Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Ezekiel 16-17
Ezekiel 16:2
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,
Ezekiel was tasked with an unenviable task. He was to relay, in no uncertain terms, Jerusalem’s abominations to her. It is one thing to preach about the sins of individuals that are not present. It is another thing altogether to preach about sins to those involved in those sins. That takes boldness. It takes unwavering faith. It takes a willing heart, a crocodile thick skin, a tear in the eye, and a readiness to be persecuted. Ezekiel was that kind of prophet. He faithfully discharged his duty.
The entirety of chapter sixteen is the illustration of an adulterous wife to describe Jerusalem’s spiritual indiscretions. Herein God, through Ezekiel, pronounces judgment upon her because of her many idolatries. But at the end of this chapter God promises the restoration of Jerusalem. Not because of her actions alone but because of His covenant, His promise. Consider verse 60: Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. And verse 62: And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:.
The Lord God in Heaven is always willing to restore any broken relationship to the repentant. If the Bible teaches us anything, it teaches us that. Even unto today. For Peter proclaimed: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. II Peter 3:9
Jerusalem heard some harsh words from God through His spokesman, no doubt. But they also heard some loving truths, the same ones that we have today.
God always keeps His promises.
God is longsuffering toward sinners.
It is not God’s will that any should perish in eternal death.
It is God’s will that all sinners come to the place of true Biblical repentance. …not willing that any should perish, …
Unspoken in II Peter 3:9 is the free will of individuals to choose, hence the two options, to perish, or to come to repentance; meaning to change one’s heart and mind about Him and His Gospel, and to change from sinful actions (opposed to His clear commands and Word) to living righteous lives before Him as much as is possible.
Jerusalem, repeatedly, chose poorly. They cheated on God and suffered the consequences. May we make a better choice.
Dr. William T. Howe
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