March 1, 2009

Lesson: Ezekiel 11:1-20

Key Verse: Ezekiel 11:19

Introduction

Ezekiel, meaning “the strength of God,” is a chosen prophet of the Lord during the time of great troubles for the people of God in captivity for their transgressions. Ezekiel was both prophet and priest: “The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar, and the hand of the Lord was there upon him” (Eze. 1:3). Ezekiel, along with King Jehoiachin, was taken to Babylon during the second exile: “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God” (Eze. 1:1). Ezekiel spent the rest of his life in Babylon, receiving revelations from the Lord.

“Concerning the date of it – the place whence it is dated and the time when. The scene is laid in Babylon, when it was a house of bondage to the Israel of God; there the prophecies of this book were preached, there they were written, when the prophet himself, and the people to whom he prophesied, were captives there. Ezekiel and Daniel are the only writing prophets of the Old Testament who lived and prophesied anywhere but in the land of Israel, except we add Jonah, who was sent to Nineveh to prophesy. Ezekiel prophesied in the beginning of the captivity, Daniel in the latter end of it. It was an indication of God’s good-will to them, and his gracious designs concerning them in their affliction, that he raised up prophets among them, both to convince them when, in the beginning of their troubles, they were secure and unhumbled, which was Ezekiel’s business, and to comfort them when, in the latter end of their troubles, they were dejected and discouraged” (Matthew Henry).

Ezekiel eleven begins with the Prophet being lifted up by the Spirit of God to see abominations that have besieged the city of Jerusalem, the city being an allegory of the desolation of Israel: “Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it” (Eze. 11:7). The Lord will bring his people to repentance, and they will be brought back to the land by promise. They will show their change from disobedience to obedience by taking “away all the detestable things” (vs. 18). The will be able to do this cleansing because of what the Lord will do: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of the flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh” (Eze. 11:19).

We too live by the grace of God within an evil generation, having our hearts cleansed by his Word. John Calvin’s prayer from his Ezekiel Commentary aptly fits us today as we study this portion of Ezekiel eleven: “Grant, O mighty God, that we may learn to cast our eyes upon the state of thine ancient Church, since at the present day the sorrowful and manifest dispersion of thy Church seems to threaten its complete destruction. Grant also, that we may look upon those promises which are common to us also, that we may wait till thy Church emerges again from the darkness of death. Meanwhile, may we be content with thy help, however weak as to outward appearance, till at length it shall appear that our patience was not delusive, when we enjoy the reward of our faith and patience in thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

These are the Men – Ezekiel 11:1-3

The prophet Ezekiel instructs the people of God to take warning of those elders and princes who would lead them to follow the path of evil. He warns them through the vision he received from the Lord: “Moreover the spirit (breath of God, Holy Spirit) lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the Lord’s house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people;” implying “that those who held the reins of government were impious despisers of God, and hence it is not surprising that impiety and defection from God and his law had begun to increase among the whole people” (Calvin). Whether it is in the Church or in the civil governments, the importance of those chosen to office must be men of righteousness, being led by the moral law of God. If left unabated, the force of evil becomes more powerful, the people following a pied piper of man’s own making.

Ezekiel then records what the Spirit said to him, “Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city: which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.” These magistrates of the city, or it may be the elders of Church, cry out “Peace, peace” when there is no peace. These are they who know in their hearts that judgment is near, but they say it is not near, saying, “let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.” In other words, as the fire will not hurt the caldron, so we will not be hurt by the judgment, for our flesh is hid within. “Where Satan cannot persuade men to look upon the judgment to come as a thing doubtful and uncertain,” wrote Matthew Henry, “yet he gains his point by persuading them to look upon it as a thing at a distance, so that it loses its force: if it be sure, yet it is not near; whereas, in truth, the Judge stands before the door.” Therefore, look to your ‘elders’ and examine them with the Word of God.

Discussion: Why ought we to look first to those in leadership for the reason that evil surrounds us?

Execution of Just Judgment –Ezekiel 11:4-13

Ezekiel is to “prophecy” that the Israel may know what is the will and word of the Lord: “Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.” Though princes may wish to hide the truth of the situation from the people, the Lord not only knows what is true, but he also will reveal the truth: “Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.” Unrighteousness produces death, while righteousness produces life. Those who have “been slain” are the flesh of the city, while the city “is the caldron.” However, they will find no refuge in the city, but the Lord will bring them out of the city into captivity: “Ye have feared the sword and I will bring a sword upon you, saith the Lord God. And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.” By this act of judgment Israel shall know that God alone is their Lord. His judgment is just: “for ye shall know that I am the Lord: for ye have not walked in my statutes, and neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you.” When we transgress the moral law of the Lord, we are doing so in the manner of the wicked around us, even to the extent that we encourage their foolish acts of disobedience.

The Lord, in the vision, set Ezekiel’s eyes upon the death of Pelatiah, who was one of the chief rulers, which brought sorrow to the heart of the prophet, “who cried out with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord God! Wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?” This may be a rhetorical question, for God’s prophet would know of God’s promises to keep a remnant. Hope is always there that the Lord will remain true to his covenant; “He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generation” (Ps. 105:7-8).

Discussion: Why does God bring judgment upon his people?

A New Spirit Within – Ezekiel 11:14-20

The whole house of Israel is brought before the eyes of Ezekiel, calling them “thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly.” The Lord gives Ezekiel confidence that God will keep his covenant; “Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.” Today the Christian see themselves as dispersed among many nations, sometimes making false sanctuaries by uniting themselves to political parties or liberal doctrines within false churches. Those in persecution find great hope in the sanctuary of the Lord who gives them his strength. Why should we not abide in the sanctuary that the Lord provides? Then we will become blessings to the brethren. Then we will know that we are truly priests and kings under the rule of the Prince of kings in every nation.

The Lord’s grace not only delivers his people but enables them to be a cleansing agent within themselves, their churches, homes, and communities: “And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.” They shall be able to do this because of the Lord’s act of grace in the hearts of his people. Calvin wrote, “But we see that the Prophet unites two things together, namely, the faithful elect of God strenuously attending to their duty, and intent on promoting his glory, even with ardor in the pursuit of his worship; and yet they were nothing by themselves.” Thus the Lord promises: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

Discussion: What promises did God give to his people through his prophet Ezekiel?

]]> http://christianobserver.org/a-new-heart-ezekiel-111-20/feed/ 0 http://christianobserver.org/the-sheep-of-the-good-shepherd-ezekiel-3411-24/ http://christianobserver.org/the-sheep-of-the-good-shepherd-ezekiel-3411-24/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:01:17 +0000 paleohuguenot http://christianobserver.org/?p=1615 The Sheep of the Good Shepherd

March 8, 2009

Lesson: Ezekiel 34:11-24

Key Verse: Ezekiel 34:15

Introduction

The prophet Ezekiel hears the word of the Great Shepherd, “Behold I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” (Eze. 34:11-12). The Lord reveals to Ezekiel the Shepherd’s labor in redeeming his people from the darkness of captivity in Babylon, which was their house of bondage; which is illustrated in their deliverance from Egypt: “For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed” (Josh. 24:17). The Shepherd’s words, “I will both search my sheep, and seek them out,” reveals both the Shepherd’s unrelenting search for his lost sheep, and his undivided attention in caring for the sheep of his pasture.

The Lord sought out Zacchaeus and he became one of his sheep. His change of heart was revealed in his testimony: “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” Christ then declared himself as the Great Shepherd of the sheep: “This day is salvation come to this house forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:1-10). We also come to the Shepherd of our souls, redeemed and fed by him: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption; whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:14-15). Our Savior has saved us from the bondage of sin and keeps us as his own: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14-15).

To Seek the Lost – Ezekiel 34:11-16

The Lord has brought judgment upon the sheep of his pasture, especially to those who led them in the way of false idols: “As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock” (34:8). Therefore the Lord promises that the wicked shepherds will no longer feed his sheep and his flock will be delivered from them: “Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock: neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them” (34:10). The under-shepherds of Christ’s church are take warning if they do not feed the flock from the treasure of God’s Word.

The Lord is our Shepherd: “Behold, I, even I will both search my sheep, and seek them out.” He gives us his peace in green pastures, “he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Ps. 23:2-3). Is the flock underfed because the voice of the pulpit is self-feeding rather than hear the hunger and thirst of the congregation that they may see the Good Shepherd and receive the food of his Word? The resurrected Lord spoke to Peter, saying, “Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.” Jesus replied, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15). Years later Peter would admonish the elders of the church: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly” (1 Peter 5:2).

The Shepherd continues to speak to his flock through his servant Ezekiel, promising deliverance and true feeding of the soul (34:12-16). Note that it is the Lord whose promises rest upon the words, “I will.” The Sovereign Lord is the Shepherd whose words are true, without a blemish. The chosen under-shepherd preaches, teaches, seeks to guide and feed the flock, not by “I will,” but by the words of the “I AM” Jehovah God. In other words, when the under-shepherd feeds the flock self is hidden and Christ is revealed. Thus Ezekiel proclaims the Eternal Shepherd’s words: “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among the sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” The Shepherd continues the promise saying that he will from the countries to which the were scattered, “and feed them upon the mountains of Israel.” He continues, “I will feed them in a good pasture … I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down … I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and I will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.” The Christ fulfills these promises in these few words of his, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

Discussion: What comforts are promised us in the words of the Good Shepherd?

The Great Shepherd – Ezekiel 34:17-24

The Lord declares his judgment upon the wicked shepherds who feed themselves, saying, “I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgments” (34:21). As for the Lord’s flock, he declares, “Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the goats.” Christ declares his eternal judgment, saying, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:31-34).

The rich and the strong oppressed the Lord’s flock, of which he spoke, “as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.” The Lord will be the judge between the “fat cattle and between the lean cattle,” warning, “Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey.”

A Savior is promised, a Messiah who will establish his eternal kingdom, and in David Ezekiel and the people will see this promise honored: “And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.” The Messiah, “He shall have his commission from God himself: I will set him up … I will raise him up, … He sanctified and sealed him, appointed and anointed him. He shall be the great Shepherd of the sheep, who shall do that for his flock, which no one else could do. He is the one Shepherd, under whom Jews and Gentiles should be one fold. He is God’s servant, employed by him and for him, and doing all in obedience to his will, with an eye to his glory – his servant, to re-establish his kingdom among men and advance the interests of that kingdom. He is David, one after God’s own heart, set as his King upon the holy hill of Zion, made the head of the corner, with whom the covenant of royalty is made, and to whom God would give the throne of his father David. He is both the root and offspring of David. (M. Henry). The promise was fulfilled in the incarnation of the Son of God; as the angel spoke to Mary, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus (Joshua = Jehovah is salvation). He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall b no end” (Luke 1:31-33).

Discussion: How is the Great Shepherd both Judge and Savior of his flock?

March 29, 2009

Lesson: Ezekiel 47:1-8

Key Verse: Ezekiel 47:8

Introduction

Christ Jesus spoke to Martha promising that life was in him, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Jesus then asked Martha, “Believest thou this?” Are you convinced, do you believe, convinced that Christ Jesus, the Son of God is “the resurrection and the life?” To believe in the resurrection of the body is to believe in the resurrection of the soul from death unto life. Paul, moved by the Spirit of God, wrote this, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sin” (Eph. 2:1). Paul reminds the saints at Ephesus that they had once been as the dead walking as children of disobedience,” fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath” (2:2-3). Then, revealing the glory and wonder of being saved by grace through faith, he wrote, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he love us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (2:4-5). The Lord quickens, brings us to life in Christ. “Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul. As death locks up the senses, seals up all the powers and faculties, so does a state of sin, as to any thing that is good. Grace unlocks and opens all, and enlarges the soul. Observe, A regenerate sinner becomes a living soul: he lives a life of sanctification, being born of God; and he lives in the sense of the law, being delivered from the guilt of sin by pardoning and justifying grace” (M. Henry).

Everything that liveth …shall live! (Eze. 47:9). That which was dead shall truly be made alive. Zechariah prophesied of that day of the Lord when “living waters shall go out from Jerusalem” (Zech. 14:8). Referring then to Revelation 22:1 where John was shown by the risen Christ “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,” Matthew Henry wrote “That seems to represent the glory and joy which are grace perfected. This seems to represent the grace and joy which are glory begun. Most interpreters agree that these waters signify the gospel of Christ, which went forth from Jerusalem, and spread itself into the countries about, and the gifts and powers of the Holy Ghost which accompanied it, and by virtue of which it spread far and produced strange and blessed effects.”

From the Door of the Temple – Ezekiel 47:1-5

The Lord, in a vision, brought Ezekiel his prophet “unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.” Out of the temple of the Lord, out of Jerusalem, out of the Church of Christ Jesus, flows the Gospel of grace. Christ Jesus spoke of this life. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a sell of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

Ezekiel continues, “Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word of God shall proceed from the gates of the Church to speak the way of truth, righteousness, and justice in every nation. The Lord speaks through his prophet, “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3). Christ the King, for the advancement of his Kingdom on earth, commands his subjects, according to his divine authority, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:18-20).

We are then privileged to see the ever present Son of God: “And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.” The Gospel, the Word of God, would be preached faithfully, first to few, and then to many, that today we see the Gospel being preached in all the nations of the world. From where two or three are gathered together to large gatherings of families, the Lord God is being worshiped and served. Christ Jesus, after his resurrection, spoke to his disciples that he was spoken of by the prophets of his death and resurrection; and now they were witnessing its fulfillment: “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. …Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24-47).

Discussion: How is the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and his Gospel represented to Ezekiel?

Rivers Out of the Desert – Ezekiel 47:6-8

Ezekiel, being called the Son of man, heard these words of the Lord, “hast thou seen this?” Ezekiel then records: “Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the brink of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.” Ezekiel witnessed the beauty of the trees being fed by the waters of grace. Isaiah gives this comfort to those who mourn in their affliction: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified” (Isa. 61:3). Redeemed by the precious blood of Christ we are planted as Trees of Righteousness, being blessed of God to his glory. We are therefore those “who delight in the law of the Lord; and in his law” we “meditate day and night.” And we “shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Ps. 1:2-3).

The Son of God spoke to Ezekiel, “These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.” This healing “intimates the wonderful and blessed change that the gospel would make, where soever it came in its power, a great change, in respect both of character and condition, as the turning of the Dead Sea into a fountain of gardens. When children of wrath became children of love, and those that were dead in trespasses an sins were made alive, then this was fulfilled” (M. Henry) The Gospel of Jesus Christ has great healing powers for the New Jerusalem, and for the nations, of which Christ is the Prince of kings: “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him” (Rev. 22:2-3).

Discussion: What does it mean for the Christian to be like a tree planted by the waters?

March 15, 2009

Lesson: Ezekiel 36:20-28

Key Verse: Ezekiel 36:23

Introduction

The Larger Catechism (#1) asks the question, “What is the chief and highest end of man?” The answer is given, “Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever.” In contrast to the wicked who are “far from (God) shall perish,” the heart of those who are made new in Christ testify, “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works” (Ps. 73:28). We cannot enjoy our Creator and Redeemer unless our desire, in thought and deed, is to declare God’s glory according to his Word. Thomas Watson wrote: “We glorify God, when we are God-admirers; admire his attributes, which are the glistering beams by which the divine nature shines forth; his promises which are the charter of free grace, and the spiritual cabinet where the pearl of price is hid; the noble effects of his power and wisdom in making the world, which is called ‘the work of his fingers.’ Psa viii 3. To glorify God is to have God-admiring thoughts; to esteem him most excellent, and search for diamonds in this rock only” (A Body of Divinity).

The Lord promises that he will make his name ‘hallowed,’ sacred, set apart and noble among the nations: “And I will sanctify my great name” (Ezek. 36:23). Matthew Henry wrote, “Observe, by the way, God’s holy name is his great name. His holiness is his greatness; so he reckons it himself.” There is no other God but God himself that can truly reveal his greatness. The Lord God Almighty has given a covenant, whereby he himself will “open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of prison house;” and he does this because of his declaration, “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” (Isa. 42:7-8). Peter preached boldly of the glory of the Lord, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Christ alone is the Author of our salvation. The power to save is in Christ alone. The invitation to come to God in Christ Jesus is also of God who drags us out of darkness into his marvelous light. “For he took upon him our flesh once for this cause, that he might be a continual pledge of our adoption. He hath reconciled the Father to us forever by the sacrifice of his death: by his resurrection he hath purchased for us eternal life. And he is present with us now also, that he may make us partakers of the fruit of eternal redemption” (John Calvin).

The Lord’s Great Name – Ezekiel 36:20-23

Israel had a good land and a good God. But they defiled what was good and precious to the Lord: “they defiled it by their own way and by their doings” (36:17). Matthew Henry observed, “It was a good land, a holy land, a land that had the eye of God upon it. But they defiled it by their own way, their wicked way; that is our own way, the way of our own choice; and we ourselves must bear the blame and shame of it. The sin of a people defiles their land, renders it abominable to God and uncomfortable to themselves; so that they cannot have any holy communion with him nor with one another.” Israel was judged by the Lord and dispersed them among the heathen. “And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land.” The heathen looked at the people of Israel and saw their hypocrisy. Their actions did not fit their claim that they were the people of God. For it was the Lord who scattered his people among the heathen, “according to their way and according to their doings” the Lord judged them (36:19).

Paul reminded the Jews of his time of their pretense, claiming to “boast of the Lord,” that “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God?” Therefore, “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” (Rom. 2:17-24). Those who claim the name of the Lord as their Creator and Lord are warned that they must examine themselves as to their thoughts and actions in the midst of a wicked world, that the glory of the Lord must be shown in their claim that they are children of the Most High God. The Christian must see that the Scriptures “principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (Shorter Catechism #3). It is the Holy Spirit who brings us to maturity in Christ through the teaching of the Word of God, which has been given to us “by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). The prophets’ claim was clear in their words, “Thus saith the Lord!”—For they spoke the words that the Lord wanted them to speak. “Paul and the other apostles claimed to speak not in words which man’s wisdom taught, but in words which the Spirit taught (1 Cor. 2:13). Not only the substance of their teaching, but also its form of expression, was asserted to be of Divine origin” (L. Boettner).

The Lord God Almighty claims that he alone is to be honored above all others. He said, “But I had pity for mine holy.” His name was blasphemed before the heathen nations. His consideration for his NAME reveals also his compassion for his people. For, in blaspheming his name, i.e. following after the idols of their own making, they were turning away from the Lord who alone gave them life. For it was the “house of Israel,” that “had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.” Ezekiel was to proclaim this gospel that in the Lord is the only Way, Truth, and Life! He was to give this message to the people: “Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.” Both the Lord’s judgment and his redemptive acts rest not in the people but in himself. When we glorify the Lord in our thoughts and actions we are most blessed. For our lives are then built upon Christ Jesus, and not upon wisdom derived from our own thoughts.

The redemptive covenant promise is revealed to his people in these words of the Lord: “And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” The wicked smirk, amused at the Christians who try to be neutral in their witness, allowing them to take command, i.e. education belongs to the state, evolution is truth, abortion is political, etc. What belongs to the Christian home they say belong to state. Where shall we then stand as the name of the Lord is blasphemed? Matthew Henry persuades us to be faithful, “When God performs that which he has sworn by his holiness, then he sanctifies his name. The effect of this shall be very happy: The heathen shall know that I am the Lord when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes and yours. When God proves his own holy name, and his saints praise it, then he is sanctified in them, and this contributes to the propagating of the knowledge of him.”

Discussion: How are we to praise the Great Name of God?

The Lord’s People – Ezekiel 36:24-28

When the Lord delivers us from the darkness of our transgressions we marvel at the truth that we belong to our Father in heaven, and that he has placed us in his presence, through Christ, as his adopted children. Ezekiel spoke these words of the Lord to Israel; “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.” Their own land being that which the Lord had given them by covenant promise by a redeemer: “And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there” (Isa. 65:9). Paul spoke of this promise of grace: “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace … What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded” (Rom. 11:5, 7).

How will this promise to Israel come to fruition? The Lord spoke, “Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” It is by the grace of God we are saved. The Lord will cleanse us from the filthiness of our sins, from our idolatrous life; he will also give us a new heart and spirit; he will put his spirit within us and cause us to walk in his way of righteousness, truth, and life. Jesus put it this way: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6). By the work of the Spirit and of the Christ the work of grace is manifested in our obedience to the Word of God.

This relationship with God our Father, the Son, and the Spirit, is summed up in the Lord’s word through Ezekiel, “And ye shall dwell in the land in the land that a gave to your fathers: and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.” The Savior defines this fellowship of life everlasting, saying, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). May our faith toward God be an example as did church of Thessalonica to “all that believed in Macedonia and Achaia.” Paul wrote and encouraged their faith, “For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you (church at Thessalonica), and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:7-10). By the same Lord and Savior were the people of Israel delivered.

Discussion: What is the glory of knowing that the Lord is our God and we are his people?