Exact Ezekiel; Chapters 18-20
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
August 1, 2017
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Introduction:August 1, 2017 Exact Ezekiel Chapters 18-20 The next three chapters have unique aspects, for each one carries a prophecy of correction. Chapter 18 could well become a sermon entitled, "Every tub must sit on its own bottom." Here, the prophet attacks the misconception commonly held by the populous about Exodus 34: 5-7. This is the passage concerning: "the second and third generation of them that hate Me." Chapter 19 ties the plight of Israel's current events to local sources and reveals the part played by its Kings, especially the two sons of Hamutal. Chapter 20 corrects Israel's view of its history. The ploy of satan in every generation is to "rewrite history," in order to show the events of the past as his doing. In this chapter, the Lord gives His truthful interpretation of Israel's deliverance. Each of these chapters removes the "excuse system" used by its citizenry to explain their plight. They form a bank of understanding for those who would ask the question, "How did we wind up here?" Chapter 18: Sour Grapes
Israel was using a similar "excuse system" to today's. "I was abused by my parents." "I am not to blame for my condition, it was the environment where I grew up, drugs, alcohol, permissive sex." "Don't blame me, I fell into the wrong crowd." "Pardon me, but it's the society I am involved with, you know, social demand, peer pressure-stuff like that." "Well, I attended university and I don't believe the things you do." "Who can live a righteous life in today's world? There are so many factors that enter into the equation." "Why me? Why are you arresting me? Everyone steals from that store." "She caused all this." "He caused all this." "They caused all this." "It's that other political party; they are responsible for the rules governing my behavior. I'm not really a free moral agent." "They won't allow me to preach on those kinds of subjects." "Surely, you can't fault me for what I have to do to climb the corporate ladder." "It's not me, it's in my gene pool." "What? you think that's the real me, NO! , they made me do it." "I'm a millennial and I never found my true path." "God, you really didn't mean those things you listed would cause my death, did you?" "I was born this way." Where does it end, this ceaseless diatribe which refuses to recognize the origin of sin really abides in the sinner? God explains to Israel that an end has come. The sword has drawn a line in the sand and every person must stand alone before the great "I Am." Each person must choose which side he or she must stand-in righteousness or in unrighteousness. The issue abides within. Psychology seeks answers for behavior outside the person: some mental or chemical aberration is the cause. Socio-metrics point to societal change or trends to answer the need. Cathedrals and churches explain away the issues by hyper grace being the answer. Nowhere in Scripture can be found an annulment of this word-it is forever God's view on personal responsibility, a trait so lacking in this modern age. Ezekiel offered no refinement. The Exodus passage was defined by God's dictionary, which sadly has been replaced by man's thinking.
After reviewing the Ezekiel passage and weighing it against the Exodus passage, one can see the emergence of those who are deemed "guilty." Such leads me to the conclusion that the modern church and the warped society it exists to serve "have forgiven more than God does." The depth of the problem is so severe that calls to "repentance" are met with "Who, Me?" Society has adopted, at every level, the philosophic stance of Alfred E. Neuman and MAD magazine (that is to create a skeptical movement antithetical to church and family). Sponge Bob offers little difference when analyzing his enormous popularity. Both these venues have produced three generations of people who believe nothing is solidly the truth and all things are a matter of interpretation. Ezekiel smashes this cynical narcissism which is so broadly displayed in society. The Lord evidently did not believe Israel could fully understand His intervention into their affairs, so, He gave Ezekiel three (3) suppositions. Supposition #1
Observe the criteria for this supposition.
Supposition #2 (the opposite)
Notice the addition of "loathsome practices" and the absence of righteousness and the fear of the Lord in obeying His word. Conclusion: No matter how good "dear ole dad" was, Death! Full Blame! Supposition #3 (Righteous son and grandson)
Conclusion: life! (For the son) These suppositions spell it out perfectly. Are they relevant today? Well, a quick review of the "live" passages shows a remarkable lack in our society, while the "death" passages look like the headlines for the evening news. With Israel an astonishing revelation occurred, what they believed was truth was found to be a lie. What they taught in their religious circles was a misinterpretation of the Scripture. (Follow along now and apply this to today.) The Lord then read the minds of the elders, thus closing the gate on further speculation and reprieve.
Graciousness and mercy still prevail, however. If the wicked turns and does all the righteous acts, his wickedness is overridden by life. (Oh! this needs to be preached in a million settings across this wicked world.) Again, God proffers their unspoken response, "You say I am unjust." He points out they are the unjust ones. Then the Lord makes a profound statement: "If the righteous man turns to wickedness, his righteousness is overridden by sin." He will die and his righteousness will be forgotten.
O church, it is time to preach this timeless message. It is not done away with. Read Paul's writing and encounter these same elements applied to the New Testament. Start with the letter to Timothy, then read II Peter and Jude for starters. The end time is rank with unbelief and false teaching. Spiritual discernment is a gift of the Spirit; it is time to use that gift!
This is the message of compassionate appeal that is missing today. (O' how the people of the world need to heed this invitation from the Living Lord. This message cannot be preached from the mouth of a cold professional occupying a system position. It only comes through the flame of a prophet's heart.) Chapter 19: The lioness' sons: two children by Hamutal and Josiah. Another cog in the gearbox of "how did we wind up here?" is uncovered in this funeral oration for a nation. Though it is posited in the form of a lyric and crowned with what could be discerned as a "riddle," actually it is a plain characterization of Israel's unholy leadership. To decipher the somewhat cryptic message, one must recognize a key component: Hamutal. This "lioness" is the daughter of Jeremiah and the wife of Josiah, the King. Although the throne changed hands several times during these tumultuous years, it is wise to focus on her sons. Josiah was a righteous man and even though he bore children with other wives, only Hamutal and her offsprings were significant. Josiah tore down the altars of Samaria and re-instated the Passover, among many other righteous acts.
Two kingdoms played a part in this tumult of leadership, they are Egypt and Babylon. The first of Hamutal's children vowed a connection with Egypt that God found to be nauseous. Though the King sought protection from Assyrian and Babylonian invasions, it showed Israel's lack of faith in their God to deliver them. Mattaniah (Zedekiah) also sought evasive action apart from Jeremiah's prophecy. He ultimately was a vassal to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Josiah's other sons more or less played the same games as the others and they were soon deposed by yet another son who was deemed better for a while. None lasted on the throne longer than Zedekiah.
Chapter 19 may well act as an example of Chapter 18's rule. Here is righteous Josiah with sons who were evil and unrighteous. It explains the faulty leadership of the kingdom and gives a portrait for those asking, "Why were we captured and brought as slaves to Babylon?" Although the chapter is lengthy as a poem, the funeral oration makes sense with knowledge of the blood line of Hamutal and Josiah.
Next, the text describes the "vine of Israel" and how righteousness faded, along with their destiny. Where once they were connected to the Lord, there came a time of disconnect and the vine withered and died.
The Lord declared "the time is now" for the funeral to begin. For 70 years they labored in Babylon until the Persians, under Esther, granted their release. Chapter 20: Corrected History One of the chief methods of propaganda, used by communists and others, is to rewrite history. At this moment, this is an ongoing strategy in the Western world, aided by the media industry. Heroes of government are given disrespect as are monuments of the past. Schools and Universities are busy changing historical fact with speculative theory. Great men are denigrated and made to look like victims of ignorance or chance. Every pillar of the Protestant Ethic is being undermined and destroyed where possible. Why? These pillars support Capitalism, which is besmirched by Popes and Dictators. The markers of society have been removed and now everything rude, crude and impolite, whether in word or action, is acceptable behavior. God said to Ezekiel in essence: "Enough! I will correct the history books and it will reflect My truth." The setting for this prophecy is approximately eleven months from the Chapter 8 word. It basically falls into two parts, but is weighted in what could be coined as, "that was then and this is now." The Lord showed Ezekiel His version of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and tells him how He felt during those times. Three times He diverts His anger by "protecting His Name (Verses 9, 14, 22)." As the elders assembled on this hot July day, we are assured that God is not pleased with them or their attitudes. He openly declares they are not welcome in the courts of His dwelling. However, the prophet is supplied information, by revelation, that stood them on their ears. What Ezekiel heard, in essence, was, "Here is what I plan to do next." Unfortunately, none of them will be living to see it come to pass. They, like the wilderness masses, will die in the desert of Babylon; only their children will witness His works.
Ezekiel is assigned the task of confronting the leadership of Israel with a strong rebuke (such is not a friendly gesture). His task deepened as God told him to "judge them and to condemn them!" This judgment and condemnation is for the elders assembled in Ezekiel's home. Again, the prophet is supernaturally equipped with knowledge of all the sins of the forefathers. This is in line with Chapter 18. What is about to be learned is, "this is what I did to them for their sins and now, this is what is in store for you with yours." The point becomes evident as they realize little had changed. It is to be noted how one commentator handles these verses:
The Lord "showed up and showed out" in Egypt. He revealed Himself and demonstrated through Moses His intentions. He delivered them in Goshen from the plagues, passed over their blood stained homes, destroyed the whole army of Egypt and what did He get for His work? Rebellion.
Noteworthy at this point is an observation: just like Sodom and Gomorrah, the exodus became a marker in history. It is referred to many times, both among the prophets and the New Testament writers. Standing as an example of what happens to a nation and people who choose not to follow the Lord, the Exodus had lessons its observers must learn. When Stephen preached to the "stoners" it was this message. The writer of Hebrews used the Exodus to establish the truth of the past. (O church, if rebellion was Israel's legacy, what will be yours?) The Exodus rebellion was so great that God wanted to destroy all of them.
Looming in the elders minds was a smoking mountain and a tablet bearing Moses. Large in their hearts were two mountains, Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim, where Blessing and Curses sounded from them. The admonition to "choose life" dangled before their consciences. Later, the merchants in the Temple would encounter the wrath of God for their breaking of the Sabbath. It meant nothing to them, but it meant covenant to God. It was these "things" which separated Israel from the nations of the world and made them, "My people."
It might be difficult to determine that Israel's land today would fit the description of "the choicest spot on earth," but that was "then." Wherever God dwells meets that requisite. Perhaps we shall yet sing, "We will walk in Jerusalem, just like John." Look at the verbs God chose to describe their attitude: they laughed, ignored and violated. Why? Their hearts were with their idols. Man looks on the outside; God looks on the heart. God's mercy prevailed--for them.
The Lord turned to the children (all ages were present in the wilderness, not just little ones). God urged them not to follow their fathers in rebellion. Chapter 18 again was the rule. They could have listened, but could it be their fathers' laughter was heard above God's voice.
When God takes a solemn oath, it is worth noting. His oath was against the children who were the ones entering the Promised Land. Again, this is a warning to the children of the visiting elders as well. God did scatter them across the globe and into every nation. The Israel of God is found around the world today. This promise incorporated near and far events regarding the elders that sat before the prophet. The ten Northern tribes had already been dispersed; now a similar destiny awaited their generation. Lifting the restraints from them, He allowed flesh to take its course. In not regarding the laws of God, they opened the door to heresy and worthless religion. They would denigrate into customs of men and religious diatribe. Today the worthless aspects of practiced religion are evidence that when sound doctrine is abandoned, the people backslide into the religious void of their own making. One of the identifying aspects of having attained that state is the ill treatment of their offspring, even to the realm of abortion--which is tantamount to offering them on a pagan altar.
A warning to the assembled elders was not enough. God took action and declared them ("persona non grata"). He would not answer their prayers nor regard their inquiries (Verse 31 says it all). They continued to offer gifts to idols and sacrifice their children to false gods. "As you do even today" was a characterization of the nation. Even though God had spared their lives and given them promises of good things for the righteous-they chose the low road. Sitting in front of the prophet and making inquiry of God, while continuing in their sin, was mockery. In a subsequent verse, God rails, "It must stop (v.39)."
The Lord uncovered the real cause for their behavior. Israel was tired of being a worshipper of an invisible God; they wanted to be like other nations. (When the 1948 nation of Israel voted, they wanted to be a State and not a religious entity. They wanted the status of a national presence, where they would be treated like other nations [I believe this desire had its origins during this captivity under Babylon].) Because Egypt and Phoenicia had left their mark on the territories of Canaan and ultimately Israel, many of the pagan deities were already being worshipped. A religious relaxing took place, and the idea of covering all the bases through tolerance led to apostasy. Is this happening today? Verse 35 tells of a winnowing process of judgment separating God's people from the general population. Does this have modern implications as well? If the Lord deemed it appropriate to purge the rebels in order to purify His people-what would happen if He did the same with His church? Note: Only a small group would return of those who were carried away into Babylon. Perhaps a church within a church is already forming for the same purpose.
Jesus displayed a similar stance when He cleansed the Temple. He saw the thread of error Ezekiel saw 500 yrs before. Nothing had changed. Temple goers were no different in His day than in Ezekiel's. What if God said to the congregations, "If you insist on worshiping your idols, go right ahead." What would be the result of such a decree in today's religious circles? At this moment, it is easy to imagine such a declaration from the Throne.
Yes, the remnant returned from captivity, and, as in the case of those of the first wave with Zerubbabel, the 'old timers' wept at the Temple's loss of glory. God extended His grace to those under Ezra who sought the Lord's purity and allowed the Temple to be completely restored, but without His residence. Sacrifices would be made again. Prayers, as a house of prayer, would be restored. The priesthood would be restored. Did they have a change of heart? If your answer is "yes," then this prophecy was only for the Babylonian return. If your answer is "No," then there is room for future events. The next few verses would serve better as an introduction for the next chapter. They are somewhat disconnected to the general theme of the previous verses. The relative tenor of it brings the prophecy back to a harshness more associated with Chapter 21.
This is a prophetic word relative to Judah and Jerusalem being under judgment. The mention of the trees represents the population (men as trees). The righteous and the unrighteous are the green and dry ones. God intends to bring fire upon everyone. This happened when Babylon burned Jerusalem and took captive the remaining population. Ezekiel is showing the inevitability of this punishment. It will happen! Note the reaction of the elders who came to hear the message of the Lord…"He talks in riddles." Jesus said He spoke parables so those with ears to hear would be able to understand. Of course, the opposite is also true. Realize these are the leaders of Israel who are versed in Scripture and the inner workings of the Temple, but they refused the message. I believe they understood, but like today---refused the message anyway! Having ears, they refused to listen. Is this applicable to today's religious community? Yep! Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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Last modified: 02/04/2019