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 (24:16), 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.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Has anyone ever kicked you
when you were down? At the time did you feel abandoned by God? Were you really
alone? Reflect on what you learned through that experience.
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