Ezekiel 14:13
"Son of man, if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully, and I stretch out My hand against it to cut off its supply of food, to send famine upon it, and to cut off from it both man and beast,
Son of man
This phrase is a common title used by God to address Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a representative of the people. It is used over 90 times in the book of Ezekiel. The term "Son of Man" is also significant in the New Testament, where it is frequently used by Jesus to refer to Himself, highlighting His incarnation and identification with humanity.

if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully
The concept of a land sinning reflects the collective responsibility of a nation or people group. Acting unfaithfully implies a breach of covenant, as Israel was in a covenant relationship with God. This echoes the Deuteronomic blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28), where faithfulness leads to blessings and unfaithfulness to curses. The historical context includes Israel's idolatry and alliances with pagan nations, which were seen as acts of unfaithfulness.

and I stretch out My hand against it
This phrase indicates divine intervention and judgment. The imagery of God stretching out His hand is used throughout the Old Testament to signify His power and authority to execute judgment (Exodus 7:5, Isaiah 5:25). It underscores God's active role in responding to sin.

to cut off its supply of food
Famine is a common form of divine judgment in the Bible, often used to bring a nation to repentance. In the ancient Near East, agriculture was the backbone of society, and cutting off food supply would lead to severe consequences. This reflects the curses outlined in Leviticus 26:26 and Deuteronomy 28:23-24, where disobedience results in agricultural failure.

to send famine upon it
Famine is not only a physical hardship but also a spiritual wake-up call. It serves as a reminder of human dependence on God for sustenance. In biblical history, famines often led people to seek God, as seen in the story of Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 41) and the famine during the time of Elijah (1 Kings 17).

and to cut off from it both man and beast
The inclusion of both man and beast highlights the comprehensive nature of the judgment. It reflects the interconnectedness of creation, where human sin affects the entire ecosystem. This is reminiscent of the plagues in Egypt, where both humans and animals suffered (Exodus 9:6). It also points to the ultimate restoration of creation, where harmony will be restored (Isaiah 11:6-9).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the one receiving God's message. He is often referred to as "son of man" in the book, emphasizing his humanity and role as a messenger.

2. God
The speaker in this verse, God is addressing the consequences of a nation's unfaithfulness.

3. The Land
Represents any nation or people group that turns away from God, specifically Israel in the context of Ezekiel's prophecies.

4. Famine
A divine judgment used by God to discipline and bring about repentance among His people.

5. Man and Beast
Symbolizes the totality of life affected by the judgment, indicating the severity of the consequences of sin.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Sin
Sin is not just a personal failing but can have national consequences. It is crucial to understand the gravity of turning away from God.

Divine Judgment as a Call to Repentance
God's judgments, such as famine, are not merely punitive but are intended to lead people back to Him.

Faithfulness in the Community
The faithfulness of a community or nation is vital. Believers are called to be salt and light, influencing their surroundings positively.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God is sovereign and just, and His actions are always in line with His character. Understanding this helps us trust Him even in times of judgment.

Intercession and Repentance
Believers are called to intercede for their land and seek God's mercy, recognizing the power of collective repentance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ezekiel 14:13 reflect the character of God in terms of justice and mercy?

2. In what ways can the concept of national sin and judgment be seen in today's world?

3. How can believers today act as intercessors for their communities, as seen in the context of Ezekiel's message?

4. What are some practical steps individuals and communities can take to remain faithful to God and avoid the consequences described in Ezekiel 14:13?

5. How do the themes of judgment and repentance in Ezekiel 14:13 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28
These chapters outline the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, including famine as a consequence of turning away from God.

Jeremiah 14
Jeremiah also speaks of famine as a result of the people's sin, showing a consistent theme of divine judgment for unfaithfulness.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14
God speaks of sending drought and pestilence as a call to repentance, with a promise of healing if the people turn back to Him.
A Delusion DispelledEzekiel 14:12-14
Good Men: Their Power and Their WeaknessD. Thomas, D. D.Ezekiel 14:12-14
Noah, Daniel, and JobBishop Harvey Goodwin.Ezekiel 14:12-14
The Limit of InfluenceJ. Parker, D. D.Ezekiel 14:12-14
Human Atonement ValuelessJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 14:12-23
People
Daniel, Ezekiel, Job, Noah
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Acting, Animal, Animals, Beast, Bread, Break, Broken, Commit, Committing, Cut, Cutting, Destroy, Faithlessly, Famine, Grievously, Kill, Short, Sinneth, Sinning, Sins, Staff, Stretch, Stretched, Supply, Support, Thereof, Trespass, Trespassing, Unfaithful, Unfaithfulness, Working, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 14:13

     4823   famine, physical
     8840   unfaithfulness, to God

Library
Education of Jesus.
This aspect of Nature, at once smiling and grand, was the whole education of Jesus. He learned to read and to write,[1] doubtless, according to the Eastern method, which consisted in putting in the hands of the child a book, which he repeated in cadence with his little comrades, until he knew it by heart.[2] It is doubtful, however, if he understood the Hebrew writings in their original tongue. His biographers make him quote them according to the translations in the Aramean tongue;[3] his principles
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
From this Commandment we learn that after the excellent works of the first three Commandments there are no better works than to obey and serve all those who are set over us as superiors. For this reason also disobedience is a greater sin than murder, unchastity, theft and dishonesty, and all that these may include. For we can in no better way learn how to distinguish between greater and lesser sins than by noting the order of the Commandments of God, although there are distinctions also within the
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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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