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The seriousness of the impending siege is emphasized by the command of the Lord for the prophet to set, to fix his face toward Jerusalem, that there might be no question as to whom the Lord was about to punish. The stretching out of the bare arm was also to emphasize the anger of the Lord. The bare arm illustrating that the Lord was about to work a mighty work, either for good or bad. Isa. 52:10 To make certain that the full will of the Lord be executed he was bound by the Lord, that he might not turn from side to side as he reclined before his artistry. The daily length of time that he laid before the Lord is not stated. Obviously it was not a situation which lasted twenty four hours of each day but sufficient for him to declare his message to Jerusalem. Eze. 4:7-8
His diet was special and measured, showing that during the siege there would be a scarcity of food. The number of ingredients which he baked into bread was six. This bread he would then dole out to himself from time to time during the day. The measure of the supply of water which he was allowed was the sixth part of an hin. Six is the number of man and is one number short of seven, the number of perfection. The imperfections of man are clearly visible in the number used and indicate that they will be judged as sinful men. Eze. 4:9-11
The piety of Ezekiel is noted in his refusal to use human excrement as a fuel to bake the cakes. This gives us a bit of an insight as to why the Lord chose him to be a prophet. He would not desecrate his spiritual life by using an unclean fuel for his cooking, even through it was the Lord who suggested that he do such a thing. It was a sign that the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the land would be driven out and made to dwell among the Gentiles. There they would not be able to maintain their dietary standards and would be forced to eat polluted foods. Eze. 4:12-15
The restrictions which the Lord placed upon him were bearable for he was doing it as unto the Lord. Under the circumstances he could have finished this diet looking and feeling much healthier than when he stated, for he was doing it according to the will of the Lord. However, for those under siege, the situation would be emaciating. Inside the city there would rationing of food and water to such a degree that the people would grow tired, weary and be stupefied for lack of food and water. Because of their continued iniquity and refusal to repent and seek the Lord they would be consumed with hunger. Eze. 4: 16-17.