Ezekiel 6:12
“He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.”
Context:The book of Ezekiel is filled with prophecies and visions given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. The people of Israel had been unfaithful to God, and Ezekiel was called to prophesy against their sins and warn them of the impending judgment and destruction that would come upon them.
Judgment for Idolatry:In Ezekiel 6, God’s judgment against Israel’s idolatry is described. The people had turned away from the true God and had worshiped false gods and idols. God, in His anger, pronounces severe consequences for their actions.
Death and Destruction:In verse 12, God declares the various forms of punishment that would befall the people. The phrase “He that is far off shall die of the pestilence” suggests that even those who may have escaped the initial invasion and siege would not be spared from the punishment. Pestilence refers to a deadly epidemic or disease, indicating that death would come even to those who were not directly affected by the violence of war.
“He that is near shall fall by the sword”:This phrase implies that those who are in close proximity to the enemy would die by the sword. The sword symbolizes warfare and violence, indicating that many would be killed in battle.
“He that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine”:The people who remained in the besieged city would suffer from famine. The city would be cut off from food supplies, resulting in starvation and death.
God’s Fury:The verse concludes with the statement, “thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.” This emphasizes that the judgments and destruction that were to come upon the people of Israel were a result of God’s anger and righteous judgment against their disobedience and idolatry.
- Application:While this verse speaks specifically to the judgment against Israel for their idolatry, it also serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.
