Ezekiel 11
-The Holy Spirit now lifts up Ezekiel the prophet and brings
him to the east gate of the LORD’s House (the Temple), which faced eastward.
There at that place were 25 men at the entrance of the gate who were leaders of
the people. They were described as “the men who devise iniquity and give evil
advice in this city (Jerusalem).” The term they used, “This city is the pot and
we are the flesh,” can be interpreted to mean that they believed they were the
elite, the influential, the ones protected from judgment or harm. In other
words, they had no worries and were content in their devices against Yahweh God.
They were ready to continue their building program in their own strength and
paganistic power (Ezekiel 11:1-3). The LORD says, “Therefore, prophesy against
them, son of man (Ezekiel), prophesy!” Then the Spirit fell on the prophet and
he spoke the Word of God, “So you think, house of Israel, for I know your
thoughts. You have multiplied your slain in this city, filling its streets with
them. Your slain whom you have laid in the midst of the city are the flesh and
this city is the pot; but I will bring you out of it. You have feared a sword;
so I will bring a sword upon you, and I will bring you out of the midst of the
city and deliver you into the hands of strangers and execute judgments against
you. You will fall by the sword. I will judge you to the border of Israel; so
you shall know that I am the LORD. This city will not be a pot for you, nor
will you be flesh in the midst of it, but I will judge you to the border of Israel.
Thus you will know that I am the LORD; for you have not walked in My statutes nor
have you executed My ordinances, but have acted according to the ordinances of
the nations around you (Ezekiel 11:4-12)." As Ezekiel prophesied this one
of the 25 men, Petatiah son of Benaiah, died causing the prophet to cry out in
a panicked-loud voice, “Alas, Lord God! Will You bring the remnant of Israel to
a complete end (Ezekiel 11:13)?”
-God answers his honest-desperate question with a promise of
future restoration despite the calamity currently being seen. God continued to
be the sanctuary of the exiles in their diaspora, and He would guarantee that
they would again inherit the land of Israel. And when they come back, they will
remove all the detestable things and all the abominations. “And I (the LORD)
will give them one heart, and put a new Spirit within them. And I will take the
heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may
walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My
people, and I shall be their God (Ezekiel 11:14-20).” The reverse is true for
those who choose to keep chasing detestable things and abominations in their
hearts. These will find that their own conduct will be brought down on their
heads in judgment (Ezekiel 11:21).
-At this point the cherubim lifted up their wings with the
wheels beside them (see notes on Ezekiel 10), and the LORD’s glory hovered over
them. “The glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood over
the mountain which is east of the city (presumably the Mount of Olives, Ezekiel
11:22-23).” The Holy Spirit then lifted up the prophet and brought him back to
the exiles in Chaldea (Babylon). After this return in the Spirit, Ezekiel told
the exiles all the things which the LORD had shown him (Ezekiel 11:24-25).
-*Application* Those who have a heart to follow the LORD
will find their way. This is ultimately found through Jesus Christ and His
abiding presence through the Holy Spirit. He is the One who gives us a new
heart in His righteousness, the transformation they we deeply crave and desire
as His devoted people of faith (Romans 8; 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17,
Hebrews 11:6).
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