One of the prophecies here depicts Nebuchadnezzar using several means of divination to decide where to attack next. He decides to follow the sign, and attack Jerusalem. In doing so, he is following a path marked off in a map by the prophet. What God determines to do, the nations will perform. When God has set his face toward destroying his own people, their enemies will perform the deed.
LORD, our destiny is in your hands. We ask that you allow us to bring glory to your name.
A group of elders make an appointment with Ezekiel in order to consult with him. They hope that their obvious display of solidarity and authority will take this errant prophet off guard and that he will come to his senses and stop betraying his people with his prophecies. The LORD speaks out against them and the nation they represent. He says that they have been idolaters even in Egypt, and he cannot take it anymore. He will purge his people by sending them back to exile. When they return, Jerusalem will be different. It will display God’s glory.
LORD, forgive us for trying to gang up on you. Yours is the only authority we want to recognize. Your will is the only law we want to follow.
Ezekiel describes what the ESV Study Bible calls Zedekiah’s last attempts at “power politics” which end in “disaster.” Showing one’s strength only works if there is something that goes beyond the strength. Judah had depleted its spiritual reserves, and then sought to make up for it by violence and intimidation. The result was utter humiliation.
LORD, since it has been made clear that we are in no spiritual condition to overcome our problems, at least give us the wisdom not to bear our teeth before them. Remind us of Ezekiel’s words, and give us repentance.
Some take this passage as a philosophical bashing of collectivist cultures, among whom were the Israelites. But the key to understanding the LORD’s complaint is that his people were blaming God for their sin. They were saying that God was already judging them for the fathers’ sins, so repentance would not make a difference. The LORD said that repentance will keep souls from dying. It does make a difference. No matter where you are, or what you have inherited from your past, God is asking you to turn to him. No, your soul is not immortal. Sin can kill it, but repentance can bring life.
LORD, we want life. Forgive us for our unrighteousness, and restore our souls.
All is not fair in war. After Judah’s defeat and exile in Babylon, the king broke his agreement with Nebuchadnezzar by seeking help from Egypt. The LORD held this against Judah. To break a covenant with the nation he sent to punish is to break the covenant with the LORD himself. When you are in a difficult situation because of rebellion against the LORD, your first resort should not be to try to get out of your trouble. It should be restoring your relationship with the LORD.
LORD, may our first resort be to turn back to you.
Through this long allegory, the LORD explains his relationship with his people. It was an act of grace by which the LORD rescued Israel as an abandoned infant, and brought her up, removing her shame. He brought her up, and married her, and gave her more glory than all the others around her. She responded to this love by being unfaithful, committing adultery – idolatry with all of the nations around her. So, the LORD removes his protection from her, and she will once again become an object of reproach, bearing the penalty of her lewdness and her abominations.
But there is hope. The LORD will remember his covenant he had made with his wife. He will establish another covenant, an everlasting one. He will take his unfaithful wife back – but on new terms. Even Hittites and Amorites will be part of this new covenant.
LORD, thank you for including us in your new covenant, bought with the blood of Christ.
In both of these chapters the LORD responds to those of his people who think they are something. He is warning them that even the big three (Noah, Daniel & Job) would not cause God to change his mind about bringing judgment and destruction. There has been too much unfaithfulness for a few heroes of the faith to turn the tide. The LORD will get glory not through victory, but through the faithful who respond to his judgment.
LORD, forgive us for thinking that the presence of a few strong believers will keep us from experiencing your just judgment.
The problem was more than simply people saying what they wanted to say. Ezekiel was addressing full blown animism – folk religion among the people of God. The false visions came from unclean spirits, and the magic bands were a form of divination that purported to enhance hunting skills. It was actually hunting the souls of the hunters. It was all lies – coming from Satan’s realm. The whitewashed walls were lies as well. Just smearing a wall with whitewash does not protect it from attack. The LORD is the protection of his people. Looking for protection elsewhere is grievous sin.
LORD, forgive us for looking for spiritual protection and power in the wrong places.
One of the excuses the Israelites used to remain in their sin was that Ezekiel’s prophecies were all for times far off, that nothing was going to be fulfilled in their lifetime. The LORD countered with the threat that there would be no more delay, but the word that he speaks will be performed. We put ourselves in a dangerous situation by assuming that trouble will not come. Even in peaceful times, we must fear God, and remain faithful to him.
LORD, forgive us for presuming upon your protection while we ignore your commands.
The glory of the LORD is departing Jerusalem, but with a promise to return when the exiles return, with a new heart and spirit of obedience and authenticity. They will have hearts of flesh instead of stone. He is leaving in judgment, which will allow the atrocities of the judgment to take place. They have profaned his sanctuary, so now the sanctuary goes with him, while the buildings in the physical sanctuary are ruined. The remnant have found sanctuary in him. That is the way of the new covenant.
LORD, gather us, and free us from our hearts of stone.
Ezekiel 21
Ezekiel 20
Ezekiel 19
Ezekiel 18
Ezekiel 17
Ezekiel 16
Ezekiel 14-15
Ezekiel 13
Ezekiel 12
Ezekiel 11:14-25
