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"Two ways for the sword"

Text: Ezekiel 21:19

A GLIMPSE OF THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE

The word of the Lord was revealed to Ezekiel. He was given a glimpse of how King Nebuchadnezzar made his plans of war.

“The word of the Lord came to me again, saying:
‘And son of man, appoint for yourself two ways
for the sword of the king of Babylon to go;
both of them shall go from the same land.
Make a sign; put it at the head of the road to the city.
Appoint a road for the sword to go to Rabbah of the Ammonites,
and to Judah, into fortified Jerusalem.'”
Ezekiel 21:18-20

1. The word of the Lord.

a) Each word of the Lord was a revelation to Ezekiel.

b) He could not have possibly understood how Nebuchadnezzar planned his war campaigns.

2. Ezekiel was taught by the Lord personally.

a) There were two possible options for Nebuchadnezzar to decide on.

b) Ezekiel was asked to consider and to appoint the two ways.

c) By so doing, he would have a better understanding of how Nebuchadnezzar planned things.

3. The Babylonian army’s advance.

a) It would come to a fork in the road.

b) Ezekiel was asked to “make a sign”.

c) This was a road sign at the head of the road.

4. The two possible options.

a) One road would lead to Rabbah, an Ammonite stronghold.

b) The other road would lead to Judah.

c) Nebuchadnezzar had planned to conquer the entire region.

d) The question was what Nebuchadnezzar choose.

i) Would he choose to attack Rabbah?

ii) Or would he choose to attack Judah, with fortified cities.