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| EZEKIEL |
| Explanatory Footnotes |
| 5:5 Navel of the Universe Maps dating from the Middle Ages often showed Jerusalem and Israel as the center of a flat world. The practice probably stemmed from several verses like this one, referring to Jerusalem as "the center of the nations." Geography was not what God had in mind, however. Jerusalem was at the center of his love. A lover might say something similar: "You're the center of my universe." 6:9 A Dim View of Idolatry Ezekiel said little about exploitation and injustice. He concentrated on Israel's rejection of a relationship with the living God; they preferred idols instead. The Hebrew word translated "idols" here is used 38 times in Ezekiel, nine in the rest of the Old Testament. Some scholars believe the word is derived from "pellet of dung," indicating Exekiel's scorn. 9:4 The Saving Mark The man in linen marked those to be saved with a taw, the final letter in the Hebrew alphabet, written in the oldest script as "x" - a cross, as Christians have noted. 12:12 Out Through the Hole Ezekiel's prediction of Jerusalem's leader leaving through a hole in the wall was literally fulfilled. You can read about it in 2 Kings 25:4-7 or Jeremiah 39:4-7. 13:10 Whitewash The Hebrew word translated "whitewash" means "to plaster over." The picture is of a poorly constructed wall that is carefully plastered so it looks well built. False prophets, wanting everyone to be happy, spoke cheerfully about the future. But they were only covering up the surface of fundamental problems. A storm, God warns, will strip off their coat of whitewash, and the flawed wall will collapse. In contrast, real prophets were unafraid of exposing the truth, however bad, for only then could problems be remedied. |