September 2 - Ezekiel 16-18
This passage begins by explaining that Israel was an adulterous and murderous wife, who received the just punishment for her deeds. In fact, she was worse than those in Sodom and Samaria, who rebelled against the Lord and worshiped idols, because her appetite for idolatry was insatiable. She forsook her husband, which was the Lord, and she paid her illicit lovers to come in to her, instead of them paying her. This is a terrible reality that applies to so many people today. God has come to us in love to draw us into a covenant relationship with Him called salvation, which is like being married to God. He does this not because we are so wonderful and beautiful, but because He loves us in our sin. Then, once He saves us and makes us beautiful, we become proud of ourselves, and we turn to other things to satisfy our souls, instead of allowing our spiritual husband, the Lord, to meet our needs. We spurn Him, so He has to punish us. However, He still loves us and wants us back. Would you take your wife back after she had committed adultery? Well, God will restore you after you commit spiritual adultery. I praise God for His covenant faithfulness!
In chapter 17 Ezekiel gives the parable of the eagles and the branches. To put it simply, the people of God would not thrive under the wings of their enemies, but they would again be planted by God and thrive under His care. This is another way to reveal the truths of chapter 16.
Finally, in Ezekiel 18 God explains that He is not unfair at all. Each person will bear the responsibility for his own sins. The children will not bear the responsibility for their parents' sins. He refutes their proverb about the sour grapes, and He tells them to stop saying that He is unfair. The reality is that the children suffer for the sins of their parents to some degree, but God does not hold them accountable for those sins. Also, the point of this chapter is that a righteous person does not get a pass, because he or she has done a lot of good things. If that person turns to sin, he or she will still be punished like anyone else. God is always fair. We are liars when we say He is not fair. Life in this sinful world is not fair, but God is always fair and just.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 19-21.
In chapter 17 Ezekiel gives the parable of the eagles and the branches. To put it simply, the people of God would not thrive under the wings of their enemies, but they would again be planted by God and thrive under His care. This is another way to reveal the truths of chapter 16.
Finally, in Ezekiel 18 God explains that He is not unfair at all. Each person will bear the responsibility for his own sins. The children will not bear the responsibility for their parents' sins. He refutes their proverb about the sour grapes, and He tells them to stop saying that He is unfair. The reality is that the children suffer for the sins of their parents to some degree, but God does not hold them accountable for those sins. Also, the point of this chapter is that a righteous person does not get a pass, because he or she has done a lot of good things. If that person turns to sin, he or she will still be punished like anyone else. God is always fair. We are liars when we say He is not fair. Life in this sinful world is not fair, but God is always fair and just.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 19-21.