Ezekiel – 20:45-21:32 (MT 21:1-37)
Yahweh’s Punishing Sword is Drawn – The chapter is a series of four oracles united by the common subject: the sword. Mostly it is the sword of Yahweh, although sometimes personi ed and acting on its own. The sword is one of Ezekiel’s favorite terms for the forces of war, death, and destruction. “Sword” ( חֶֶרב/ chereb) occurs fteen times in this chapter and ninety times in Ezekiel. While not dated, it seems the events correspond to Jerusalem’s capitulation in 586. Each oracle begins with the word-event formula, “the Word of Yahweh came (to me),” followed by commands to do something. There is a clear progression: (1) Yahweh Himself wields the sword; (2) the sword seems to act independently; (3) Yahweh gives the sword to His agent to act for Him; and (4) the sword is returned to its sheath after doing its job. The chapter’s language is semi-poetic, with “repetitions, exclamations, choppy staccato constructions, incomplete and garbled sentences, unusual forms, absence of rhythm, and puzzling motifs” (Block). The Riddle of the Sword and Its Interpretation (20:45–21:7) — Despite being a riddle, some elements are clear and on-demand, Yahweh explains. Ezekiel is preaching to an audience of Israelites in exile in Babylon. The “South” refers to Jerusalem, although it does not make geographical sense. Ezekiel’s primary concern is not with trees but with people. The “green” and “dry” trees correspond to the “righteous” and “wicked.” Fire and sword are both employed as Yahweh’s agents of death. While individual accountability was confessed in chapter 18, the totality of righteous and wicked are judged (a “merism.”) As in Judah, and now Babylon, all suffer even while some are faithful. It’s shocking and meant to wake his hearers from their spiritual lethargy. And what of the destruction of the wicked? If even believers must die with Christ on the cross, no wonder those still outside the pale must be annihilated, at least in their old identity (cf. Rom 6:1-4; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 2:11-13; Titus 3:5-7). According to v.6, Ezekiel’s hearers are dismissive and do not take him seriously. Thus, the prophecy (v.7) of destruction likely refers to that of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. The Song of the Sword (21:8-17) — This section is universally acknowledged as a poetic song. Note that the sword is personi ed. This gure is the “man of war” (Ex 15:3), the sword commanded…