July 30, 2024 - Ezekiel 22-32

I’m just amazed at the boldness with which Ezekiel (and the other prophets) spoke to his (their) fellow countrymen.  He called Jerusalem a bloody city (22:2).  He called out the leaders and the mothers and the fathers for their sins (22:6,7).  He spoke openly about their prostitution, their bribes, their taking of innocent blood, and their dishonest gain.  And then, he announced that God would gather the guilty into Jerusalem and pour his wrath out against them (22:19-22).  Ezekiel called Israel and Judah whores (ch. 23).  Ultimately, God’s discipline against the people would be for the purpose that they “shall know that I am the Lord God” (23:49; there it is, again:  “Thy shall know that I am the Lord God.”)

Chapter 24 tells about the siege of Jerusalem and the death of Ezekiel’s wife.  When all this transpires, “They will know that I am the Lord" (24:27; There it is, again!).  Not only Israel and Judah, but Ammon “will know that I am the Lord” (25:7).  Moab and Seir “will know that I am the Lord” (24:11).  And so it will be for Edom and Tyre and Sidon and Egypt (chs. 25-32).  How similar is today’s situation!  Nation after nation, even those who should know better, reject God and carry on as if he does not exist.  One day, though, they will know that he is the Lord!

At the name of Jesus

Ev’ry knee shall bow,

Ev’ry tongue confess him

King of glory now;

‘tis the Father’s pleasure

we should call him Lord,

who from the beginning

was the mighty Word.

In your hearts enthrone him;

there let him subdue

all that is not holy,

all that is not true;

crown him as your captain

in temptation’s hour;

let his will enfold you

in its light and pow’r.   --Caroline M. Noel (1870)