Title: Ezekiel’s Redemptive History (4)-Lie down for 430 days
The book of Ezekiel records all the events according to Nisan cycle. However, HOR series after the kingdom time records all the events according to Tishri cycle. Sn. Pastor Rev Abraham Park recalculated all the dates recorded in the book of Ezekiel according to Tishri cycle.
| Scriptures | Dates written in the book of Ezekiel | Years according to Tishri cycle |
| Ezekiel 1:1-2 | 5th day of 4th month, 5th year | 593 BC |
| Ezekiel 32:1 | 1st day of 12th month, 12th year | 585 BC |
God commanded Ezekiel to lie down for 390 days and then 40 more days which in total of 430 days. Prophet Ezekiel ministered for 22 years, from the 5th year of the exile until the 22nd year. (Ezekiel 1:2) says that Ezekiel saw the visions of God in the 5th year of the exile (593 BC) and chapter 2, 3 and 4 are continuing verse from chapter 1. Thus, the command to lie down for 430 days was given in the same year, 593 BC.
- Lie down on your left side for 390 days
Ezekiel 4:4-5 “As for you, lie down on your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; you shall bear their iniquity for the number of days that you lie on it. 5 For I have assigned you a number of days corresponding to the years of their iniquity, three hundred and ninety days; thus you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.
- Lie down on your left side
As Jews consider East as front side, left side signifies North. So, it means to lie down toward North.
- For 390 days
Ezekiel 4:6 tells us that 1 day signifies 1 year, thus, 390 days signifies 390 years.
- Some say that 208 years signify 390 years
Ezekiel 4:5 says that 390 days are for the iniquity of the house of Israel which means the Northern Israel. Thus, as Northern Israel started its kingdom in 930BC and ended in 722BC by Assyria, some suggest that 208 years of existence of Northern Israel signify 390 years.
- Other say that 393 years signify 390 years
In 722BC, Northern Israel was destroyed. In 586BC, Southern Judah was also destroyed and taken to Babylon. The first return from Babylon occurred in 537BC. Thus, 930-537=393. So, other suggests 393 years’ time period signifies 390 years.
- How does the HOR say?
Northern Israel was destroyed by Assyria, Assyria as destroyed by Babylon, Babylon was destroyed by Persia, and later on Cyrus decreed to return to Jerusalem in 538BC, then 537BC the first return happened. (Dan 5:25-31)
390 years is from 930BC when Northern Israel was established until 540BC when Persia started attacking Babylon.
- Lie down on the right side for 40 days
Ezekiel 4:6 6 When you have completed these, you shall lie down a second time, but on your right side and bear the iniquity of the house of Judah; I have assigned it to you for forty days, a day for each year.
- Lie down on the right side
It refers to South
- For 40 days
40 days mean 40 years, and this period is for the iniquity of Southern Judah
- Most people say 40 days refer to either 48 years or 49 years in history
586BC (When Southern Judah was collapsed)-538BC (When the decree of returning to Jerusalem was announced) =48 years
586BC (When Southern Judah was collapsed)-537BC (When people of Israel actually return to Jerusalem) = 49 years
b) How does the HOR say?
970BC-930BC= 40 years
This is the period when Solomon reigned over the united Israel. Solomon didn’t keep God’s statutes and ordinances, and embraced all the idols to him and to the country. This is the main reason why the united Israel was divided into two countries and eventually the reason why Southern Judah was taken to Babylon. So, God was asking Prophet Ezekiel to take the iniquity of King Solomon. (1 Kings 11:11). 40 years refer to the reigning period of King Solomon because he was the root cause of all the iniquities brought into Southern Judah.
Conclusion: If we sin, we have to repent by taking the consequences
40 years refer to the period of 970~930BC. 390 years refer to the period of 930~540BC. Thus, 430 years refer to the period of 970~540BC when King Solomon brought sins into the country and God decided to release His people from the bondage. God didn’t just forgive but asked Prophet Ezekiel to take this iniquity. The punishment came upon Ezekiel so that the people of Israel were allowed to return and become His people again.
Leviticus 26:18 If also after these things you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
God says that He will punish us 7 times. It means 7 times as very severe punishment but it also means the perfect solution for our sins.
In the beginning, we learned that this vision was given to Ezekiel in 593BC. But if anyone understood the meaning of this vision, he could understand God’s plan of restoration that is by 540BC God will save the people of Israel and liberate them from the slavery.
We think things are going and moving according to this power but at the end, God is the one who controls not only the HOR but also the secular history. Know that our life is in God’s hand and pray to live according to His plan.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 