TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 33-36
OVERVIEW:
The responsibility of the watchman and the fall ofJerusalem(chapter thirty-three); Wicked shepherds and God’s Shepherd (chapter thirty-four); Judgment againstEdom(chapter thirty-five); Restoration of Israel (chapter thirty-six).
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Chapter 33 begins with God’s admonition to Ezekiel concerning his responsibility as a watchman forIsrael. Once again, God emphasizes that it is not Ezekiel’s responsibility to change the heart of the people. However, it is his responsibility to proclaim God’s truth.
Because of Ezekiel’s warning, the children ofIsraelconsidered their situation hopeless (33:10). However, within God’s admonition we also find God’s mercy. Oftentimes when reading the prophets of the Old Testament one might feel that God takes pleasure in inflicting judgment on His people. Nothing could be further from the truth. God reminds Ezekiel that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires that the wicked would repent and live (33:11).
Our responsibility to our lost friends and neighbors is no different than Ezekiel’s responsibility to his kinsman. We are to warn those who one day will be the recipients of God’s wrath, to turn from their sin and to walk in the statutes of life and live (33:11-16). Who have you warned this week? With whom have you shared the story of God’s mercy? We are the watchman. We are seated on the wall of a city, knowing full well God’s judgment is imminent. Those asleep in the city might be our family, friends and neighbors. God forbid we would be silent.
This chapter also reveals the depth of man’s pride. Rather than repent, the children ofIsraelwere questioning God’s fairness in judgment (33:17-20). Oftentimes that is man’s response to reproof. Questions such as, “Would a loving God send people to hell?” and statements such as, “I’m no worse than anyone else” are nothing more than man’s attempt to not take responsibility for his own sin. However, God says he will judge every man after his own ways (33:20).
For years Ezekiel had warned thatJerusalemwould eventually fall toBabylon. One who had escaped notified Ezekiel thatJerusalemhad fallen (33:21). Jerusalemwas destroyed in 586 BC (II Chron. 36:19). Ezekiel further warns those who were spared in the destruction ofJerusalemand scattered in the land that they are still in danger of God’s judgment (33:27-28).
Ezekiel knows thatJerusalemhas fallen before the messenger even arrives. Ezekiel 33:22 states that the hand of the LORD was upon him in the evening before the one who had escaped comes to him. Verse 23 says the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel. Ezekiel 33:23-39:29 records God’s word to Ezekiel the night before the messenger comes. Chapters 40-48 are dated more than twelve years after the destruction ofJerusalem.
The end of the chapter contains a short commentary on many of God’s people in every generation. Even those in exile with Ezekiel were talking against him (33:30). How sad that one of the enemies greatest tactics is to deceive God’s people into talking against God’s leaders. They still came and sat before Ezekiel as you would expect God’s people to do, and listened to Ezekiel as you would expect God’s children to do, and even enjoyed Ezekiel’s words as you would expect God’s children to do, but they just wouldn’t do what Ezekiel said! God says that when His judgment is come, His people will know that a prophet had been among them (33:31-33).
Chapter 34 contains Ezekiel’s condemnation ofIsrael’s leaders. Instead of protecting and providing for God’s people, they had only served themselves. They had failed to care for God’s people and to seek after God’s people (34:2-6). Because of the failure ofIsrael’s leadership, the children ofIsraelhad been scattered (34:5-6). God says that He will personally seek out His lost sheep and save them (34:11-16). This is what Jesus spoke of in Matthew 9:36. There is still a future restoration for the children ofIsrael.
God then promises that He will set up “one shepherd,” even my servant David (34:23-24). This is a reference to the Shepherd who would come from David’s line, the Lord Jesus Christ (John10:11). Doctrinally, the passage is speaking of Christ’s millennial reign.
Chapter thirty-five contains a prophecy againstEdom, which is called Seir (Genesis 32:3). MountSeircovers the mountainous area settled by the Edomites. This prophecy has been literally fulfilled. Edomwas defeated byBabylon, then by Medo-Persia, and then in 126 B.C. by John Hyrcanus the Hasmonean, who compelled them to become Jews. There is no trace of the Edomites now.
Chapter thirty-six speaks to the restoration ofIsrael. Even in the midst of their exile and judgment, God asks creation to remember His promise toIsrael(36:1). Israelhas been scattered, but they will be restored! God specifically says in Ezekiel 36:24 that He will gather the children ofIsraelout of all countries and bring them again into their own land. This was fulfilled in 1948 when the Jews returned to their homeland after World War II. Ezekiel 36:25-38 speaks to the restoration ofIsraelin the millennium. We are living in the “space” between verses 24 and 25! There has never been a nation in history that has been brought together again asIsraelhas. The restoration ofIsraelis one of the greatest proofs that the Bible is God’s Word. Prior to 1948, many scholars scoffed at those who believed thatIsraelwould be physically gathered together again as stated in Ezekiel 36:24. However, after 1948 it isn’t hard to see at all. Blessed are those who don’t have to see to believe!
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the ONE SHEPHERD – Ezek. 34:23-24 (I Peter 5:4)