Post by Lee on Oct 11, 2014 16:03:16 GMT
PROPHECIES IN 12th YEAR OF CAPTIVITY - 585 BC -CHAPTERS. 33-39
Ch.33: Now, for the final 16 chs., Ezekiel turns back to Israel. God says to him v·2, 'Speak to the children of thy people.' His long silence toward them, which began when the siege of Jerusalem started, is to be ended. This was the occasion of the news arriving of the city's fall: "In the 12th year, 10th month, 5th day, one came saying, The city is smitten .. And my mouth was opened and I was no more dumb" (vs. 21-22).
Vs. 31-32 present much food for thought and self-examination— "They sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they do not do them. For with their mouth they show much love, 382 DUt their heart goeth after their covetousness [worldly interests]. "Thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, & can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not."
We tend to picture Israel as openly rejecting God, & neglecting His services, but this clearly was not the case. They made every pretence & profession & appearance of obedience and acceptance. They went thru all the motions, and fulfilled all the outward forms. They just didn't bother to give Him their lives, or to let His service interfere with their own desires and interests. They were wonderful Sunday morning believers, and maybe even Sunday evening and midweek class attenders (translating it into our own terms), and they no doubt spoke up loyally for God against the heathen. It was just in strict obedience to His commands that they fell short, and for which they were so terribly punished. When He said, Keep separate, they didn't. When He said, Don't marry into the world, they did. When He said, Give Me your whole life and service, they wouldn't.
Isaiah and Jeremiah record the same divine complaint— "This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, but have removed their heart far from Me" (Is. 29:13) . . "Thou (God) art near in their mouth, and far from their reins (affections, heart)'*—Jer. 12:2.
But in Ezekiel's message, God is about finished with judgment and condemnation. Jerusalem has been destroyed, and the land desolated.
Instead of the captives going home, as the false prophets had promised, 1000s more are being driven off into captivity, in herds like cattle. It looked like the end of everything, but Ezekiel's message hereafter is full of marvelous revelation, promise and hope.
1978 berean p 383
Ch.33: Now, for the final 16 chs., Ezekiel turns back to Israel. God says to him v·2, 'Speak to the children of thy people.' His long silence toward them, which began when the siege of Jerusalem started, is to be ended. This was the occasion of the news arriving of the city's fall: "In the 12th year, 10th month, 5th day, one came saying, The city is smitten .. And my mouth was opened and I was no more dumb" (vs. 21-22).
Vs. 31-32 present much food for thought and self-examination— "They sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they do not do them. For with their mouth they show much love, 382 DUt their heart goeth after their covetousness [worldly interests]. "Thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, & can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not."
We tend to picture Israel as openly rejecting God, & neglecting His services, but this clearly was not the case. They made every pretence & profession & appearance of obedience and acceptance. They went thru all the motions, and fulfilled all the outward forms. They just didn't bother to give Him their lives, or to let His service interfere with their own desires and interests. They were wonderful Sunday morning believers, and maybe even Sunday evening and midweek class attenders (translating it into our own terms), and they no doubt spoke up loyally for God against the heathen. It was just in strict obedience to His commands that they fell short, and for which they were so terribly punished. When He said, Keep separate, they didn't. When He said, Don't marry into the world, they did. When He said, Give Me your whole life and service, they wouldn't.
Isaiah and Jeremiah record the same divine complaint— "This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, but have removed their heart far from Me" (Is. 29:13) . . "Thou (God) art near in their mouth, and far from their reins (affections, heart)'*—Jer. 12:2.
But in Ezekiel's message, God is about finished with judgment and condemnation. Jerusalem has been destroyed, and the land desolated.
Instead of the captives going home, as the false prophets had promised, 1000s more are being driven off into captivity, in herds like cattle. It looked like the end of everything, but Ezekiel's message hereafter is full of marvelous revelation, promise and hope.
1978 berean p 383