Ezekiel's Elders Want to Chat.
Some of Israel's elders in captivity with Ezekiel sat down before him.
The Lord immediately begins to speak to Ezekiel regarding the conversation. The Lord instructs Ezekiel that the elder come with idols in their hearts. Just a reminder, elders means they should have been the spiritual leaders...so we see how the captivity and judgment came to be with idol-worshipers in charge.
As you might imagine, the lord told Ezekiel that He was not going to receive instructions from people hiding idols in their hearts. Something for us to remember when we bring prayers before the Lord.
The Lord goes on to remind them that idols are stumbling blocks and any answer they receive from Him is going to be in light of those idols.
However, it's not just a scolding. In verse 6 He calls them to repent. He begs them to turn away from the abominations. He really wants all of our hearts poured out to Him, because that's what's best for us. He cares about us. And He cared about them. He reminds them how offensive it is to be worshiping idols in their hearts but to show up and expect Ezekiel to advocate for them before the Lord. Imagine cheating on your spouse and then bringing your lover to a meeting with you spouse to discuss buying you a new car with family money. The lover sitting beside you doesn't elicit generous vibes from your spouse. That how this situation might look to God.
He actual tells Ezekiel that He would turn His face against anyone who would do this. they would become a sign and a proverb, teaching others Who God is. And if it is a prophet who tries this, God, personally, would stretch out His hand and destroy that person. He explains that He is taking this strong stand against these elders and prophets who are still holding idols so that the rest of Israel gets the picture and stops straying.
Starting in verse 12, the Lord makes several statements that, in summary say that even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the Promised Land at that time, they would be the only ones to be saved. The famine, wild beasts, desolation, sword, and plague coming to that land would only allow Noah, Daniel, and Job to survive—not even their children would survive. In other words, tell the elders that there is no one left worth saving. No one is coming out of this ok. And even if men renown for their faith and advocacy for others were to drop by Palestine right at that moment, they would be the only ones to survive. Even they would not be able to successfully bring anyone else along. He seems to be saying in the strongest terms to these elders, abandon hope in current-day Jerusalem. Drawing close to God right here and right now is the only offer on the table.
And then.
Abandon hope in your current situation. And then:
Yet, behold, survivors will be left in it who will be brought out, both sons and daughters. Behold, they are going to come forth to you and you will see their conduct and actions; then you will be comforted for the calamity which I have brought against Jerusalem for everything which I have brought upon it. 23 Then they will comfort you when you see their conduct and actions, for you will know that I have not done in vain whatever I did to it,” declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 14: 22-23
There is hope. Hope for our future and future generations.
But in this case, He warns the elders that the path forward does not run through the current situation in Jerusalem. Hope for the future God has for them runs through, not the current corrupt leadership in Jerusalem, but through a small remnant that will chose the Lord and not idols.
This pain and suffering will end in comfort and will not be in vain if we abandon hope in our current system and trust and obey in His. What a powerful promise when the situation is bleak and the suffering is great.
Amen.