Ezekiel 12:26

A second proverb closes the chapter, this one aimed less at prophecy in general than at Ezekiel's own words specifically, the vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off. The people concede that Ezekiel may be a true prophet while still emptying his message of any present force, pushing every warning safely into a future too distant to require action now. The Lord's answer matches the first proverb's answer almost word for word, there shall none of my words be prolonged any more, the word which I have spoken shall be done. Fairbairn reads the chapter's two proverbs as the same excuse in two forms, first denying prophecy in general and then, when that failed, admitting the prophet but denying his timing, both answered by the same insistence that the word once spoken stands.