Read & explore together
A Prophecy against the South
Ezekiel 20:45–49 is a short prophecy in which Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak towards the south. The passage uses the picture of a forest fire to announce judgement and ends with a complaint about how people hear Ezekiel’s words.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage begins by saying Yahweh’s word came to Ezekiel. Ezekiel is then told to face south, preach towards the south, and prophesy against the forest there. The message describes an unquenched fire from south to north, and Ezekiel closes by reporting that people call him a speaker of parables.
Ezekiel 20:45–49Main takeaway
This prophecy gives a message of judgement in vivid picture-language, and the closing complaint shows that listeners may focus on the form of the message instead of hearing it properly.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Yahweh’s word comes to EzekielThe passage begins by saying Yahweh’s word came to Ezekiel. This shows that the message starts with Yahweh speaking.
Explanation
The passage begins by saying Yahweh’s word came to Ezekiel. This shows that the message starts with Yahweh speaking. Ezekiel is receiving a word that he must deliver, so the lines that follow are presented as prophecy rather than Ezekiel’s personal opinion or a narrated event.
02A message aimed towards the southEzekiel is called “son of man” and told to set his face towards the south, preach towards the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the south.
Explanation
Ezekiel is called “son of man” and told to set his face towards the south, preach towards the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the south. The repeated direction gives the prophecy a clear target. The “forest” belongs to the language of the prophecy itself.
03The fire that devours green and dry treesYahweh says he will kindle a fire in the southern forest. It will devour every green tree and every dry tree, so the picture includes the whole forest without distinction.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will kindle a fire in the southern forest. It will devour every green tree and every dry tree, so the picture includes the whole forest without distinction. The flame will not be quenched, and the burning reaches from south to north, stressing the scale of the judgement.
04All flesh will see who kindled itThe prophecy says that all flesh will see that Yahweh has kindled the fire and that it will not be quenched.
Explanation
The prophecy says that all flesh will see that Yahweh has kindled the fire and that it will not be quenched. The emphasis falls on Yahweh being recognised as the one acting. This picture-language points to his action plainly by declaring both its source and its unstoppable force.
05Ezekiel’s complaint about being heardThe passage ends with Ezekiel speaking back: “Ah Lord Yahweh!” He reports that people say, “Isn’t he a speaker of parables?”
Explanation
The passage ends with Ezekiel speaking back: “Ah Lord Yahweh!” He reports that people say, “Isn’t he a speaker of parables?” The verse directly gives their description of him. This suggests that some listeners were focusing on the figurative form of the message rather than on its warning.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What repeated direction shows who this prophecy is aimed at?
Notice how often “toward the south” and “in the south” are repeated, and how that repetition shapes the message’s target.
02Why is the mention of both green and dry trees important in the fire image?
Look at the wording of the judgement and consider how it presents the fire as sweeping and comprehensive within the picture.
03What problem does Ezekiel describe at the end of the passage?
Read Ezekiel’s complaint carefully and identify what people are calling him and what that may show about their response to the message.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 20:45–49
45Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
46“Son of man, set your face toward the south, and preach toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the south.
47Tell the forest of the south, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word: The Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree. The burning flame will not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north will be burned by it.
48All flesh will see that I, Yahweh, have kindled it. It will not be quenched.” ’ ”
49Then I said, “Ah Lord Yahweh! They say of me, ‘Isn’t he a speaker of parables?’ ”