Study Desk

It is good to wait patiently for the Lord to save us.

We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins.

Pay them back for everything they have done, Lord !

Babies are so thirsty that their tongues are stuck to the roof of the mouth. Children go begging for food, but no one gives them any.

Our eyes became weary, hopelessly looking for help from a nation that could not save us.

They swooped down faster than eagles from the sky. They hunted for us in the hills and set traps to catch us out in the desert.

The Lord 's chosen leader was our hope for survival! We thought he would keep us safe somewhere among the nations, but even he was caught in one of their traps.

The people of Zion have paid for their sins, and the Lord will soon let them return home. But, people of Edom, you will be punished, and your sins exposed.

Our ancestors sinned, but they are dead, and we are left to pay for their sins.

You will rule forever, Lord ! You are King for all time.

Why have you forgotten us for so long?

When I was back with the others living at Abib Hill near the Chebar River, I sat among them for seven days, shocked at what had happened to me.

Ezekiel, son of man, I have appointed you to stand watch for the people of Israel. So listen to what I say, then warn them for me.

When I tell wicked people they will die because of their sins, you must warn them to turn from their sinful ways so they won't be punished. If you refuse, you are responsible for their death.

Now suppose faithful people start sinning, and I decide to put stumbling blocks in their paths to make them fall. They deserve to die because of their sins. So if you refuse to warn them, I will forget about the times they were faithful, and I will hold you responsible for their death.

Set up an iron pan like a wall between you and the brick. All this will be a warning for the people of Israel.

After that, lie down on your left side and stay there for three hundred ninety days as a sign of Israel's punishment—one day for each year of its suffering.

Then turn over and lie on your right side forty more days. That will be a sign of Judah's punishment—one day for each year of its suffering.

The brick stands for Jerusalem, so attack it! Stare at it and shout angry warnings.

Get a large bowl. Then mix together wheat, barley, beans, lentils, and millet, and make some bread. This is what you will eat for the three hundred ninety days you are lying down.