365 Reflections

It's one of the most amazing things about the land of Israel. Presently it is flourishing economically, agriculturally, technologically, militarily, and diplomatically. Surrounded by enemies on all sides, this small nation continues to stand as a testament to the surety of God's Word.  Ezekiel 36 arrives on the heels of the doom announced to Edom in chapter 35, who sought to exploit Israel's discipline of exile to Babylon by taking the land for themselves. It never happened, and the land of Edom has become a desolate waste just as Ezekiel 35 foretold.  Not Israel. The exact opposite has happened to God's favored nation. In Ezekiel 36, the Lord tells His prophet to speak to the mountains of Israel and declare the blessing that will surely arrive as He brings His people back to the land.  Ezekiel 36:8–9 (ESV) “But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9 For behold, I am for you,...

In Ezekiel 35, the prophet again rebukes the Edomites in excoriating judgment for their attitude and actions toward Israel. The Edomites were guilty of seeking to take advantage of Israel's demise and even assisted the Babylonians in their conquest of them.  Psalm 137:7 (ESV) Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!” Therefore, the Lord announces the vengeance He plans to take against this ancient nemesis against His people.  Ezekiel 35:1–3 (ESV) The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it, 3 and say to it, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you, and I will make you a desolation and a waste. Now, we find more insight into Edom's hostility toward Israel in this chapter. It was not simply a border dispute or complex relations between neighboring countries. No, Ezekiel...

Jesus told the disciples He would give them a peace the world would not understand or take away.  John 14:27 (ESV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Philippians 4:7 (ESV) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. In Ezekiel 34, after the Lord announces judgment on the false shepherds and says that He would come down and be their true shepherd, we get a picture of the peace he brings through types and shadows in the language of this beautiful text.  Ezekiel 34:25 (ESV) “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. First, His peace is rooted in His covenant. We have all we need through His blood to know God's peace.  Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) In Him we have redemption through his blood,...

Ezekiel 34 is a powerful chapter in which God announces judgment on the Shepherds of Israel. A shepherd is to be selfless and serve the sheep. But Israel's leaders had grown self-interested and fat. They had used the sheep to enjoy a life of privilege. It's important to see this text not simply in a pastoral sense but also in a governance sense. The spiritual leaders of Israel were to be their civic leaders. And in this, they failed miserably.  Ezekiel 34:1–2 (ESV) The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? The shepherds had fattened themselves off the people.  Ezekiel 34:3 (ESV) You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The shepherds had no concern for the hurts and pains of the people. ...

In Ezekiel 24, the prophet was given a case of Mutness from God, with a sign that it would not leave until the day the city fell.  All the way back in chapter three, he spoke about it: Ezekiel 3:26–27 (ESV) And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house. Later in chapter 24: Ezekiel 24:27 (ESV) On that day your mouth will be opened to the fugitive, and you shall speak and be no longer mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.” In Ezekiel 33, we come to the fulfillment of that promise as his lips are loosed to declare God's Word to the exiles headed off to Babylon.  Ezekiel 33:21–22 (ESV) In the twelfth year of our exile, in the...

The headline in most Bibles about Ezekiel 33 (not part of the biblical text) tells us what this chapter is about.  "Ezekiel Is Israel’s Watchman" What a picture of God's prophets. Watchmen. What does the term refer to? It's a military post whose job is to protect the people/nation/city from military invasions, surprise attacks, or civil disasters. The watchman also had the responsibility of declaring a new day.  Isaiah 21:12 (ESV) The watchman says: “Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again.” In Ezekiel 33, God unpacks how Ezekiel will operate in this role for the people now under judgment.  Ezekiel 33:1–6 (ESV) The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who he...