Ezekiel 19-20

Chapter 19: Ezekiel laments for Israel

Jerusalem is compared to a lioness – the first of her young is Jehoahaz, removed from power by the king of Egypt; the second is Jehoiakim, brought in chains to Babylon. The Jewish nation is a vine that flourished, but was plucked up in fury and planted in the wilderness, in dry and thirsty ground. Ezekiel laments for Israel, because their fruitfulness is gone.

Chapter 20: Failing to keep the commandments

The Elders of Israel come to ask Ezekiel’s counsel. God commands Ezekiel to speak of them and their rebellion and idolatry, in Egypt, and in the wilderness and in Canaan. Ezekiel tells them of the importance of the Sabbath Day, he tells them that the Lord said; “…hallow my sabbaths; and they hall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” (Ezekiel 20:20). This shows us that by going to church and keeping the Sabbath day holy, we are showing God that we know he is there and likewise the Lord will return that favor and help us in our lives. What does it mean to keep the Sabbath day holy? Well for starters church is very important, along with: reading scriptures, participating in family activities that are wholesome and refraining from doing work on that day. This also means that you shouldn’t make someone else have to work. Therefore, refraining from shopping is very important. However, Ezekiel reminds them that if they turn their faces towards the Lord, that they will be restored.  Jerusalem is represented as a forest doomed to be destroyed by fire.