October 25, 2009 -Ezekiel 36:22-38

WordListeners met October 25th, we had four people in attendance. We
had hoped to start a guest leader for this meeting but it didn't happen.
My reading had led me to the end of Ezekiel, so I went over my notes
from 36:22-38. They were well received. Discerning God's will and then
living it out is important. God acts for Himself, and not for us, and
not because things are bad (necessarily).

Here are my notes.

Ezekiel 36
The title in this section is that the mountains of Israel will be blessed. I'm starting at (Vs 22) for now. The first thing it says is that God doesn't act for our sake, but for the sake of His Holy (sacred) name which Israel has profaned (desecrated). No matter how badly we treat each other, and its getting pretty bad, its about God and His name. The more we profane God and His name the more likely we will treat each other badly. For it is God and His Spirit in place that makes life have any goodness it does. The Lord will vindicate His Holy name, by showing Himself Holy in the sight of all.

How? He will start by taking Israel (Jews and Christians?) from the nations, gathering them from all lands and bringing them into their own land (promised to them). A glimpse of this is happening, but its not complete.

He will then cleanse them (us) with water, and put a new spirit and heart in them, which will cause us to walk in His statutes and ordinances. This is sort of what happens when we accept Christ. It goes further to say we'll live in the land and be His people.

He will then bless the crops- no famine, other nations may however experience it.

We will remember our past deeds and loathe ourselves. We will be ashamed of our ways. Having a knowledge of them and being greatful for His better ways. He will not do this for us, but rather to show Himself. On a "day" that He cleanses us from our iniquity - on that day he will cause the cities to be inhabited and waste places rebuilt (sounds like a sudden influx of people).

Formerly desolate land will be cultivated, and all will see it. The land will become like a garden of Eden, and waste, desolate and ruined cities will be inhabited and fortified. Now when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem the towns were made desolate, so that has happened, but it could happen again.

This will be a sign for the nations around that He is the Lord. A witness for the world- sounds like what some call a "prosperity gospel" in that the Lord will bless His people with crops and abundance while others (that don't follow Him- by their own choice) may experience famine. He spoke it, it will happen.

Israel will then increase like a flock, the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men.

Ezekiel 37
The Lord took him in spirit to a valley of dry bones. It is interesting that in the message edition Assyria and Babylon are said to have eaten Israel, and spit out bones. In Jeremiah 7:32-8:2 and in Jeremiah 50:17 the references to the destruction of Israel and then Judah are clear.

At the valley he is told to prophesy over the bones, and when he does the bones come together and flesh becomes attached. These bodies are not breathing until he is told to prophecy breath into them. Then they are fully alive.

The next section explains what we just read. The bones are the "whole" house of Israel. Does this include the Christians? Christians do become part of the house of Israel. There is also the statement that God will make graves open, and He will bring them into the land of Israel. The opening of the graves, and resurrection of the dead will show those resurrected and others that He is Lord.

At this point I'm reminded of the NT story of the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus heard he was sick, and could have gone to heal him, but instead waited until he had died to act. In the story there was greater awe over a resurrection than there would have been over a healing.

I think the breath in the bones that reformed bodies is the spirit of God. God will put His spirit in them and place them in their land (Israel). The Lord does this and people know He is God. Since this is somewhat unbelievable we are reminded that what the Lord speaks He will do, it will happen.

I think this is more than Cyrus releasing the exiles from Babylon, and sending them home. God certainly brought that about as well, but there are end times - after many years of prophecy going on as well.

Verse 15 two sticks. Judah and Ephraim joined together one nation. One people after Babylonian exile, but not a nation until 1948. Was 1948 an act of God? an act of man trying to force God's hand? God made it happen, or He allowed it. God is sovereign. God will restore Israel and David will be their king, that description hasn't happened yet. The people will also follow His statutes and ordinances. Looking those up they run from Leviticus 18 to the end.

These are listed after sin and atonement offerings. Hebrews 9:23 states Jesus was the perfect sin offering allowing us back into right relationship with God. The following of His statutes by His restored people is mentioned plenty. These statutes involve sacrifices. Ezekiel describes a temple that hasn't been built yet (clearly, and may be the one of the 1000 year reign), but it has tables where animal sacrifices are prepared. This really bothered me except for the following:

1. Our giving of money or tithing could be considered a sacrifice. It is an active sign of our acknowledgement of who God is. In that time (Ezekiel's) animals were capital (money). Since we still give tithes and offerings, after Jesus, it is plausible that some sacrifices will happen in the millenial reign. As described by Ezekiel in Chapter 40 and beyond.

2. In Leviticus the sin offering and atonement is first, then the following of the statutes and ordinances. Some of the sacrifices were clearly to support our fellow men, the priests, the poor, etc. In the 1000 year reign we will very gladly serve each other putting the needs of others first.

I've been meaning to make a list of all the sacrifices and offerings required in the OT.

Back to Ezekiel, Israel will live in the land given to Jacob with Jesus as Prince forever. God will place them there (after period in heaven?, or instantly in the process of restoring His people?) He will multiply them, and set His sanctuary in their midst (described later). God will dwell with them (in Israel) and nations will know God is Lord when His sanctuary is in their midst forever. Jerusalem a light to the world.

Now if and I underline if this happens just prior to the trib period, imagine Jesus on the throne, His spirit poured out, the dead resurrected and brought forth to live there also.
Would city defenses be necessary?
Would the nation seem to be at peace and seemingly defenseless?

Ezekiel 38
Gog a nation from the North, God will use them to demonstrate He is God.

Verse 8 is interesting- Israel is a land restored from the sword. Can be interpreted a couple ways. restored from the sword = war torn (1948), restored from the sword = a land where wars don't happen anymore, the people truly follow God, worshipping and relying on Him.

The invaders coming- are they more likely to attack an armed Israel or one that is following the Lord at peace? Kind of hard to imagine, but the power of God is greater than we can imagine. Large numbers are indicated, interestingly it is our new military tactic- overwhelm the enemy. This can mean an attack expecting resistance. The statement that people are living securely- probably has never described current Israel.

The enemy will come like a cloud against a peaceable people living without bars or gates. Back in 36 the waste cities of Israel will be inhabited and fortified, yet without bars and gates? Their intent isn't stated to be anihilation but rather to plunder and spoil. Back in Chapter 36 the Lord states in vs 29 and 30 that when Israel is restored He will not allow the disgrace of famine. When the Lord turned His back to Jerusalem in Jeremiah famine soon followed. If restoring Israel and making the statement He is God then famine to the north could occur, while Israel has plenty, making them a clear plunder and spoil target.

It will be a day of plunder when Israel is living securely, and Gog knows it (vs 14)- peace treaty?

This invasion has been prophesied for many years by the prophets of Israel (vs 17)

Gog will be used to sanctify or set apart God. He will set Himself apart and call attention to Himself through their act of invasion and His response.

His response is said to be earthquakes in Israel (worldwide?- all the people of the earth will feel it). Mountains flattened. The invaders will turn on each other in panic, and fire and brimstone will rain down.

This will magnify God, set Him apart, and make Him known in the sight of many nations.