Ezekiel
6 -7 – God Spares a Remnant
The
desperately evil king Manasseh had adopted the wicked religious practices of the
Canaanites and caused them to multiply throughout the nation of Judah (2 Kings
21:1-17), ignoring Moses’s declaration of what would happen to Israel if she
forsook God in this way (Lev. 26:30). The mountains of Israel were where the
idolatrous sites of worship were located.
Even
in severe punishment for sin and rebellion, there is mercy. God spares a
remnant, whom He will lead to repentance so that He may graciously fulfill His
promises of blessing.
The
images of judgment are harsh and frightening, but it is important to recognize
that God only judges His rebellious people as their deeds deserve. They would
reap the abominations they had sown (will be in your midst) and encounter the
same violence they had committed against others.
God
had long before declared, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he
is indeed flesh” (Gen. 6:3). It was now Ezekiel’s uncomfortable task to profess
that the end of God’s patience has come; the Lord would execute His promised
wrath. (Amos 8:2,10).
No
longer would the people go about their business as usual. No longer could they
do anything to stave off destruction – their judgment was already approaching
from outside and resident within.
In
times of relative affluence, silver and gold seem to provide nearly everything
needed to live a good life. But when divine judgment falls, such commodities
become worthless- like refuse thrown into the streets (Prov. 11:4).
Because
Israel would not defile and remove the pagan altars and shrines in the land,
God would use Babylon, the worst of the Gentiles – a nation even more wicked
than Israel to do it and bring disaster on His people. The Babylonians would
show no mercy. The chain that Ezekiel was told to make symbolized Israel’s
upcoming captivity.
Please read the chapter listed so that you can
understand God’s Word better.
If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God
Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.
Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.
Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee
Through the Bible
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