Bible in a Year Series - Day #247 - This post is part of a year-long series where we are reading chronologically through the Bible. Click here to learn more. You are most welcome to join along at any time.
Today's text from the ESV Study Bible: Ezekiel 24-27.
We now come to the dreadful day of Jerusalem's seige as seen through Ezekiel's eyes.
“Son of man, write down the name of this day, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day." (Ezekiel 24:2)
We have heard about and viewed this scene from a number of different prophet's perspectives. But here we hear from God's lips his determination to see Jerusalem's destruction through.
"I am the Lord. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 24:14)
I suppose to the casual reader this scene must seem to present a horrible picture of God's character. Only by the careful study of our journey of the past few weeks can we begin to piece together an understanding.
Israel is God's dear bride. She has become a harlot, and now we will seek him strike against his own. Not that we can, but try to imagine being perfectly holy, unwilling to be in the presence of evil, and having to slay your own son/bride.
I can't begin to wrap my mind around this.
Then, to help Ezekiel understand the great pain in God's heart, this very night he takes away Ezekiel's precious bride:
“Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke;...(Ezekiel 24:16a)
Looking at this only from man's perspective this seems incredibly cruel. And certainly, at some levels, it certainly is. Particularly if your worldview constructs our physical death as the complete end of one's existence. The Christian is going to believe that God has taken her to a better place, and while still very painful to Ezekiel, not hopelessly mournful.
Interestingly, God then instructs Ezekiel how to behave at the news of Jerusalem's fall, and the taking of his dear bride:
"...yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. 17 Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; do not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.” 18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded." (Ezekiel 16a-18)
Whenever great grief comes upon us, a loud and primal scream comes from our souls: WHY?
It is only with the understanding of thousands of years of Israel's history that we can begin to scratch the surface of understanding. To the casual observer this answer will seems completely ludicrous.
Nonetheless, this is that answer that God's gives, and that we must observe in careful, quiet meditation:
"When this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord God.’ (Ezekiel 24:24b)
We must be very careful with our emotions right now. It is far too easy to look back at this and make judgment from a post-modern view.
To understand, we need to have traveled through the sandals of Abraham, Isaac, Israel, Samuel, David, Solomon, and now God's many prophets.
If we will but discipline ourselves, then we too will find ourselves overwhelmed and mute as this unspeakable and very difficult scene.
Jerusalem is no more, and this has been done at the hand of her Husband.
It's time to sit on a bench and contemplate this "Day of the Lord".
Tomorrow, we will start to look upon God's retribution towards the scoffers who would dare open their mouths at this horrific day.
The mighty arm of Yahweh is far more easily raised against those who are not his own.
Lastly, as we contemplate this horrific scene, we must bring to our minds the promises that lay in the midst of this destruction. God will once again draw his people from exile, and his holy temple will once again rise from the ashes.
Without God's precious promises, life would be unbearable for these exiles.
But:
“As for you, son of man, surely on the day when I take from them their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes and their soul's desire, and also their sons and daughters, 26 on that day a fugitive will come to you to report to you the news. 27 On that day your mouth will be opened to the fugitive, and you shall speak and be no longer mute. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 24:25-27)
Ezekiel will no longer be mute, and the coming words from God will be a very soothing balm for Israel during the 70 years of their exile.
Stay tuned!
There is great joy coming!
