God's purpose in a time of great Loss

 Read Ezekiel 24.

Ezekiel, Daniel and many others had already been taken captive.  Living in and around the city of Babylon, the exiled Jews were dependent upon messengers for news from Jerusalem.  Here, before the fugitive messenger arrived (v.26), God gave the prophet a parable and a sign to let the people know in advance what was taking place.

The date was January 15, 588 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem.  This day is so important it is mentioned in this chapter and three other times (2 Kings 25:1, Jeremiah 39:1 and 52:4). 

The Parable of the Pot
To describe what was happening in Jerusalem, the LORD used a parable of cooking with a rusty pot.

Scene One. (vv.3-8)
Jerusalem was like a pot with rust and build-up inside.  Choice meat had been placed in it for cooking.  When the heat was applied and the water boiled, all the impurities rose to the surface.   Predictably, the meal was ruined. Nothing could be done, except to dump it out.  God placed His best in that city, but their rebellion against Him corrupted all that was good.  The time had come for cleansing.  The LORD used the Babylonians to empty the city.

Scene Two. (vv.9-14)
Starting over with an empty pot, the hot fire of God's judgment will cleanse Jerusalem of all that corrupted it.  His judgment was a certainty.

The Sign of Sorrow (vv.15-27)
To prepare the people for this great loss, the LORD used a tragedy in Ezekiel's own life.  God gave the prophet his sobering message for the people, but that evening his wife died.  The impact and explanation of the sign proved true on multiple levels.
-For Ezekiel, his wife had been the delight of his eyes and now she was gone. (v.15)
-For the Jews, Jerusalem had been "the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul..." (v.21).  But now she was gone.
-For God, Jerusalem was His "sanctuary", His holy place.  Now, for a time, it will be destroyed.

In order to gain attention, Ezekiel was instructed not to grieve as would be normal and expected.  When the people asked why, then he was to deliver the message.  The response that God desired was not for the people to mourn their loss but to realize that God is the Sovereign LORD and there is no other.  When the LORD is all you have, He is all you need.

When God is not Enough

 Read Ezekiel 23.

In Egypt, God developed the family of Abraham into a nation.  He proved Himself over and over by demonstrating His power to protect them and care for them.  For centuries, Israel experienced the benefits of being God's chosen people.  But, God was not enough for them.

They wanted to be like the ungodly surrounding nations.  While they continued the rituals of worshiping God, they embraced the practices of the cultural false gods.  They thought they could live like the wicked world and still enjoy a relationship with the LORD.  Indeed, they sacrificed their own children to a false god and "on the same day" they came to the Temple in Jerusalem (v.39).  God compared this pollution of worship to spiritual adultery.  He will not tolerate it.

God supplied their needs and would have done more.  However, like a couple of prostitutes, the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah lusted for what they could get from other nations.  In attracting political alliances, they are pictured as dolling themselves up and even sending for men to come to them (vv.40-41).  First, Israel entered into agreements with Egypt, Syria and, finally, Assyria.  But each pact took them deeper into enslavement.  Assyria turned out to be a brutal enemy that destroyed the northern kingdom.  Judah witnessed what happened to their sister in the north and learned nothing.  In fact, Judah proved to be morally, politically, and spiritually worse. 

"Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring." (v.35)  But the people surely would have responded, "Lord, we still go to the Temple and we still believe in you."  The truth is that God demands an exclusive relationship with His people.  He will not share us with any other beliefs and practices.

The Apostle Paul asked, "What accord has Christ with Belial?  Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?  What agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God: as God said, ....'Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you..." (2 Corinthians 6:15-18)

 

 

The nation that forgot God

 Read Ezekiel 22.

God assayed the nation.  He compared His testing to that of a metallurgist smelting ore to rid it of impurities.  However, when Israel melted all that remained were impurities (vv.18-20).  The nation became worthless, without any sustaining value to Him or to the neighboring nations. 

Exactly what did God see in His evaluation of the nation?

Look at the list. (vv.4-12)
The overarching sins were violence and false worship.  Under that heading, the LORD names specific sins that brought judgment on the nation.
-Disrespect for parents
-Oppression of non-citizens
-Maltreatment of the fatherless and widows
-Disregard for things that God deems as holy
-Pollution of the Sabbath law
-Displays of lewdness
-Violation of women
-Accepting acts of adultery and incest
But worst of all, and at the root of sin, was living life as if God did not matter; "me you have forgotten, declares the Lord God."

Look at the leaders. (vv.23-29)
Instead of the national leadership providing justice and righteousness, they had become the source of the problem.  They were guilty of all the above list of sins and, therefore, the people had cast off all restraint.
-The Prophets.  God's prophets preached His word and suffered for it in this culture.  The peddler prophets (see Ezekiel 21 blog comments) spoke a false message of peace and prosperity.  They enriched themselves at the expense of the people and had even become violent in keeping their status.
-The Priests.  Their violence was against God's word.  They did not instruct the people in how to live for the LORD according to His expectations.
-The Princes.  The king and other governmental leaders were corrupt.  Nothing prohibited their dishonesty and killing those who got in their way.
-The People. They followed their leaders.

Look at the LORD. (vv.30-31)
God looked for a leader who could turn things around; one who could build up the nation, instead of tearing it down.  There existed a gap between God and man and no one filled that void.  Therefore, the LORD would intervene and correct the problems with His punishment.

Thankfully for us, Jesus filled the gap and makes reconciliation with God possible.  "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

 

The difference between a preacher and a Peddler

 Read Ezekiel 21.

When my pastor spoke of those in our city without Jesus, he paused due to being overcome with emotion.  Tears were visible.  The message was not new but those who know the truth understand the reality of people facing a Christ-less eternity of torment.  Carrying the ministry of reconciliation with God to others is a joyous message of hope and forgiveness.  But when people do not know or reject that unique message in Jesus, there is a pain that only Christ-followers understand.

In this chapter, God instructed the prophet to deliver a message of earthly judgment upon Jerusalem (v.29).  He called the punishment "my sword."  As one preparing for battle, the LORD spoke of drawing His sword, then honing it and polishing it.  However, God stated that His sword would be "given into the hand of the slayer" (v.11), namely the king of Babylon (v.19).  In making the decision about the attack on Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar would shake arrows (similar to drawing straws), consult his false gods, or check the marking of the liver of a sacrificed animal (vv.21-22).  The LORD made it clear that seeking guidance from other objects is a false divination.  He is in sovereign control.

Why was this judgment coming upon the people of Judah?  Because when God previously spoke to them through His prophets they did not listen.  And, when He used His "rod" of discipline, they did not learn their lesson.  So, now, He will act in a more painful way in order that they may know He is the LORD.

For Ezekiel, delivering the message would be painful.  "As for you, son of man, groan with a breaking heart and bitter grief" (v.6).  "Cry out and wail" (v.12).  The preacher knew what God said was true and that people were in peril.

The Apostle Paul described the believer's ministry this way: "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.  Who is sufficient for these things?  For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)  

 

Why God does what He Does

 Read Ezekiel 20.

A third time the elders came to Ezekiel for a word from the LORD.  We are not told the question on their minds, but whatever it was God refused to be inquired by them.  He had something else to say.

In this chapter, God retraced a thousand years of Israel's history.  He took them back to the Exodus from Egypt, then the through the wilderness, into the Promised Land, and to Ezekiel's day.  The review from God's perspective was to demonstrate His mercy, His grace, and His patience with His people.  After each instance of His loving care for them, the LORD desired their faithful worship and obedience in return.  But each time, the nation failed to forsake the false worship of the cultures around them.  "Let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone." (v.32b)

Such actions of sin are repeatedly referred to as rebellion against God.  Each instance could have resulted in death for the entire nation.  Indeed, God said that very thing to Moses in Exodus 32.  However, the LORD stayed His wrath.  Even when He finally judged the northern kingdom of Israel by scattering them and the southern kingdom went into exile, it was to demonstrate the same purpose.  From generation to generation, His motive did not change.

What was, and continues to be, the main motive of God in His actions?

Three times the LORD declared: "I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations..."  His chief concern was to protect His reputation and character in His world and especially among His chosen people.  In other words, the nation of Israel was meant to show the world what a difference worshiping and obeying God makes.  When they acted like everyone else instead, they violated their assigned mission.

The closing verses reminded them again of the future hope of the nation.  Like a shepherd, the LORD will count His own individually (v.37).  It will be a new day with a new covenant.  No more will they profane His name by giving themselves and their resources to inanimate objects.  His people will live and give to Him alone.  "And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake..." (v.44a)

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)

 

Where is the King of the Jews?

 Read Ezekiel 19.

This is the first of five funeral songs regarding Jerusalem contained in the book of Ezekiel.  The poem specifically laments the down fall of the once great Davidic dynasty of Judah ("princes" v.2).

Israel transitioned over time from Moses, the prophet leader, to Joshua, the military leader, to the period of the Judges, and then to desiring a king.  After Saul's disastrous rule, God selected David, "a man after his own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), and established his as an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-13).  But after Solomon's death, the kingdom of Israel divided.  Not one of the 19 kings in the north was godly rulers.  In the south, there were 20 kings of Judah in the lineage of David.  The spiritual leadership varied greatly.

Chapter 19 utilizes two main metaphors to lament what finally happened. 
1. The lioness and her lions. (vv.1-9)
Two of the kings are immediately identifiable. 
-In verse 4, the king taken captive by Pharaoh Neco II was Jehoahaz.  See 2 Kings 23.
-In verse 9, Jehoiachin was imprisoned by Nebuchadnezzar and taken to Babylon.  See 2 Kings 24.

2. The vine and the branches. (vv.10-14)
The metaphor is of a family tree.  God spoke of a vine, branches and stems.  The first word, "your", makes this a personal reference to the king at the time, Zedekiah.  Israel once enjoyed strong world leadership and fruitful abundance.  The loss lamented here was due to "the east wind."  Instead of the west wind off the Mediterranean Sea, the east wind was hot, as it came from the desert.  It parched the land and destroyed all its life.  Such was the comparison to Babylon's destruction of Judah.

The saddest words are the last in verse 14, "so that there remains in it no strong stem, no scepter for ruling."  They no longer had a king who reigned and controlled the land God gave them.  Indeed, Israel has not seen such a ruler over a united Israel since the death of Solomon.  What happened to God's covenant with David that promised one of His descendants would forever reign? 

What Ezekiel could not understand at the time is answered in the prophecies of Messiah.  "…and the government shall be upon his shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6)
"Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place and he shall build the temple of the LORD" (Zechariah 6:12)
"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1)
"the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David" (Revelation 5:5)
"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:32-33)

Jesus is coming!

 

Choices bring Consequences

 Read Ezekiel 18.

"We are suffering and it someone else's fault."  That was the essence of the well-known proverb being repeated in Ezekiel's day.  The people blamed the previous generations for the losses they endured.  Since it was not their fault, then God was acting unjustly toward them.  God told Ezekiel to put a stop to that false proverb.  If God loves us, why are we suffering?  How can a loving God do this?

CHOICES BRING CONSEQUENCES

Did their "fathers" sin?  Yes.  But the LORD made it clear that this current suffering was due to their own personal sin and not that of someone else.  The body of this chapter is built around two big "ifs."  If a person chooses to live a life of sin, they will suffer the consequences.  If a person chooses to live a life that is right before God, they will live.  It is an individual choice.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS THE REAL ISSUE
Not all human suffering is the result of personal sin.  So, be sure to deal with the right issue.
It continues to this day that there are those who want to live life on their own terms and when life does not go their way the first reaction to blame God.  They have no time for Him whatsoever.  They may not even be sure there is a God in heaven.  But when something bad happens, they begin questioning God's justice and integrity.  Many will all of a sudden claim to know what the Bible says, though they have not seen one for years.  Behind the thin veneer of their anger is a boat load of personal guilt.  They are aware of their sin but try to deflect the guilt by projecting the blame elsewhere.

Such people attack the wrong issue.  The first thing to do is shut the door and take a long look in the mirror.  Then ask, "Do I acknowledge that God is the Owner of my life?"  "Am I living my life to please God or me?"  The answers can mean the difference between life and death.

GOD HOLDS US ACCOUNTABLE, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND
Here is what God wants everyone to know:
1. God is the Owner of our souls. (v.4)
"All souls are mine."  As the Creator and Owner, He has the right to do with His property as He wishes.  No one then may question Him regarding the just use of what belongs to Him.  He is sovereign.

2. God does not desire that anyone suffer for their sin. (v.23a)
2 Peter 3:9 repeats this thought: "...not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 

3. God always provides a plan for deliverance from the punishment of sin. (vv.30-31)
-"Repent and turn from all your transgressions."  This requires humility before God.  Our pride wants to argue and not admit that we are the problem.  We must turn our back on sin.
-"Cast away from you all the transgressions you have committed."  This requires action to rid our lives of those things that lure us away from a life that pleases God.  We must stop choosing to sin.
-"Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit."  This requires a life-change commitment to discipline ourselves to do what pleases God in thought, speech, and behavior.

The LORD's closing question to the undecided is sobering.  "Why will you die?"  That is a foolish choice.  Choose life!