Ezekiel 12 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Ezekiel 12 meaning explained in AI Summary

Chapter 12 of the Book of Ezekiel centers around two symbolic acts performed by the prophet Ezekiel, both serving as visual prophecies of the coming exile of Judah and the siege of Jerusalem.

1. The Exile Portrayed (verses 1-16):

God commands Ezekiel to pack his belongings and dig through the wall of his house in broad daylight, mimicking the actions of a refugee fleeing in secret.
This act symbolizes the upcoming exile of the people of Judah to Babylon.
Ezekiel is instructed to eat and drink with trembling and anxiety, representing the fear and uncertainty that the exiles will experience.
God explains that this symbolic act will be a sign for the rebellious house of Israel, showing them the fate that awaits them if they do not repent.

2. The Blindness of the People (verses 17-28):

Ezekiel is instructed to eat and drink with trembling again, this time symbolizing the siege of Jerusalem.
God declares that the people of Judah will be scattered among the nations and their land will be desolate because of their idolatry and wickedness.
He emphasizes that their proverbs mocking the delay of judgment will be silenced, as God's timing is perfect and His word will surely come to pass.

Key Themes:

Judgment and Exile: The chapter emphasizes the certainty of God's judgment on Judah for their sin and rebellion. The exile to Babylon is portrayed as an inevitable consequence of their actions.
Symbolic Prophecy: Ezekiel's actions serve as powerful visual aids to communicate God's message to a stubborn and unbelieving people.
The Sovereignty of God: God's power and control over history are highlighted. He determines the timing and execution of His plans, and no one can thwart His will.
A Call to Repentance: Even in the midst of judgment, there is an implicit call for the people to repent and turn back to God.

Overall, Chapter 12 serves as a stark warning to the people of Judah, urging them to recognize the gravity of their sin and the certainty of God's judgment. It also highlights the importance of heeding God's prophetic word and responding with repentance and obedience.

Ezekiel 12 bible study ai commentary

Ezekiel 12 communicates the absolute certainty and imminence of judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem through prophetic sign-acts. Ezekiel dramatically embodies the coming exile, acting as a living parable to a "rebellious house" that refuses to see or hear God's warnings. The chapter systematically breaks down the people's excuses and cynical proverbs, culminating in a divine declaration that the time for delay is over and the prophetic word will be swiftly accomplished.

Ezekiel 12 Context

Ezekiel prophesies from Babylon (c. 593 BC) to fellow exiles who were taken there in 597 BC. Back in Jerusalem, King Zedekiah reigns as a Babylonian vassal. False prophets both in Babylon and Jerusalem were proclaiming peace and a swift return from exile, fostering a false hope that God would not allow His temple and city to be destroyed. Ezekiel’s ministry is a direct counter-narrative, aimed at shattering this delusion and preparing the people for the final, devastating fall of Jerusalem, which would occur in 586 BC. His dramatic performances were necessary to break through the spiritual apathy and active rebellion of his audience.

Ezekiel 12:1-2

The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, you live in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.”

In-depth-analysis

Son of man: Ezekiel's frequent designation, emphasizing his human frailty and his role as God's representative to humanity.
Rebellious house: A key theme in Ezekiel. The Hebrew bêth-hammərî signifies not just passive disobedience but active, stubborn rebellion and defiance against God's covenant authority.
Eyes to see, but see not... ears to hear, but hear not: This describes a deliberate spiritual blindness and deafness. The people have the physical capacity and have received God's revelation, but they willfully refuse to understand and obey. It is a diagnosis of a hardened heart, not a lack of information.

Bible references

Isaiah 6:9-10: '...“Go, and say to this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’”' (The foundational prophecy of Israel's spiritual blindness).
Jeremiah 5:21: 'Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.' (Jeremiah's identical charge against the same generation).
Matthew 13:13-15: 'This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear...' (Jesus quotes Isaiah, applying it to his own generation's rejection of his ministry).
Mark 8:18: 'Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear?' (Jesus rebukes his own disciples, showing this condition can afflict even followers).

Cross references

Ps 115:5-6 (idols have no senses), Isa 42:20 (describes a willfully blind servant), Acts 28:26-27 (Paul applies Isaiah 6 to the Jews in Rome), Rom 11:8 (God gave them a spirit of stupor).

Ezekiel 12:3-7

“Therefore, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile’s baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who go into exile. In their sight, dig through the wall and bring your baggage out through it. In their sight, you shall lift it on your shoulder and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.” And I did so, as I was commanded...

In-depth-analysis

Exile’s baggage (kəlê gôlāh): The specific term for the belongings of a refugee or captive, not a normal traveler. It implies haste, desperation, and loss.
In their sight: Repeated six times, emphasizing the public, performative nature of this prophetic act. It was meant to be seen and to provoke questions.
Dig through the wall: This portrays a shameful, undignified escape, not a royal exit. It's a humiliating departure befitting a defeated people. This act served as a polemic against the grandeur and perceived invincibility of Jerusalem's kings.
In the dark / Cover your face: These actions symbolize shame, secrecy, and fear. Covering the face also signifies the finality of the departure—one does not look back at the land one is losing forever.
I have made you a sign: Ezekiel's life becomes the message. He doesn't just speak God's word; he embodies it.
I did so, as I was commanded: Ezekiel's complete obedience stands in stark contrast to Israel's rebellion.

Bible references

Jeremiah 39:4: 'When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, going out of the city at night...' (The literal fulfillment of Zedekiah's night-time escape).
2 Kings 25:4: 'Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls...' (The historical account of the shameful escape from Jerusalem).
Isaiah 20:2-3: '...the LORD said to Isaiah... “Go, and loose the sackcloth... and take your sandals off your feet.”... saying, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush...”' (Another prophet performing a difficult and humiliating sign-act).

Cross references

1 Kgs 22:11 (Zedekiah son of Chenaanah uses horns as a prophetic sign), Jer 27:2 (Jeremiah wears a yoke as a sign of submission to Babylon).

Ezekiel 12:8-16

Then the word of the LORD came to me in the morning: “Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’... ‘It concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it.’ ... I will bring him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans, yet he shall not see it, and he shall die there. ... I will scatter a remnant... that they may declare all their abominations... and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

In-depth-analysis

What are you doing?: The sign-act worked; it provoked the intended question from the audience, opening the door for God's interpretation.
The prince in Jerusalem: This refers specifically to King Zedekiah. The use of "prince" (nāśî’) instead of "king" (melek) may be a deliberate theological downgrade of his authority, as he was merely a vassal of Babylon.
He shall not see it: A shocking and cryptic prophecy. It predicts Zedekiah will be taken to Babylon but will be denied the sight of the land. This was precisely fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar blinded him at Riblah before deporting him (Jer 52:11).
My net I will spread over him: A common metaphor for divine judgment trapping an arrogant or fleeing ruler. Human attempts to escape God's decree are futile.
They shall know that I am the LORD: The ultimate purpose of judgment in Ezekiel. God's actions, however severe, are redemptive in purpose: to reveal His true character and sovereignty to both Israel and the nations.

Bible references

2 Kings 25:7: 'And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains and took him to Babylon.' (The explicit historical fulfillment of Zedekiah being blinded).
Jeremiah 52:11: 'He put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in chains, and the king of Babylon took him to Babylon...' (The parallel account in Jeremiah confirming the fulfillment).
Ezekiel 17:20: 'I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare...' (The same "net" imagery used against Zedekiah in another of Ezekiel's prophecies).

Cross references

Ezek 6:7 (know I am the LORD), Ezek 19:8-9 (prince caught in a pit/cage), Lam 4:20 (the "anointed of the Lord" captured), Hos 7:12 (God's net).

Ezekiel 12:17-20

And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water with trembling and with anxiety. And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord GOD concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water with dismay, because their land will be stripped of its fullness, on account of the violence of all who dwell in it.”

In-depth-analysis

Eat your bread with quaking: A second, simpler sign-act. This physical demonstration conveys the extreme psychological terror, anxiety, and scarcity that will characterize the siege of Jerusalem.
Stripped of its fullness: The blessed abundance of the promised land, a sign of covenant faithfulness (Dt 28), will be removed.
Violence of all who dwell in it: The reason for the judgment is stated plainly: social injustice and rampant violence (ḥāmās) have polluted the land and its people, breaking the covenant.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 28:47-48: 'Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness... therefore you shall serve your enemies... in hunger and thirst...' (The covenant curses for disobedience being enacted).
Lamentations 5:9: 'We get our bread at the peril of our lives...' (A poetic description of the terrifying conditions during the siege).
Ezekiel 4:16-17: '...I will break the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety...' (A parallel prophecy where Ezekiel must also portray siege rations).

Cross references

Lev 26:26 (breaking the staff of bread), Isa 5:13 (people go into exile for lack of knowledge), Mic 6:12-13 (violence leads to desolation).

Ezekiel 12:21-25

And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? Tell them therefore... ‘The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.’ ...the word that I speak will be performed, says the Lord GOD.”

In-depth-analysis

The proverb: The people had developed cynical sayings to dismiss prophetic warnings. This proverb suggested that so much time had passed since prophecies like Isaiah's or Micah's that they were no longer relevant or would never happen.
The days are near: God directly refutes their proverb with a divine counter-proverb. He collapses the timeframe. The waiting period is over.
No more be any false vision: A direct polemic against the "peace and safety" prophets who were popular with the people. God declares He will silence their empty predictions by fulfilling His own word of judgment.
In your days, O rebellious house: God makes it personal and immediate. This judgment is not for a future generation; it is for Ezekiel's audience.

Bible references

2 Peter 3:3-4: '...scoffers will come... saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were...”' (A New Testament parallel of scoffers using the passage of time to deny impending judgment).
Habakkuk 2:3: 'For still the vision awaits its appointed time... it will not delay.' (A corrective to those impatient for fulfillment, assuring its certainty).
Joel 2:1: '...Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near,' (Another prophet stressing the imminence of judgment).

Cross references

Amos 6:3 (putting off the day of disaster), Zeph 1:14 (the great day of the LORD is near), Ezek 13:23 (ending false prophecy).

Ezekiel 12:26-28

And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ Therefore say to them... ‘None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, says the Lord GOD.’”

In-depth-analysis

A different excuse: This isn't outright denial like the first proverb. It's a more subtle form of dismissal: "The prophet might be right, but it's not for us. It's for the distant future." This allows them to feel pious while ignoring the call to repent.
None of my words will be delayed: God's final, emphatic rebuttal. He removes any comfort the people might have found in procrastination or generational distance. The time is now. This declaration serves as the powerful conclusion to the chapter, leaving no room for further debate.

Bible references

Isaiah 5:19: '...who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it...”' (Scoffers taunting God to act, ironically their wish is about to be granted).
Hebrews 10:37: 'For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay.”' (The New Testament applies the theme of imminence to the second coming of Christ).
James 5:8-9: '...establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand... behold, the Judge is standing at the door.' (An urgent call for readiness because the time is short).

Cross references

Hag 1:2 (people say the time has not yet come), Dan 9:12 (God has confirmed his words), Ezek 7:5-7 (the end has come).

Ezekiel Chapter 12 Analysis

Prophetic Dramatization: The chapter is a masterclass in prophetic performance art. Ezekiel does not merely speak; he becomes a living sign. This method was designed to shock a spiritually numb audience into paying attention, bypassing their intellectual defenses to create a visceral, unforgettable image of the coming disaster.
The Certainty of God's Word: The structure of the chapter builds a powerful case for the absolute reliability of prophecy. It begins with a sign (vv. 3-7), provides a divine interpretation (vv. 8-16) that includes a very specific and falsifiable prediction (Zedekiah's blinding), and then dismantles the very arguments people were using to disbelieve the prophecy (vv. 21-28). The subsequent fulfillment of Zedekiah's fate would have retroactively validated Ezekiel's entire ministry.
Polemic Against False Hope: The entire chapter is a sustained attack on the "cheap grace" message of the false prophets. Where they promised peace, Ezekiel performs a panicked escape. Where they assured the people of God's unconditional protection of Jerusalem, Ezekiel declares the land will be stripped bare because of their violence.

Ezekiel 12 Summary

Ezekiel performs two sign-acts: first, he dramatizes the shameful exile of Jerusalem’s inhabitants, specifically predicting the capture and blinding of King Zedekiah. Second, he eats and drinks with terror to symbolize the horror of the coming siege. He then directly confronts and refutes two popular proverbs of doubt, concluding with God's authoritative declaration that judgment will no longer be delayed but is imminent.

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Ezekiel 12 AI Image Audio and Video

Ezekiel chapter 12 kjv

¹ The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,
² Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
³ Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they be a rebellious house.
⁴ Then shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for removing: and thou shalt go forth at even in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity.
⁵ Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
⁶ In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.
⁷ And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for captivity, and in the even I digged through the wall with mine hand; I brought it forth in the twilight, and I bare it upon my shoulder in their sight.
⁸ And in the morning came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
⁹ Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee, What doest thou?
¹⁰ Say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them.
¹¹ Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity.
¹² And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.
¹³ My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.
¹⁴ And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.
¹⁵ And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.
¹⁶ But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
¹⁷ Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
¹⁸ Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;
¹⁹ And say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their water with astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.
²⁰ And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
²¹ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
²² Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
²³ Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.
²⁴ For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.
²⁵ For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
²⁶ Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying.
²⁷ Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.
²⁸ Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel chapter 12 nkjv

¹ Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
² "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.
³ "Therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings for captivity, and go into captivity by day in their sight. You shall go from your place into captivity to another place in their sight. It may be that they will consider, though they are a rebellious house.
⁴ By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight, as though going into captivity; and at evening you shall go in their sight, like those who go into captivity.
⁵ Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry your belongings out through it.
⁶ In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel."
⁷ So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my belongings by day, as though going into captivity, and at evening I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought them out at twilight, and I bore them on my shoulder in their sight.
⁸ And in the morning the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
⁹ "Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, 'What are you doing?'
¹⁰ Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are among them." '
¹¹ Say, 'I am a sign to you. As I have done, so shall it be done to them; they shall be carried away into captivity.'
¹² And the prince who is among them shall bear his belongings on his shoulder at twilight and go out. They shall dig through the wall to carry them out through it. He shall cover his face, so that he cannot see the ground with his eyes.
¹³ I will also spread My net over him, and he shall be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans; yet he shall not see it, though he shall die there.
¹⁴ I will scatter to every wind all who are around him to help him, and all his troops; and I will draw out the sword after them.
¹⁵ "Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries.
¹⁶ But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the LORD."
¹⁷ Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
¹⁸ "Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water with trembling and anxiety.
¹⁹ And say to the people of the land, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the land of Israel: "They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink their water with dread, so that her land may be emptied of all who are in it, because of the violence of all those who dwell in it.
²⁰ Then the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall become desolate; and you shall know that I am the LORD." ' "
²¹ And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
²² "Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, 'The days are prolonged, and every vision fails'?
²³ Tell them therefore, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel." ' But say to them, ' "The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.
²⁴ For no more shall there be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.
²⁵ For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it," says the Lord GOD.' "
²⁶ Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
²⁷ "Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.'
²⁸ Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done," says the Lord GOD.' "

Ezekiel chapter 12 niv

¹ The word of the LORD came to me:
² "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.
³ "Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people.
⁴ During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile.
⁵ While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it.
⁶ Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites."
⁷ So I did as I was commanded. During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulders while they watched.
⁸ In the morning the word of the LORD came to me:
⁹ "Son of man, did not the Israelites, that rebellious people, ask you, 'What are you doing?'
¹⁰ "Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.'
¹¹ Say to them, 'I am a sign to you.' "As I have done, so it will be done to them. They will go into exile as captives.
¹² "The prince among them will put his things on his shoulder at dusk and leave, and a hole will be dug in the wall for him to go through. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.
¹³ I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare; I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans, but he will not see it, and there he will die.
¹⁴ I will scatter to the winds all those around him?his staff and all his troops?and I will pursue them with drawn sword.
¹⁵ "They will know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries.
¹⁶ But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the LORD."
¹⁷ The word of the LORD came to me:
¹⁸ "Son of man, tremble as you eat your food, and shudder in fear as you drink your water.
¹⁹ Say to the people of the land: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there.
²⁰ The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'?"
²¹ The word of the LORD came to me:
²² "Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: 'The days go by and every vision comes to nothing'?
²³ Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.' Say to them, 'The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.
²⁴ For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel.
²⁵ But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.'?"
²⁶ The word of the LORD came to me:
²⁷ "Son of man, the Israelites are saying, 'The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.'
²⁸ "Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.'?"

Ezekiel chapter 12 esv

¹ The word of the LORD came to me:
² "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.
³ As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.
⁴ You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile.
⁵ In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it.
⁶ In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel."
⁷ And I did as I was commanded. I brought out my baggage by day, as baggage for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my own hands. I brought out my baggage at dusk, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight.
⁸ In the morning the word of the LORD came to me:
⁹ "Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, 'What are you doing?'
¹⁰ Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: This oracle concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it.'
¹¹ Say, 'I am a sign for you: as I have done, so shall it be done to them. They shall go into exile, into captivity.'
¹² And the prince who is among them shall lift his baggage upon his shoulder at dusk, and shall go out. They shall dig through the wall to bring him out through it. He shall cover his face, that he may not see the land with his eyes.
¹³ And I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, yet he shall not see it, and he shall die there.
¹⁴ And I will scatter toward every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops, and I will unsheathe the sword after them.
¹⁵ And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries.
¹⁶ But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD."
¹⁷ And the word of the LORD came to me:
¹⁸ "Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink water with trembling and with anxiety.
¹⁹ And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord GOD concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink water in dismay. In this way her land will be stripped of all it contains, on account of the violence of all those who dwell in it.
²⁰ And the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation; and you shall know that I am the LORD."
²¹ And the word of the LORD came to me:
²² "Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, 'The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing'?
²³ Tell them therefore, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.' But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.
²⁴ For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.
²⁵ For I am the LORD; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord GOD."
²⁶ And the word of the LORD came to me:
²⁷ "Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, 'The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.'
²⁸ Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel chapter 12 nlt

¹ Again a message came to me from the LORD:
² "Son of man, you live among rebels who have eyes but refuse to see. They have ears but refuse to hear. For they are a rebellious people.
³ "So now, son of man, pretend you are being sent into exile. Pack the few items an exile could carry, and leave your home to go somewhere else. Do this right in front of the people so they can see you. For perhaps they will pay attention to this, even though they are such rebels.
⁴ Bring your baggage outside during the day so they can watch you. Then in the evening, as they are watching, leave your house as captives do when they begin a long march to distant lands.
⁵ Dig a hole through the wall while they are watching and go out through it.
⁶ As they watch, lift your pack to your shoulders and walk away into the night. Cover your face so you cannot see the land you are leaving. For I have made you a sign for the people of Israel."
⁷ So I did as I was told. In broad daylight I brought my pack outside, filled with the things I might carry into exile. Then in the evening while the people looked on, I dug through the wall with my hands and went out into the night with my pack on my shoulder.
⁸ The next morning this message came to me from the LORD:
⁹ "Son of man, these rebels, the people of Israel, have asked you what all this means.
¹⁰ Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: These actions contain a message for King Zedekiah in Jerusalem and for all the people of Israel.'
¹¹ Explain that your actions are a sign to show what will soon happen to them, for they will be driven into exile as captives.
¹² "Even Zedekiah will leave Jerusalem at night through a hole in the wall, taking only what he can carry with him. He will cover his face, and his eyes will not see the land he is leaving.
¹³ Then I will throw my net over him and capture him in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Babylonians, though he will never see it, and he will die there.
¹⁴ I will scatter his servants and warriors to the four winds and send the sword after them.
¹⁵ And when I scatter them among the nations, they will know that I am the LORD.
¹⁶ But I will spare a few of them from death by war, famine, or disease, so they can confess all their detestable sins to their captors. Then they will know that I am the LORD."
¹⁷ Then this message came to me from the LORD:
¹⁸ "Son of man, tremble as you eat your food. Shake with fear as you drink your water.
¹⁹ Tell the people, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says concerning those living in Israel and Jerusalem: They will eat their food with trembling and sip their water in despair, for their land will be stripped bare because of their violence.
²⁰ The cities will be destroyed and the farmland made desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"
²¹ Again a message came to me from the LORD:
²² "Son of man, you've heard that proverb they quote in Israel: 'Time passes, and prophecies come to nothing.'
²³ Tell the people, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will put an end to this proverb, and you will soon stop quoting it.' Now give them this new proverb to replace the old one: 'The time has come for every prophecy to be fulfilled!'
²⁴ "There will be no more false visions and flattering predictions in Israel.
²⁵ For I am the LORD! If I say it, it will happen. There will be no more delays, you rebels of Israel. I will fulfill my threat of destruction in your own lifetime. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!"
²⁶ Then this message came to me from the LORD:
²⁷ "Son of man, the people of Israel are saying, 'He's talking about the distant future. His visions won't come true for a long, long time.'
²⁸ Therefore, tell them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: No more delay! I will now do everything I have threatened. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!'"