42Babel
Tow’ebah ~ Abominable
…God Hates Religion
2
Marad | Insubordinate
Being Religious…
We survived our encounter with Satan in the opening chapter of Yachezq’el | Ezekiel, and we emerged wiser for the experience. We are aware that the Beast of Babylon has become the god of religion – now more popular than Yahowah by a factor of a million to one.
And so, while Satan seeks to be worshiped, needing men and women to bow down to him as their Lord, Yahowah wants us on our feet listening to Him.
He said to me (wa ‘amar ‘el ‘any), son of man (ben ‘adam), stand (‘amad – I command you to be present and standing (qal imperative)) on your feet (‘al regel ‘atah) and then (wa) I will speak with you (dabar ‘eth ‘atah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 2:1)
The imperative mood can convey volition or a command. In this case, the intent is obvious. Ezekiel’s Lord is an imposing and dictatorial Master.
The spirit came to be with me (wa bow’ ba ‘any ruwach – the spirit approached to be with me) as he spoke to me (ka ‘asher dabar ‘el ‘any) and propped me up (wa ‘amad ‘any – caused me to be present of mind and standing (hifil imperfect)) on my feet (‘al regel ‘atah).
Then I heard (wa shama’ – and I was able to listen) the speech to me (‘eth dabar ‘el ‘any). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 2:2)
43I wrote “ruwach – spirit” in lowercase because this is not the Ruwach Qodesh | Set-Apart Spirit. Should the author of this book have been possessed, it was by a demon. Similarly, when “he” is being used in conjunction with the inspiration of this book, I’m not going to dignify it with a Divine capitalization.
Since we are the one animal Yahowah actually designed to stand upright on our feet, why do so many have such difficulty doing so? The author’s reluctance is exceedingly sad because it denies our Creator the opportunity to engage with us in the way He intended. Our attitude and perspective in this regard are what determine our response to God and distinguish those who worship a fearsome Lord from those who embrace their loving Father.
Yahuwdym were captives in Babylon and the tribes of Yisra’el had been dispersed by the Assyrians. And so, since there is no indication that “Ezekiel” was sent anywhere, the following sentence is the first of many which disregard the vast divide…
He said to me (wa ‘amar ‘el ‘any), son of man (ben ‘adam), I am dispatching you (shalach ‘any ‘eth ‘atah – extending Myself through you (qal participle masculine singular)) to the Children of Yisra’el (‘el beny Yisra’el – the descendants of those who either engage and endure with God or who struggle and fight against the Almighty), to the rebellious and revolting non-Yisra’elites (‘el gowym ha marad – resistant and contentious people of different ethnicities) who have been recalcitrant and repulsive (‘asher marad – who have been resistant and defiant, insubordinate and disgusting) with me (ba ‘any).
They, and their fathers (hem wa ‘ab), have rebelled against me (pasha’ ba ‘any – have been revolting and religious toward Me) up to and well beyond this very essential day (‘ad ‘etsem yowm ha zeh – beyond the 44restoring witness of this vital time). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 2:3)
Yahowah did not send Yachezq’el to His wayward children in Jerusalem. And with Yisra’el lost among the Assyrians, this declaration could not have been fulfilled. Therefore, based on our experience with Dany’el, and with what we have read thus far in Ezekiel, when it comes to trustworthy testimony, there is a considerable difference between being in Yisra’el versus Babylon.
Reinforcing this conclusion, Ezekiel’s compatriots are consistently called marad | contentious and embittered, repulsive and rebellious, recalcitrant and defiant. However, Babylon was a time out for bad behavior, so it would have been impossible for them to remain rebellious now that they were captives.
It is true, however, that in spite of what Yahowah has done and would do for His people, they were not very good at reciprocating…
The descendants (wa ha benym – the sons) have a harsh, perplexing, and obstinate presence (qasheh panym – have a cruel, troublesome, unyielding, and stubborn attitude) and have established their judgment to override mine (wa chazaq leb ‘any – such that they are hard-hearted and loud about their preference to be impudent toward Me).
I am reaching out through you to them, sending you to them (shalach ‘eth ‘atah ‘el hem). And so (wa), you should say to them (‘amar ‘el hem), this is what (koh) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), my Lord (‘adon ‘any), says (‘amar): (Yachezq’el 2:4) If they listen (wa hem ‘im shama’) or if they refuse (wa ‘im chadal), it is evident that (ky) they are a rebellious household (beyth mary hem – they are an obstinate and revolting family), but they will know (wa yada’ – they will realize) that a prophet 45(ky naby’) has been (hayah) in their midst (ba tawek hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 2:5)
Since this message is being wrongly attributed to Yahowah, I will not sully God’s name by playing into the author’s hands and writing it out. Henceforth, anytime we encounter YHWH scribed in Ezekiel, it will be rendered unceremoniously.
Throughout this book, God’s name is introduced with ‘adony | my Lord. Normally, this would be wildly inappropriate since Yahowah despises the title and actually deploys it to describe Satan. But here, since Yahowah’s name is being usurped by the author of this text to create the impression that the Adversary is the Lord God, it is even more cunning and devious than removing Yahowah’s name as was done by the rabbis.
We are in Babylon. And it is here that Satan is elevated to be seen and worshiped above the Most High. The Lord of religion is replacing God using His name, making this book among the most devious ever written.
You will notice that, in this case, it does not matter to this Lord if Yisra’el listens to him or not. God’s people remain disobedient and revolting either way – which is exactly how Satan has cast them.
This diatribe against the Jewish propensity to be religious is not only relentless, it is consistent with what we have read in the Mizmowr, Howsha’, Yasha’yah, and Yirma’yah, as well as in the Towrah. So, if this was written by a charlatan impersonating a prophet, he would have had copious resources from which to draw. The only difference here is equating Yahowah with the Lord and then establishing a scenario where it does not matter if the people listen because their fate is unaltered by Yahowah’s instructions.
46Granted, this is disorienting, although it is by design. Yes, the words accurately reflect Yahowah’s sentiments toward Judaism, but sandwiched as it is in this text by false appeals and fatalism, we must be careful when attributing anything this pretentious author posing as Ezekiel wrote about God.
It is, nonetheless, true that from the Yatsa’ | Exodus to the exile and beyond, Yisra’elites have found innumerable ways to aggravate God. Foremost among them has been the rabbinic proclivity to override Yahowah’s instructions with their own. What they haven’t changed, they have reinterpreted to their liking. And all along, God has known that His people were not going to listen. They never have. That does not make Jews unique but, instead, common – and that is the problem.
Politically, religiously, academically, and socially, we are told by the religious and political to respect other people’s opinions, viewpoints, and faith. This puts mankind at odds with God who wants us to uphold the truth, knowing that it is going to be unpopular and rub people the wrong way.
So you (wa ‘atah), son of man (ben ‘adam), neither respect nor fear them (‘al yare’ min hem), not even their words (wa min dabar hem). Indeed (ky), the stinging nettles (sarab – the irritating briers) and thorn bushes (silown – prickly plants) are against you (‘eth ‘atah) because on scorpions (wa ‘el ‘aqrab) you dwell (‘atah yashab – you sit).
Regarding their words (min dabar hem), be neither awed nor intimidated (‘al yare’). At their appearance (wa min paneh hem), do not be dismayed or discouraged (‘al chatat – do not be disheartened, dissuaded, or deterred). It is evident that (ky) they are an obstinate and contentious family (beyth mary hem – they are a rebellious and repulsive household). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 2:6)
47Here, the religious are being compared to stinging nettles, prickly thorns, and venomous scorpions. And while that may be an accurate depiction, once again the text is fatalistic because they are destined to remain a thorn in the side. So why reveal anything to them if they are incapable of change?
Further, to suggest that a person should continue to pursue the scorpions while they strive to intimidate them and not be dismayed or discouraged is insane. It is worse than doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result because nothing is going to change. So, this Lord is telling this man to endure the pricks and stings for no reason and without complaint.
Furthermore, what are we to make of this when the supposed author was surrounded by fellow slaves? There was no possibility that he would be confronted or challenged by the religious establishment in Yisra’el.
As we move forward, one of two things is true: Either the Lord is distracted by the pain he is inflicting and cannot remember what he has said from one sentence to the next, or the author of this book was convinced that the overwhelming preponderance of Jews were so contentious and obstinate that they needed to be harangued.
You should speak (wa dabar) my words (‘eth dabar ‘any) to them (‘el hem) if they listen (wa hem ‘im shama’) or if they refuse (wa ‘im chadal), because it is apparent that (ky) they are a rebellious household (beyth mary hem – they are an obstinate and revolting family). (Yachezq’el 2:7)
This is the 27th book I have written since I was approached by Yahowah during Taruw’ah in 2001. And since it is the first time that I have deliberately used lowercase pronouns when the impression is given that God is speaking, I wanted to affirm that the change was 48deliberate. This is not Yahowah’s voice, and I do not want to give the Adversary undue credit.
As for you (wa ‘atah), son of man (ben ‘adam), listen to (shama’) what I say (‘eth ‘asher ‘any dabar) to you (‘el ‘atah). Do not be (‘al hayah) resistant, rebellious, or disobedient (mary – obstinate, contentious, or embittered) like the obstinate and contentious family (ka beyth ha mary). Open your mouth (patsah peh ‘atah) and consume (wa ‘akal) what I offer to you (‘eth ‘asher ‘any nathan ‘el ‘atah – what I give to you). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 2:8)
It is as the Babylonian Adversary intended. “Listen to me. Obey me. Open your mouth and consume what I am feeding you.” And the religious have done so.
As we contemplate what follows, there are some interesting clues. As a priest, should this story be true, Yachezq’el would have known the Towrah like the back of his hand. And yet, he does not equate this book with anything he has seen previously. Moreover, a scroll is written on one side, not two. Inscribed covers and printing on both sides of a page are more recent phenomena – born in Egypt with papyrus codices upon which the Christian New Testament first emerges. So, what is this book that the Lord is giving to the charlatan?
When I looked (wa ra’ah), then behold (wa hineh), a hand was extended (yad shalach – a hand reached out) toward me (‘el ‘any) to see that a written book was in it (hineh ba huw’ magilah sepher – and I beheld a document with writing in it). (Yachezq’el 2:9)
And he spread it out to make it known (wa paras ‘eth hy’) before me (la paneh ‘any – concerning my appearance and presence). It had writing (wa hy’ kathab – it was written) front (paneh – on the facing page or cover) and back (wa ‘achowr – on the other side).
49There was a written description (kathab – an inscribed presentation and record) upon it (‘el hy’) expressing sorrow over the current state of affairs (qynah – conveying the disappointment over an impending funeral) while providing meditations (hegeh – urgent readings) on a woeful situation (hy – of impending doom).” (Yachezq’el / God Strengthens Me / Ezekiel 2:10)
Since this is from an imposter, he is showcasing his book. And when we consider what the Lord wants people to feast upon, we are drawn to the Babylonian Talmud and the Zohar, or the Christian New Testament and Quran. However, considering what follows, since the language in which it was written was familiar, it had to be scribed in either Aramaic or Hebrew. Therefore, we are left with just two candidates – the Babylonian Talmud and Kabbalah’s Zohar. Babel, indeed. Barfalicious.
It was an odd place for a chapter break, but then this is an odd accounting of mythical events so why sweat the small details? The undisclosed and yet discernible book remains the subject of this discussion.
The inspiration behind this message is not Yahowah. He did not place His hand on Ezekiel. His Spirit did not lift him or anyone else up in this place. God did not reveal Himself in this God-forsaken place. And He did not speak to him. God’s presence in Babylon would be akin to seeing Him in She’owl.
Regarding the “book” which was handed to him, if this revelation had been credible, our first inclination would have been the Towrah. But that is unlikely because it is infrequently referenced and never actually cited in Yachezq’el’s “revelations.” Moreover, Ezekiel is the only 50supposed ‘prophet’ who contradicts the Towrah. Further, if we are to believe the narrative, as a priest, Ezekiel should have known it, even though he belies that knowledge as we move forward.
It is unlikely that the text of the book could have been that of a previous prophet. Not only is the vocabulary and writing style oddly different than, and substantially inferior to, Yasha’yah and Yirma’yah, for example, apart from the systematic rebuke of Judaism, most of what is written in Ezekiel is unique to this presentation. And if God’s representative was handing Yachezq’el a copy of what would become his book, why doesn’t it read more like the Towrah? And why bother with all of the meetings and visions?
Since Ezekiel lacks credulity, we are left with only two options. First, the imposter writing under the pseudonym Yachezq’el was operating independently and was therefore promoting his book, which would be the book we are reading. And if so, that’s pathetic because if handed his own book, we would all be spared having to endure the many self-indulgent and mystic preludes to supposed revelation. Hand him the book and we are done.
Second, if the author was inspired by the spirit of Babylon, then we would be looking at the Babylonian Talmud, the mystic Zohar, the ever-popular and contradictory New Testament, or the Satanic Bible, alternatively known as the Quran.
And he said to me (wa ‘amar ‘el ‘any), ‘son of man (ben ‘adam), of your own initiative, consume whatever you discover here (‘eth ‘asher matsa’ ‘akal – choose to feed upon whatever is found (qal imperfect qal imperative)). Be nourished (‘akal ‘eth – be willing to consume (qal imperative)) by this book (‘eth ha magilah ha zo’th – with the written material pertaining to the dung which must be removed to contemplate the implications of 51what is being rolled away; from mah – ponder the implications of galal – what is rolled up and tossed away).
Go forward (wa halak – move on (qal imperative)) by addressing (dabar ‘el –communicate by speaking to (piel imperative)) the House of Israel (beyth Yisra’el – the family of those who engage and endure with God and the household of individuals who are contentious toward the Almighty). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:1)
Whatever the book, whatever the message, it was not disclosed, although the Lord demanded that it be consumed without hesitation or question. What an odd thing to say. He was ordered to convey what was in it while we are told nothing of its contents. Should such an approach be acceptable, God could have dispensed with engraving either of the tablets and let each of us fill in the blanks as we saw fit.
So I opened my mouth (wa patah ‘eth peh ‘any) and he enabled me to devour (wa ‘akal ‘any – He made it possible for me to consume and feast upon (hifil imperfect – God is enabling consistent and ongoing consumption)) this book (‘eth ha magilah ha zo’th – with the written material pertaining to the dung to contemplate the implications of what is being rolled away; from mah – ponder the implications of galal – what is rolled up and tossed away). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:2)
That is not how it works. This would be less effective than sleeping on a book and expecting to know its contents by morning. Except now, what’s left of the book has to be pooped out and is covered in crap. But such is the level of this writing.
He said to me (wa ‘amar ‘el ‘any), ‘son of man (ben ‘Adam), you should have an internal craving to feast upon it (beten ‘atah ‘akal – process and digest it as you consume it). Fill (male’ – satisfy) your core (me’eh ‘atah) with this written material (‘eth ha magilah ha zo’th – 52with the book pertaining to the dung which must be removed to contemplate the implications of what is being rolled away; from mah – ponder the implications of galal – what is rolled up and tossed away) which, to show the way (‘asher), I am offering to you and providing for you (‘any nathan ‘el ‘atah – I am giving to you and placing before you (qal participle – I am literally offering in a visually descriptive manner)).’
So, I chose to consume it (wa ‘akal – I wanted to devour it (qal imperfect, paragogic he, cohortative)) and it was in my mouth (wa hayah ba peh ‘any) as sweet and pleasant as honey (ka dabash la matowq). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:3)
In for an inch, in for a mile. Babylon is the idyllic place to crave what the Lord is serving. Fill your core with the likes of the Talmud and soon you’ll be fitted for a black suit and sporting curlicues. Dine on the Zohar garnished with magic mushrooms, and you’ll forego the nuisance of a conscience and objectivity. Try it ala carte with the New Testament and you’ll be bowing down to a dead god on a stick. Feast upon the Quran, and kaboom, you’ll be a suicide bomber screaming Allahu Akbar! What could possibly be sweeter?
He said to me (wa ‘amar ‘el ‘any), son of man (ben ‘adam), approach, proceeding toward (halak – of your own volition, bridge the gap between (qal imperative)) to pursue (bow’ – to include in the association enabling the return of (qal imperative)) the House of Yisra’el (‘el beyth Yisra’el). Speak through my words (wa dabar ba dabar ‘any) to them (‘el hem). (Yachezq’el 3:4)
For indeed (ky), this is not for a people (lo’ ‘el ‘am) speaking an obscure and unintelligible language (‘ameq saphah – of an uncommon or mysterious dialect, of unfathomable speech) or a difficult, undistinguished, or particularly dishonorable tongue (wa kabed lashown). 53Yours is being extended to (‘atah shalach ‘el – yours is being dispatched to (qal passive participle)) the House of Yisra’el | Israel (‘el beyth Yisra’el),… (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:5)
If what we are reading was inspired by Satan, then the book in question would have been written in Hebrew or Aramaic – although to be inclusive, Arabic is bastardized Hebrew. This would only eliminate the New Testament. If not inspired, then the presumptuous author is promoting his own rhetoric, telling those foolish enough to believe him that they should lap up his toxic brew as if fine wine. And then once engorged, vomit it out upon the House of Israel. I suppose that would make it prophetic because that is what the rabbis have done.
This continuation of the same thought affirms that Ezekiel isn’t for everyone. Christians would have been better off ignoring it rather than trying to make it fit their religious predilections.
…not to numerous or large families (lo’ ‘el ‘amym rabym – not to large quantities of people or familiar rabbis) speaking an obscure and unintelligible language (‘ameq saphah – of an uncommon or mysterious dialect, of unfathomable speech) or a difficult and undistinguished, unimpressive tongue (wa kabed lashown) whose (‘asher) words (dabar) you cannot hear (lo’ shama’ hem – such that you cannot listen to them).
However, to the contrary, if by (‘im – upon the condition, although, and nevertheless) not extending you (lo’ shalach ‘atah – not releasing and dispatching you, reaching out through you) to them (‘el hem), would they listen to you (hem shama’ ‘el ‘atah)? (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:6)
The reason that the author wasn’t seeking a larger audience is that Israel is sufficient. If they are rendered deaf and dumb, or worse, corrupted to the point they are willing 54to corrupt Yahowah’s testimony, that is sufficient to mislead the world. In this way, Judaism became the mother of Christianity, Islam, and Communism.
However (wa), the House of Yisra’el | Israel (‘el beyth Yisra’el) will not be willing (lo’ ‘abah – will not voluntarily agree or consent) to listen to you (la shama’ ‘el ‘atah) because, indeed (ky), they are not willing (‘ayn hem ‘abah – they have no desire and will not consent (qal participle – actually and demonstrably unwilling)) to listen to me (la shama’ ‘el ‘any).
This is because (ky) the entire Household of Israel (kol beyth Yisra’el) is clearly and conspicuously (metsach – is prominently conveying a brazen appearance through their forehead and eyebrows of being defiant) headstrong in pursuit of power (chazaq – fixated on ruling over themselves with an unrelenting hand), unyielding and obstinate in their judgment and motivations (wa qasheh leb hem – and their heart is hard, harsh, and cruel). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:7)
While this assessment of Yisra’el is consistent with what God has revealed from Moseh to Mal’aky, the approach, style, and vocabulary are markedly different. Our journey into Babylon, first with Dany’el | Daniel, and now glaring at Yachezq’el | Ezekiel, has been like a trip into The Twilight Zone for those of us old enough to remember. The setting is real, although unfamiliar because it is presented as an alien world in a different time and from a different perspective.
Having come to yada’ | know God, having shama’ | listened to His Towrah | Guidance, having ‘anah | responded appropriately to His Miqra’ey | Invitations, having come to chayah | experience life in the Beryth | Covenant, and having shamar | observed what the naby’ | prophets have revealed regarding Yisra’el’s past and future, it is difficult to byn | comprehend why most remain 55qasheh | obstinate and opposed to what Yahowah is proposing. The Creator God of the universe, the Author of life, is offering to adopt us and raise us as His children, allowing us to inherit everything, empowering and enriching us, emancipating and enlightening us, and yet, the political and religious are not only unwilling to listen – they are appallingly defiant.
Although God knows that we will be rejected and repudiated by the overtly religious and political, the patriotic and conspiratorial, He wants us to be chazaq | resolute and unyielding, bold and courageous, impervious to criticism. The Children of Yisra’el, our target audience and God’s as well, will be as receptive to His witnesses as they were to Yahowah in Mitsraym, during the Yatsa’, in Yisra’el, and are today in religious and political circles.
The Lord’s next promise never materialized by the author’s own admission. Yachezq’el had all the fortitude of a wet napkin and the spine of an invertebrate.
Behold (hineh – pay attention), I have granted, offering for this period (nathan – I have given you for a time (qal perfect)), your presence (‘eth paneh ‘atah – your appearance) to be unyielding and resolute to remain encouraged and to prevail (chazaq – strengthened and firm to be of assistance in repairing and restoring) to be in their presence (la ‘umah paneh hem – to be around them, near them and facing them).
And your conspicuous facial expressions (wa metsach ‘atah – your bold appearance, particularly the resolve conveyed through your eyebrows and forehead) will convey strength and courage (chazaq) when juxtaposed and compared with their brazenness (la ‘umah metsach hem – their defiant facial expressions). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:8)
While the message is sound, it is a problem in this context. Ezekiel was never face-to-face with his intended 56audience. And when he rejoined his fellow captives, he collapsed in their presence.
Nonetheless, when asked to expose and condemn the religion and politics of Israel, we may be one against many, but we are never alone. Therefore, Yahowah wants us to be bold not timid, courageous rather than meek, and to such an extent, He will provide whatever we may lack.
Then the spirit (wa ruwach) lifted me up (wa nasa’ ‘any) and I heard (wa shama’) behind my back (‘achar ‘any) the voice (qowl – the noise and commotion) of an enormous earthquake (ra’ash gadowl), blessed (barak) be the glory and honor (kabowd – the power and reward) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) from (min) this place (maqowm huw’). (Yachezq’el 3:12)
And the sound (wa qowl) of the wings (kanaph) of the animals (chayah – living creatures and beasts) as they submitted to and touched (nashaq – yielded to, obeyed, and armed) a woman to her sister (‘ishah ‘el ‘achowth hy’). Then the noise (wa qowl) of the vehicular wheels (ha ‘ophan) near them (la ‘umah hem), and the sound (wa qowl) of a great earthquake (ra’ash gadowl). (Yachezq’el 3:13)
The spirit (wa ruwach) carried me off (nasa’ ‘any) and grasped hold of me to control me (laqach ‘any). And I went (wa halak – so I walked) in anguished and despairing bitterness (mar – with a pungent smell, disagreeable manner, poisonous substance, toxic and embittered) in an enraged and furious reaction to being injected with snake venom, furious and antagonized (ba chemah – poisoned by a snake and now experiencing excruciating pain while expecting to die) was my spirit (ruwach ‘any). And the hand (wa yad) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) upon me (‘al ‘any) was harsh (chazaq – being severe, hard, and overpowering). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:14)
57Based on all we have learned up to this point, we can be assured, whoever wrote this did not see, hear, or experience Yahowah’s presence. This individual has read the prophets and skimmed through the Towrah, but he does not know God.
The Ruwach Qodesh enlightens us, protects us, and She adorns us so that we appear perfect before Yahowah. She does not lift us up onto our feet. More importantly, to crafting a scenario where the Spirit arrives independent of the hand and influence of God displays the writer’s ignorance of the fact that the Ruwach and Yahowah are One.
Further, God does not speak behind our backs. He does not sound like an earthquake. If He had gone out of character and made such a commotion, everyone would have heard Him – negating the purpose of Ezekiel.
Yahowah is not seeking our blessing or anyone else’s benediction. His desire is to bless His people instead.
The last place on Earth Yahowah would display His glorious presence is in Babylon. Having run away from Him in Yaruwshalaim is why Yahuwdym were in this horrible country.
God is not an animal. He does not have wings. And the wings of birds are designed to be quiet. The notion of God’s presence being equated to beastly wings submitting to and touching a woman and her sister is the product of a deeply disturbed mind.
Yahowah does not have wheels for mobility. He does not ride around in a wheelchair or a chariot. And it is for damn sure, if Yahowah wanted to emulate pagan gods in a go-cart, His wheels would not clamor. It’s simply flabbergasting that someone would write, or that anyone would believe, that God travels to Babylon in a wheeled 58cart drug around by animals and that it sounds like an earthquake.
The Set-Apart Spirit does not grasp hold of us. She does not control us. And those of us who have come to enjoy Her presence are never anguished, embittered, or despairing. She does not have a pungent smell, Her manner is not disagreeable, and She is not toxic.
People have souls, not spirits. And the soul who is chemah | enraged and furious in the presence of God is a perfect candidate for She’owl and not for a naby’ | prophet.
Antagonizing snake venom comes from the Adversary and those who league with him. But this writer would not be the first or the last to confuse Satan for God.
What follows is also pathetic. After a stern talk about being fortified and tough, “Ezekiel” folds up like an accordion and whimpers. Welcome to the Field of Dreams for the destitute…
And I came (wa bow’) to the exiles, who as captives, had been forcibly deported (‘el ha gowlach) who were inhabiting (ha yashab) Tel ‘Abyb | the mound of green barley (tel ‘abyb) by the waterway of Kabar (‘el nahar kabar) where they were sitting there (‘asher hem yashab shem). And I crouched down (wa yashab – I sat down) there for seven days (sham sheba’ yowmym), lifeless, deserted, and devastated (shamem – ravaged, ruined, wasted, and destitute, appalled and horrified, completely dismayed) in the midst of them (ba tawek hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:15)
I understand that good men were few and far between among Jews, but this fellow is the dregs of humanity. Immediately after allegedly seeing Yahowah and then being lifted up and carried away by His Spirit, he claims to be dismayed, deserted, destitute, and discouraged. This 59sounds more like Paul, crippled and blinded after meeting with Satan on the road to Damascus.
But at least there is a benefit to all of this. We do not have to wonder if this was inspired by God nor feel bad for rebuking an actual prophet. Therefore, we know that God did not say this…
And it came to be (wa hayah) at the end (min qatsah) of seven days (sheba’ yowmym), then came to exist (wa hayah) the word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me (‘el ‘any). (Yachezq’el 13:16) Son of man (ben ‘adam), I am offering you the position of a watchman to observe (tsaphah nathan ‘atah – I am affording you the opportunity to be a lookout) Beyth Yisra’el | the Household and Family of Israel (la beyth Yisra’el).
When you hear (wa shama’) a word (dabar – a statement) from my mouth (min peh ‘any) then you should admonish and enlighten (wa zahar – you should warn and teach (hifil perfect)) them from me (‘eth hem min ‘any). (Yachezq’el 3:17)
With me saying (ba ‘amar ‘any) to the immoral (la ha rasha’ – to the unGodly who are condemnable for being overtly wrong), “You will surely die (muwth muwth – you will perish and be absent of life (qal infinitive imperfect)),” and with you failing to provide a warning, dissuading him by explaining the negative consequences (wa lo’ zahar huw’ – you do not try to admonish, enlighten, and teach him, cautioning him by contrasting it with the benefits of being right (hifil perfect)), and by not bothering to speak (wa lo’ dabar – and do not communicate the message) to admonish (zahar – to teach and guide, correcting) those who are wrong in their opposition to God (rasha’ – the religious, immoral, irrational, and unethical) from his errant and condemnable way (min derek huw’ ha rasha’ – from his religious rebellion) such that he might live (la chayah 60huw’ – to restore his life), then the unrighteous (huw’ rasha’ – the unethical and immoral, the condemnable and wrong) will die (muwth – will cease to exist bereft of life) for his rebellion, for twisting, corrupting, and perverting the truth (ba ‘awon – for him misrepresenting and distorting reality). And then his blood (wa dam huw’) I will search for your hand, investigating your influence, to hold you responsible (min yad ‘atah baqash). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:18)
Granted, the sentence was convoluted and poorly written, so we have to be careful in our assessment. But I’ve been translating and commenting on Yahowah’s testimony for two decades, and this is the first time I’ve read that “Yahowah” intends to hold those who know better accountable for the demise of the religious if they fail to warn them. No. That would not be fair, especially since it is a complete waste of time. The religious won’t listen to God, much less someone rebuking their religion in His name.
Additionally, it isn’t in God’s nature to make threats like this. And frankly, it isn’t even possible. Once we come to know the truth about Yahowah and capitalize upon His provisions, we are perfected and become immortal. We are His children. Yahowah isn’t about to hold His family responsible for the stupidity and recalcitrance of the religious – not then, not now, not ever. To do so, Yahowah would have to negate the benefits of the Beryth, and of Pesach and Matsah leading to Bikuwrym. And there is no chance He would discount His Son by undermining his magnanimous sacrifice.
I understand that God prefers outspoken individuals who are not cowered by public opinion. He is not looking for peace and harmony but, instead, confrontation. So, in my experience, this goes without saying. When we come to know Yahowah, our overwhelming desire is to zahar | caution and correct those who are wrong about Him while 61openly advocating on His behalf. We want God’s family to live and grow and His detractors to cease and desist.
The realization that this admonition is not found anywhere else in the Towrah or the Prophets tells us that there is something fundamentally different occurring here in Babylon. This is a window into a very dark place.
After the speaker repeats himself a few more times, he has his prophet perform the first of many weird shenanigans – the first involving bondage. Although, preceding the binding affair there would be another rendition of show-and-tell…
And it was upon me there (wa hayah ‘al ‘any sham) the hand of This Is Not Him (#^^#!). And he said to me (wa ‘amar ‘el ‘any), stand up (quwm) go out (yatsa’) into the plain (‘el ha biqa’ah) and there I will speak with you (wa sham dabar ‘eth ‘any). (Yachezq’el 3:22) So I stood up and went out (wa quwm wa yatsa’) to the plain (‘el ha biqa’ah), and behold (wa hineh), there (sham) the glory (kabowd) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) standing there (‘amad) like (ka) the glory (ha kabowd) which (‘asher) I had seen (ra’ah) over (‘al) the Kabar River (nahar Kabar). And so (wa), I fell (naphal) on my face (‘al paneh ‘any). (Yachezq’el 3:23)
But entered into me (wa bow’ ba ‘any) the spirit (ruwach) and stood me (wa ‘amad ‘any) on my feet (‘al regel ‘any). And he spoke (wa dabar) with me (‘eth ‘any) and said (wa ‘amar) to me (‘el ‘any), ‘Go (bow’) you shut, isolate, and confine (sagar) in the midst (ba tawek) of your house (beyth ‘atah). (Yachezq’el 3:24) And you (wa ‘atah), son of man (ben ‘adam), behold (hineh), they will be put upon you (nathan ‘al ‘atah) fetters and chains (‘abowth). And they will bind and tie up you (wa ‘asar ‘atah) with them (ba hem). Then you will not go out (wa lo’ yatsa’) into the midst of them (ba tawek hem). (Yachezq’el 3:25)
62And your tongue (wa lashown ‘atah) I will cause to cling, sticking to (dabaq ‘el) your lips and palate (chek ‘atah) and you will be unable to speak, bound and silenced (‘alam). Then you will not exist (wa lo’ hayah) to them (la hem) as an individual (la ‘iysh) to argue (yakach). For indeed (ky), they are a disobedient household resisting authority (beyth mary hem). (Yachezq’el 3:26)
Then with you speaking to me (wa ba dabar ‘any ‘eth ‘atah), I will open (patach) your mouth (‘eth peh ‘atah) and you will say to them (wa ‘amar ‘el hem), “Thus says (koh ‘amar) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Him (#^^#!): the one who hears (ha shama’), let him hear (shama’). And the one who refuses (wa ha chadel), let him refuse (chadel). For (ky) they are a disobedient household (beyth mary hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 3:27)
Long on theatrics and short on message. But that is not to suggest that it wasn’t self-indulgent and absurd: stand up, fall down, go outside, come inside, shut up and talk.
Methinks that the author of this frightful story was a submissive and rather enjoyed BDSM. He is shown constantly groveling at the feet of his Lord, unable to stand on his own. But when his Lord speaks of abusing him, there is no hint of cowardice or sadness.
And in this realization, there are answers. We understand why in his first stunt is to be bound up, to remain in fetters as long as the Master wills, and to speak only when spoken to. We know why he presents his Master in such a fearsome and imposing, yet glorious, manner. We know why the submissive “Ezekiel” refers to his god as “‘adony – my Lord.” This explains why he is constantly putting his head down, nose on the floor. As a good submissive, he no longer has a name, but is reduced to “ben ‘adam – a son of man.” It also explains why this is the lone presentation of the Magog apocalypse. The author wanted 63to share the pain. Ezekiel’s Lord is sadistic, not unlike the god of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Should you think that this assessment is unfair, even sacrilegious, then perhaps you would offer a different dispensation and a lesser indictment on the man who perpetrated this fraud. He used Yahowah’s name in vain, painted his Lord as a fearsome monster to whom he swooned, portrayed God as petulant and vindictive, and then threatened the world with Armageddon. And along the way, he routinely contradicted the Towrah to serve his Master’s agenda.
Assuming someone took pity on Ezekiel and untied him, the second act is about to begin, and he’s going to need his hands to operate a chisel…
And you, son of man (wa ‘atah ben ‘adam), grasp hold for yourself (laqach la ‘atah) a brick (labenah) and place it (wa nathan ‘eth hy’) before you (la paneh ‘atah). Then engrave, chiseling out (wa chaqaq) upon it (‘al hy’) a city (‘iyr) such as (‘eth) Jerusalem (Yaruwshalaim). (Yachezq’el 4:1) Then allow (wa nathan) upon it (‘al hy’) siegeworks (matsowr). Construct (wa banah) against it (‘al hy’) a bulwark (dayeq – a siege perimeter) and pour out (wa shapak) over it (‘al hy’) a rampart (solalah – a siege ramp or mound). Also provide (wa nathan) before it (‘al hy’) camps (machaneh) and place (wa sym) next to it (‘al hy’) whirling battering rams (kar) all around (sabyb). (Yachezq’el 4:2)
And you (wa ‘atah), yourself, must grab hold of (laqach) for yourself (la ‘atah) a flat iron griddle or frying pan (machabath barzel) and offer it (wa nathan ‘eth hy’) as a wall (qyr barzel) between you (bayn ‘atah) 64and between the city (wa ha bayn ha ‘iyr). Then (wa), establish (kuwn – fashion and form) your face (‘eth paneh ‘atah) toward it (‘el hy’). Let it exist (wa hayah) in the siege (ba ha matsowr). And besiege it (wa tsuwr ‘al hy’). This sign (‘owth hy’) is for (la) the Household (beyth) of Israel (Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el 4:3)
Then you, yourself, must lie (wa ‘atah shakab) on your left side (‘al tsad ‘atah ha sama’ly). Place (wa sym) the perversity and punishment (‘eth ‘awon) of the House of Israel (beyth Yisra’el) upon it (‘al huw’) the number of the days (misphar ha yowmym) that you lie on it (‘asher shakab ‘al huw’) for you to bear (nasa’) their guilt and punishment (‘eth ‘awon hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 4:4)
This is so stupid, it’s hard to imagine why Jews, Christians, and Muslims incorporated this monstrosity of a tale into their religions. So, let’s begin by pointing out that nothing, absolutely nothing, was gained by the first shenanigan other than to press upon us that the Lord of Babylon was sadistic and manipulative. And then he wants to perform a show-and-tell with a brick.
Not that it actually matters, but it cannot be done. Strike a brick with a chisel and it will shatter. But let’s get real: the moment he started to play toy soldiers in the sand, anyone who saw him would have mocked him – and that’s not good for credibility. But then, that may have been the purpose of the iron griddle. He could either hide behind it or smack the disbeliever, whatever seemed appropriate.
Yisra’el was no longer in Jerusalem. They had been taken away by the Assyrians long ago.
Other than to torment his messenger yet again, what is the purpose of placing the brick and siege engines, campsites and catapults, and along with the skillet on Ezekiel as he laid on his side? Worse, the Lord of Babylon is telling his advocate that he must endure the punishment 65due to the remnant in Jerusalem. Was that an invitation to stone him?
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, I live about the same distance from Miami, Florida, as “Ezekiel” was from Jerusalem. If a hurricane was about to hit them, I’d have as much luck communicating the warning by tossing a bucket of water into the air as this man would have had with his brick. If the Lord wanted their attention and to warn them, he would have dispatched a messenger with a letter.
Continuing to be immoral and sadistic, the Lord of Babylon vows to punish his emissary for the crimes of others…
I will give (wa ‘any nathan – I will bestow) to you (la ‘atah) for the years (‘eth shanah) of their religious corruptions and political perversions (‘awon hem – for their twisting and bending the truth) a number of days (la misphar yowmym – an amount of time) for you to bear (nasa’) the consequence of the Household of Israel being rebellious (‘awon beyth Yisra’el – of the home of Yisra’elites perverting and corrupting reality) – 390 (shalosh me’ah wa tesha’) days (yowmym). (Yachezq’el 4:5)
And when you have completed (wa kalah) this (‘eleh) and you lie down (wa shakab) another time (sheny) on your right side (‘al tsad ‘atah ha yamyny), then you will bear (wa nasa’) the consequence of the Household of Israel being corrupt and perverted (‘eth ‘awon beyth Yisra’el – the result of the family of Yisra’elites perverting and corrupting reality) for 40 days (‘arba’ yowmym) – a day for the year (yowm la ha shanah) – I will bestow to you (nathan huw’ la ‘atah) a day for the year (yowm la ha shanah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 4:6)
This writer was into inflicting pain and being controlled, but otherwise, he was out of touch with reality. 66Slaves are not afforded the right to lie around. Moreover, even in the sterile environment of a hospital bed, an invalid must be rotated daily, or they will develop bedsores that become fatal.
If one could trust an unethical god who publicly punished the innocent for the crimes of the guilty, then evil would prevail. The very idea is preposterous.
The timeline was not prophetic. The author was reaching into the past, using the copious records Yahowah had previously provided for His people. But let’s play along, nevertheless.
When we do the math and adjust the 360-day prophetic measure of time with the solar year of 365 days, the time is reduced to 384 years. Should the concluding date be the end of Babylon’s ongoing siege of Yaruwshalaim | Jerusalem, as we would expect, then the final phase transpired in 586 BCE. It, like most things, was a process. Beginning in 608 BCE, the year following Babylon’s victory over the last of the Assyrian kings, the 70-year exile began with “Dany’el” being among the first group of hostages taken to Babylon by Nabopolassar. Then in 598 BCE, Yawakym | Jehoiakim, against Yirma’yah’s | Jeremiah’s advice, antagonized Babylon which led to a three-month siege, after which, on 15 March, 597 BCE, Nabuwkadne’tstsar | Nebuchadnezzar II captured Jerusalem.
But once was not enough. In 589 BCE, after another rebellion in Yaruwshalaim, Nebuchadnezzar began a thirty-month siege against the city ending between 587 and 586 BCE – with the latter date coinciding with the conclusion of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Tyre – which is relevant due to “Ezekiel’s” focus on its fate in this chapter. Solomon’s Temple and the City of Dowd were systematically dismantled at this time – something which would be relevant in this context.
67Theologians and historians are divided between two dates – Tisha B’Av, 25 August 587 BCE or 18 July 586 BCE – the latter date determined recently using an archaeomagnetic dating method based upon the residue of the fire still evident throughout the city. The earlier date is better supported by the Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle and the events portrayed in 2nd Kings and Jeremiah.
Upon putting a torch to the city, the Judeans who were not killed were taken to Babylon as slaves. This was the eleventh year of Zedekiah’s reign. The king, after trying to escape, was captured and forced to watch the execution of his sons. Thereafter, he was blinded and taken as a trophy.
Curious as to the author’s intent, should we subtract 384 prophetic years from 587, going back in time, we come to 971 BCE, an interesting date relative to Yahowah’s relationship with Yisra’el. It marks the transition from the exemplar of the Covenant, the Son of God and Messiah, the prophet who built Yaruwshalaim and purchased the Temple Mount, to his exceedingly religious and political son, Solomon. Within 40 years, Solomon would corrupt Yisra’el to the extent that the union of God’s people crumbled upon his death.
As was the case with the torching of Jerusalem, there is some dispute as to whether Dowd’s passing and Solomon’s ascension took place in 970, 971, or 972 BCE. Regardless, since this was not inspired, since the dates are fuzzy, and because we do not know whether to use solar or prophetic years in this look back in time, all we can say for certain is that the author attributed Yisra’el’s downfall to Solomon.
And that would be an accurate assessment because the nation started its dark plunge into religious and political corruption with the passing of God’s beloved son, Dowd. Within 40 years, the worst of the worst would be on the throne of Yisra’el and the Northern Kingdom would be at 68war with Yahuwdah. The path from dedicating the cornerstone of the Temple to its destruction transpired over 384 years, going from bad to worse after the first 40 years.
As we return to the text, we are once again confronted with an ongoing problem. “Ezekiel” was asked to speak against people who could not hear or see him. Even worse, by stating that the siege was ongoing, what’s the point? It’s like telling children locked in a burning house that it’s their fault that the brutes outside are going to burn them to death.
Toward (wa ‘el) the siege (matsowr – the process of shutting up and confining a city by methodically surrounding and attacking the walls with offensive weapons) of Jerusalem (Yaruwshalaim), you should continually fashion, form, and establish (kuwn) your face (paneh ‘atah) and your arm (wa zarowa’) stripped bare (chasaph). And you shall speak prophetically (wa naba’) against her (‘al hy’). (Yachezq’el 4:7)
With the siege underway, this was not prophetic, and “Ezekiel” was not a prophet. Facing the impending doom of your people, with your arm bared and raised against them, is cruel. The time and place for talking were in Jerusalem and it had long passed. In fact, Yahowah had done so through Yirma’yah.
And while that was mean-spirited, it was time to play BDSM again…
And behold (wa hineh), I will provide and place (nathan) upon you (‘al ‘atah) fetters and chains, ropes and binding ties (‘abowth – a harness to control and restrict) so that you will not be able to turn over (wa lo’ haphak – to flip over or change the circumstances by being weakened) from your side (min tsad ‘atah) to your side (‘el tsad ‘atah) until (‘owd) having finished you (kalah ‘atah – having worn you out, ravaging and destroying you) the days (yowmym) of your siege (matsowr ‘atah – the process of you shutting up and confining a city by 69methodically surrounding and attacking it while preventing anyone from leaving the ruthless and terrifying assault). (Yachezq’el 4:8)
Yes, that is what this author wrote. The Lord of Babylon was not only providing the fetters to torment his victim, but he would also be applying them himself. He would assure his submissive’s agony and death by preventing him from moving from one side to the other for over a year. And if that were not enough to cause the sane to reject the Book of Ezekiel, the siege of Jerusalem was being perpetrated by “the son of man” rather than the Babylonians. That is one hell of an arm “Ezekiel” had bared and borne against his defenseless people. He was now “super-slave,” albeit immobilized and tormented by his god.
Just curious, but with one arm underneath him and fettered, and with the other holding the frying pan, how was the tortured troubadour supposed to comply…
Then you, yourself, must grasp hold of (wa ‘atah laqach) for yourself (la ‘atah) wheat (chittah), and barley (wa sa’orah), and beans (wa powl), and lentils (wa ‘adashym), and millet (wa dochan), and emmer / spelt (wa kusemeth) and offer to put with them (wa nathan ‘eth hem) one vessel (kaly ‘echad), and make (wa ‘asah) with them (‘eth hem) for yourself the bread (la ‘atah la lechem) for the number (misphar) of the days (ha yowmym) that (‘asher) you lie (‘atah shakab) on your side (‘al tsad ‘atah) for 390 days (shalosh me’ah wa tesha’ym yowmym). You must continually eat it (‘akal huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 4:9)
How was this poor bastard fettered and chained by his Master to the point he could not roll over, much less move, supposed to obtain these foods as a slave and then defecate? Wheat, barley, millet, and emmer were cultivated in Babylon, while spelt, as a hybrid of emmer wheat and 70goat-grass, grew wild. However, a slave would have had no access to wheat, millet, or emmer because they were used to make beer and other luxury goods. Lentils were not part of the Babylonian diet, although they were consumed in Judea. Therefore, slaves in Babylon would have been fed barley after a long day of relenting labor, but nothing else on this list.
But not to worry, the shackled slave had shekels. Now if only he was free to reach into his pocket…
Your food (wa ma’akal ‘atah) which you must eat it (‘asher ‘akal huw’) by weight (mashqowl) of twenty shekels (‘esrym sheqel) for the day (la ha yowm) from the time until the time (min ‘eth ‘ad ‘eth) you will eat it (‘akal huw’). (Yachezq’el 4:10)
I realize that this translation seems stiff and unnatural, but I can assure you that it is literal. When dealing with false prophets, as was the case in the books on Paul and Muhammad, I think that it is the most honest approach. Not only am I accurately conveying what was written, it is germane to know that of all the books unearthed above the Essene religious sect at Qumran, this is more consistent with the Masoretic Text than any other. That is to say, the religious in Yisra’el and Babylon loved it.
A shekel was a monetary coin containing approximately 12 grams of precious metal, either silver or gold. All coinage at the time was a measure of weight at the time. So, if he was offering money, 20 shekels of silver would be a food allowance of $150 / day – twenty times the cost of a slave’s rations. If simply a measure of weight, it is just over a cup of barley. When baked into bread, it would provide fewer than 250 calories. The average sedentary person burns 1800 calories a day doing absolutely nothing. Therefore, on this diet, Ezekiel would have looked like a victim of the Holocaust within a few 71months and would have died well short of the allocated time.
No kidding…
And water (wa maym) by a measure (ba matsuwrah) you will drink (shathah), the sixth part of a hin (shishy ha hyn) from the time until the time (min ‘eth ‘ad ‘eth) you will drink (shathah). (Yachezq’el 4:11)
In the desert, an inactive person needs a minimum of 4 to 5 cups of water per day – with three times that amount needed to retain one’s health. One-sixth of a hin would have been 2.5 cups. As a result, far from the Creator of the universe, the person who wrote this was a numbskull.
Lucky, he had his frying pan, but where was his allocation of wood to bake his suddenly-no-longer-multigrain flatbread?
And the barley cake (wa ‘ugah sa’orah) you must eat it (‘akal hy’). And it (wa hy’) by feces, biological defecation (gel), the excrement of man (tse’ah ha ‘adam), always baking it (‘uwg hy’) in their sight (la ‘ayn hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 4:12)
Sorry I asked. But at least we have solved the problem of a year’s worth of defecation. But holy shiite, Superman, that had to stink to high heaven and made for a nasty taste. But nonetheless, we are to believe the Lord was a kind Master and honorable God.
And in whose sight was this repulsive ritual of the one-handed chained baker under a brick and dying of starvation cooking bread over human excrement supposed to be? Did they have telescopes in Jerusalem and the ability to circumvent the curvature of the Earth?
Now, if you were previously critical of not sullying Yahowah’s name by this delusional rant, you may now appreciate why I am now writing…
72And This Is Not Him (#^^#!) said (‘amar), this is how (kakah) the Children of Israel (ben Yisra’el) eat (‘akal) their unclean and defiled bread (‘eth lechem hem tame’) with the gowym (ba ha gowym) where I will scatter and exile them there (‘asher nadach hem sham). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 4:13)
If the Lord wants us to believe that he is Yahowah, he’s going to have to clean up his act, dispense with the BDSM, and act more like God. And of course, this was not true. Jews have responded poorly to Yahowah, but they cannot be accused of baking bread over their own shit while living among the Gentiles.
Our tormented troubadour of doom wasn’t bothered by the thought of being shackled to the ground unable to move for over a year. He was not bothered by the thought of being starved to death or dying of thirst. He was not even bothered by the horrible ensuing plight of his people as they were being starved and slaughtered in Jerusalem. Nope. He was, instead, frantic over not being Kosher…
Then I said (wa ‘amar), no way, this cannot be so (‘ahah – alas, signaling a cry for help), my Lord and Master (‘adown ‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), look (hineh – pay attention and notice), my soul (nepesh ‘any) has never been defiled or made unclean (lo’ tame’). And a dead body (wa nabelah – a corpse of a deceased person or animal) or a mangled carcass (wa tarephah) I have never eaten (lo’ ‘akal) from my childhood (min na’uwrym ‘any) until now (wa ‘ad ‘atah). And has not entered (wa lo’ bow’) in my mouth (ba peh ‘any) impure or foul meat (basar piguwl). (Yachezq’el 4:14)
Other than being insufficient in nutrients and calories, there was nothing in this diet that would be considered unclean. There was no meat. However, since we are still in Babylon, we must compare this to “Daniel’s” refusal to eat the same quality of food given to the king. He was 73considered religious, and thus righteous, because of his restrictive, vegetarian diet. So now “Ezekiel” is establishing his credentials similarly.
One would have thought that if you are what you eat, we would have read something similar coming from ‘Abraham and Sarah, Yitschaq and Ya’aqob, Moseh and ‘Aharown, Shamuw’el, and of course, Dowd. But no. This is Babylon’s song – one swallowed by the rabbis who have made a religion out of eating Kosher.
This statement actually demonstrates that the supposed prophet had no interest in his people. His religious diet was more important than their deaths. In addition, he did not understand what he was being told, which is yet another problem Ezekiel shares with Daniel.
So now we have the Lord of Babylon annulling a previous statement, setting the standard for Allah, who would do this so frequently, he had to explain how to process the contradictions.
Then he said to me (wa ‘amar ‘el ‘any), ‘You look (ra’ah), I will offer to give to you (nathan la ‘atah) the manure of a cow (‘eth tsaphya’ ha baqar – bullshit) instead of (tachath) the excrement of man (tse’ah ha ‘adam – human poop) and then you can prepare (wa ‘asah) your bread (‘eth lechem ‘atah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 4:15)
The moral of the story is that if you complain to the Lord, he will change his mind. He is so compassionate and accommodating in that way. If you don’t want to eat your own shiite, he will dish out bull pies.
I can appreciate how someone reading this might be bothered by the constant barrage of evidence and reason being brought to bear against this author’s credibility. And while it would otherwise be irrelevant if the Lord and Master of Babylon wanted to torture and starve his prophet 74in some kind of sadistic ritual, this book is placed among legitimate prophets and is believed by most to have been inspired by God. Therefore, billions of Jews, Christians, and Muslims have been misled into believing that Gog is going to lead his Magog confederation against Israel and then God is going to change his Torah and construct a massive new temple. None of that is true.
The following story is also directed against Yaruwshalaim | Jerusalem, the City of Dowd. Written long after the Babylonian assault, it purports to predict what would occur during the final siege which, according to the statements provided in the previous chapter, was underway.
In reality, it is just another bizarre episode in the deranged and psychotic life of the most preposterous of ‘prophets.’ And while these idiotic and often sadistic behaviors seem out of place in the “Bible” we ought not to rush to judgment. Paul’s letters are similarly insane and irrational, even contradictory.
When reading religious scripture, it is always as if Satan is taunting God, implying that humankind is so stupid he can tell them anything and they will believe it. The bigger the lie, the crazier the story, the more religious it becomes.
The depictions of God have been delusional. This Lord is a sadist. And yet, Ezekiel has been accepted as inspired and prophetic by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This known, I’m also guilty. Until I reached the point of actually translating Yachezq’el and analyzing the result, I had spoken of the Magog War as if the prophecy were true. I 75was uncomfortable with much of what I had read, but I was not prepared to render this verdict.
There isn’t one in one hundred million who have shown the intellectual capacity and courage to systematically destroy the Quran’s credibility – and yet, this is where Yahowah and I began our relationship. I am likely the only one who has done this, while also dismantling the New Testament – having accomplished that feat by comparing Paul’s rhetoric to Yahowah’s testimony. Therefore, I’ve been down this road like no one before.
This prior experience is why I was able to expose the foretold birth of Judaism and Christianity using Daniel’s deranged political religiosity. And it is now among the reasons that we are shredding Ezekiel’s integrity. Yes, I’ll be slandered and demeaned for having done so, even mocked for the pejorative tone, but it is the most reasonable and compassionate response to that which is leading many away from God.
The fifteen-month ordeal must now be over because the son of man has been unshackled and let out of his house. His tongue is no longer stuck. His bed sores from being on his side are healed. The diorama of Jerusalem has been removed along with the frying pan. The chains are unbuckled. He has survived on less than concentration camp rations, and he has learned to cook with poop. So now it’s time to shave his head and slice his beard with a sword.
And you (wa ‘atah), son of man (ben ‘adam), grasp (laqach – choose to obtain and hold) for yourself (la ‘atah) a sharp cutting implement such as a sword (chereb chad – a piercing blade). Wield it like your (laqach hy’ la ‘atah) barber’s razor (ta’ar ha galab). Then pass it over (wa ‘abar ‘al) your head (ro’sh ‘atah) and over the whiskers of your beard (wa ‘al zaqan ‘atah).
76Obtain (wa laqach) for yourself (la ‘atah) scales for weighing things in the balance (mo’zanym mishqal) and divide them (wa chalaq hem – allocate and apportion them). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:1)
I suppose it would be too much to ask how a slave would gain access to a sword. And yet, even in the craziness, we have yet another gift. For those looking for the ultimate set of credentials to certify that Ezekiel and his Lord were indeed insane, we have been afforded additional proof.
One-third (shalyshy) you should burn (ba’ar) in the light of the fire (ba ha ‘uwr) in the midst of the city (ba tawek ha ‘iry), symbolic of when (ka) the days of the siege (yowmym ha matsowr – the time of being confined and controlled, oppressed and abused by a political or religious tyranny) are over (male’).
Then take (wa laqach) one-third (‘eth ha shalyshy) to strike (nakah – to afflict and kill) with the sword (ba ha chereb) all around it (sabyb hy’). And one-third (wa ha shalyshy) you should scatter (zarah) to the wind (la ha ruwach – to the spirit). I will unsheathe (ryq – I will draw) the sword (wa chereb – the means to pierce, cut away, and separate) after them (‘achar hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:2)
Lovely. It’s nice to see that Ezekiel was making good use of the carved brick he had fabricated the previous year.
The thing about history is that the tale is always told by the victors. We do not know what percentage of the Jews who survived the initial Babylonian siege were killed in the second. What we do know is that armies are expensive and dead people are worthless, so the intent is to plunder and enslave. But here, there is no mention of slaves. A third are burned alive, a third are thrust through with a sword, and a third are scattered to the wind. Realistically, there is no possibility that this accounting is 77correct, no matter where the whiskers fell. Moreover, the Lord will soon contradict himself.
Some would burn, some would be skewered, and a few might even escape. Others would be crucified, fall victim to an archer’s arrow, or die of blunt force trauma as stones rained down on the city from the catapults. However, most would either die of starvation, succumb to disease, or be enslaved.
A remnant, however, would survive, just as will be the case during the upcoming Time of Trouble.
And you should take away from this place (wa laqach min sham) a small number, relatively few (ma’at ba misphar) and enclose them (wa tsuwr ‘eth hem) in the outer hem of your garment (ba knaph ‘atah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:3)
How was the bald, malnourished and emaciated, sword-swinging, model-making troubadour supposed to remove these people from the siege occurring nearly 1,000 miles away across a foreboding desert? And since he’s a slave in Babylon rather than a god, how would they fit in the hem of his robe? Moreover, what would be the point of taking them into captivity? That would be like Jews inviting their relatives to board the trains to Auschwitz.
And from them (wa min hem), as it will transpire (‘owd), you should take (laqach) and cast out (wa shalak) some of them (‘eth hem) toward the fire (‘el tawek ha ‘esh) such that they are consumed (wa saraph ‘eth hem) within the flames (ba ha ‘esh).
From this (min hy’), a fire (‘esh) will emerge (yatsa’ – will come out) toward (‘el) the entire House of Yisra’el (kol beyth Yisra’el). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:4)
That explains it. They were not all going to make the trip wrapped up inside the hem of his tunic. To lighten his load, his Lord suggested tossing some of them into the fire 78along the way. And we had thought that Nero invented the idea of turning men into torches.
But alas, there was a limit to the Lord’s compassion. He wanted to burn the entire House of Israel down. Without Yisra’el, there would be no more pesky prophets or any opportunity to fulfill the promise of Yowm Kipurym.
Thus says (koh) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), my Lord and Master (‘adown ‘any), this is (zo’th) Yaruwshalaim (Yaruwshalaim – Source of Guidance on Reconciliation, Jerusalem) which I have placed (sym – I have set) in the center (ba tawek – in the midst and middle) of the gentile nations (ha gowym – of non-Yisra’elite people, those of a different ethnicity and culture), with nations surrounding her (hy’ sabyb hy’ ‘erets). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:5)
Yaruwshalaim was to be the shining light for God’s people and the world. And that is why Yahowah chose the site of His city such that it would be in the midst of the darkness caused by the Gentile nations, their religions, governments, and militaries. If Yisra’elites had listened to God, the world would have come to know Him, but because they didn’t, Jerusalem became the womb of religions.
She has been recalcitrant and rebellious (wa marah – she has been defiant and obstinate) with regard to executing good judgment (‘eth mishpat ‘any – making sound decisions based upon evidence and reason, particularly pertaining to the means to resolve disputes), even more reprehensible and condemnable (la risha’ah – by being more offensive and deplorable) than the Gentiles (min ha gowym – than other ethnicities, nations, and estranged people) and even worse (wa ‘eth) than the countries (min ha ‘erets) which are surrounding her (‘asher sabyb hy’), my prescriptions for living (chuqah ‘any).
79This is because (ky), with regard to making valid decisions about me based upon the evidence (ba mishpat ‘any – when executing good judgment regarding Me), they are averse, having rejected this approach (ma’as – they have spurned and despised).
And in my prescriptions which allocate a share as part of the stipulations (wa chuqah ‘any – in the prescriptions which cut you into the living trust), they have not walked (wa lo’ halak) in them (ba hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:6)
This is the constant drumbeat of the Towrah and Prophets and is a direct consequence of being religious. Faith precludes rational thought. God has said so many times, which is why the Lord usurped the line to garner credibility.
For having chosen to be religious as opposed to engaging in the Covenant, Jews and Gentiles alike are seen as rebellious and recalcitrant, defiant and obstinate. They are more interested in their laws than in God’s instructions. And they are clueless as to what Yahowah is offering and expects in return. Worse, the religious are irrational and have lost the capacity to resolve this problem. The Haredi, in their Halakhah, are the worst of a bad lot in that they are religious about walking away from Yahowah.
Considering the horrid history of human civilization across time and around the globe, it is hard to imagine being worse than the gowym, and yet, this is an accurate assessment of Yisra’el. Given every advantage, Jews have managed to squander their privileged position and, therefore, are perceived as unacceptable and condemnable. This is neither an anti-Semitic statement nor a conspiracy theory but, instead, the God’s honest truth.
We know that Yisra’el can be interpreted positively or negatively – as Individuals who Engage and Endure with God or Those who Strive and Contend against the 80Almighty. Similarly, Yisra’el’s forefather, ‘Abraham, can be defined as our ‘Ab Racham | Merciful Father or he can be seen as the ‘Ab Hamown | Father of Commotion, Clamor, and Confusion. As our ‘Ab Racham | Merciful Father, he represents Yahowah’s role as the Father of the Covenant. And as ‘Ab Hamown | Father of the Confounded and Uproarious Hordes, he represents Islam and Judaism…
Therefore (la ken), thus says (koh ‘amar) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), my Lord and Master (‘adown ‘any), ‘It is true that (ya’an – it is reasonable to conclude that) you are even more confusing and agitating, disorderly and uproarious (hamown ‘atem min – you are noisier and more disquieting, richer, having accumulated more expensive possessions, becoming a clamoring horde of troops with the din of the pomp and ceremony of enriched religious leaders, more troubling and boisterous) than the Gowym (ha gowym – people of other ethnicities) who are surrounding you (‘asher sabyb ‘atem).
In my prescriptions (wa ba chuqah ‘any), you have not walked (lo’ halak). You have not engaged (lo’ ‘asah) in making decisions about me (wa ‘eth mishpat ‘any). You haven’t even acted (wa lo’ ‘asah) in a manner consistent with (ka) the judgment (mishpat) of the gentile nations (gowym) which are around you (‘asher sabyb ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:7)
This is also true to a point. Jews have often mirrored the worst qualities of the Gentiles who have attacked and subjugated them. But it is relegated senseless when the Lord contradicts himself and negates his premise as is the case here.
Should this have been consistently accurate, at least Jews would have been special in one way – they would not fit in anywhere. Their customs would remain as inconsistent with God’s thinking as they would be with the cultures hosting them.
81Way back during the time of Shamuw’el, the Yisra’elites decided that they wanted to be just like the Gentile nations surrounding them, but even at that, they had failed according to the Lord of Babylon. Therefore, they weren’t even good at being bad.
Therefore (la ken), thus says (koh ‘amar) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), my Lord (‘adown ‘any), ‘Behold (hineh), I, yes even I, am against you (‘any ‘al ‘ath gam ‘any).
And so, I will act (wa ‘asah – I will engage) in your midst (ba tawek ‘ath), being judgmental (mishpat – executing judgment) in sight of (la ‘ayn – to be witnessed by) people of different races (ha gowym – the gentiles). (Yachezq’el 5:8)
I will do (wa ‘anah) with you (ba ‘ath) what (‘eth ‘asher) I have never done (lo’ ‘asah), and the likes of which I will not do again (wa ‘eth ‘asher lo’ ‘asah kamow huw’ ‘owd), as a result of (ya’an) all of your repulsive abominations (kol tow’ebah ‘ath – every one of your abhorrent and appalling atrocities). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:9)
Yahowah is disappointed in Yisra’el, frustrated and angry with them, but He is not against His own people. And up to this point in time, He has not judged them, either independently or in the sight of gowym. Further, there isn’t much Yahowah has not done, including ending the lives of vast numbers of Jews and Gentiles alike, which is likely why the Lord left us to guess as to what he envisioned.
Including their time out for bad behavior in Babylon, there would be a limited number of engagements from God. He would assist Dowd in fulfilling the first three Miqra’ey in year 4000 Yah, 33 CE. A few gowym may have witnessed Dowd’s sacrifice, but they were few and far between.
82And in the end, Yahowah and Dowd will return to fulfill Yowm Kipurym and Sukah in year 6000 Yah, 2033. It will be in full view of everyone. Father and Son will honor the promise to reconcile their relationship with their people. However, this offer will be made once, never to be repeated. But this final act of redemption will not be motivated by His people’s repulsive abominations because those they save will have moved well past them.
There are two places in the Towrah, Qara’ | Leviticus 26:29 and Dabarym | Deuteronomy 28:53, where it is predicted that Yisra’elites would eat their children when besieged. In 2 Kings 6:26-29, we find a suggestion of this when Samaria was blockaded by the Arameans, although it never occurred. And had it happened, it would have been anterior to this prophecy.
Further, there is no empirical verification that the following assessment occurred during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. But if this is the same event chronicled in Lamentations 4:10, it may speak of how far Jews had fallen by this time.
I should also note that the rabbis claim, without proof, that these debauched cannibalistic practices occurred during the Roman siege in 70 CE. You’ll find their unattested commentary in Yoma 38b (an early Talmud commentary on Yom Kippur), Lamentations Rabbah 1 (Talmudic commentary of Rab Kahana), and the Sifra (Halakhic Midrash for Leviticus by Maimonides). Especially absurd, the first Christians to compose “Old Testament” commentaries claimed that this was predictive of rejecting Jesus and Christianity.
Therefore (laken), fathers (‘ab) will eat (‘akal – will consume) children (benym – sons) in your midst (ba tawek ‘ath) and children (wa benym) will devour (‘akal – will eat) their fathers (‘abym hem).
83And I will engage (wa ‘asah – I will act) to judge you (ba ‘ath shephet – to execute judgment against you). Then I will scatter (wa zarah) any of you who remain (‘eth kol sha’eryth ‘ath) to every wind or spirit (la kol ruwach). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:10)
People have sacrificed children to their gods. And children have reported their father’s non-compliant behavior to Nazis and Communists, Roman Catholics and Muslims, in effect killing them, but there is no verifiable record of fathers and sons cannibalizing one another. Even devout cannibals restrict their diet to vanquished foes.
However, dripping in hypocrisy, the Lord of Babel mandates cannibalism and drinking blood upon his glorified arrival. And it is Yisra’el’s finest, the most capable and courageous, who will be on the menu during the Feast of the Beast.
Therefore, then (la ken), live with me (chay ‘any),’ announces in advance of it occurring (na’um), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), my Master (‘adown ‘any). ‘However, if not (‘im lo’), because (ya’an) you have defiled and desecrated (tame’ – you have sullied, unacceptably ruining the reputation of) my Sanctuary (‘eth miqdash ‘any – my Temple, my devoted and consecrated place; from my – to enquire about qadash – being set apart) with all of your vile abominations (kol shiquwts ‘ath – your abhorrent and idolatrous pagan filth and your detestable culture) and with the totality of your repulsive and loathsome practices (wa ba kol tow’ebah ‘ath), be assured (gam – then) I will withdraw and disappear (gara’ – I will no longer exist in your presence, I will be restrained, will be lessened, reduced, and diminished by being withheld and deprived).
There will be no pity, show of mercy or compassion (wa lo’ chuws – there will be no one spared, no deliverance, no regard for anyone) outwardly expressed by me (‘ayn 84‘any). What’s more (gam – moreover), I will not be concerned or care (lo’ chamal – I will not express sympathy or kindness, I will see you as undeserving and thus no longer help). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:11)
It is absurd to invite someone to live with you when in the same breath you are on record condemning them and telling them that you are going to withdraw and disappear forever. It is insane to ask someone to live with you that you openly abhor.
The Lord of Babylon does not care, but Yahowah does – enough to facilitate Dowd in offering to sacrifice his body and burden his soul to redeem his people. He stands ready to accept any and every Yahuwdym willing to walk away from religion and walk with him along the path of the Miqra’ey he, himself, fulfilled.
What follows contradicts what the Lord attested to moments ago. Moreover, he is allegedly in Babylon, so “you” does not apply to this audience…
One-third (shalyshy) of you (‘ath) will die (muwth – will succumb and perish) by the plague of words (wa ha deber – by way of this pestilence and pandemic sickness causing widespread mortality by what is spoken, promised, and declared). And for those who are starved (wa ba ha ra’ab – with the malnourished who die of famine), they will have chosen this end, electing to perish (kalah – having decided to die (qal imperfect jussive)) in your midst (ba tawek ‘ath).
One-third (wa ha shalyshy) will fall (naphal – will be brought down and die) by the sword (ba ha chereb) all around you (sabyb ‘ath – surrounding you). And a third (wa ha shalyshy) I will either disperse or winnow (zarah – I will scatter or separate) before the various spirits or everywhere the wind blows (la kol ruwach).
85The sword (wa chereb – the means to pierce, cut away, and separate) I will unsheathe (ryq – I will draw) after them (‘achar hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:12)
Last time, we were lied to and told that one-third would burn to death, one-third would be cut down by swords, and one-third would be dispersed. Now he wants us to believe that one-third will die of the plague, and an unspecified number will starve to death, having chosen their fate. And one-third will still fall by the sword, but this time, the Lord is wielding it. And yet, another third will be scattered by this wannabe god. So how can there be more than three-thirds? What about the slaves exiled to Babylon that are later released? Why is no one engulfed in flames this time around?
Had this been true, deber | plague would have been an interesting word because it is written identically in the Hebrew text to dabar | word. That would make religion the pandemic disease and widespread pestilence killing the people. It is the most contagious and deadliest of viruses, and it is manmade – specifically designed to paralyze people so that they are easily controlled. Even worse, humanity contracts it by choice, thereby having determined their fate.
Then my wrath (wa ‘aph ‘any – surely My frustration) will be complete (kalah – will cease and be over), and spiritually, I will be at rest (nuwach – I will give it a rest, engaging in a more favorable alliance). My immense displeasure and antagonism (chemah ‘any – my hostility and intense anger) with them (ba hem) will relent (wa nacham – will turn to reexamination and reconsideration and consoling) when they come to know and understand (wa yada’ – as they come to recognize and acknowledge) that, indeed (ky – surely and truthfully), I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!).
86I have spoken (dabar) in my zealous passion (ba qina’ah ‘any – in my zeal and jealousy). My immense displeasure and antagonism (chemah ‘any – my hostility and intense anger) with them (ba hem) will be over, ending (ba kalah ‘any – will cease for Me, bringing to a conclusion) my frustration and hostility (chemah ‘any – my disapproval and antipathy) with them (ba hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:13)
When it comes to wrath, overflowing is not the desired result. And oddly, the Lord’s transition to spiritual rest was brought on by venting his anger rather than resolving the underlying problem. Therefore, harmony isn’t the result of reconciliation but, instead, relenting.
And even then, it does not much look like the Lord of Babylon is true to his word…
Then I will offer to make you (nathan ‘atah) a depopulated and destroyed ruin (la charbah) scorned and disgraced, dishonored and taunted (la cherpah) among the gentiles (ba ha gowym) who are surrounding you (‘asher sabyb ‘ath) and in the sight of all who pass by (la ‘ayn kol ‘abar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:14)
If I may summarize: “I want you to live with me as your Master because you defiled my home. I am withdrawing from you because you are so reprehensible that I no longer care. Five-thirds of you are going to die and I will scatter the rest. Once I unsheathe my sword against you, my wrath will be complete, and I will be at peace spiritually. My hatred of you will relent when you acknowledge that the Lord is Yahowah. I demand exclusivity in this BDSM relationship so that I am the only Master antagonizing you. If you agree, you will be destroyed and disgraced, even taunted as I allow others to watch your humiliation.”
Reads like “scripture” to me. And it all leads to happily-ever-after…
87And she will exist as (wa hayah) a contemptible reproach, and insulting slur (cherphah) and an abusive taunt (wa gaduwphah), a severely punished warning (muwsar) and a horrid and desolate wasteland, stupefying and astonishing (wa mashamah) the Gentiles (la ha gowym) who are surrounding you (‘asher sabyb ‘ath) with doing (ba ‘asah) me with you (‘any ba ‘ath) punishing judgments and inflicting pain (shephet) in anger (ba ‘aph) and in fury with venomous serpentine wrath (wa ba chemah), along with heated rage, burning indignation, and intense punishments (wa ba towkechath chemah), I (‘any), This Is Not Me (#^^#!), have spoken (dabar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:15)
So besides all of the slurs, taunts, and warnings stupefying the gentiles, and the pain inflicted with venomous wrath and intense punishments, how are you enjoying the relationship?
Sure sounds like the Lord worked out all of his anger issues and dispensed with his pent-up animosity so that he was ready for a peaceful retirement. Any takers? The religious must be eager to sell a timeshare in this hellish place.
Perhaps not. Now he’s auditioning as the Cupid of Famine…
With send out (ba shalach), myself (‘any), the arrows (‘eth chets) of the famine (ha ra’ab – of starvation), this evil and fiercely harmful thing (ha ra’) against them (ba hem) such that it will be (‘asher hayah) for destruction, causing so much damage that it can no longer be repaired (la mashchyth – as a corrupting trap to injure, ruin, pervert, and terminate) which I will extend and send (shalach) for them (‘eth hem) to corrupt and annihilate you all (la shachat ‘atem). And also (wa), I will continue to repeatedly bring (yasaph) starvation (ra’ab) upon you all (‘al ‘atem) when I break and then crush 88(wa shabar) the bread (lechem) approaching your (la ‘atem) tribe (mateh – staff, branch, or scepter). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:16)
It is a demented portrayal of the Babylonian Lord shooting Jews, starving them, and inflicting them with evil so that the damage becomes irreparable. His intent is to corrupt and then annihilate every Israelite. He is so excited about the idea of continually starving Jews to death by crushing their food supply, he cannot keep his pronouns straight, jumping indiscriminately from second to third person.
With all of this pain, the promised annihilation of millions, we don’t hear so much as a peep of protest from Ezekiel. Kosher food was clearly his hot button – not the starvation of the Jewish race.
The Lord and Master of Hell was still on the prowl…
Then I will send (wa shalach) against you (‘al ‘atem) famine (ra’ab) and wild beasts (wa chayah) who are wickedly evil (ra’), and they will rob you of your children (shakal’ath). Also (wa), a plague as a sickening pestilence and pandemic (wa deber), as well as bloodshed (wa dam) will pass through you (‘abar ba ‘ath). Then I will return, bringing (wa bow’) a sword (chereb) upon you (‘al ‘ath). I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). I have spoken (dabar). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 5:17)
The Lord of Babylon wants to prove that he is Yahowah by exterminating God’s people. If he had his way, his demons would rob Jews of their children, his plagues would sicken them, and his sword would spill Jewish blood across the planet.
89If this is your god, you are in for a rude awakening. If you believe that this was inspired by anyone other than Satan, you are a danger to yourself and others.
The Lord has some anger issues to resolve. And while we have all vented our frustration by smacking or kicking something that we have inadvertently bumped into, obsessive and premeditated lashing out at inanimate objects is the sign of psychosis, as is warning them before striking them…
Again, it was (wa hayah) the word (dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) to me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el 6:1) son of man (ben ‘adam), set (sym) your face (paneh ‘atah) toward (‘el) the mountains (hary) of Israel (Yisra’el) and prophesy (wa naba’) to them (‘el hem), (Yachezq’el 6:2) and say (wa ‘amar), “Mountains of Israel (hary Yisra’el), hear the word (shama’ dabar) of my Lord (‘adon ‘any), This Is Not Him (#^^#!). Thus says (koh ‘amar) my Lord (‘adony), This Is Not Me (#^^#!), to the mountains (la ha harym) and to the hills (wa la ha giba’ah), to the ravines (la ha ‘aphyq), and to the valleys (wa la ha gay’), pay attention (hineh), I (‘any), myself (‘any), will bring (bow’) upon you (‘al ‘atem) a sword (chereb) and I will destroy, annihilating (wa ‘abad) your hills and heights (bamah ‘atem). (Yachezq’el 6:3)
Then devastated and destitute will be (wa shamem – abandoned and deserted) your altars (mizbeach ‘atem) and broken will be (wa shabar) your incense stands (chaman ‘atem). Then I cause your dead to fall (wa naphal chalal ‘atem) toward the presence (la paneh) of your idols (giluwlym ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 6:4)
90Beyond the inappropriateness of prophesying to inanimate objects and then threatening to lash out at them, by telling his “prophet” to talk to mountains, hills, ravines, valleys, altars, and incense stands 900 miles distant, the Lord of Babylon is exposing his narcissism. Perceptions are all that matter, and he wants us to believe that he is in charge, not only of Babylon, but of Yisra’el.
This rant cannot be swept aside by suggesting that it is poetic license because this has never occurred, and it cannot be fulfilled in the future. The mountains, hills, and valleys of Israel have not been annihilated, the Lord has not devastated the altars, and he has not caused the dead to fall around them. And today, while we can rightly accuse rabbis of being wrong, they do not build hilltop altars, burn incense, or craft idols.
The author behind this hoax reminds us of Paul, the rabbinical student who, once demon-possessed, turned on his own people…
I will offer as a gift (wa nathan) the dead bodies (‘eth peger) of the Children of Israel (beny Yisra’el) to the presence (la paneh) of their objects of worship (giluwlym hem) and then will scatter (wa zarah) your bones (‘etsem ‘atem) all around (sabyb) your altars (mizbeach ‘atem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 6:5)
Even for the Lord of Babylon, this is morbid. But there was a method to his madness. Had this threat been real, by scattering the dead bodies on the mountains, he would not only have violated the Towrah, but he would have precluded access to the Mount of Olives and Mount Moriah, thereby negating essential prophecies and leaving Jews eternally destitute. Fortunately, it was all bluff and bluster and did not occur.
Once again, since this did not occur, it is a false prophecy…
91Wherever you dwell (ba mowshab ‘atem), the cities and shrines (ha ‘iyr) will be desolated (charab) and the elevated places (wa ha bamah) will be deserted and destroyed (shamem), and therefore (la ma’an), your altars (mizbeach ‘atem) will be devastated (charab) and be declared libelous (wa ‘asham).
Your objects of worship and religious images (giluwlym ‘atem) will be broken and destroyed (shabar), ceasing to be part of the Shabat observance (shabat). Your incense stands along with your passion for pagan imagery (chaman ‘atem) will be sheared off and smashed (wa gada’). Your practices, customs, and traditions (ma’aseh ‘atem) will be blotted out and wiped away (machah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 6:6)
From the perspective of Babylon, this is hypocritical. There were, of course, religious artifacts and shrines scattered throughout Judea at the time, but only a pittance compared to the womb of Babel.
While the world is rife with international restrictions on what can be posted online or published today, there is a growing propensity to label rhetoric offensive without bothering to think about the source of the criticism or its justification. So, there is the concern that, by affirming the Lord’s unrelenting rebuke of Yisra’el, this condemnation of Ezekiel will be censored. However, apart from remaining ignorant or being dishonest, and perpetuating the problem, there is no avoiding the fact that what we are reading is preposterous.
This is the antithesis of anti-shem | being against the name – which is why I am unwilling to write Yahowah in this context. And yet, those the Lord is condemning and who profit from these religious deceptions will seek to have the truth sullied. The very notion that we can and should demonstrate that Ezekiel was not inspired by God 92creates a vulnerability the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam cannot endure.
This next statement is one of many found in Ezekiel which says in essence, “once I’m finished tormenting and killing you, then you will acknowledge that I am Yahowah.” Rather than being known for liberating His people and lifting them up, the Lord of Babylon wants to be recognized for fettering and annihilating them.
In that the intent here is to present the Lord of Babylon as Yahowah, I have chosen to convey God’s name so as to properly convey the diabolical intent…
When the dead will fall (wa naphal chalal) in your midst (ba tawek ‘atem), then you will realize (wa yada’ – you will acknowledge) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) Yahowah (YaHoWaH). (Yachezq’el 6:7)
And yet (wa), I will spare a remnant (yathar) to exist of you (ba hayah la ‘atem), as fugitives who escape (palyt) the sword (chereb) among the gentiles (ba ha gowym) when scattered and strewn of you (ba zarah ‘atem) throughout the Earth (ba ha ‘erets). (Yachezq’el 6:8)
Even dead and fallen Jews will discover that the Lord of Babylon is not Yahowah. But even now, thousands of years after this ruse was perpetrated, they do not know.
I perceive the need to apologize for appearing illiterate, but it’s not my fault. For example, in the previous statement, zarah was not written to include the subject, and following the verb, ‘atem becomes the object. Therefore, the translation of ba zarah ‘atem is correct when written “when strewn of you” and incorrect when presented as “when you are scattered.”
This linguistic issue is familiar because it is the way Paul’s letters were written and it is reminiscent of the grammatical deficiencies found throughout the Quran. Readers are left unaware of their deficiencies because 93“translators” have routinely embellished the text to create a false impression of literacy.
This is what the author wrote…
Then will remember (wa zakar) the escaped and survived (wa palyt ‘atem) of you with me (la ‘atem ‘eth ‘any) with the gentiles (ba ha gowym) who are taken captive as prisoners there (‘asher shabah sham) where I was broken, crushed and destroyed because of (‘asher shabar – where I ceased to exist because of) their desire to be unfaithful (‘eth leb hem ha zanah – their whoring heart) which has been removed and abolished from upon me (‘asher suwr min ‘al ‘any).
And with regard to the eyes of those (wa ‘eth ‘ayn hem) unfaithful whores (ha zanah) going after (‘achar) their idols and objects of worship (giluwlym hem), they are self-loathing, abhorrent, and disgusting (quwth) in their presence (ba paneh hem) for the evil depravity (‘el ha ra’ah) which they have done (‘asher ‘asah), for all of their repulsive abominations and appalling practices (kol tow’ebah hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 6:9)
Since there has never been a time when dead Yisra’elites fell around their idols, such that the surviving remnant, when strewn around the world, came to acknowledge Yahowah, all we can do is point out the flaws in the rhetoric so that you are not deceived by this book. In this regard, “the escaped and survived of you with me” is nonsensical. Further, the escaped, by definition, cannot be captive prisoners. God can be disappointed by His people’s response to Him, but He cannot be “broken, crushed, or destroyed, ceasing to exist.” Further, at no time has the desire to be unfaithful been eliminated.
In context, the zanah | whore symbolism was appropriate for Howsha’, but here in Babylon, as slaves, it is absurd. Further, religious Jews have been far more prone to arrogance than self-loathing. This is written as if the 94author picked snippets of passages out of context and jumbled them together to appear as if he was a prophet.
As for Jews, it is nonetheless true that nothing heretofore has been sufficient to awaken them from their religious stupor: not four hundred years of Egyptian slavery, the Assyrian dismantlement of Israel, the Babylonian assaults on Judea, being tormented by the atrocities perpetrated by the Greeks, the three brutal Roman sieges, two of which were barbaric, the Diaspora and subjugation by the Roman Church, centuries of Islamic terrorism, the European Holocaust, and now the coordinated attacks on their right to exist by Progressive states. But this nightmare will soon be over. Between now and Yahowah’s return with our Messiah, Shepherd, and King, Dowd, gentiles will act so badly that a remnant of those who have neither succumbed to the plague of words nor to the assault of the sword will be winnowed. As the chaff is blown away by the wind, the kernel of God’s people will become harvestable.
This trip through the threshing floor will require disavowing religion and politics, acknowledging Yahowah by name, and then embracing the conditions of the Covenant. And on this day, there will be gowym aplenty at the harvest. The yoke of religion will finally be broken. Yahowah will never again have to endure being compared to or replaced by the gods that men have made.
Disillusioned by the leftist-progressive endorsement of the “Two-State Solution,” and with Islamic terrorists clamoring for Israel’s obliteration, the religious and the right have become dominant politically. And they are growing in numbers, with the wombs of the Haredi providing the impetus at 6.7 children per woman – most of whom will be parasites. To the degree that they are conservative, preferring a smaller government to a larger one, and recognizing that Israel is God’s gift to His people and does not belong to the Fakestinians, they would be 95right. But in their religious and political zeal, they are tow’ebah | repulsive. It will be their undoing upon Yahowah’s return. Those who claimed to speak for G-d will be euthanized by Him.
Good riddance. If, after all of this, someone is still too dense to ditch that which has deluded and devalued them, they are better off dead. But it will not happen as it is written here…
They will know, appreciate, and acknowledge (wa yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!). I have not spoken without reason or cause (lo’ ‘el chinam dabar) regarding what will be done (la ‘asah) to them (la hem) as a consequence of this immoral, ignorant, and irrational wrongdoing (ha ra’ah ha zo’th). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 6:10)
There will be some who will return to Yahowah in the end, but they will not be compelled into doing so to avoid being tortured by God. That would defeat the purpose. The path to knowing Yahowah is through His words, not Ezekiel’s.
Thus says (koh ‘amar), This Is Not Him (#^^#!), my Lord and Master (‘adon ‘any), strike the palms of your hands (nakah ba kaph ‘atah) and stamp your feet (wa raqa’ ba regel ‘atah), then say (wa ‘amar), “Alas, brethren (‘ach), the wickedly wrong (ra’), appalling abominations (‘el kol tow’ebah) of the Household of Israel (beyth Yisra’el), for which (‘asher) they will fall (naphal) by the sword (ba ha chereb), by having been starved to death (ba ha ra’ab), and by the pandemic plague (wa ba ha deber). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 6:11)
Okay Lord, you can lighten up on the slicing and dicing of Jews, the unrelenting starvation, and the plague. We get it. You are big and scary. But enough is enough.
96Wars will occur, people will starve, and pandemics will prevail, but they are not of God nor will Jews suffer disproportionately. Yes, anti-Semitism is gaining traction, and particularly among conspiratorialists, progressives, patriots and conservatives, Muslims and Catholics, and most recently among the most moronic of frauds, Black Hebrew Israelites, but the issues which face our world are far more complex.
March with the morons and stamp your feet if that trips your trigger. Clap your hands and shout out slogans while holding placards that convey your IQ if you want to be identified with fellow idiots, but I would not recommend it.
The Lord is long on death and short on salvation…
The one who is far away (ha rachowq – the one a distance away and alienated) with the bubonic plague (deber – the pandemic pestilence) will continue to die (muwth). And (wa) the one who is near (ha qarowb – the one who is close by) with the sword (ba ha chereb) will consistently fall (naphal). Then the one who is left (wa ha sha’ar – the one who remains) and the one who is preserved (wa ha natsar – the one who is protected, spared, and saved) with the famine (ba ha ra’ab) will perish (muwth). Therefore (wa), I will complete and conclude (kalah) my venomous fury and toxic wrath (hemah ‘any) against them (ba hem). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 6:12)
According to the Lord of Babylon, the only good Jew is a dead one. Even those he spares, he intends to starve. It’s the Lord’s version of salvation.
Make no mistake, here there are three categories of Jews, far, near, and spared and they die from swords, plagues, and famines. Suffice it to say, the Lord has never been fond of God’s people.
97While I don’t understand the math, with every Jew dead, somehow in death the Lord is convinced…
And then you will acknowledge (wa yada’) that (ky) I am (‘any) Yahowah (Yahowah) with the existence (ba hayah) of their slain (chalal hem – their dead, their defiled casualties) in the midst (ba tawek) of their idols (giluwlym hem – of their pagan images that they worship) surrounding (sabyb – encircling) their altars (mizbeach hem) toward every hill (‘el kol gib’ah) being lifted up (ruwm), in every (ba kol) summit (ro’sh) of the mountains (ha harym), and under (wa tachath) every spreading tree (kol ‘esh ra’anan), even beneath (wa tachath) every large and leafy oak (kol ‘elah ‘abowth), the place (maqowm) where they offered there (‘asher nathan sham) the appeasing spirit and pleasing aroma (reyach nychowach) to all of their idols (la kol giluwlym hem). (Yachezq’el 6:13)
There was another interesting change in this dialog. “You,” which was a reference to all of the dead Jews, became hem | they, addressing those who would join the Lord in the annihilation of Jews.
The reason that I wrote out Yahowah in this statement is that I wanted you to appreciate the Lord’s agenda, which is to be acknowledged as Yahowah. His intent is twofold – kill every Jew and then convince those who are left that he is God. It will no longer suffice to be the spirit behind Jesus, HaShem, and Allah – Satan wants top billing. And he will try to kill anyone who gets in his way.
We know that this is a false prophecy because it was not fulfilled in the past and it will not happen in the future. Religious Jews may be idolatrous in the sense of worshiping contrived ideas, but they do not have idols. They do not put altars on hilltops or on the summits of mountains. Religious Jews do not worship under large and 98leafy oaks or spreading trees. And it is Yahowah who actually enjoys the pleasing aroma of campfire cooking.
Now “them” are bad too. There seems to be no pleasing the Lord…
And I will stretch out my hand (wa natah ‘eth yad ‘any) upon them (‘al hem) and I will give their land over to (wa nathan ‘eth ha ‘erets) be desolated (shamamah) and deserted (mashamah) from (min) the wilderness (midbar) of Diblah (Diblathah) in all of their dwellings (ba kol mowshab hem). Then they will know that I am (wa yada’ ky ‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el 6:14)
While no one has ever heard of Diblathah or Diblah as the case may be, there are a number of references to Riblah, which was somewhere between Babylon and Israel. Either way, Diblah or Riblah, it was not part of Yisra’el, making this yet another errant statement.
Therefore, the inference is that if the Lord kills every Jew and then makes a fool of himself, there will be those who believe that Yahowah is the Lord.
Yahowah would be delighted if every Yisra’elite and Gowy would forego religion and politics, patriotism and militarism, conspiracy and idiocy, and then listen and respond to Him. But since that has not occurred in the past two-and-a-half millennia, the next best thing is to forewarn a lost world. But that’s not easy when the book attributed to Him is comprised of lies.
The word (wa dabar) of This Is Not Him (#^^#!) came to exist (hayah) with me (‘el ‘any) to say (la ‘amar), (Yachezq’el 7:1) and as for you (wa ‘atah), son of man (ben ‘adam), thus says (koh ‘amar) This Is Not Him 99(#^^#!) to the land of Israel (la ‘adamah Yisra’el), It’s over (qets). The end has come (bow’ ha qets) upon the four extremities (‘al ‘arba’ kanaph) of the nation (ha ‘erets). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:2)
This did not occur, and it is contrary to everything Yahowah has to say about the restoration of Yisra’el. The nation has been reestablished and is on the cusp of complete restoration.
So now that the end (‘atah ha qets) is upon you (‘al ‘ath), I will release, letting go of (shalach) My righteous indignation and overt frustration (wa ‘aph ‘any) with you (ba ‘ath). And I will judge you (wa shaphat ‘ath) according to your ways (ka derek ‘ath). My gift to you will be (wa nathan ‘al ‘ath) all of your degenerate and deplorable abominations (‘eth kol tow’ebah ‘ath). (Yachezq’el 7:3)
I will not overlook you to spare you or show compassion (wa lo’ chuws ‘ayn ‘any ‘al ‘ath) nor will I be merciful (wa lo’ chamal) because of your ways (ky derek ‘ath). Upon you (‘al ‘ath), I will place (nathan) your abhorrent and appalling traditions (tow’ebah ‘ath) which exist in your midst (ba tawek ‘ath hayah).
Then you will be aware and acknowledge (wa yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:4)
Ezekiel is the broken record of a false prophet. Throughout, the Lord usurps Yahowah’s name to traumatize God’s people. He is wrathful without compassion, murderous without redemption, and condescending without restoration. And through it all, we are to believe that dead Jews will be harassed to the point of capitulation.
Thus says (koh ‘amar) This Is Not Him (#^^#!), my Lord (‘adon ‘any), evil, wrongdoing, and misery from 100societal shepherds (ra’ah) will be foremost and certain (‘echad). Behold, look now and see (hineh), miserable suffering, misfortune, and troubling hardships will come from friends, associates, and fellow citizens (ra’ah bow’). (Yachezq’el 7:5)
The end (qets) will come (bow’). This completion of a duration of time, the absolute limit when there will be a cessation of certain things (ha qets) will arrive (bow’).
It will finally dawn upon you as summer passes into fall (qyts ‘el ‘ath). Pay attention (hineh), it will occur (bow’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:6)
What will occur – the annihilation of every Jew? The complete destruction of Israel? Or none of the above?
The pinnacle of the Devil’s story would make this so…
The climax to this disastrous cycle and crown of doom (ha tsaphyrah) will come (bow’) to you (‘el ‘atah) who live in the land (yashab ha ‘erets). The time (ha ‘eth) has come (bow’). The day (ha yowm) of confusion and panic (mahuwmah) is approaching and close (qarowb). There will be no joyous cheering (wa lo’ hed) on the mountains (harym). (Yachezq’el 7:7)
Now, approaching this time (‘atah min qarowb), I will pour out (shaphak) my intense displeasure and overt antagonism (chemah ‘any) upon you (‘al ‘ath). My resentment and annoyance (‘aph ‘any) with you (ba ‘ath) will be overbearing (kalah). I will judge you (shaphat ‘ath) according to your ways (ka derek ‘ath). Then (wa), I will give you, placing upon you (nathan ‘al ‘ath) all of your abhorrent and appalling traditions (‘eth kol tow’ebah ‘ath). (Yachezq’el 7:8)
I will not overlook anything nor spare anyone (wa lo’ chuws ‘ayn ‘any). I have no reason to be merciful (wa lo’ chamal) in accordance with your ways (ka derek 101‘ath). Upon you (‘al ‘ath), I will place (nathan) your abhorrent and appalling traditions (tow’ebah ‘ath) which exist in your midst (ba tawek ‘ath hayah).
Then you will be aware and acknowledge (wa yada’) that, indeed (ky), I am (‘any) This Is Not Me (#^^#!) who is striking (nakah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:9)
For the Stockholm Syndrome to prevail, abusers must relent. It is then the occasional cessation of torture which the victims wrongly interpret as mercy. But here, the Lord is unrelenting and there is no return from extermination. So even in the most extreme circumstances, Satan will not be able to convince Jews that he is God.
Moreover, we have read the prophets, so we know how this story ends – and it is with the reunification of Yisra’el and Yahuwdah and their restoration with Yahowah. The story concludes with an act of compassion and reconciliation, not an orgy of death and abuse.
Let’s be clear – the Lord stated that not a single Jew will be spared should he prevail. There will be no mercy.
Pay attention and behold the day which is coming (hineh ha yowm hineh bow’) to disseminate (yatsa’) this doom (ha tsaphyrah). The club of authority (ha matah) is budding (tsuwts). The presumptuousness and pride (ha zadown) will be broken (parach). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:10)
The idea of a Day of Doom was repurposed in Islam. Muhammad predicted it, which is why I called my book on him Prophet of Doom.
Since the Lord said that this club was budding in his hands, he is purporting to be the terrorist…
Debilitating terrorism (ha chamas) will rise up and be established to incite (quwm) as a bludgeoning rod, flying missile, and piercing spear (la mateh) of injustice and immorality (resha’).
102None from among them will remain (lo’ min hem), nor anything from their agitation and confusing turmoil, their obnoxious pomp and ceremony, nor their uproarious and confused crowds (wa lo’ min hamown hem), neither their turbulent and discordant wailing (wa lo’ min ham hem), such that there will be no one who was valued as preeminent left among them (wa lo’ noah ba hem). (Yachezq’el 7:11)
The time has come (bow’ ha ‘eth). The day has been reached (naga’ ha yowm). Neither buyers nor those bringing children into this world should celebrate (ha qanah ‘al shamach). And the seller seeking enrichment should not lament (wa ha makar ‘al ‘abal) because (ky) a fiery anger is kindled (charown) toward their entire confused and disorderly, riotous multitude (‘el kol hamown hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:12)
If this were credible, then we would attribute the apocalyptic vision of the demise of God’s people to the Last Days. But what’s the point if they all die?
Whoever wrote this hated his own people. If his name was Ezekiel, then he was part of the problem.
I suppose that if everyone was going to be terrorized and die, we should not be preoccupied with the mundane. The time would have passed to father children or to build one’s fortune. But while we are headed for some rough terrain, it will not be this catastrophic.
This author does not realize that hamown is on the other side of the equation. It addresses the rebellious among ‘Abraham’s descendants, depicting the Muslims who claim Ishmael as their forefather. But Ezekiel would bring this ugly condition on Jews as well.
The admonition not to buy or sell, while repeated in this book, is unique to Ezekiel among the prophets. And that means the advice is invalid. But this did not stop the 103authors of the Christian New Testament from taking this ball and running with it. Under Paul’s influence, they loved demeaning Jews and celebrated the thought of their demise.
While I am not a prophet, it is becoming obvious that world economics will be upended. The Great Reset proposed by the World Economic Forum is likely. A regulated electronic currency will allow those in power to control everyone beneath them, restricting business and trade until everyone becomes dependent upon them.
This is because (ky) the seller (ha makar) will never make a return on the merchandise or get back the purchase price (lo’ shuwb ha mimkar) during the lifetime they have left to live (‘owd ba ha chayym chayym hem).
Indeed (ky), this revelation and communication from God (chazown) is directed toward this entire vast multitude of riotous individuals, some wealthy, many confused, and a considerable number of conspiratorial, militant, or religious (‘el kol hamown hy’) who are not going to change or be restored (lo’ shuwb).
This is because, with the individual who is perverted by bending, twisting, and distorting reality (wa ‘iysh ba ‘awon), his life (huw’ chayah huw’) no one can sustain, restore, or maintain (lo’ chazaq). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:13)
The opening statement conveys a misunderstanding of economics. Should the end of the world be upon us as the “prophet” is screaming, then a lender should be concerned about repayment, but a seller would be delighted to have made the sale. And it is failures such as these which cause thoughtful individuals to reject the testimony of those who do not know what they are talking about. Therefore, with the premise untrue, we can reject the apocalyptic conclusion.
104We can only surmise that this ode to the mother of all battles is an early premonition of the Magog War. But with a mountain of lies between here and there, why would we believe him?
They have joined hands in their pledge and sounded the trumpet (taqa’ ba ha taqowa’), have made their final decision and are completely prepared and ready (wa kuwn ha kol), but no one marches into battle (‘ayn halak la milchamah) because (ky) my burning indignation (charown ‘any) is upon the entire horde of loud and obnoxious militant troops (‘el kol hamown hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:14)
Since the Lord of Babylon has been railing exclusively against Jews, we must assume that Ezekiel is presenting a stalled offensive. Uncharacteristically, these Jews have decided to be aggressive, marching off to battle rather than defending Israel. They are even united in their pledge, which is completely counter to their history and character. Then we are to believe that the entire Israeli military goes on strike and gives up, suddenly afraid to move forward. Moreover, the God who called them home, and protected them against all odds, is now going to turn on them and become their adversary. Therefore, not a word of this is true.
That is not to say that there won’t be war because it will come. Muslims will flood into Israel in such numbers that there will not be enough bullets to stop them. The final battle for the survival of Yisra’el as foretold by actual prophets is markedly different than Ezekiel’s account.
The broken record continues to screech in our ears…
The sword (ha chereb) for the outside (ba ha chuwts), and the pandemic plague (wa ha deber) and the famine (wa ha ra’ab) from the house (min beyth). Who in the field of cultivated land (‘asher ba ha sadeh) by the sword (ba ha chereb) dies (muwth), and who (wa ‘asher) 105in the city (ba ha ‘iyr), starvation (ra’ab) and pestilence (wa deber) devour him (‘akal huw’ – actually and genuinely, consistently and continually, dramatically and emphatically eat and consume him (qal imperfect energic nun paragogicum energicus)). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:15)
And now we know why the author of Ezekiel dispensed with Yowm Kipurym. In his book, there will be no one left to reconcile.
Should we offer Yachezq’el poetic license and assume that by the sword means that every Jew tending his or her crops will be gunned down, we are left with a bigger issue to resolve. Earlier, we were told that one-third of Jews would die by the sword, and yet, just 3.7% of Israelis are farmers rather than the predicted 33.3%.
As for famine, Israelis produce 95% of their own food requirements, so famine is also out of the question. And as we witnessed with the Covid-19 pandemic, viruses spread worldwide and are never contained within a city, recognizing that ‘iyr was singular.
The fact is, being a truthful prophet is so rare and so difficult, there have only been forty of them. Ezekiel is among the many who tried and failed. He is a false prophet.
But unfortunately, that is the least of our problems. The Lord of Babylon is overtly anti-Semitic and wants to degrade and torment Jews prior to annihilating them. Who would have thought that between Jews, Christians, and Muslims, four billion people would accept and worship a Lord who is a sadist?
And their escaped survivors (wa palet palyt hem – their rescued refugees and saved fugitives), then they will be (wa hayah) to the mountains (‘el ha har) like (ka) doves of the valleys (yownah ha gay’), every one of them (kol hem), each one (‘iysh) crying aloud, moaning and 106loudly snarling (hamah) with his guilt and punishment (‘awon huw’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:16)
In Ezekiel, those who escape the onslaught are not saved by God. They are tormented, punished, and die.
The prelude to the Lord’s “Final Solution” will be fraught with peril. This sounds a lot like the Holocaust, as Jews were robbed and then hauled away to be further degraded, starved, and killed in the concentration camps – albeit this time, the perpetrator is the Lord of Babylon.
Every hand falters, hanging limp and feeble (kol ha yad raphah), and every knee (wa kol berek) is as fluid as water (maym). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:17) They will wear (wa chagar) coarse and humiliating clothing (saq). Severe distress, involuntary shuddering, and abject fear (palatsuwth) will envelop them (wa kasah ‘eth hem). A shameful and degraded status (buwshah) will be universally present (wa ‘el kol paneh). And every head will be shaved bald (wa ba kol ro’sh hem qarchah). (Yachezq’el 7:18)
They will throw (shalak) their property and things of value (keseph hem) into the streets (ba ha chuwts). Even their gold (zahab hem) will become a sign of corruption and defilement (la nidah hayah).
Their money and their precious metals (keseph hem wa zahab hem) will not overcome this or prevail (lo’ yakol hem) in delivering or sparing them (la natsal hem) during this time (ba yowm) of This Is Not His (#^^#!) displeasure (‘ebrah).
Their souls (nepesh hem) will not be satisfied (lo’ saba’) and their internal anguish (wa me’eh hem) will not be resolved (lo’ male’). For indeed (ky), their corruptions and perversions (‘awon hem) have been (hayah) a stumbling block and hindrance (mikshowl). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:19)
107Feeble limbs on malnourished bodies clothed in coarse and humiliating prison attire, involuntary shuddering in abject fear, shaved heads and a degraded status are all emblematic of the concentration camps. And should this Lord pretending to be Yahowah prevail, there was no way of deterring the onslaught of hell. The Lord of Babylon wishes upon the Jewish people a second Holocaust.
Make no mistake, the warden of this would-be concentration camp for Jews is the Lord of Babylon masquerading as Yahowah. Fortunately, the Lord appears to be as illiterate as he is impotent.
Then beautifulness, being attractive and desirable (wa tsaby), his adornments and jewelry (‘ady huw’) approaching splendor and majesty (la ga’own – glorified and having status) he placed it (sym huw’ – he caused it, examined it, and he gave it (qal perfect third-person masculine singular)). And their abhorrent statues of abominable images (wa tselem tow’ebah hem) of their vile and detestable pagan gods (shiquwts hem) they did with it (‘asah ba huw’).
Therefore (‘al ken – it stands to reason as a result), I will offer it to them (nathan huw’ la hem – I will give and bestow him to them) for menstruation (la nidah). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:20)
I realize that English Bibles twist sym, which means “to place, cause, or set” such that it means “to replace,” but that is a different concept altogether. So, as it is written, the opening sentence is senseless. The transition from being beautiful and majestic to abhorrent statues is a non sequitur. Further, Jews today are among the least likely to carve religious statues. It is Christians who surround themselves with graven images.
And while we understand that the Lord hates Jews, statues of pagan gods no longer exist in Israel outside of Christian churches and they would be inept at curtailing 108menstruation. But at least, the Lord is not allowing Jews to go away empty-handed.
Sorry, spoke too soon. The menstruation-soaked statues of pagan gods will be taken away from the Jews and given to the gentiles…
Then I will give it (wa nathan huw’) within the hand (ba yad) of the illegitimate and unauthorized foreigner (ha zar) for plunder and spoil (baz – loot which is robbed) and to the wicked and especially evil (la rasha’) of the Earth (ha ‘erets) as war-booty taken from the defeated enemy (la shalal – as property from prey as a predator in battle against a foe). But (wa), they will profane and defile it (chalal hy’ – they will treat her with contempt, dishonoring her). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:21)
Lovely, the Lord is handing out statues of pagan gods and religious idols as gifts. He intends to rob Jews of something they do not have and then give it to those who have been chosen expressly because they are particularly wicked and evil. Also telling, the Lord is admitting that the Jews he has sought to terrorize and exterminate are his enemies and that he is battling against them. And so, with every word, the Lord of Babylon is auditioning for the role of Allah. But alas, the Muslims are going to profane the Lord’s cherished idols, defiling the pagan gods he is offering to them.
My presence (paneh ‘any – my face or my appearance) I will cause to surround (wa sabab – I will go around and cause to encircle (hifil perfect first-person singular)) from them (min hem) and they will desecrate and defile (wa chalal) my hidden treasure (‘eth tsaphan ‘any – my concealed storage). Robbers (pharyts) will enter into it (wa bow’ ba hy’) and profane and dishonor it (wa chalal hy’). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:22)
I do not know how a presence, face, or appearance surrounds from or out of them, but in fairness, I am just the 109translator, not the author. Nor do I know what hidden treasure the Lord was anticipating being stolen. But if he was a prophet, and didn’t want them to pilfer his concealed storage, why didn’t he do a better job of hiding it? Also interesting, why is the Lord concealing something he deems valuable? Could this be Satan’s hidden desire to shed the Adversary title so that he can be worshiped as if he were God? Clearly, nothing is more important to him.
Perhaps the purpose of the chain is to prohibit the theft the Lord has just said will occur. Or is he locking the gate after the treasure has been stolen?
Make a chain (‘asah ha ratowq) because (ky) the land (ha ‘erets) is filled with (male’) bloody reasoned decisions regarding justice (mishpat dam). And the city (wa ha ‘iyr) is overrun with terrorism (male’ chamas). (Yachezq’el 7:23)
So, I will bring (wa bow’) the worst (ra’), the most reprobate and contemptible (ra’), of the gentiles (gowym) and they will take possession of (wa yarash) their homes (beyth hem).
I will observe the Shabat by putting an end to (shabat) the glorification and exaltation, elevated status and arrogance of the uprising and rebellion (ga’own) of the empowered (‘az). Their shrines and sanctuaries, holy and sacred places (miqdash hem), will be treated with contempt (wa chalal). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:24)
With reprobate and contemptible gentile terrorists at his beck and call, the Lord of Babylon does, indeed, appear to be Allah. So perhaps the book is prophetic of Islam.
Anguishing terror and fearsome dangers (qaphadah) will come (bow’) and they will enquire about and seek (wa baqash) peace and prosperity, salvation and safety (shalowm), but there will be none (wa ‘ayn). (Yachezq’el 7:25)
110Destructive calamity upon grave misfortune (howah ‘al howah) will come (bow’) as rumor upon rumor will materialize, with unverified hearsay and unsubstantiated opinions becoming conspiracies (wa shamuwa’ah ‘el shamuwa’ah hayah).
They want a Divine revelation (wa baqash chazown) from a prophet (min naby’), while the Towrah (wa Towrah) is squandered and lost (‘abad) among the priests (min kohen) and counsel (‘etsah) of the religious and governmental leaders (min zaqen). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:26)
It's quite the apocalypse – one from which there is no salvation. Conspiracies will thrive in a vacuum of prophetic insights. But in trying to keep it real, Jews are not clamoring for a prophet but, instead, a messiah. And while religious Jews prefer the Babylonian Talmud to the Towrah, its teaching and guidance are squandered and lost to a far greater extent among Christians and Muslims.
The leadership is sorry for the sad situation (ha melek ‘abal). The one who has been elevated to govern (wa nasya’) is clothed (labash) in devastation (shamamah). The hands of the people (wa yad ‘am) of the land (ha ‘erets) will be dismayed with terror, anxious and afraid (bahal).
I will act against them (‘asah ‘eth hem) based upon their ways (min derek hem), judging them (shaphat hem) in accord with the way they think and decide (wa ba mishpat hem). Then they will realize (wa yada’) that (ky) I am (‘any) This Is Not Him (#^^#!). (Yachezq’el / Ezekiel 7:27)
This is also wrong. Yisra’el is governed by reprobates and crooks, but they will be the last to lament that they have been wrong. Moreover, they are handsomely attired. Furthermore, Israelites have been tormented by gentiles for 111so long, many have grown immune. Terror makes most more resilient rather than dismayed.
One thing is certain, however, the Lord who is working against the interests of God’s people, robbing them of their possessions, status, dignity, and lives, will never be seen as Yahowah. Satan is playing a losing hand, no matter how many idiots he beguiles into believing that Ezekiel is prophetic and true.
