Eze 24:25 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ezek 24:25-27: 24:25-27 In the midst of this deep gloom and woe, on the very day when a survivor would arrive to confirm the fall of Jerusalem, there would also be a sign of hope for the people. On that day, Ezekiel’s voice would suddenly return (see 3:26 ), and he would once again be able to pray to God for the people and intercede on their behalf. The final destruction of Jerusalem would complete the full outpouring of God’s wrath and fury. On that day, Ezekiel would finally be able to speak words of hope to the shattered remnant of the exiles, so that they might know the Lord. Thematic note: Prophetic Sign Acts The prophets of Israel occasionally communicated through sign acts, which were dramatic visual aids performed in public to increase the impact of the message and help people feel the truth as much as hear it. Their purpose was to present an unforgettable message. These acts were unusual, even outlandish—and not just from a modern perspective. Unlike modern readers, however (who might think that the prophet was psychologically disturbed), ancient observers understood these sign acts as a regular part of a prophet’s communication style. Ezekiel was required to act out his message more frequently than any other prophet, perhaps because he was communicating to a particularly hardened audience (Ezek 2:6-7 ). The sign acts reinforced the content of his message and underlined the depth of his personal commitment to it. For example, after he swallowed the word of God (2:8–3:3 ), Ezekiel embodied it for the exiles (3:4-9 ) in a series of judgment scenes (chs 4–6 ). This dramatic form of communication is difficult for even a hostile audience to ignore or forget. The ultimate sign act was performed by Jesus Christ on the cross (see Matt 27:32-54 ). There God visibly depicted his wrath against sin in the darkness, the earthquake, and the agony of the sinless one who was apparently abandoned by his Father. God also depicted his profound love for the world in that he would rather die than let his people go. The cross is a confrontational message of God’s love and wrath that is hard to ignore or forget. Passages for Further Study Jer 13:1-11 ; 19:1-15 ; 25:15 ; Ezek 2:6–3:3 ; 3:4-9 ; 4:1-17 ; 5:1–6:14 ; 12:1-28 ; 21:19-23 ; 24:1-14 , 16-27 ; 37:15-28 ; Hos 1:2-9 ; 3:1-3 ; Matt 26:26-28 ; 27:45-54 ; Mark 6:11 ; 11:12-21 ; Luke 22:17-20 ; Rom 6:3-5 ; 1 Cor 10:16-17 ; 11:23-32

Summary for Ezek 24:25-27: 24:25-27 ^a In the midst of this deep gloom and woe, on the very day when a survivor would arrive to confirm the fall of Jerusalem, there would also be a sign of hope for the people. On that day, Ezekiel’s voice would suddenly return (see 3:26 ^b), and he would once again be able to pray to God for the people and intercede on their behalf. The final destruction of Jerusalem would complete the full outpouring of God’s wrath and fury. On that day, Ezekiel would finally be able to speak words of hope to the shattered remnant of the exiles, so that they might know the Lord.

Thematic note: Prophetic Sign Acts
The prophets of Israel occasionally communicated through sign acts, which were dramatic visual aids performed in public to increase the impact of the message and help people feel the truth as much as hear it. Their purpose was to present an unforgettable message. These acts were unusual, even outlandish—and not just from a modern perspective. Unlike modern readers, however (who might think that the prophet was psychologically disturbed), ancient observers understood these sign acts as a regular part of a prophet’s communication style.
Ezekiel was required to act out his message more frequently than any other prophet, perhaps because he was communicating to a particularly hardened audience (Ezek 2:6-7 ^c). The sign acts reinforced the content of his message and underlined the depth of his personal commitment to it. For example, after he swallowed the word of God (2:8–3:3 ^d), Ezekiel embodied it for the exiles (3:4-9 ^e) in a series of judgment scenes (chs 4–6 ^f). This dramatic form of communication is difficult for even a hostile audience to ignore or forget.
The ultimate sign act was performed by Jesus Christ on the cross (see Matt 27:32-54 ^g). There God visibly depicted his wrath against sin in the darkness, the earthquake, and the agony of the sinless one who was apparently abandoned by his Father. God also depicted his profound love for the world in that he would rather die than let his people go. The cross is a confrontational message of God’s love and wrath that is hard to ignore or forget.

Passages for Further Study
Jer 13:1-11 ^h; 19:1-15 ⁱ; 25:15 ^j; Ezek 2:6–3:3 ^k; 3:4-9 ^l; 4:1-17 ^m; 5:1–6:14 ⁿ; 12:1-28 ^o; 21:19-23 ^p; 24:1-14 ^q, 16-27 ^r; 37:15-28 ^s; Hos 1:2-9 ^t; 3:1-3 ^u; Matt 26:26-28 ^v; 27:45-54 ^w; Mark 6:11 ^x; 11:12-21 ^y; Luke 22:17-20 ^z; Rom 6:3-5 ^aa; 1 Cor 10:16-17 ^ab; 11:23-32 ^ac