July 27, 2024 - Ezekiel 12-15

Chapter 12 relates the story of Ezekiel, each day, packing up a bag for exile and leaving the city, thus picturing what was to come for the people.  The prophet was taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C., but the final phase of the exile was not to come until 586 B.C.  Thus, Ezekiel prophesies in that interim period, and his message proclaims that full exile is soon to be the consequence for all Jerusalem.  The false prophets have declared that the people need not worry.  They cry, “’Peace,’ when there is no peace” (13:10).  The elders and all of Jerusalem were believing lies (chs. 13,14).  If only they had listened to the truth, confessed their sins, repented,  turned to God and asked for forgiveness!  The Lord had demonstrated, over and over again, how quickly he would forgive, if only his people would turn.

Lord, when we bend before thy throne,

and our confessions pour,

teach us to feel the sins we own,

and hate what we deplore.

Our broken spirits pitying see;

true penitence impart;

then let a kindling glance from thee

beam hope upon the heart.   -- Joseph D. Carlyle (1802)