And the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel."(vv.1-2)
A riddle can be framed like a puzzle a famous example of which is the one the Sphinx asked Oedipus. The Hebrew root for it suggests a riddle would need serious thought. We have a famous example of the riddle asked by Samson after tearing a lion to pieces.(Jud.14:14). A parable on the other hand compares two ideas but thing that is compared to the other holds consistency. For example the Parable of the Sower works for this reason: the condition of the heart being varied the message heard and understood by people also varies. Seed falling on a stony ground produces different result than one fallen on the wayside. In this connection a fable relies on fictitious players often animals as in the fables of Aesop to convey a moral mostly implied.
This chapter is a riddle evidently. Topic is set by God himself and the prophet is to compose it. It is a companion chapter in spirit to the Gospel of St Matthew where Jesus sets forth a parable on the kingdom of heaven and also explains it. (Matt.13). Prophet Ezekiel however is required to speak on the covenant breaking Israel, touching upon the consequences that shall follow when King Zedekiah renege on his oath to the King of Babylon. For the exiled nation it surely must have come raw and a view from inside the furnace as to the events taking place beyond. Thus the topical matter is a springboard for hinting at the shape of things to come. Apostasy of Israel forms the theme of the riddle and besides the folly of the king of Judah secretly turning to Pharaoh of Egypt serves a sharp rebuke on the house of Israel that went whoring after other gods when betrothed to God.
And the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel."(vv.1-2)
A riddle can be framed like a puzzle a famous example of which is the one the Sphinx asked Oedipus. The Hebrew root for it suggests a riddle would need serious thought. We have a famous example of the riddle asked by Samson after tearing a lion to pieces.(Jud.14:14). A parable on the other hand compares two ideas but thing that is compared to the other holds consistency. For example the Parable of the Sower works for this reason: the condition of the heart being varied the message heard and understood by people also varies. Seed falling on a stony ground produces different result than one fallen on the wayside. In this connection a fable relies on fictitious players often animals as in the fables of Aesop to convey a moral mostly implied.
This chapter is a riddle evidently. Topic is set by God himself and the prophet is to compose it. It is a companion chapter in spirit to the Gospel of St Matthew where Jesus sets forth a parable on the kingdom of heaven and also explains it. (Matt.13). Prophet Ezekiel however is required to speak on the covenant breaking Israel, touching upon the consequences that shall follow when King Zedekiah renege on his oath to the King of Babylon. For the exiled nation it surely must have come raw and a view from inside the furnace as to the events taking place beyond. Thus the topical matter is a springboard for hinting at the shape of things to come. Apostasy of Israel forms the theme of the riddle and besides the folly of the king of Judah secretly turning to Pharaoh of Egypt serves a sharp rebuke on the house of Israel that went whoring after other gods when betrothed to God.
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