The reason God saves people . . .

 

READ Ezekiel 33–36

Microsoft studied how many times a message must be heard before it was remembered. They concluded 6 to 20 , but some say 7, others say 17. God knows our forgetfulness judging by how many times He told Ezekiel to repeat His warnings to His people. In each case, the warning had eternal consequences, for the people and for the prophet.

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 33:7–9)

Again, the people didn’t listen. They said, ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ yet they continued in their sinful ways, even to declaring, ‘The way of the Lord is not just,’ when it is was their own way that is not just. Just as the NT says, true faith is shown by the fruit it bears. These people were condemned because their lives did not reveal faith in their God.

In the twelfth year of their exile, Jerusalem was struck down. The land was made desolate because of their sin and as God said to His prophet, they were “like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.” (33:32–33)

God condemned their shepherds and promised to “rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” He would seek the lost, bring back the strayed, bind up the injured, strengthen the weak, and destroy the strong. He also points to Jesus:

And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken. (34:10–24)

His promises for their future included a covenant of peace, physical security, rain when needed and to make them showers of blessing as well. Trees would yield their fruit, the earth its increase. God would free them from those who enslaved them and they would live without fear, hunger or reproach. They would know that He is the Lord their God and that they are His people. (34:25–31)

As for the nations, they would be made desolate. His people would possess them and no longer bear disgrace or made to stumble. These nations would recognize that God rescued His people for His name’s sake as He told Ezekiel:

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. (Ezekiel 36:22–23)

The promise of salvation is given, again pointing to the redemption and new life found through faith in the promised Messiah:

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules . . . . Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways . . . . (Ezekiel 36:25–32)

And the desolate land will become like the garden of Eden, with cities fortified and inhabited. And the remaining nations will know that that He is the Lord. Even as this prophet repeats and repeats God’s warnings, he also repeats the good news: Jesus saves us from our sin. No one can do it without faith in Him and the experience of a new heart and new life — given to those who believe and glorify God. 

Lord, may I glorify You this day and always!

 

Eternally Safe

 

READ Ezekiel 29–32

The news from Pakistan should be a headliner — a full one-third of the country is underwater. More than 1,000 people have died and “monster monsoons” have swept away homes, crops and bridges causing billions in damages with flash floods. At least half a million people have been displaced as vast areas are cut off from supplies and power.

While some wonder where is God, today’s reading again reminds me that God is not removed from the everyday affairs of the nations. He is not deaf, nor is He absent. He is involved in the affairs of people and nations. Whatever effect climate change may have, God is Creator and Supreme Ruler. He is the ultimate Weatherman and can use anything to accomplish His purposes.

I’ve no insight into what He is doing in Pakistan, but these four chapters are clear that He can do whatever He desires to fulfill His plans, even using godless nations. He comforted Israel as Judah was in exile, living under the rule of Babylon, reminding them that He did not forget His covenant with His people.

After a strong prophecy against Egypt saying this nation would experience a sword brought against them and they would be made “a desolation and a waste” and then “know that I am the Lord,” He also made it clear that He would use another godless nation to destroy Egypt. Then He adds one line for His people to remember and rely on:

“On that day I will cause a horn to spring up for the house of Israel, and I will open your lips among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 29:21)

This one line is their hope and points to our hope also. The remainder of this section is all about what God will do to those who have resisted God and abused His people . . . .

Those who support Egypt shall fall, and her proud might shall come down . . . . they shall fall within her by the sword . . . . And they shall be desolated in the midst of desolated countries, and their cities shall be in the midst of cities that are laid waste . . . . I will put an end to the wealth of Egypt, by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He and his people with him, the most ruthless of nations, shall be brought in to destroy the land, and they shall draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain. And I will dry up the Nile and will sell the land into the hand of evildoers; I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it, by the hand of foreigners . . . . I will destroy the idols . . . . there shall no longer be a prince from the land of Egypt . . . . I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break his arms . . . make the sword fall from his hand. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (30:6–26)

The word of the Lord tells how Egypt’s Pharaoh will be humbled and slain, brought down to his true level with all who do not know God. (31:1–18) He considered himself a lion but God shows this mere mortal is without power against the power of God. He would bring him down, “make many peoples appalled “ at him and even tremble for their own lives. His people would be brought to ruin and perish. All the nations around him will experience terror and many will be “slain by the sword.” (Ezekiel 32)

What does it take for people to realize that we are powerless to control much of anything, including the weather? We cannot even control ourselves, never mind those among us who enslave, rape and destroy. No amount of government spending can or has stopped prejudice, hate, and the sin of humanity. No amount of will-power can make a leopard able to change its spots or anyone change their life. Some may reach the status of a pharaoh, even be esteemed like this mortal was worshipped, yet read again what God did to the pharaohs of Egypt. We are powerless to defend ourselves from His wrath and judgment on sin.

Only Jesus Christ can do that — and only Jesus Christ did do that. He took our penalty for sin and died under the weight of God’s wrath. He did that so believers can stand in confidence. No matter what God does to humble the nations, He will protect and take care of His children, either here or in our eternal dwelling place.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18)