Ezekiel 5

Ezekiel 5:1-17

Ezekiel 5:1-4. The sharp knife is the symbol of the king of Babylon. (See Isaiah 7:20.) He was God’ s instrument in the execution of His wrath; the people are represented by the hair. The third part of the hair burned with fire pictures the fate of a part of the people during the siege. The pestilence and the famine were also to consume them. Only a few in number, a small remnant, were to be preserved, as indicated when Ezekiel took a few hairs and bound them in his skirt.

Ezekiel 5:5-17. These solemn words should be carefully read. In connection with them there ought to be read Jeremiah’ s lamentations, for Jeremiah’ s outburst of sorrow shows the literal fulfillment of this message. (See Ezekiel 5:10 and compare with Lamentations 4:10.)