God explains that when the people ask Ezekiel about the meaning of the joined sticks, he should describe how the Lord will unite the kingdoms that have been divided and scattered, making clear that the prophet's symbolic act communicates a message of divine intention. The repetition and clarification of the message emphasizes its importance and ensures that the audience grasps the full significance of the symbolic action. The reference to kingdoms that have been divided recalls the schism between Rehoboam and Jeroboam and subsequent exiles of both north and south. The explanation in verse 18 frames the symbolic act as a prediction grounded in God's character and power. The prophet's role is to translate visual signs into verbal interpretation, making accessible to the people the message embedded in the sign.

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