Ezekiel 28 No More Briars
God continues on with His judgment against Israel’s neighbors. When He is done, He tells Ezekiel that there will be “No more briars” to bother Israel when they are restored.
I’m curious as to why God doesn’t give a reason for Sidon’s fall. What did she do to Israel? Is it because, like Sodom and Gomorrah, Tyre and Sidon do everything together? Sidon, and also Gomorrah, get a LOT less ‘ink’ about their roles.
I have to admit that, today’s text is hard to get into. I think it may be because of the lack of information as to why, the short content regarding Sidon, and even the insertion of a promise to Israel in the middle of addressing her adversaries. God still has to address Egypt and even Gog. I was wondering if maybe this is the last of the prophecies against the nations, and therefore contains the promise of all them being dealt with. We are not given a date for this prophecy. We have a date for the FIRST prophecy given to Tyre, but not absolute dates for the others. I rolled them together into a day. What if that is not they way it happened? In truth, we won’t know until we ask God face to face. For now, I have to learn to be comfortable with my uncomfortableness.
Let’s rejoin Ezekiel as he hears from the Lord regarding Sidon and Israel’s return. Holy Spirit, I really need Your leading today. I am floundering. Show me what You would have me learn and how to tell Your stories.
♥ ♦ ♥
One prophecy at a time, God has been building His case against Israel’s neighbors. Those who laughed at her or would take advantage of her distress will be brought low by the Lord. Ezekiel listens closely to each of God’s prophecies and shares them with his fellow exiles. More than a few raise eyebrows and questions. Ezekiel can’t answer those questions, yet.
As Ezekiel spends time with the Lord today, he hears a message for the people of Sidon.
“Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her and say, Thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will manifest my glory in your midst. And they shall know that I am the Lord when I execute judgments in her and manifest my holiness in her; for I will send pestilence into her, and blood into her streets; and the slain shall fall in her midst, by the sword that is against her on every side. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 28:21-23).
“What did they do Lord? Is it some great sin, like Tyre committed?”
“Yours is not to know at this point. What you will know, and share with my people is this; ‘And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord God’ (Ezekiel 28:24).
“Israel has NEVER had rest! Thank You Lord for that promise.”
“Thus says the Lord God: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God” (Ezekiel 28:25-26).
“If that doesn’t prove it to them, then nothing will” muses Ezekiel. He waits a little longer to be certain that the Lord has finished speaking. When he is certain, Ezekiel rises from his place and finishes his morning routine.
Ezekiel makes his way to the marketplace and steps onto his favorite stone. The people don’t even bother sitting there anymore. They have reserved it for Ezekiel. The exiles gather around to listen to the words Ezekiel brings from the Lord.
Ezekiel shares the judgment against Sidon. Just as he had asked, from the crowd he hears; “Why? What did they do?”
Since the Lord answered this question for Ezekiel, he is able to answer it, or at least give the answer the Lord gave to him. “The Lord says that it is not for us to know; yet. But He promises Israel rest from all her neighbors.”
A ripple of excitement makes its way through the crowd. It quickly dies as Ezekiel continues on with the message of Israel’s future.
Once the message is out there, the people’s hope begins to build again. Before they get too excited, Ezekiel reminds them that God is not finished with His judgment against Israel and Judah.
“The Temple of the Lord will be defamed and destroyed by fire. This has not come to pass yet, but it WILL happen before Israel is brought back from captivity.”
The excitement and hope is tempered by Ezekiel’s reminder. One frustrated onlooker cries out; “When are these things to happen?” This question Ezekiel has no answer for. All he can do is spread his arms wide and shake his head.
Ezekiel shares this message four times each day for two weeks. The people needed that ‘shot’ of hope and God had him deliver it for a sustained period.
(to be continued)
Ezekiel was still bound by the Lord regarding what he could and couldn’t say. I wonder if he longed for the day when his tongue would be released. The day when he could speak his own words again. Or did he become so accustomed to only speaking the Lord’s words that he maintained this boundary for the rest of his life.
Sometimes, I wish my tongue was held fast by the Lord. It would get me into less trouble that way. But He has left that job up to me. And I have to admit that my success is still FAR into the future. But I will keep working at it every day!
Father God, thank You for Your promises. There are so many still to come. I will hold fast, just as Ezekiel did. I wonder what marvels I will witness in my lifetime. Like Ezekiel, I will have to wait and see; as well as act upon whatever You give me Lord. Give me the courage to step out too.
