7. Why did Jehovah tell Ezekiel to divide the hair in three portions and to treat each portion differently?

⁷ Why did Jehovah tell Ezekiel to divide his shaved-off hair into three portions and to treat each portion differently? (Read Ezekiel 5:7-12.) Ezekiel burned one portion of hair “inside the city” to demonstrate to onlookers that some inhabitants of Jerusalem would die in the city. Ezekiel struck a portion of hair with the sword “all around the city” to indicate that other inhabitants would be killed outside the city. He scattered the last portion of hair to the wind to illustrate that still other inhabitants would be scattered among the nations, but “a sword” would “chase after them.” Thus, wherever those survivors might end up living, they would find no peace.

¹⁰ God’s Word indicates that individual supporters of false religion will survive the coming destruction of religious institutions. Fearful, these survivors will join other individuals of all ranks who will be searching for a hiding place. (Zech. 13:4-6; Rev. 6:15-17) Their situation makes us think of what happened to the inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem who survived its destruction and were scattered “to the wind.” As we considered in paragraph 7, although their lives were spared for a time, Jehovah drew “a sword to chase after them.” (Ezek. 5:2) Similarly, any hiding places into which the survivors of the attack on religion may run will not shield them from Jehovah’s sword. At Armageddon, they will be put to death, together with all other goatlike ones.​—Ezek. 7:4; Matt. 25:33, 41, 46; Rev. 19:15, 18.

• 

  “Burn”

  Some would die in the city

• 

  “Strike”

  Some would be killed outside the city

• 

  “Scatter”

  Some would escape, but they would find no peace