Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Ezekiel 22b - The Refiner's Crucible

Ezekiel is exasperated, the destruction of Jerusalem is imminent, but he wants us to know exactly what led to this terrible end.  Corruption, taking advantage of one another, lust for profit, God can no longer find anyone who is ready or able to turn things around.

Ezekiel 22a - Little Sins Lead to Big Ones

Ezekiel has given up on the people listening to his message, but he wants it to be clear what is going to happen to Jerusalem and why.  He lists the sins of Jerusalem.  It starts with talebearing and gossip and xenophobia, and ends with death and bloodshed.

Ezekiel 21b - A Tragic Fork in the Road

God tells Ezekiel about two paths of destruction that lay ahead of the Babylonian conquerors.  The lackadaisical attitude of the King of Babylon is striking.  Whom should I kill first?  The King of Babylon decides to head to Jerulsalem first, but the destruction of Ammon is not far behind.

Ezekiel 21a - The Sharpened Sword

Ezekiel tries again with a parable that falls flat.  The people dismiss him as just another storyteller, so he says it like it is.  The sword is about to fall against Jerusalem.  The sword has been polished and sharpoened by god Himself, and given to the hands of the oppressors.  The coming destruction is so awful, God Himself is clapping His hands in grief.  God so sadly asks His prophet,  "do I have a choice?"

Ezekiel 20b - God Cleans the House

God declares His wrath over the many generations of Israel that have consistently veered from the path He desired from them.  Too many times they have defiled His name with the most disgusting of practices.  They will be scattered among the nations, and they will be cleansed.  One day the remaining people will be gathered, but only those from whom God can build a righteous nation. 

Ezekiel 20a - God Gives a History Lesson

God tells Ezekiel to teach the people a lesson of history.  For genertions, the people have ignored His laws of life and justice.  They rejected Him in favor of their own disgraceful practices. They ignored His special Shabbat, and instead turned to idols. Even to the terrible depths of offering child sacrifices.  God only has so much patience, but no longer was God going to look the other way.

Ezekiel 19 - The Failure of Leadership

Ezekiel laments the failure of the lions of Judah, the Kings that could have led the people to success, but instead led them to destruction.

Ezekiel 18 - True Justice

God declares that every person is responsible for his own behavior.  God is just, and will treat us justly if we act properly towards others.  God does not want us to die, He wants us to live.  

Ezekiel 17b - The Arrogant Wither Before God, and the Humble Flourish

Ezekiel teaches the solution to the riddle.  Those who are arrogant and do not keep the promises they make will be destroyed, while those who are humble and accept God's sovereignty will flourish.

Ezekiel 17a - The Eagle, the Cedar Branch, and the Vine

Ezekiel employs a new method to get his message across, as God tells him a riddle to say to the people.  A great eagle, a tree, a vine and a lesser eagle all play a part in this riddle.  The meaning of the riddle will be discussed in 17b.