Chapter 19 is a prophetic lament, a sad poem commemorating the day when Ezekiel’s prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction would come true. The first part of the poem (vv.1-9) pictures the king and people as a pride of lions and lionesses that get trapped and caged. The second part (vv.10-14) imagines the nation as a tall and fruitful vine that gets uprooted, stripped, and burned. This lament is mourning the necessity of the coming judgment.
What made it necessary? During the Exodus from Egypt, the people defiled themselves through idolatry. They ignored the promises and commandments of the God who had just freed them from four centuries of slavery. He had been inclined to destroy them then, but for the sake of His name He did not do so. The same thing happened over and over. The people would ignore God’s blessings, plunge into idolatry, dishonor the covenant, and provoke the Lord to anger, but He patiently kept giving them another chance.
Though Israel’s sin invited judgment, God would redeem and purify them in spite of themselves (Ezek 20:32–38). Though they didn’t listen to these warnings (Ezek 20:45–49)—we can. We should always be alert to the meanings and applications of Scripture to our lives. In this case, may we not be rebellious against God, may we put away any idols from our eyes, and may we worship Him and Him only in spirit and in truth. Amen.
The Truth: “Jesus is “the stone” you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)
What made it necessary? During the Exodus from Egypt, the people defiled themselves through idolatry. They ignored the promises and commandments of the God who had just freed them from four centuries of slavery. He had been inclined to destroy them then, but for the sake of His name He did not do so. The same thing happened over and over. The people would ignore God’s blessings, plunge into idolatry, dishonor the covenant, and provoke the Lord to anger, but He patiently kept giving them another chance.
Though Israel’s sin invited judgment, God would redeem and purify them in spite of themselves (Ezek 20:32–38). Though they didn’t listen to these warnings (Ezek 20:45–49)—we can. We should always be alert to the meanings and applications of Scripture to our lives. In this case, may we not be rebellious against God, may we put away any idols from our eyes, and may we worship Him and Him only in spirit and in truth. Amen.
The Truth: “Jesus is “the stone” you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)
