Reading for December 22nd

Read Ezekiel 4.1-8. In verses 1-8: Prophets perform symbolic actions to damatize their statements and enable them to take effect (Isa 20; Jer 1; 19). Ezekiel builds a model of Jerusalem under siege. The action draws upon the imagery of Jer 1.18. The background of three hundred and ninety and forty is not entirely certain, and the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Hebew Bible) contains entirely different figures. If one counts backwards from the destruction of the Temple in 587 BCE. the total of 430 years points to the time of the establishment of the united monarchy of Israel under Saul in 1017 BCE. Counting forward 390 years from that date takes one to 627 BCE, the twelfth year of Josiah's reign, the year in which his reforms begin (2 chr 34.3; compare 2 Kings 22.3). Josiah failed in his attempt to reunite Israel and Judah. The remaining 40 years accounts for the time between the beginning of Josiah's reform and the destruction of Jerusalem. Comments or Questions..