Day 256: Ezekiel 25, 26 and 27

Because you said, “Aha!” over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile, therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession (Ezekiel 25:3,4).

Chapter 24 ends with the death of Ezekiel’s wife, the delight of [his] eyes, which illustrates God’s sorrow over the impending death of Jerusalem. Yet Ezekiel is instructed not to mourn outwardly for his wife as a model of how the exiles are to receive the news of Jerusalem’s destruction.

Yahweh had allowed, even ordained, the fall of Jerusalem to illustrate and preserve his holiness. This in no way diminishes God’s love for his people. Between the death of Ezekiel’s wife and the messenger bringing the bad news of Jerusalem’s fall, the writer has inserted Oracles Against the Nations (chapters 25-32). Even in exile, God is still defending Judah.  Neighboring kingdoms Ammon and Moab are singled out because they rejoiced at Judah’s misfortune. Edom and Philistia are charged with exacting revenge – kicking Judah when it was down. To utilize another simile, like a protective father, God deals a spanking to these schoolyard bullies.

 

Even in the midst of Judah’s humiliation, God would not desert his bride. God is and always will be our Defender.

Have you ever felt abandoned by God only to discover that he was there all the time, protecting you from harm?