Ezekiel 33:21-36 June 20, 2010

There was 7 for Wordlisteners on June 20, 2010. We discussed Ezekiel 33:21 through Ezekiel 36. We also prepared some homemade ice cream. One of the continuing themes that had been discussed also in previous weeks was the similarity between a Judah about to be over-run by Babylon and our world today. A focus on selfishness, a wanting our way - like them. God only has to turn His back on us for calamity.

Come quickly Lord.

My notes are as follows:

Ezekiel was speechless until the day Jerusalem fell, then the Lord told him what the refugees were saying. They could not believe that the Lord let Jerusalem fell, after all He gave Abraham, one man, the land and what about all the people of Jerusalem? They felt deserving. The Lord reminded them through Ezekiel of their transgressions. They weren't obedient, so the Lord will give them to death, which they will not believe until it happens.
The Lord also tells Ezekiel how the people take him. They come and listen but do not heed his words. They are too worried about their own desires. They want their way and not God's. Ezekiel's words from God will come true, and they will know a prophet has been in their presence. All preachers and prophets must realize this, its not about any glory for them personally, but rather getting God's word out. Focusing on messenger rather than the message is not God's way.

Ezekiel 34

A prophecy against the shepherds of Israel-(the leaders of Israel and/or the organized church?). They are in it for themselves, they take care of themselves. The sick are not strengthened, diseased not healed, broken not bound, and scattered not gathered. Rather the shepherds have dominated. Since the shepherds weren't doing what God had appointed them to do the flock was scattered, and became food. The shepherds were concerned with their own gain and not that of others. God will deliver His flock.
God will search out His flock from all the places scattered and bring them to their own land- He will do it. God will gather them and bring them to the mountains of Israel. God will feed them, and it will be good pasture on the mountain heights. He will feed His flock and lead them to rest. God will seek the lost, bring back the scattered bind up the broken- He will take care of them.
The fat and strong He will destroy, they push and want better. There seems to be even amongst God's flock those sheep that place their desires and wants above the needs of others or the common good. Whatever God provides good pasture, they look for greener grass and clearer water. Becoming self focused, and not putting others first. One shepherd will be set over them (King David- it seems), He will make a covenant of peace, and they will live securely. The earth will yield its increase, and they will know the Lord, no one will make them afraid, no famine, no insults from others. God will make them secure, and they will be submitted to His ways and they will feel the security that we all desire by knowing God.
In this chapter we saw what God will do for and to His flock- those that recognize Him and His position and plans. He will search them out and gather them, because their leaders don't take care of them. Within the flock He will deal with selfishness. He will lead them.

Ezekiel 35

In contrast to the last chapter we see what God will do to those who may recognize Him but try to usurp His position, and are opposed to His plans.
The Lord is against Mount Seir (Edom- those who oppose Israel). It will become a desolation, they delivered Israel to the sword at the time of calamity. Since they liked bloodshed, bloodshed will follow them. God gives us the desire of our heart, both good and bad. If we want Him we get closer to Him, if we reject Him He will let us live in a world without Him. Its our choice. Mount Seir will become an everlasting desolation.
The people opposed to God's plans selfishly push their own. They see Him and know about Him but don't act to align themselves with His will. Rather they promote their own agenda. The fallen angels know about God and His plan, but through their pride and arrogance deny God and His plan in favor of their own.
Edom thought the land of Israel was there for them, that they would possess it regardless of what God had said. They thought the land and the people were there for the plunder for them. Focused on things of the world rather than people – not God's way. So they hated when God blessed them with good things and cheered at their misfortunes (when God removed blessing). They even spoke arrogantly against God and His plans. They rejoiced when God made Judah a desolate place, so God will make them a desolation.
He will show that He is God.

Ezekiel 36

A prophecy to the mountains of Israel- God's spoken word concerning them. God had made them a desolation in punishing Israel and Judah for disobedience to Him. Other nations had witnessed this and decided to appropriate the land for themselves. God has previously spoken to make those nations a desolation that decide they can have their own way on earth. So when other nations wanted the mountains of Israel and God said “no” and wouldn't let them have it, then they insulted the land. The insults they used are exactly what they will have to endure. Be careful what you say if it doesn't align with God's way.
He then speaks what will happen to the mountains- it will put forth branches and bear fruit, for His people will soon come. It will be cultivated and sown. Men will be multiplied on it (God says), all the cities inhabited and waste places rebuilt. Once inhabited the Lord will bless the inhabitants, its an inheritance to the people of Israel.
The mountains have a bad reputation of bereaving those that live there of children. God rebukes this saying- it won't happen again. Furthermore the mountains will have no disgrace.
An explanation- the sons of Israel living in the land defiled it. God poured out His wrath on them and rather than accept their own part in it they blamed the land (mountains). God scattered them for their deeds and yet as humans we like to look for reasons that don't involve our wickedness. So in exile these people had come from God's land, and the other nations knew it. So the land got the bad reputation and not the deeds of the people in the land.
The title in this section is that the mountains of Israel will be blessed. 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)- they felt they weren't to blame. 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 grateful 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.
God doesn't act for our sake but only for His name- we humans certainly aren't worthy or deserving of any kindness. God freely gives it out of Himself to show that He is the ONLY reason to do anything.
When He says He will bless the crops and there be no famine, but other nations may experience it- this sounds pre-millennial reign.
We will live in the land and be His people as a witness to nations.