Tuesday
No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.” You may remember what God said in Numbers 33:55-56, “‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. 56 And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’” Now, we see the fulfillment of God’s promise of long ago.
After proclaiming the fate of Israel’s neighbors, Ezekiel declares Israel’s freedom from them. Even the heathen will be forced to recognize the power of God. Once this is accomplished, the people of Israel “will know that I am the sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 23:49).
Ezekiel then moves on to tell what is going to happen to Egypt. Egypt was no help to Judah and only offered false hope that they would stand by Judah as an ally. Time and time again (even after Jeremiah and Ezekiel’s repeated warnings) it seem like the kings of Judah would continue to turn to Egypt for help. Egypt was of no help and only lured Israel farther away from accepting God’s will for them.
So Ezekiel is called upon to proclaim disaster for Egypt and for Israel. He points out that God is the One in control and it is only foolish to remain proud and self-reliant.
When will they ever learn? When will we ever learn? I can only shake my head and pray for us to recognize the greatness and majesty of God.
Staying True
Pastor Kathy