's Personal Supervision of the Judgment of Israel

"I also will beat My fists together,
and I will cause My fury to rest;
I, the Lord, have spoken"
Ezekiel 21:17

BABYLON- THE SWORD OF THE LORD
Identification of "the sword"
"The sword of the king of Babylon…"
Ezekiel 21:19

1. The Sword Against Ammon
"Appoint a road for the sword to go to Rabbah of the Ammonites…"
Ezekiel 21:20

Description of the Fall of Ammon (Ezekiel 21:28-32)
a) The wicked would be slain
Ezekiel 21:29

b) The Ammonites would be obliterated
Ezekiel 21:32

2. The Sword Against Judah
"And to Judah, into fortified Jerusalem…"
Ezekiel 21:20

Description of the Fall of Judah (Ezekiel 21:21-27)
a) Jerusalem will be under siege
Ezekiel 21:22-23

b) Judah would be overthrown
Ezekiel 21:27

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JUDGMENT OF ISRAEL AND AMMON
The Ammonites would be annihilated!

Israel will only be overthrown
'UNTIL HE COMES WHOSE RIGHT IT IS
AND I WILL GIVE IT TO HIM…"
Ezekiel 21:27

(Veiled reference to the Messiah)