Battle Bread
[God speaking] “’But as for you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into bread for yourself; and you shall eat it according to the number of the days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days. Your food which you eat shall be twenty shekels a day by weight; you shall eat it from time to time.
“’The water you drink shall be the sixth part of a hin by measure; you shall drink it from time to time. You shall eat it as a barley cake, having baked in their sight over human dung.’ Then the Lord said, ‘Thus will the sons of Israel eat their bread unclean among the nations where I will banish them.’” Ezekiel 4:9-13
Chapter 4 of Ezekiel is filled with strange symbols representing the impending doom for Jerusalem. The people had strayed. Now God directs Ezekiel to act out ‘laying siege’ to the city.
He is commanded to lay on his left side and not move for 390 days to represent the number of years of Israel’s iniquity. Then he was to turn over and lay down a second time on his right side and bear the iniquity of the house of Juday for 40 days, a day for each year.
The simple bread and water diet of specific proportions of food he was permitted to eat was the normal ration for those living in a city under siege by enemy armies. Having it cooked over cow dung (originally to be human dung but was argued away) was a symbol of Judah’s spiritual uncleanness.
Ezekiel was not allowed to move symbolising how the people of Jerusalem would be imprisoned within the walls of the city. Many people would have come to view and puzzle at this strange prophet and his message of impending doom
God has a plan for His people and each of us has a part to play. It is our responsibility and joy to stay close to the Father so we can hear Him as He carefully directs our steps.
Take care with love, especially His, from Darlene, who still prays for you each day.
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NOTE: I choose to believe the Bible because it's a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They reported supernatural events that took place before, of specific prophecies; and claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
Find my full statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you will also find a series of Bible studies). For the books, go to Amazon books. For prayer requests/ updates, email: darlenerichard@gmail.com