July 31 2025 - Ezekiel 22-32

Quite a few chapters, today, which I have quickly perused.  Many of the prophetic books have sections similar to these chapters in which the prophet speaks against the nations surrounding Israel.  Of course, the prophets first speak to Israel but, always, the nations are also held accountable.  Here, Ezekiel notes that, when God is done with both Israel and the nations, all will know that Israel’s God is the Lord.  I’m just amazed at the boldness with which Ezekiel (and the other prophets) spoke to his 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).

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).  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, reject God and carry on as if he does not exist.  One day, though, they will know that he is the Lord and the peoples will know his salvation.

In ages past the mighty Lord

by prophets spoke the Word,

and from their lips God's great design

throughout the earth was heard.

In revelation, parable, bold fantasy and dream,

they echoed God's eternal vow

to ransom and redeem.   -- Michael Morgan (1990)