|
A
|
S Ezekiel's trip (by way of a
vision) came to a close, God revealed to him what was on the minds of the
citizens who remained there in Jerusalem. They thought that since they lived in
"the holy city," then no matter what happened, they were safe. The
way they put it was that the walls of their city were like the iron of a pot
that keeps the fire from consuming the meat that is in it. They felt safe just
because they lived in Jerusalem. Nothing could have been further from the
truth. They were actually more culpable
and in greater danger because of their location, because despite the fact that
they were privy to a privileged position, their hearts and their actions were
not holy. It doesn't matter where we stand if we stand there in unbelief. The
Jews in Ezekiel's vision were not believers, therefore they were not safe, even
if they felt like they were (vs. 12). But there was a real safety in their
future.
It must have been a thrill (and a relief) for
Ezekiel to get some good news at the end of his vision. He had preached at
least one man to death and hadn't enjoyed that at all (vs. 13). But beginning
in vs. 16, it is recorded that God began to share with Ezekiel some great and
precious promises of peace. It seems terrifically gracious for God to promise
to be "as a little sanctuary" for
His people during their years in exile. Add to that God's assurance that they
would someday be regathered into their land (vs. 17), that they would leave
their vices (vs. 18), that God would grace them with spiritual sensitivity (vs.
19) and that they would be His obedient children (vs. 20)... and you have a
very good and hopeful perspective indeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment