Bible in a Year Series - Day #245 - 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 20-21.
We are now in August of 591 BC. For some reason, the elders of Judea have trekked north to visit the prophet Ezekiel who has been forced into exile in Babylon.
Here are the thoughts from the IVP Bible Background Commentary - Old Testament:
"It may be that the elders hoped to demonstrate their trust in Yahweh by this act. However, there is also evidence in Jeremiah of representatives of the king (Jer 21:1–2) seeking out the prophet and virtually ordering him to speak an oracle of salvation for Jerusalem. There is no indication in the text of what may have motivated this visit to the prophet. Since the speech of Ezekiel goes back to the wilderness situation and makes frequent reference to Israel’s early history with Egypt, it may well be a potential agreement between Egypt’s pharaoh, Psammeticus II, and Judean king Zedekiah that prompted concern among the elders. It is believed that Psammeticus made overtures to Zedekiah in 592."
Whatever the reason, God spanks them hard through Ezekiel's words:
"And the word of the Lord came to me: 3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you." (Ezekiel 20:2-3)
God then goes on to describe Israel's long history of idolatry, proclaims that he has a sword in store for Israel, and that he fully intends to once again scatter Israel among the nations.
I don't know for sure, but I suspect the elders sought out Ezekiel because of deep seated fears they had about the international politics of the day. And now, back to Jerusalem they go with a proclamation of certain doom for Judah.
God is sick and tired of Israel's syncretism, and is going to act:
"As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord God. 37 I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. 38 I will purge out the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against me. I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord." (Ezekiel 20:36-38)
I remember as a child being chided by my mother for some oft offense, and being told, "wait until your father gets home".
The interim waiting was horrible.
Imagine how these elders must have felt having been told by God that he was going to destroy them.
Talk about a bad day!
