EZEKIEL 37:16–17—Is this passage a prophecy of the book of Mormon? MISINTERPRETATION: Mormons think this passage points to their book of Mormon. They believe the sticks mentioned in Ezekiel 37 are pieces of wood around which a papyrus scroll was wrapped. In ancient times it was the custom to write on parchment and roll it on a stick. Therefore, when this command was given, it was the equivalent of directing that two books or records should be kept. One of the sticks (Judah) is referring to the bible; the other (Joseph) is allegedly referring to the book of Mormon. CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: The context clearly identifies the two sticks. This is not a prophecy about the book of Mormon. Ezekiel 37:15-28 (15) A message came to me from the LORD, and this is what it was: (16) Now as for you, Son of Man, grab a stick of wood for yourself and write on it these words: FOR JUDAH AND THE ISRAELIS, HIS COMPANIONS. Then grab another stick and write on it: FOR JOSEPH, THE STICK OF EPHRAIM, AND ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, HIS COMPANIONS. (17) Then join them together end-to-end so that they become a single baton in your hand. Ezekiel used a symbolic act to demonstrate that the two previously divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah would once again be reunited into one nation when God brings his people back into their land. Israel would then be complete with all her covenants fulfilled. Ezekiel took two sticks of wood (verse 16). He wrote the names of Judah and her companions on one stick and those of Ephraim and her companions on the other, one stick representing the former kingdom of Judah, the other the previous kingdom of Israel. When Ezekiel put these two sticks together in his hand, they became one stick (verse 17). The Hebrew term for wood (ʿēṣ) is translated as tablet in the Aramaic Targum. The Hebrew and Aramaic term lwḥ [lûaḥ] is cognate to Akkadian lēʾu, a generic designation for wooden writing board or set of writing boards consisting of two leaves revolving on a hinge. These boards were made of flat pieces of wood, on one side covered with beeswax in order to provide a writing surface. Several such writing boards were found in the palace of the Assyrian king Sargon II at Nimrud. Modern marine archaeology has discovered such folding two-leaved boards in the cargo of a 14th century b.c. Canaanite ship that sank off the coast of southwestern Turkey. Several biblical texts mention the use of writing tablets (Isaiah 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2). Since Ezekiel is commanded to write a message on each piece of wood concerning Judah and Ephraim (the northern tribes), it has been suggested that some such wooden writing boards are being used. (18) When the descendants of your people ask you, Would you please explain to us what you mean by this? (19) you are to tell them, This is what the LORD says: Watch me! Im taking the baton that represents Joseph, which Ephraim is holding in his hand, along with his companions the tribes of Israel, and Im going to join them with the baton that represents Judah. Im making them a single baton, that is, a complete baton in my hand. (20) The batons on which you engrave your writing are to remain right in front of them in your hand. (21) Then tell them, This is what the Lord GOD says: Watch me take the Israelis out of the nations where theyve gone and return them from every direction. Im going to bring them back into their own land. (22) Im going to make them a united people in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and Ill set a single king to rule over them. Theyll never again be two separate people. Theyll never again be divided into two kingdoms. (23) They will never again defile themselves with their idols, with other loathsome things, or with any of their sins. Instead, I will deliver them from all of the places where they have sinned, and then Ill cleanse them. They will be my people and I will be their God. (24) My servant King David will be there for them, and one shepherd will be appointed for them. They will live according to my decrees, keep my regulations, and practice them. (25) They will live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob and on which your ancestors lived. They will live in that land, along with their children and grandchildren, forever. David my servant will be their everlasting leader. (26) Ill make a secure covenant with them, one that will last forever. I will establish them, make them increase in population, and will place my sanctuary in their midst forever. (27) I will pitch my tent among them and will be their God. They will be my people, (28) and the nations will know that I, the LORD, am the sanctifier of Israel when I place my sanctuary in their midst forever. These verses give the interpretation of the symbolic act (verse 18). The union of the two sticks into one portrayed the reunion of the nations of Judah and Israel into a united kingdom in the land promised in the Abrahamic covenant (verses 19, 22–25; Genesis 12:1–3, 7; 16:10; 17:7–9; 22:17–18; 28:4, 13–15). Never again would the nation be divided. The Messiah, Davids greater Son, would be the only King, Shepherd, and Prince that Israel would ever have in accord with the Davidic covenant (verses 22, 24, 25; 2 Samuel 7:13, 16). This united people of God would be cleansed from their former idolatry and transgressions through the complete forgiveness provided by the Messiahs death and the ministry of the Spirit promised in the new covenant (verse 23; Ezekiel 36:16–32; Jeremiah 31:31–34). By accepting the new covenant, Israel would be enabled through the Holy Spirit to follow the righteous stipulations of the Mosaic covenant and to live by them (verse 24). Then Israel would finally be the unique, choice people that God had created for himself; and he would be their God—finally fulfilling the ideal of the Mosaic covenant (verses 23, 27; Exodus 19:5–6; Leviticus 26:12; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2, 21; 26:18–19; 27:9; Jeremiah 30:22; 31:33; 32:38). God would enact his peace covenant (Ezekiel 34:25–29) with Israel at the time of her restoration to the land, when all her other covenants with God would be fulfilled (verse 26). Under this peace covenant Israel would be established in her land, her numbers would increase (Genesis 22:17–18), and God would place his sanctuary, his dwelling place, among his people forever (verses 26–27). Then all nations would see that it was God who made Israel holy. She would be set apart from all nations as Gods special possession. No other nation would have God dwelling in its sanctuary uniquely in its midst as would Israel (verse 28). When all Israels covenants have been consummated, then God will enact his peace covenant with Israel. She will dwell in peace forever under the rule of her king, the Messiah (Ezekiel 34:25–29; 37:26; 38:11).
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 06:22:49 +0000
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