Reading: Ezekiel 10-13
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; 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. Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel(Ezek. 11:16-17).
Ezekiel’s message up until this point had not been an encouraging one. The people had greatly sinned, and God’s judgment was upon them. God’s Spirit had departed, first from the Temple (Ezek. 10:18-19) and then from the city of Jerusalem (11:22-23), and the Israelites were now reaping what they had sown. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Gal. 6:7). Exiled in a foreign land with their spiritual home destroyed, they now lived without hope.
At the time of Ezekiel's ministry, it was a common belief among God's children that the only place He resided on earth was in the Temple of the Lord. They believed they had to travel to God; He did not come to them. Those exiled in the Babylonian territories could no longer travel to the Temple, but they had held onto the hope that, at some point, they would be able to again. Ezekiel’s visions told them that the Lord's Spirit had departed and would no longer be able to be found there. They were truly alone. Whether or not they felt the punishment was just, they thought their God had abandoned them.
It was there, at their lowest point, that God moved Ezekiel to offer comfort and encouragement. First, he assured them that, even in exile, they had not been abandoned and were not alone. 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. That in and of itself would have brought them great comfort. Knowing that whatever else they had lost, they had not lost God would have been enough to keep them going. But Ezekiel didn’t stop there. His next words restored to them the promises of God. Thus saith the Lord God; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. Where there had been despair, now there was hope.
Ezekiel’s words had a direct and definite message for his peers, but that was not their only intended audience. With these words, Ezekiel spoke boldly of the gifts that the future work of Christ would bestow. Jesus, In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14). The fulfillment of God’s promise, made so long ago, is now within the grasp of all who will open themselves to accept that which has been purchased with the dearest of blood.
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 an 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 (Ezek. 11:19-20).
Thought for Today: No worldly power is capable of separating us from God; if we feel an absence, we need only look within for the answer.
Christ Revealed: As the One who gives a new Spirit (Ezek. 11:19). This is the promise fulfilled when we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives. God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts (Gal. 4:4-7).
Word Studies:12:3 stuff for removing = belongings to take into exile; 12:23 effect of every vision = fulfillment, every prophecy will come to pass; 13:9 upon = against; 13:18 women that sew pillows to all armholes = false prophetesses who sew magic charms upon the wrists of garments; 13:21 kerchiefs = veils; 13:23 divine divinations = practice witchcraft visions.
Pray for Staff Judy McCrary • Country: Belgium (10,449,361) Northwestern Europe • Major Languages: Dutch, French • Religious Freedom • 75% Catholic; 25% Other (Atheist, Muslim, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Hare Krishna, Scientologist) • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for forgiveness for particular sins (Ps. 51:1-9).
Optional Reading: Revelations 8