From Ezekiel 13-15

There might be some who think the punishment inflicted on Jerusalem has been unwarranted. Its notable then that the LORD has asked them to have a good look at the people who have survived. The idea is, that when the see them doing evil, then they will understand why they were punished in the first place. They were punished with cause. When were exposed to the injustices of the world, it is right to long for justice to be done. The warning attached to this is to consider whether if our ways and deeds require punishment as well. Does how we live matter when the LORD judges?

This post is part of my bible in a year series.

Passage and Comments

The judgement continues and Ezekiel pours condemnation upon condemnation upon Israel and Jerusalem. A notable aspect of the judgement is the continued reference to the LORD justifying his punishment by referring to their deeds and abominations. Ezekiel in this passage compares the people of the land to three notable and famous people.

12 And the word of the Lord came to me: 13 “Son of man, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it and break its supply of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast, 14 even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.

15 “If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they ravage it, and it be made desolate, so that no one may pass through because of the beasts, 16 even if these three men were in it, as I live, declares the Lord God, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters. They alone would be delivered, but the land would be desolate.

17 “Or if I bring a sword upon that land and say, Let a sword pass through the land, hand I cut off from it man and beast, 18 though these three men were in it, as I live, declares the Lord God, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they alone would be delivered.

19 “Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out my wrath upon it with blood, to cut off from it man and beast, 20 even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, declares the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter. They would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness. (Eze 14.12-20)

Noah (pre Abraham), Daniel (during exile) and Job (hard to date) are a strange combination of men don’t you think? This is a remarkable commendation for them as well.

Ezekiel’s audience would almost certainly understand the noun ‘righteousness’ to denote the way in which these men live. Without further clarification from the author, this is how we are meant to interpret the word. Therefore the text is clear. The way people live their lives has a direct bearing on whether they are punished or not. This is not to exclude faith and trust in the LORD. Rather it is an example that faith and trust in the LORD will make a discernable impact on peoples lives.

Ezekiel continues.

21 “For thus says the Lord God: How much more when I send upon Jerusalem my four disastrous acts of judgment, sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast! 22 But behold, some survivors will be left in it, sons and daughters who will be brought out; behold, when they come out to you, and you see their ways and their deeds, you will be consoled for the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, for all that I have brought upon it. 23 They will console you, when you see their ways and their deeds, and you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, declares the Lord God.” (Eze 14.21-23)

There might be some who think the punishment inflicted on Jerusalem has been unwarranted. Its notable then that the LORD has asked them to have a good look at the people who have survived. The idea is, that when the see them doing evil, then they will understand why they were punished in the first place. They were punished with cause. When were exposed to the injustices of the world, it is right to long for justice to be done. The warning attached to this is to consider whether if our ways and deeds require punishment as well.

Story of Israel

I suspect through Israel and Judah’s history there were always men and women the LORD raised up who remained faithful to him. These people at times are described as the remnant. Israel and Jerusalem were punished as we’ve been reading. The LORD’s prophets continued to trust him. During exile the LORD raised up Daniel and his three friends. They kept on trusting the LORD. When Judah returned to the promised land, there were faithful people who rebuilt the Temple and Jerusalem’s wall.

Story of Jesus

Then right up to Jesus time the LORD raised up Elizabeth and Zechariah. None of these people were perfect. Yet they were all righteous. Living in faith, trusting the LORD, taking refuge in him. They were all waiting for the LORD to come in the flesh. Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights