Ezekiel 20:46 Study Bible: "Son of man, set your face toward the south, and drop your word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South;

◄ Ezekiel 20:46 ►

"Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.

Son of man
This phrase is a title used frequently in the book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and his role as a representative of the people. It underscores the distinction between God and man, highlighting Ezekiel's position as a mediator of divine messages. The term "Son of man" is also used in the New Testament, notably by Jesus Christ to refer to Himself, indicating His role as the representative human and the fulfillment of prophetic roles.

Set your face toward the south
The direction "south" here refers to the southern kingdom of Judah, which was facing impending judgment. Setting one's face implies determination and focus, indicating that Ezekiel is to direct his attention and message specifically to this region. This phrase is reminiscent of other prophetic instructions where prophets are told to direct their messages toward specific locations or peoples, such as Jonah being sent to Nineveh.

Preach against it
The act of preaching against the south signifies delivering a message of warning and impending judgment. Prophets were often tasked with delivering difficult messages that called for repentance and warned of consequences for disobedience. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God sending prophets to call His people back to faithfulness.

And prophesy against the forest of the Negev
The "forest of the Negev" is a metaphorical reference to the people and leaders of Judah, with the Negev being a desert region in the southern part of Israel. Forests in prophetic literature often symbolize nations or peoples, and the use of "forest" here may indicate the density and complexity of the society or its leaders. The Negev's geographical location underscores the focus on the southern kingdom. This prophecy against the Negev is part of a larger narrative of judgment that includes the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, events that are pivotal in biblical history and foreshadow the ultimate judgment and restoration themes found in the New Testament.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. Known for his vivid visions and symbolic acts.

2. The South
Refers to the southern kingdom of Judah, which is the focus of God's judgment in this passage.

3. The Forest of the Negev
Symbolic of the people of Judah. The Negev is a desert region in the southern part of Israel, and the "forest" metaphorically represents the inhabitants.

4. Prophecy
The act of delivering God's message, often concerning future events or divine judgment.

5. Judgment
The theme of this passage, where God is pronouncing His impending judgment on Judah for their disobedience.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience
God's call to Ezekiel to prophesy against Judah highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands. Disobedience leads to judgment.

The Role of a Prophet
Prophets are called to deliver God's truth, even when it is difficult. This challenges us to speak truth in love, regardless of the consequences.

Symbolism in Prophecy
Understanding the symbolic language in prophecy helps us grasp the depth of God's messages. The "forest of the Negev" symbolizes the people, showing how God uses imagery to communicate.

God's Justice and Mercy
While this passage focuses on judgment, it is a reminder of God's justice. However, throughout Scripture, God's mercy is also evident, offering hope for repentance and restoration.

The Call to Repentance
The warnings to Judah serve as a call to repentance. We are reminded to examine our lives and turn back to God, seeking His forgiveness and guidance.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Ezekiel's role as a prophet challenge us to speak truth in our own lives today?

2. What can we learn from the symbolism of the "forest of the Negev" about how God views His people?

3. In what ways does the theme of judgment in Ezekiel 20:46 connect with the messages to the churches in Revelation 2-3?

4. How can we apply the lessons of obedience and repentance from this passage to our daily walk with God?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt called to deliver a difficult truth. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from Ezekiel's example?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Jeremiah 21
Similar themes of judgment against Judah, emphasizing the consequences of disobedience.

Isaiah 9
Discusses the consequences of turning away from God, paralleling the warnings given to Judah.

Revelation 2-3
Letters to the churches that include calls to repentance and warnings of judgment, echoing the prophetic messages in Ezekiel.

Sermons

A Parable of Judgment	W. Jones	Ezekiel 20:45-49
The Forest in Flame	J.D. Davies	Ezekiel 20:45-49

People

Ezekiel, Israelites, Jacob, Teman

Places

Babylon, Bamah, Egypt, Negeb

Topics

Drop, Dropped, Face, Field, Forest, Negeb, Negev, Preach, Prophesy, Prophet, South, Southland, Speak, Teman, Towards, Woodland

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Ezekiel 20:46-48

4448 forests

Library

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
God's procedure when imitable forms a peculiar argument for duty. That is made known for many reasons; among which must stand this,--that it may be observed and followed as an example. That, being perfect, is a safe and necessary pattern to follow. The law of God proclaims what he wills men as well as angels to do. The purposes of God show what he has resolved to have accomplished. The constitutions of his moral subjects intimate that he has provided that his will shall be voluntarily accomplished …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
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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