Context for Ezekiel 6-7
God called out to the Jews through Ezekiel that the time for God’s promised punishment for their rebellion had come. There was no more time because the end was at hand.
Even in the end, when disaster was upon them, the people of Judah would not listen to the Word of the Lord. Instead, God has Ezekiel prophecy to the mountains, those stony witnesses to Judah’s rebellion who were as hard as Judah’s heart.
One last time, God declares to Judah why His wrath was now upon them, because of their rebellion and refusal to follow God’s way. For that reason, God allowed Judah and Jerusalem to be destroyed and allowed His holy house to be sacked and ruined by heathens. The sin of Judah would be wiped out by force because it was not wiped out by repentance.
Yet, even in these words of doom, God makes a promise. Some will survive this catastrophe, and while those survivors are scattered in foreign lands they will remember their God, His way, and His promises. Because of that realization, because of the repentance that realization will bring, God promises to restore Israel and keep the promises He made to that nation.
In a way, this same warning and promise stands for us today. God promises that He will bring an end to the sinful world. This world will pass away in fire, and those who refused to believe in Him will be cast away, but for those who remained faithful, even until the bitter end, God promises to protect them and, ultimately, to unite them with Him in Heaven. It is for this hope that we daily strive through faith.
