BIBLE CHALLENGE
August 16, 2021
"While the killing was going on, I was left alone. I fell on my face, cried, and said, ‘Oh Lord God pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem..."
Ezekiel 9
“While the killing was going on, I was left alone. I fell on my face, cried, and said, ‘Oh Lord God pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem, are You going to destroy everyone left in Israel?’ Then He said to me, ‘The wickedness of the house of Israel and Judah is enormous, the land is full of blood, and the city is full of justice denied; because they say, ‘The Lord has left the land, the Lord doesn’t see’. But as far as I’m concerned, My eye will not spare, and I will have no pity. But I will bring the consequences of their ways on their own heads.’ At this point the man clothed in linen with the writing equipment at his waist returned and reported, ‘I have done everything You ordered me to do.’” Ezekiel 9:8-11
When a newspaper wrongly published in advance an obituary of Mark Twain, he wrote in the paper the next day, “News of my death had been greatly exaggerated.” In contrast, Judah’s obituary was no exaggeration. The fall of Israel in the 8th century B.C. and that of Judah in the sixth century B.C. are foretastes of the coming of another day, the Day of the Lord. John saw this day and warned of it.
“If anyone’s name is not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation20:15
Ezekiel has been taken from the banks of the Kebar River in Babylon to the Temple in Jerusalem. There he showed how far the Israelites have fallen from the true faith. Their worship had become thoroughly idolatrous. God’s patience had run out. Executioners had done their work. First to fall were the elders and then the city itself. The destroyers showed no pity. The Day of Judgment had arrived…and what a day it was. Ezekiel prophesied the death of Jerusalem. This had been Judah’s obituary – in advance!
Every follower of Jesus should have the burden for lost souls that Ezekiel had. The certainty of judgment should make us all fall on our knees and plead that souls be gathered into God’s Kingdom. Ezekiel laid hold, not of God’s reluctance, but His willingness and promise to save.
The return of the seventh angel, having accomplished what he had been asked to perform, indicates that the wrath is tempered with mercy. It is further incentive for us to pray, knowing that, unlike the prayers of the unbeliever, God hears the prayers of His children.
“Therefore, I will act in My fury, My eye will not spare, I will have no pity. Even if they cry loudly right in My ears, I will not listen to them.” Ezekiel 8:17
By “children,” of course, the Bible is talking of those who follow the Lord, as He requires, through faith in Messiah and obedience to His Word.
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our residence with him.’” John 14:23