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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Ezek. 20
I see two truths about our salvation in this chapter. The first is in verse 7. “I also said to them, Throw away, each of you, the abhorrent things that you prize’” (Ezek. 20:7a). We need to let go of everything that is not God – the imitations and lies – in order to receive what is real and true. I once heard an analogous story about a young girl who bought a string of fake pearls at the dime store. She prized those pearls more than anything she had. Every night her father asked her to give him her pearls, but she was unwilling. Finally, though, she relented and turned her prized pearls over to her loving father. When she did, he reciprocated her gift with a string of the real thing. We must let go of the life we think we have before God can give us the real thing.
The other truth I see is in verse 44. “You will know that I am the LORD, house of Israel, when I have dealt with you for the sake of my name rather than according to your evil ways and corrupt acts.” (Ezek. 20:44a). This is God’s grace through Christ. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, He covers us with His own righteousness. Thus, when God’s judgment comes, He deals with us according to the righteousness of Christ rather than our own unrighteousness. And that is why we call it Amazing Grace.
Ezek. 21
Reading about God’s sword of judgment in the first half of this chapter made me think of Jesus and His sacrifice for us. I have no idea if that is the intended purpose of this piece of prophecy; it is simply what came to mind. God said that His sword would cut off both the righteous and the wicked. He then asks, “And what if the sword despises even the scepter? The scepter will not continue.” (From Ezek. 21:13). He says that His sword of slaughter will make many stumble. Finally, He says that He will satisfy His wrath.
This all makes me think of Jesus because God judged Him as a wicked man, even though His was wholly righteous. He is the scepter, the heir to God’s throne, yet God’s sword despised even Him, putting Him to death. Because this was not what people were expecting of the promised Messiah, hearts melted and many stumbled on account of Him. In His death, however, God satisfied His wrath.