Ezekiel 7:18

They shall also girde themselues with sackcloth, and horrour shall couer them, and shame shall be vpon all faces, and baldnesse vpon all their heads. Ezekiel 7:18 (KJV)

themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame

shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads. Ezekiel 7:18 (KJV)

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, and this verse is found in a chapter that describes the impending judgment and destruction of Jerusalem because of the sins and rebellion of the people. In this particular section Ezekiel warns the people about the coming devastation and the consequences of their actions.

Sackcloth was a coarse material often made from goat’s hair and was worn as a sign of mourning or repentance in ancient times. It symbolises humility, sorrow, and a desperate plea for mercy from God. Here the people are instructed to gird themselves with sackcloth as a visual representation of their acknowledgement of sin and impending judgment.

The phrase “horror shall cover them” refers to the overwhelming sense of terror and dread that will grip the people when they witness the destruction and calamity that God will bring upon them. “Shame shall be upon all faces” implies the humiliation and disgrace they will experience as a result of their sins and the consequences that befall them.

Baldness was another sign of mourning and distress in ancient times. Shaving one’s head was a visible expression of grief and deep sorrow. In this verse it signifies the magnitude of the disaster and the devastation that will fall upon the people of Jerusalem.

This verse, together with the larger context of Ezekiel’s message, highlights several important spiritual lessons. First, it emphasizes the severe consequences that result from disobedience to God’s commands, reminding us that sin has serious repercussions and can lead to judgment and destruction. Second, the call to gird themselves with sackcloth and repent underscores the need for genuine contrition, turning away from sinful behaviour, acknowledging our sins, and seeking God’s forgiveness. Third, the impending judgment reminds us of God’s sovereignty and His role as the righteous judge, assuring that His justice will ultimately prevail and that He will hold people accountable for their actions.

Overall, Ezekiel 7:18 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. It also highlights the sovereignty of God and His role as the righteous judge, urging believers to live in accordance with God’s will and avoid the destructive consequences of sin.