Purpose behind the Pain

 Read Ezekiel 5.

The visualization, or acting out, of the message continued with further orders directly from God.  This entire series of strange doings was meant to illustrate the humiliation and punishment of Jerusalem for its rebellion.

1. Shaving his hair.
In those days, a shaved head and beard embarrassed a man.  It indicated either shame or deep mourning.

2. Dividing his hair. 
Knowing the rest of the story, we may interpret these actions by comparing Scripture with the actual events.  Gratefully, the explanations are provided in this same chapter.
-Ezekiel took one-third of the hair to the middle of the city and burned it.  Like the fire consumed the hair, God explained, "A third part of you shall die of pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst" (v.12).  Indeed, the Babylonian siege brought about an unthinkable famine with all its horrors.

-Ezekiel took the next third of his hair and chopped it up with a sword.  The explanation in the middle of verse 12 is that many of those who survived the famine would be killed as the invaders breached the wall.

-Ezekiel took most of the remaining third and threw it up for the wind to scatter.  Those who escaped would be taken away to Babylon.

-From the last third, Ezekiel was to keep a few hairs inside a special place in his robe.  Yet, even these few protected ones would experience the fire of God's punishment.

With His message of judgment also came His statement of purpose.  "And they shall know that I am the LORD--that I have spoken in my jealousy."  That phrase, "they shall know that I am the LORD" appears over 60 times in this book. 

The people thought they could live life on their own terms and still claim to be His people.  What they forgot is that the LORD demands exclusive worship.  He will not share His rightful glory with anything or anyone else.  Soli Deo gloria!  Glory to God alone.