Ezekiel 5:10

As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.'

Study Bible

As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers.
This phrase is a stark depiction of the severe consequences of disobedience to God. It reflects the curses outlined in Leviticus 26:29 and Deuteronomy 28:53, where God warns Israel of the dire outcomes of breaking the covenant. Historically, such events occurred during sieges, as seen in 2 Kings 6:28-29 during the siege of Samaria. This cannibalism is not just a physical act but symbolizes the complete breakdown of societal and familial structures due to sin and rebellion. It serves as a vivid illustration of the depth of desperation and judgment that would come upon Jerusalem.

I will execute judgments against you
This phrase emphasizes God's role as the righteous judge. The judgments are a direct response to the idolatry and abominations committed by the people of Jerusalem. It reflects the covenantal relationship where blessings follow obedience, and curses follow disobedience. The execution of judgments is consistent with God's character as just and holy, ensuring that sin is addressed. This also foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will be executed at the end of times, as seen in Revelation 20:11-15.

and scatter all your remnant to every wind.
The scattering of the remnant signifies the dispersion of the people of Israel among the nations, a fulfillment of the warnings given in Leviticus 26:33 and Deuteronomy 28:64. This dispersion, known as the Diaspora, had significant historical implications, leading to the spread of Jewish communities throughout the ancient world. It also serves as a backdrop for the eventual gathering and restoration prophesied in passages like Ezekiel 37:21-22. The scattering is both a punishment and a means of preserving a remnant that God will eventually restore, pointing to the hope of redemption and the faithfulness of God to His promises.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile.

2. Jerusalem
The city under judgment in this passage, representing the center of Israel's spiritual and political life.

3. Fathers and Sons
Symbolic of the breakdown of societal and familial structures due to the severe judgment and siege.

4. Judgments
Refers to the divine retribution that God is executing upon Jerusalem for their disobedience and idolatry.

5. Remnant
The survivors of the judgment who will be scattered, indicating both punishment and the hope of future restoration.

Teaching Points

The Severity of Sin
Sin has severe consequences, and God's judgment is a response to persistent disobedience and idolatry.

The Breakdown of Society
Disobedience to God leads to the breakdown of societal and familial structures, as seen in the extreme measures of survival during the siege.

God's Faithfulness in Judgment
God's warnings are consistent and fulfilled, demonstrating His faithfulness to His word, both in judgment and in promises of restoration.

Hope for the Remnant
Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant, offering hope for future restoration and renewal.

Call to Repentance
The passage serves as a call to repentance, urging believers to turn back to God to avoid the consequences of sin.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of fathers eating their sons and vice versa illustrate the severity of God's judgment on Jerusalem?

2. In what ways does this passage challenge us to consider the consequences of our own disobedience to God?

3. How can we see God's faithfulness in both His judgment and His promise of a remnant?

4. What parallels can we draw between the societal breakdown in Jerusalem and challenges faced in our own communities today?

5. How can we apply the call to repentance found in Ezekiel 5:10 to our personal lives and spiritual walk?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 26:29
This passage also warns of cannibalism as a consequence of disobedience, showing the consistency of God's warnings throughout Scripture.

Deuteronomy 28:53-57
Similar warnings are given in the context of the curses for disobedience, emphasizing the severity of turning away from God.

Lamentations 4:10
Describes the fulfillment of this prophecy during the Babylonian siege, highlighting the historical reality of God's judgments.

Jeremiah 19:9
Another prophetic warning of cannibalism due to siege, reinforcing the message of Ezekiel.

2 Kings 6:28-29
An earlier instance of cannibalism during a siege, illustrating the dire consequences of Israel's repeated disobedience.