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a disgrace among the nations

Ezekiel 5:13-17 (JDV)

Ezekiel 5:13 When my anger is spent and I have vented my wrath on them, I will be appeased. Then after I have spent my wrath on them, they will know that I, Yahveh, have spoken in my jealousy.
Ezekiel 5:14 “I will make you a ruin and a disgrace among the nations around you, in the sight of everyone who passes by.
Ezekiel 5:15 So you will be a disgrace and a taunt, a warning and a horror, to the nations around you when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and furious rebukes. I, Yahveh, have spoken.
Ezekiel 5:16 When I shoot deadly arrows of famine at them, arrows for destruction that I will send to destroy you, residents of Jerusalem, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of bread.
Ezekiel 5:17 I will send famine and dangerous animals against you. They will leave you childless. epidemic and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, Yahveh, have spoken.”

a disgrace among the nations

In yesterday’s text, we saw how Jerusalem would learn that being in the center of the nations would not be safe for them. Their stubborn refusal to repent and obey God would lead to their being punished by him. The city who was supposed to display God’s glory would instead experience his wrath.

In today’s text, the LORD explains the details. That wrath would entail famine, attacks by dangerous animals, childlessness, epidemics and being ravaged by war.

Instead of displaying God’s glory among the nations, Jerusalem would be made a ruin and would display disgrace among the nations. Their sin was public. Their punishment would be just as public.

Personally, we need to learn from this text that one cannot presume that a position of prominence will keep him from experiencing the consequences of sin.

LORD, may we all learn to come to you in repentance and humility, and not presume that we are protected by a position of prominence.