Joe: Alright, so what does Ezekiel 12 say?

Bible Expert: Well, it starts off with God warning the people of Judah about their false prophets, who are telling them that there's no need to worry about an invasion. He tells them that their prophecies are lies and that the people need to prepare for an exile.

Joe: Interesting. So God is giving them a warning?

Bible Expert: Yes, and God tells Ezekiel to perform a series of symbolic acts to demonstrate the coming exile. He tells him to pack his stuff up and leave in full view of the people, so that they can see what's coming.

Joe: Wow, that's intense.

Bible Expert: Yes, and then God gives a message to the people of Jerusalem that they will suffer for their sins and that those who remain in the city will be killed or exiled.

Joe: Jamie, can you Google what the punishment for sin is?

Jamie: (in the background) Uh, it says here that the punishment for sin is usually some form of suffering, either in this life or the next.

Joe: Ah, okay. So they were warned and then punished. And what happens next?

Bible Expert: Well, God gives Ezekiel a vision of a valley full of bones, which represent the people of Israel who had died in exile. He then gives him a message of hope, telling him that God will bring the people back to their land and restore them. Finally, God tells Ezekiel to tell the people of Israel that their days of captivity are coming to an end.