Reading for December 29th

Read Ezekiel 7.10-27. The third oracle elaborates the imagery of the land's destruction in the "Day of the Lord." In verses 10-11: The blossoming rod represents Aron's rod, which designates Levi as the priestly tribe (Num 17), but Jeremiah, a priest descended from Eli (1 Sam 1.11-12). The silver almond-shaped cap, recently discovered by archeologists in Jerusalem, on adorned the rod of a priest. The budding pride also translates as "insolence," indicating Ezekiel's view that the great rod is now employed for the punishment of Israel, just as Moses' rod punished Egypt (Ex 7-11). In verses 12-13: Normal life will end. In verses 14-17: Ezekiel again takes up the imagery of sword, pestilence, and famine (chs. 5-6). In verses 18-21: Compare Isa 2.6-21, which anticipates that people will throw away their silver and gold idols on the "Day of the Lord." In verse 22: God's intention to hide the divine face raise tremedous tehological problems. God's treasured place was themost holy place in the Temple. In verses 23-27: The leaders are responsible for the punishment. Comments or Questions..