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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
33:1-39:29 After the Fall of Jerusalem. Following the central collection of foreign-nation oracles, the focus returns to Judah (or "the house of Israel" in Ezekiel's preferred phrase). Before Jerusalem's fall, warning and doom dominated Ezekiel's message--although hints of hope were not absent. In the wake of Jerusalem's destruction (33:21-22), the balance is reversed. With false hopes shattered, Ezekiel's oracles now point to the true source and proper shape of life renewed. This reorientation is not an abrupt "about face" but rather a gradual turning that revisits the realities of life under judgment while building toward the solid promise of a renewed and permanent relationship of life with God.
33:1-20 Reminders. On the brink of hope, there is a brief pause to forge links back to chs. 1-24, and to remind Ezekiel and his audience of their mutual responsibilities: 33:1-9 again describes the role of the prophet in terms of the "watchman" seen also in 3:16-21; 33:10-20 offers a different edition of the teaching on individual responsibility seen in 18:21-29.
33:1-9 The Watchman (Reprise). See also 3:16-21. God, prophet, and people are inextricably bound together in these verses. The role of the watchman (33:2, 6, 7) dominates. He must act on what he sees (vv. 3, 6). Yet v. 2 frames the parable of vv. 2-6 about the land itself, and the whole oracle (vv. 2-9) is addressed to your people. They are responsible to attend to the watchman's warnings (vv. 4-5). The watchman must exercise vigilance to discern the actions of God (If I bring the sword . . . and if he sees, vv. 2-3), but God himself speaks the divine word to the prophet (v. 7). Verses 7-9 are almost identical to 3:17-19.
33:10-20 Moral Responsibility (Reprise). As the reminders continue, the emphasis falls on the people. This passage parallels that of 18:19-29 (see the notes there), which concluded with a call to repentance (18:30-32). Here, no such call is issued. But the following oracle represents the most important juncture in the prophet's ministry.
33:11 I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. The Bible is clear that God will punish sin and vindicate his holiness and justice. At the same time, God feels sorrow over the punishment and death of creatures created in his image.
33:17 your people say, "The way of the Lord is not just." When people do wrong, they are quick to complain about God rather than admitting their own sin.
