Ezekiel 20
Ezekiel mentions “in the seventh year” this is the Seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s exile. This precise dating gives this message formal quality and special significance.
As stated in the title, Israel was still rebellious to the GOD’s spoken word. The elders came to inquire of the Lord But GOD turn away. HE demanded uncompromising allegiance and refused to tolerate pluralism.
How often only through storms GOD seem so needed? But when all is well, we indulge ourselves with complacent and ungratefulness sometimes.
It’s a fact GOD judges; Israel has desecrated commandments and their own faith. As GOD purge and separates his people so will HE restore them to an even greater glory.
V41 I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will show myself holy among you in the sight of the nations
Be like fragrant incense by offering him your soul, bodies and offerings.
Ezekiel 21
As I read this chapter, I realize how fiercely GOD judge. Really thank Christ of what he has done, do and will do.
V4 Because I am going to cut off the righteous and the wicked, my sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.
Punishing the righteous along with the wicked emphasizes the degree of GOD’s anger, as well as the corporate solidarity of the covenant community in GOD’s sight. Sin has adverse consequences, and frequently the innocent suffer because of misdeeds of the wicked.
As GOD judges not only Israel but the Ammonites. GOD used Babylon as his decree of judgment. The exalted will be brought down but the lowly will be exalted. The dynasty of David would not be restored until the rightful ruler arrived on the scene.
Why punish the ammonites now?
God exacts judgment and he acts on HIS time not outs. Often he waits for us to be totally dependent on his grace and provision before he chooses to act, even to sweep away the wicked.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
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