January 21, 2023
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Reading along with us in Ezekiel? Here’s today’s reading:
Ezekiel 12 (NIV)
The Exile Symbolized
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.
3 “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people...........Continue Reading
Ezekiel again becomes an object lesson to get the people’s attention and it works. He is showing them the captivity and destruction in their future and as classic as an argument as we all have, the people respond with “not yet”! We don’t have to worry because this is far off and we aren’t there yet. Such a picture of the world today worrying only about the moment you are in never thinking about your actions affecting the future or even the people around you!
God reminds them that there is NO delay and destruction is coming as it will for anyway who tries to disregard God and think they can put off obeying God.
Ezekiel shows the remaining people In Jerusalem what’s coming in the near future. Their king nor anyone can save them. Only returning to the one true God could save them. Their king also exiles to Babylon. Just reading 2kings chapter 25 in detail what happens to those that run from Jerusalem. Can’t believe they go through all this instead of repenting. Have a life time friend who is of Hebrew descent. Has a the worst type of leukemia. I mentioned all things are in Gods hands. His answer. Very sarcastically. Thank you for your mystical words. Very comforting. Beyond stubborn
God tells Ezekiel to tell them what is coming. Shows how they are to leave. They think this is far off and still do not listen. We also test thinking we have time. I do not. We never know what tomorrow will bring.
It is important to remember that there were three different deportments of the Jews of Judah to Babylon. That is why Ezekiel can be with the exiles in chapter 1 and then be a symbol for those who are still in Judah and have yet to be exiled….assuming this is not marking events that happened before chapter. It is a deception that comes over us that makes us comfortable with disobedience and assuming everything will remain the same. But here God reaches out to the Jews in that state to show exactly what the exile will look like and the prince will not escape destruction, which he might assume he did because he wasn’t part of the first exile. And all inhabitants of Judah will be effected by it and the most simple actions of life will be conducted in fear. And how unrepentant they are to not be changed by the example/warning, but simply say, it is not happening yet so we can continue to do what we are doing. How wise we are to heed the things God puts before us to guide in the right direction.
Ezekiel 12
Ezekiel 12
The people didn’t like what Ezekiel was saying, so they reasoned in their minds that it would not take place in their lifetimes. We must be careful not to do the same when we read the Word of God to think that it doesn’t apply to our situation or to think that future events prophesied won’t happen in our lifetimes. Every day is a gift from God and during the peaceful times we need to be building ourselves up in the faith so we can be strong in the Lord when the difficulties of life suddenly appear like a thief in the night.
“Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.”
Reminded me of 2 Peter 3:
“That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
the Lord says again in Ezekiel 12:
“Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord God.”