Day 228, August 16 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ezekiel 14–16
Ingratitude and Unfaithfulness
There are many orphans in the world. Fine upstanding citizens of wealthier countries often adopt children who are in desperate situations. They give them a lovely house to live in, a bed, clothes, plenty of good food for nourishment, educational and many other opportunities, and especially love. These families adopt orphaned children and treat them as their own. Are the orphans thankful? Most are probably grateful, but not all.
The nations of Israel and Judah were like unfaithful and unthankful orphans. Are any of us this way? Christians have been adopted into God’s family. How should we act?
An Unexpected Visit
At the time of Ezekiel’s prophecies, the nation of Israel is in exile and most of Judah as well. God used Assyria and Babylon to conquer and take them away from their land because of their extreme wickedness and worship of idols. Approximately 13,800 are allowed to remain in Judah, particularly in the city of Jerusalem, and Zedekiah is their king (more...). Although she is a vassal city and small in number, Jerusalem continues in rebellion and wickedness.One day some of Israel’s exiled leaders meet with Ezekiel in his home. It is surprising that these rebels still want to hear from the LORD. After all, don’t they have their own prophets to consult?
They are disappointed that God has not changed his mind. The Sovereign LORD declares his people are beyond any present hope. Someday, God will bring them to repentance and restoration, but not now. God will presently destroy them for their wickedness and idol worship. “I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful declares the Sovereign LORD” (Ezekiel 15:8, NIV).
A Parable of Israel’s Unfaithfulness
How are they unfaithful? God shares a parable of how Israel came to be. A parable is a story with symbolism. The LORD says he found Israel as an orphaned newborn baby, still bloody from birth, and thrown out into an open field to die (a possible reference to the terrible times of slavery in Egypt). The LORD says about Jerusalem, “your father was an Amorite, and your mother, a Hittite.” Perhaps this is a reference more to her character than to her lineage (more...).
God cared for this orphan. He nourished and clothed her, and when she was old enough, he married her. This means the LORD formed a covenant with her (referring to the formal agreement Israel made with God at Mt. Sinai). He adorned her like a queen, and she became very wealthy. Other people from distant lands came to see her and wonder at her beauty and great riches. This is how Israel was in the days of King Solomon (1Kings 10).
Was she grateful? No, with her great wealth and beauty, she purchased favors. She became a prostitute, and even worse than that, she offered free sexual favors. This refers to most of the kings of Israel and Judah after the country split apart. She purchased protection and became like a prostitute by worshipping the gods of other nations.
Israel was like an unfaithful wife. Because of this, in the days of King Jehoram (2Chronicles 21:16-17) and King Ahaz (2Chronicles 28:16-19), God reduced Israel’s territory by giving it over to the Philistines. He hoped that blow to her ego would get her attention, but it didn’t stop her behavior.There were some good times when she sought the LORD (during the reigns of David and Solomon, and a few of Judah’s kings), but her heart didn’t change. She went right back to her idols. She even sacrificed her children to other gods (as in the days of King Manasseh). Her wickedness became more extreme than that of her sister city, Samaria, and even Sodom and Gomorrah! The Sovereign Holy God, her husband, endured her behavior for hundreds of years. It became unforgivable.
God used Assyria, and now he uses Babylon, to strip her bare and leave her naked (this refers to her land, wealth, and people). Babylon will soon destroy Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple, lead many survivors away captive, and then later burn the city. The prophet Ezekiel proclaims,
“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you…. Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign LORD.’” (Ezekiel 16:59-60, 63)
What justice—What grace—What love! Let us remember how God saved us from our sins and be thankful to the LORD for all his benefits.
Discussion
Some people ask God for things, even though they are living in sin. How does God feel about that?
How has God been faithful to you? What is your story? Give God praise and thanks right now by sharing it.
Focus Verse
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV) “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
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A Look Ahead: There will be Repercussions for Israel's Rebellion. Are we in danger of the same thing? How do we avoid it? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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