1. The Exile enacted (12:1-20)

When people are rebellious, they are blind to truth. They do not want to repent, so they deliberately close their ears to bad news. Ezekiel dramatized King Zedekiah's attempted escape. This happened when Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon marched against Jerusalem (2Ki 25:1-7). Zedekiah was captured; his eyes were put out and he was brought in chains to Babylon. God punished his people so that they might know that God alone is the Lord, repent, and worship him. Ezekiel's dramatic enactment of a man going into exile made God's message clear.

2. Woe to the false prophets (12:21-13:23)

Rebellious people are one problem; lying prophets another. Prophets who ignore the word of God and follow their own spirits cannot but tell lies. The walls need drastic repairing, but they only whitewash them. They say 'peace', when there is no peace. God will deal with them.

Application: Lord, take away my rebellious heart and give me a learning mind.
One Word: God punishes in order to save