Ezekiel Study, Part 3

 I'm continuing my study of the prophet Ezekiel.  This is a summary of chapters 16-21.

Basically Chapter 16 is a metaphor of a prostitute.  God is comparing Jerusalem to a prostitute.  That word, or whore, is mentioned 21 times in just 63 verses!!. They basically were prostituting themselves by worshipping foreign idols and coupling with  foreign nations..they even were sacrificing their children with foreign rituels!  AND they were paying the clients! 

Summary of Chapter 16:  the Israelites were breaking covenant with God....they were engaged  in price, gluttony, neglect in helping the poor, and complacency.  However, God would restore Samaria, Jerusalem and Sodom.  The lesson we learn here:  God is faithful to His covenant so that gives us hope.  And for us today....look at the above verses from Romans.  We've been rescued by God through His gracious salvation in Jesus.  

Chapter 17 is a parable of 2 eagles and a vine. The first eagle is Nebuchadnezzar who attacked Jerusalem and deported King jehoiachin and the elite (the crown of the cedar) to Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah (who is depicted as the lowly vine) to the throne.  But, Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and asked the Pharaoh of Egypt for help (the Pharaoh is the 2nd eagle). God says Zedekiah will suffer for breaking his oath, because ultimately that offended God. The function of the first eagle is given to God and He will take a shoot from the cedar and plant it on a high mountain. This means that Jehoiachin and his line can look forward to a future dynasty when God will be acknowledged. 

In summary:  it will happen because God does what He says He'll do!  Only God has the power to exalt and humble.  For us today that means God does still use evil worldly empires to fulfill His purposes but He remains in sovereign control over all. (a timely message for us as we see the events played out in eastern Europe). 

Ezekiel 18 is all about personal responsibility. God uses a 3 generation example for us:  

1. a righteous patriarch will live (v. 5-9)
2. a wicked son will be held accountable for his sins (v. 10-13)
3. the Grandson of #1 will live as he doesn't follow the way of his father (v 14-18)

Summary:  a person's past doesn't always determine his future.  This is where repentance comes in.  God is just in His judgements and each person has consequences for his/her own sin.  God's desire is for everyone to come to repentance and live eternally as found in 2 Peter 3:9 

A quote I really liked from the study:

"It's not just the way we start that's important, but the way we finish." 

Ezekiel 19  is actually a lament....like a funeral dirge.....the lioness mentioned is the tribe of Judah.  The lion is Jehoahaz who is the son of Josiah.  He was deported to Egypt due to his evil ways.  (you can read about that in 2 Kings 23:31-34).  The 2nd Lion is Zedekiah or Jehoiachin and they're responsible for God's judgement that comes.  The imagery goes from lions to a vine.  The first one has abundant water (which is linked to Judah and the  Davidic dynasty) but it doesn't last.    The Davidic Kings will be judged by God due to their disobedience. 

Ezekiel 20 and 21 is a history of Israel as presented through the lens of idolatry.  It's a record of all of their sins and a record of their rebellion.....they rejected the Law and an entire generation died.  They didn't learn from their fathers.  They did get to the Promised Land but nothing changed....and yet...there's still hope for Israel.  God does act for the sake of His glory, not because of who we are or what we do. 

There's also a section where Ezekiel sets his face to prophesy against the forests (this is another sign-act).  The message is for the people in the southern kingdom of Judah....Ezekiel is groaning and grieving to enact the suffering that will be caused by the sword judgement. Ezekiel reveals who will use the sword...the king will use pagan divination to decide which road to take....this ultimately leads to the will of God. Zedekiah will be stripped of his royalty.  Babylon (the sword) will return to the land where it was created and it will be judged there.  (v 30-32 in chapter 21).  

Summary for us today: God uses evil worldly powers to fulfill His purposes.  He uses wicked, lawless men to bring forgiveness and righteousness to humankind. 

But...those evil powers will not escape His (God's) judgement! 

(read Habakkuk 2: 6-20)