OVERVIEW: The responsibility of the watchman and the fall of Jerusalem (chapter 33); Wicked shepherds and God’s Shepherd (chapter 34); Judgment against Edom (chapter 35); The restoration of Israel (chapter 36).
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Chapter 33 begins with God’s admonition to Ezekiel concerning his responsibility as a watchman for Israel. Once again, God emphasizes that it is not Ezekiel’s responsibility to change the heart of the people. It is, however, his responsibility to proclaim His truth. Because of Ezekiel’s warning, the children of Israel considered their situation hopeless. (33:10) However, within God’s admonition, we also find His mercy.
As we have been reading the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel against Israel for the last several weeks, it may begin to seem that God takes pleasure in inflicting judgment on His people. Recognize, however, that nothing could be further from the truth! God reminds Ezekiel (and us!) that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that the wicked would repent and live. (33:11) May we also recognize, that our responsibility to our lost friends and neighbors is no different than Ezekiel’s responsibility to his kinsman. We, too, are watchmen, entrusted with the responsibility to warn those who are presently on a collision course with God’s wrath to turn from their sin and turn to Christ (1 Thes. 1:11), and begin walking in the statutes of life and live. (33:11–16) Like Ezekiel, we are seated on the wall of a city, as it were, knowing full well God’s judgment is imminent. Those asleep in the city are our own family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. God forbid that we would be silent. We would do well to ask ourselves, who have we warned of God’s impending judgment this week? With whom have we shared the incredible message of God’s mercy and grace through the gospel of Christ?
Note also, that chapter 33 reveals the unfathomable depths of man’s pride. Rather than responding to Ezekiel’s message in repentance, the children of Israel actually had the audacity to question God’s fairness in how He exercises judgment! (33:17–20) This is the typical response of man to the reproof of God’s message. To this day, we still hear people questioning God with questions like, “How could a loving God send people to hell?” We must recognize that questions such as this are nothing more than man’s attempt to refuse take responsibility for his own sin. God makes very clear, regardless of their criticism of Him, that every man will be judged after his own ways! (33:20)
For years, Ezekiel had warned that Jerusalem would eventually fall to Babylon. In 33:21, one who had escaped Jerusalem notified Ezekiel that it had finally happened. Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 B.C. (2 Chron. 36:19) Before the messenger even arrived, however, Ezekiel knew that Jerusalem had fallen. Verses 23–29 record God’s word to Ezekiel informing him of His judgment the night before the messenger came. Ezekiel further warns those who were spared in the destruction of Jerusalem and scattered in the land that they were still in the path of God’s impending judgment! (33:27–28)
The end of chapter 33 contains a short commentary on how many of God’s people in every generation speak against their leaders. Even those in exile with Ezekiel were talking against him. (33:30) Historically, it has been one of the enemy’s greatest tactics against any congregation of God’s people. God makes Ezekiel aware of what is actually taking place behind the apparent success in his “meetings!” God tells Ezekiel, “Sure, multitudes all flock together to be in your presence, and sure, they all look like they’re hanging on every word, and sure, it looks like something wonderful is taking place. The only problem is, they’re not going to do a single thing you tell them!” God goes on to explain to him, “Oh, they talk a big game about how much they love but their hearts have no interest whatsoever in following Me or My ways. Their hearts are only desirous of following after their own covetousness. The only thing they really love is themselves!” God tells Ezekiel that he was really nothing more than the people’s entertainment and that nothing he said would change the way the people lived. I hate to sound so negative, but what God is describing to Ezekiel sounds a whole lot like what He could say to many pastor’s in these last days! God help us! God tells Ezekiel, however, that once His judgment had been poured out, His people would certainly know that a prophet had been among them! (33:31–33)
Chapter 34 contains Ezekiel’s condemnation of Israel’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 had failed to meet their needs. (34:2–6) Because of the failure of Israel’s leadership, the children of Israel had been scattered. (34:5–6) God says, however, that He would personally seek out His lost sheep and save them. (34:11–16 c.f. Matt. 9:36) There is still a future restoration for the children of Israel.
God then promises that He will set up “one shepherd” even His servant David. (34:23–24) This is a reference to the Shepherd who would come from David’s lineage, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ! (John 10:11) Note that the passage is pointing specifically to Christ’s ministry during His millennial reign.
Chapter 35 contains a prophecy against Edom, which is called Seir. (Gen. 32:3) Mount Seir covers the mountainous area settled by the Edomites. This prophecy has already been fulfilled. Edom was first defeated by Babylon, then by Medo-Persia, and then in 126 B.C. by John Hyrcanus, the Hasmonean, who compelled the Edomites to become Jewish proselytes. Since that time, there has been no trace of the Edomites.
Chapter 36 speaks to the restoration of Israel. Even in the midst of their exile and judgment, God asks creation to remember His promise to Israel. (36:1) Because of their disobedience, Israel would be scattered but God also promises that they would be restored! God specifically says, in Ezekiel 36:24, that after they had been scattered, He would gather the children of Israel out of all of the countries of the world, and bring them again into their own land. This was fulfilled in 1948 when the Jews returned to their homeland after World War II. It should be noted, that never in the history of civilization has any people ever been able to maintain their identity without a homeland. The Jews were miraculously able to do it, however, so that this specific prophecy could be fulfilled! The restoration of Israel is one of the greatest proofs that the Bible is, in fact, God’s Word. Prior to 1948, many scholars scoffed at those who believed that Israel would be physically gathered together again as stated in Ezekiel 36:24. After 1948, however, it isn’t hard to see at all. Blessed are those who don’t have to see to believe! (John 20:29)
Ezekiel 36:25–38 speaks to the restoration of Israel in the millennium. Recognize that we are presently living in that tiny “space” between Ezekiel 36:24 and 36:25! “But this I say, brethren, the time is short!” (1 Cor. 7:29)
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the ONE SHEPHERD — Ezekiel 34:23–24 (1 Pet. 5:4)