Ezekiel – 4:1-17
4:1-3 The Model Siege of Jerusalem – In 4:1-2, Ezekiel mimics in miniature and detail the regular course of the siege of an ancient walled city. The iron griddle of 4:3 is the impenetrable barrier between Yahweh and the city. He has hidden His face (c.f. 7:22). Not only is God silent, but openly hostile through His prophet. The “sign” of 4:3 likely extends through chapters 4–5, with the person of the prophet Ezekiel as the “sacramental” sign to the people. “Sign” is nearly synonymous with “portent,” paralleling the Greek “sign” and “type,” respectively. Types are present person, event, institution, or place with future signi cance under the Word. 4:4-6 Ezekiel Bears Iniquity for 390 and 40 Days – One of the most challenging sections of the book to interpret. Numbers are tough to interpret (cf. Daniel 9; Rev 7:4; 14:1-3; 20:1-7). Instead of Yahweh representing Israel, now the prophet acts as priest, typifying Jesus Christ (e.g., Is 53:5-6, 11-12). The whole Biblical doctrine of sin is contained in “iniquity,” including a single action, the sinful human condition, the guilt resulting from immoral behavior, divine punishment as a result of sin, or God’s bearing of sin in Himself (see “scapegoat” of Lev 16:21-22). The high priest also bears iniquity (Ex 28:36-38; Lev 10:16-17). Ezekiel’s “bearing sin” is representative, not atoning in itself (see AC V; Apology XXIV,53-65; Ap IV,206-207). Three hundred ninety years from the beginning of Ezekiel’s ministry (593 BC) is 983 BC, in King David’s reign. The latter half is marked by con ict (2 Sam 10-20). Solomon also lapsed into idolatry and began the schism, with the Northern Israel apostatizing and Judah’s faithfulness sporadic. Forty years is more complicated. Forty years earlier was the reign of Josiah, marked by reformation but still resulted in Yahweh’s wrath (2 Ki 23:26-27). Forty years might represent the reigns of David and Solomon, the years of exile of Judah in Babylon. Of course, Israel wandered in the desert under Moses as punishment (Num 14:34). The Greek OT (LXX) has di erent gures of 150 and 40. 390 plus 40 corresponds to the total years in exile (Ex 15:20, cf. Gen 15:13). An ancient text, rediscovered at Qumran, called the Damascus Document takes both 390 and 430 years as a type of the nal judgment. 4:7-8 – Additional details are added. “Arm bared” can be positive for Yahweh ghting…
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