Question 1

What does the proverb "the days are prolonged, and every vision faileth" mean?

Accepted Answer

That proverb was a way for the people to shrug off God’s warnings. They were saying, in effect, “Nothing ever happens. The days keep going on, and these prophetic visions never come true.” Because judgment had not fallen right away, they treated God’s patience as if His word was empty. This let them stay comfortable in their sins. God exposes this proverb as a lie and promises to stop it by bringing the very judgment they thought would never come.

Question 2

Why did God say, "I will make this proverb to cease" in Israel?

Accepted Answer

God said He would end that proverb because it was feeding unbelief and rebellion. As long as people could say, “Judgment is far off, nothing will happen,” they felt safe to ignore Him. God’s answer is to show that His word is not empty talk. By bringing the promised siege and captivity soon, He would prove that every true vision has an effect. When His word came to pass before their eyes, no one could honestly repeat that mocking saying anymore.

Question 3

What are "vain vision" and "flattering divination" in this passage?

Accepted Answer

"Vain vision" and "flattering divination" point to false prophecies that promised peace, safety, and good days ahead when God had actually warned of judgment. These messages were empty because they did not come from God, and they flattered people by telling them what they wanted to hear. God says there will be no more of this in Israel, because once His real warnings come true, these smooth voices will be exposed, and their comforting lies will lose all power to deceive.

Question 4

What does this passage teach about God’s character and His word?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God is patient, but He is not careless about sin. He says, "I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass." His character is faithful and steady. He does not speak idly, and He does not forget what He has said. When people treat His delays as if He will never act, they misread His kindness. Here God reminds them that His timing is His own, and when He chooses to act, nothing can stop His word from being fulfilled.

Question 5

Why did the people say the vision was for "many days to come"?

Accepted Answer

The people tried to push God’s warning into the distant future so they would not have to face it. They admitted that Ezekiel had a vision, but they said it was for later generations, not for them. This was a way to quiet their conscience and stay at ease. God answers that none of His words will be prolonged any more. The events were actually near, and some of those hearing Ezekiel would live to see them. Their delay was not real; it was self-deception.

Question 6

What was happening in Israel when God gave this message to Ezekiel?

Accepted Answer

Part of the nation had already been taken into exile, and Jerusalem faced coming siege and ruin. God had sent signs and words through Ezekiel to warn the people, but many refused to believe. They clung to sayings that made them feel safe and listened to prophets who promised peace. Because the judgment had not dropped at once, they took that as proof it would not come. Into that setting, God speaks very plainly that the days are at hand and His word will soon be fulfilled.

Question 7

How does this passage warn against using God’s patience as an excuse?

Accepted Answer

The people heard hard words about coming judgment, but since nothing happened right away, they assumed they were safe. They used God’s delay as an excuse to go on as they were. This passage shows how dangerous that is. God’s patience is meant to give space for repentance, not to make sin feel safe. When He says, “In your days… I will say the word, and will perform it,” He warns that what seems far off can suddenly be very near. The right response is humble change, not mocking delay.

Question 8

How can a believer today apply the message of God’s word not being prolonged?

Accepted Answer

This passage invites a person to take God’s warnings and promises seriously now, not later. It is easy to think, “I’ll deal with my sin someday,” or “There is still time to follow God more fully.” The people in this text spoke that way, and it led them into disaster. Remembering that God’s word will be done helps a believer stay awake spiritually, turn from known sin without delay, and trust that both His judgments and His mercies are real, sure, and coming in His time.

Ezekiel 12:21

¶ And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

The Presumptuous Proverb

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Ezekiel 12:21

¶ And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

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The Presumptuous Proverb

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