Ezekiel 12:9
"Son of man, hasn't the rebellious house of Israel asked you, 'What are you doing?'
Son of man
This title, "Son of man," is frequently used in the book of Ezekiel, appearing over 90 times. It emphasizes the humanity of the prophet Ezekiel, distinguishing him from God and highlighting his role as a representative of the people. This term is also significant in the New Testament, where Jesus often refers to Himself as the "Son of Man," indicating His identification with humanity and His role as the Messiah.

hasn’t the rebellious house of Israel
The phrase "rebellious house of Israel" refers to the persistent disobedience and stubbornness of the Israelites. Throughout their history, the Israelites often turned away from God's commandments, leading to their exile. This rebellion is a central theme in the prophetic books, where prophets like Ezekiel are sent to call the people back to faithfulness. The term "house of Israel" encompasses the entire nation, emphasizing their collective responsibility and guilt.

asked you
The act of asking indicates a level of curiosity or confusion among the Israelites regarding Ezekiel's actions. Prophets often used symbolic acts to convey God's messages, and these acts sometimes puzzled the people. This questioning reflects their lack of understanding of God's purposes and their spiritual blindness.

‘What are you doing?’
This question highlights the people's inability to comprehend the prophetic signs and messages. Ezekiel's actions were often symbolic, serving as visual prophecies of impending judgment or future restoration. The people's question underscores their spiritual dullness and failure to recognize the seriousness of their situation. This mirrors other instances in Scripture where God's people fail to understand His messages, such as in Isaiah 6:9-10 and Matthew 13:13-15, where spiritual insight is necessary to grasp divine truths.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. Known for his symbolic actions and visions.

2. Son of Man
A title used frequently in Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a representative of the people.

3. Rebellious House of Israel
Refers to the Israelites who were in exile in Babylon due to their disobedience and rebellion against God.

4. Babylon
The place of exile for the Israelites, representing a period of judgment and reflection for the nation.

5. Symbolic Actions
Ezekiel often used symbolic acts to convey God's messages, which were sometimes misunderstood by the people.
Teaching Points
Understanding Symbolic Actions
Ezekiel's actions were meant to provoke thought and reflection. In our lives, God may use various means to communicate with us, and we should be attentive and discerning.

Rebellion and Consequences
The Israelites' rebellion led to their exile. Disobedience to God has consequences, and we are called to live in obedience and submission to His will.

The Role of a Prophet
Prophets are often misunderstood and questioned. As Christians, we may face similar challenges when standing for truth, but we must remain faithful to God's calling.

Spiritual Perception
Like the Israelites, we can be spiritually blind or deaf. We must pray for open hearts and minds to understand God's messages to us.

Community Accountability
The question posed by the Israelites reflects a communal aspect of faith. We should hold each other accountable and seek understanding together in our faith communities.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ezekiel's role as a prophet challenge us to listen to God's messages in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we be spiritually blind or deaf to God's instructions, and how can we overcome this?

3. How does the concept of rebellion against God manifest in today's world, and what are the consequences we observe?

4. What symbolic actions or messages might God be using in your life to communicate His will, and how can you be more attentive to them?

5. How can we, as a faith community, support each other in understanding and applying God's word, similar to how the Israelites questioned Ezekiel?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 5:23
This verse also speaks of the rebellious nature of Israel, highlighting their stubbornness and refusal to follow God's ways.

Matthew 13:13-15
Jesus speaks of people who see but do not perceive, and hear but do not understand, similar to the Israelites' response to Ezekiel's actions.

Hebrews 3:7-11
This passage warns believers not to harden their hearts as the Israelites did, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faith.
It Parabolic Appeal to a Rebellious PeopleW. Jones Ezekiel 12:1-16
The Dramatic Form of ProphecyJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 12:1-16
People
Ezekiel
Places
Babylon, Chaldea, Jerusalem
Topics
Doest, Rebellious, Uncontrolled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 12:9

     6223   rebellion, of Israel

Ezekiel 12:3-11

     1431   prophecy, OT methods

Ezekiel 12:7-11

     1421   oracles

Library
A Common Mistake and Lame Excuse
'... He prophesieth of the times that are far off.'--EZEKIEL xii. 27. Human nature was very much the same in the exiles that listened to Ezekiel on the banks of the Chebar and in Manchester to-day. The same neglect of God's message was grounded then on the same misapprehension of its bearings which profoundly operates in the case of many people now. Ezekiel had been proclaiming the fall of Jerusalem to the exiles whose captivity preceded it by a few years; and he was confronted by the incredulity
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The End
'1. And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. 2. And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 3. And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. 4. And the city was broken up, and all the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Last Agony
'In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. 2. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. 3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus.
God Spelling Himself out in Jesus: change in the original language--bother in spelling Jesus out--sticklers for the old forms--Jesus' new spelling of old words. Jesus is God following us up: God heart-broken--man's native air--bad choice affected man's will--the wrong lane--God following us up. The Early Eden Picture, Genesis 1:26-31. 2:7-25: unfallen man--like God--the breath of God in man--a spirit, infinite, eternal--love--holy--wise--sovereign over creation, Psalm 8:5-8--in his own will--summary--God's
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Believer's Privilege at Death
'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Phil 1:1I. Hope is a Christian's anchor, which he casts within the veil. Rejoicing in hope.' Rom 12:12. A Christian's hope is not in this life, but he hash hope in his death.' Prov 14:42. The best of a saint's comfort begins when his life ends; but the wicked have all their heaven here. Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.' Luke 6:64. You may make your acquittance, and write Received in full payment.' Son, remember that
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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