SCRIPTURE: EZEKIEL 20
REBELLIOUS ISRAEL (vs. 1-29)
REBELLIOUS ACTS OF ISRAELITES:
- They worship the vile images of idols (v. 8)
- They rebelled against God by not following His decrees and rejecting His laws. (v. 13)
- They desecrated God’s Sabbath. (v. 16)
- Their eyes lusted after their father’s idols. (v. 24)
- Their fathers blasphemed and forsook God by offering and pouring out their drink offerings in the high hills. (v. 28)
JUDGMENT AND RESTORATION (vs. 30-49)
JUDGMENT FROM GOD:
- I will rule over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. (v. 34)
- I will bring you into the desert of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon. (v. 35)
- I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. (v. 38)
- You will not enter the land of Israel. (v. 38)
RESTORATION:
- I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. (v. 37)
- The entire house of Israel will serve me on my holy mountain and I will accept them. I will require their offerings and choice gifts. (v. 40)
- 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. (v. 41)
- You will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done. (v. 43)
- You will know and I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices. (v. 44)
PROPHECY AGAINST THE SOUTH (vs. 45-49)
God will sent fire to the southern forest and consume all the trees both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it. (vs. 47-48)
THOUGHTS:
Ezekiel reviewed the history of Israel – the Exodus, the wilderness journey and the Conquest of their land. He pointed out two facts. (1) The nation was guilty of repeated rebellion against the Lord. (2)-The Lord acted as He did for His name’s sake.
God chastened His rebellious people for His name sake. If we do not obey His command, we must submit to His chastening.
The Sabbath was instituted by God as a reminder that they were God’s special people. Sabbath was a day of rest given by a loving God. Today, Christians should celebrate the Lord’s day-Sunday as their Sabbath. God wants us to use this day to rest, to refocus and to remember Him.
The Israelites were worshiping idols and giving gifts to God at the same time. They did not only believe in one true God but also worship other gods of the land. Perhaps they wanted to have the benefits the idols might give them. Many Christians go to church but still holding on their idols of money, power or pleasure. They don’t want to miss out any possible benefits. But the true God wants all of our life and devotion. You cannot please God and pursue the pleasure of sin. You must only choose one.
Many Israelites regarded Ezekiel’s message as riddles and refused to listen. In doing God’s ministry, there are always moments of discouragement. Do not give up but continue to do what God has told you to do. He promises to reward faithful servants.