A bleak message of the inevitability of judgement today.
Hypocrites threatened
Ezekiel 14:1-11
God’s punishment
Ezekiel 14:12-23
Parable of the vine
Ezekiel 15:1-8
The Lord’s covenant
Ezekiel 16:1-8
God’s blessings
Ezekiel 16:9-14
Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness
Ezekiel 16:15-22
Her adultery
Ezekiel 16:23-34
God’s judgement on Jerusalem
Ezekiel 16:35-43
Three chapters of condemnation, in which Ezekiel lists the evils that Jerusalem and Judah have committed, and mercilessly promises nothing but vengeance. He graphically describes Judah as a foundling child, rescued by God, clothed, cared for and loved, turning into a prostitute, and committing adultery with anyone she can. Worse than any delinquent, this child is beyond control, shameless in her lust and depravity, and goading God into a fury of jilted love.
It’s reminiscent of Hosea, who was the first to picture Israel as a spiritual adulteress, and there is the same bewildered anger, stemming from spurned love.BUt in these chapters, there’s no hope of mercy or forgiveness, indeed it doesn’t matter who is living there, how good and holy they are, the city will not be spared because of them. Ezekiel names the three holiest people he can think of - Noah, Job and Daniel - and says, even if they were living there, God wouldn’t spare the city, only allow them to escape. Curious that he mentions Daniel, who was only a young man in Nebuchadnezzar’s court at the time, yet to become famous for this faith. However, I’m told by one of my books that it’s Danel who’s intended - a legendary figure of righteousness. Maybe the name got changed later, once the Daniel of the exile became famous.
So - in summary: there is to be no mercy. Jersualem won’t wriggle out of this one, it really is the end this time.
Hypocrites threatened
Ezekiel 14:1-11
God’s punishment
Ezekiel 14:12-23
Parable of the vine
Ezekiel 15:1-8
The Lord’s covenant
Ezekiel 16:1-8
God’s blessings
Ezekiel 16:9-14
Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness
Ezekiel 16:15-22
Her adultery
Ezekiel 16:23-34
God’s judgement on Jerusalem
Ezekiel 16:35-43
Three chapters of condemnation, in which Ezekiel lists the evils that Jerusalem and Judah have committed, and mercilessly promises nothing but vengeance. He graphically describes Judah as a foundling child, rescued by God, clothed, cared for and loved, turning into a prostitute, and committing adultery with anyone she can. Worse than any delinquent, this child is beyond control, shameless in her lust and depravity, and goading God into a fury of jilted love.
It’s reminiscent of Hosea, who was the first to picture Israel as a spiritual adulteress, and there is the same bewildered anger, stemming from spurned love.BUt in these chapters, there’s no hope of mercy or forgiveness, indeed it doesn’t matter who is living there, how good and holy they are, the city will not be spared because of them. Ezekiel names the three holiest people he can think of - Noah, Job and Daniel - and says, even if they were living there, God wouldn’t spare the city, only allow them to escape. Curious that he mentions Daniel, who was only a young man in Nebuchadnezzar’s court at the time, yet to become famous for this faith. However, I’m told by one of my books that it’s Danel who’s intended - a legendary figure of righteousness. Maybe the name got changed later, once the Daniel of the exile became famous.
So - in summary: there is to be no mercy. Jersualem won’t wriggle out of this one, it really is the end this time.
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