The Gospel According to Ezekiel, Chapter 12

A Meaningful Life Tied to Acknowledging God

A meaningful life, a life full of quality and contentment, is directly tied to the degree to which a person acknowledges God. The extent to which a person acknowledges who God is, accepts what He does as truths to live by, and recognizes His reality determines the quality of life experienced.

In the Old Testament, God presents Himself 77 times, revealing His intolerance, proactivity, or doctrine, commanding acknowledgment as "the Lord." Sixty-three of these instances are in Ezekiel. To experience purposeful life, we must increase in acknowledging God and His involvement.

In Ezekiel's context, people deny God's sovereignty and involvement, resulting in judgment that diminishes their quality of life to non-existence. Even those grieving over sin, spared by grace, experience a higher quality of life than the unrepentant world around them.

Living Amid a Rebellious House

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.” (Ezekiel 12:1-2)

Ezekiel lives among a rebellious people in exile due to their rebellion. This mirrors the Exodus: after miraculous deliverance from Egypt, amid provision in the wilderness, they complained, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 16:3). Rebelliousness rejects God's leadership, preferring self-direction over duty, leading back to bondage.

Rebellious people have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear—like idols (Psalm 115:5-7). They cannot truly experience the world or God as intended. Acknowledging God in mercy, grace, and forgiveness exponentially increases quality of life.

Ezekiel's Sign of Exile

“As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile’s baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight... Dig through the wall in their sight, and go out through it. Load your baggage on your shoulder in their sight and carry it away in the dark... I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.” (Ezekiel 12:3-7)

Ezekiel packs bare necessities, digs through the wall at night, covers his face, and carries baggage—symbolizing Judah's coming exile. God explains:

“Thus says the Lord God, This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it... They shall go into exile... I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare... to Babylon... yet he shall not see it, though he shall die there.” (Ezekiel 12:10-13)

This prophesies Zedekiah, installed as vassal king by Nebuchadnezzar after Jehoiachin's exile. Despite swearing loyalty, Zedekiah followed evil counselors over Jeremiah, allying with opportunistic Egypt to rebel. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, killed Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, blinded him, and imprisoned him in Babylon until death.

Zedekiah sought to restore quality of life but proved too weak, trusting false counsel over prophets like Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. True quality of life comes from trusting God's word, not circumstances or experience, which cannot yield ultimate truth.

“I will scatter... all who are around him... But I will spare a few... so that they may declare all their abominations... and they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 12:14-16)

A Life of Anxiety Without God

“Son of man, eat your bread with quivering, and drink water with trembling and anxiety... They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink water in dismay... because of the violence of all who dwell in it. And the inhabited cities shall be laid waste... Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 12:18-20)

Life apart from God's principles is shaky: meals eaten in trembling, land stripped due to violence—impiety and lawlessness against God. Acknowledgment comes through judgment or mercy. God spares some to testify of sin and judgment, urging acceptance of His sovereignty, worthiness, and righteous rule.

False Prophecies and Complacency

“What is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? ... I will make this proverb cease... The days draw near, and the fulfillment of every vision... No longer shall there be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I the Lord will speak the word, and perform it.” (Ezekiel 12:21-25)

People dismiss prophecies as outdated or too distant. God declares His words will not delay. False prophecies shift: first denying visions' truth due to time passed, then claiming they concern far-future generations.

“The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and of times far off.” ... “None of my words will be delayed any longer, whatever word I speak will be performed.” (Ezekiel 12:27-28)

False teaching creates complacency—smug self-satisfaction—rather than satisfaction in God (2 Peter 3:4, 9). Satan's first lie introduced doubt (“Did God really say?”) to entice self-godhood and sin (Genesis 3). False prophecy removes urgency for holiness, promising sensuality over spiritual worship (2 Peter 2:1-3).

True worship is in spirit and truth, not senses (John 4:23-24). "Flattering divination" is attractive, winsome pseudo-grace, enticing self-attraction over God's beauty in Christ. False teaching exploits, diminishing quality of life, while God's grace—His self-giving attractiveness—produces gratitude, exponentially increasing good.

Examine what draws you: sensual appeals or God's increasing attractiveness? True deliverance comes from the Son God sent, freeing us to enjoy Him as greatest benefit. ```