What happensPermalink
God tells Ezekiel to shave his head and beard with a sword, then weigh and divide the hair into three parts. He must burn one part within the model city, strike another with the sword, and scatter the last to the wind. He saves a few hairs in his garment but must later burn some. God explains that pestilence and famine will consume one third of Jerusalem, the sword another third, and the remainder will be scattered and pursued. Fathers and sons will consume one another.
Why it mattersPermalink
God placed Jerusalem in the midst of the nations, but she rebelled. Her public judgment therefore displays God’s justice before the watching nations. The few preserved hairs suggest a tiny remnant, but apparent survivors remain subject to judgment. Famine, sword, and pestilence continue the siege announced in chapter 4 and echo Jeremiah’s warnings.
Key versePermalink
A third part of you shall die of pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst; a third part shall fall by the sword all around you; and a third part I will scatter to all the winds and will unsheathe the sword after them.