The Riddle Explained.
‘And the word of Yahweh came to me saying, “Son of man, set your face towards Jerusalem, and drop your word towards the sanctuaries, and prophesy against the land of Israel, and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says Yahweh, behold I am against you and will draw out my sword from its sheath and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.' ” '
The explanation of the parable is now given. Note the connection between Jerusalem, the idolatrous sanctuaries and the land of Israel (Judah). All are seen as one in their degradation (contrast Ezekiel 20:40 where in the future the mountain of Yahweh will be wholly acceptable). The fire has now become Yahweh's sword. All therefore will suffer at Yahweh's sword, both the totally wicked and those who were more righteous (compare 2 Samuel 24:16). None will be spared, for the wicked did evil and the righteous did nothing.
The drawing of the sword from its sheath is always a picture of imminent judgment. Compare the captain of Yahweh's host in Joshua 5:13 who was about to bring judgment on Jericho, and contrast Jeremiah 47:6 where the judgment was with overflowing waters, which were also described as Yahweh's sword which Jeremiah wanted to be sheathed, although it could not be because He still had work to do. See also Deuteronomy 32:41; Isaiah 31:8; Isaiah 34:5-8; Isaiah 66:16; Jeremiah 25:31; Jeremiah 50:35-38; Zephaniah 2:12. The One Who was once their defender has now become responsible for the attack on them.
For ‘I will draw out my sword from its sheath' compare ‘I will kindle a fire in you' (Ezekiel 20:47). Both are deliberate warlike actions whose intent is destruction.