Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,
Ezekiel's charge to turn toward the mountains and speak against them stands at the opening of his prophetic work among Israel's captives. That work began after God revealed His glory to him, impressing the divine majesty upon him. The purpose was that he would not fear to confront his sinful people with warnings and reproof.
The mountains of Israel are the high places and high hills in which Israel trusted, and the turning of prophecy against them is judgment directed upon them. The meaning is that God would destroy those high places and leave slain men upon every high hill, so that they would know that He is the Lord. This found fulfillment in the Roman overthrow of the high fortified stronghold of Masada, where the slain lay upon the height. That desolation proved God's anger against Israel for manifold sins and that God had deserted them to destruction.
Ezekiel's charge to turn toward the mountains and speak against them stands at the opening of his prophetic work among Israel's captives. That work began after God revealed His glory to him, impressing the divine majesty upon him. The purpose was that he would not fear to confront his sinful people with warnings and reproof.
The mountains of Israel are the high places and high hills in which Israel trusted, and the turning of prophecy against them is judgment directed upon them. The meaning is that God would destroy those high places and leave slain men upon every high hill, so that they would know that He is the Lord. This found fulfillment in the Roman overthrow of the high fortified stronghold of Masada, where the slain lay upon the height. That desolation proved God's anger against Israel for manifold sins and that God had deserted them to destruction.