| Judgment Brings No Pleasure to God
18:31-32 "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" That God's just judgment upon Israel was resolved by His grace and mercy has been a part of the prophetic declarations of Ezekiel as it is throughout the scriptures. God takes no pleasure at all that the wicked should die (v. 23). In chapters 17 through 19, God makes both His justice and His mercy clearly known. The judgment that is due Israel is described here again and again through parables, teachings, and lamentations. Here, in the parable concerning two great eagles, Israel's rebellious hearts are portrayed as not only against God, but against the "great eagle" of Babylon that God used to execute judgment on the nation. Israel had fully earned this judgment after countless warnings. They had completely disregarded God's will, as well as God Himself. But rather than turn back to God in humble repentance through the judgment that came upon them through Babylon, they did just the opposite. They turned to the powerful kingdom of Egypt, the other "great eagle." They made a political alliance with Egypt, believing Egypt would support Israel when they rebelled against their Babylonian captors. Israel's self-consumed rebellious and idolatrous hearts were not willing to turn to God in the judgment they were going through. Instead, they sought to rebel not only against God, against the Babylonian kingdom God used to judge their rebellious hearts (17:1-21). This irrational, blinded heart of rebellion against God is not unique to Israel. It is simply a parable in history that reveals a struggle we all share. We all, in some way, overtly or in secret, have nursed our own rebellion against God. Tragically, some of us will do so until our dying breath. But judgment is not God's desire. Mercy and restoration are His heart. God, therefore, offers the promise of a glorious hope and future. God promises to make the nation once again a "majestic cedar," an evergreen with an enduring future, a promise to the "remnant" or small group of faithful Jews during these hard times of judgment who chose to cling to Him (17:22-24). There is also great hope found in God's mercy for each individual. God promises each person that He will not bring judgment indiscriminately (18:1-22). A son will not be judged for the sins committed by his father. Each individual will stand ultimately alone to answer for his or her own life. No matter how bad things may be, we are invited—called by God—to embrace His grace. Both those who have maintained righteousness, as well as those who have forsaken their sin and rebellion turning their hearts to God, "shall surely live" (18:9, 21-22). For all who will come to Him, God promises He will remember our sins no more. In exchange, He promises new hearts and new spirits, something they did not in any way deserve (18:22, 31). Never believe that God finds any pleasure in our judgment. His pleasure is in our restoration and transformation. | |||
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Ezekiel 17:1-19:14  The Eagles and the Vine 1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel, 3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, And took from the cedar the highest branch. 4 He cropped off its topmost young twig 5 Then he took some of the seed of the land 6 And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature; 7 "But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; 8 It was planted in good soil by many waters, 9 "Say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: 10 Behold, it is planted, 11 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 12 "Say now to the rebellious house: 'Do you not know what these things mean?' Tell them, 'Indeed the king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and took its king and princes, and led them with him to Babylon. 13 And he took the king's offspring, made a covenant with him, and put him under oath. He also took away the mighty of the land, 14 that the kingdom might be brought low and not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand. 15 But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still be delivered? 16 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke—with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die. 17 Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company do anything in the war, when they heap up a siege mound and build a wall to cut off many persons. 18 Since he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and in fact gave his hand and still did all these things, he shall not escape.'" 19 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "As I live, surely My oath which he despised, and My covenant which he broke, I will recompense on his own head. 20 I will spread My net over him, and he shall be taken in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and try him there for the treason which he committed against Me. 21 All his fugitives with all his troops shall fall by the sword, and those who remain shall be scattered to every wind; and you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken." Israel Exalted at Last22 Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. 23 On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it." Ezekiel 18 A False Proverb Refuted1 The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, 2 "What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, 3 "As I live," says the Lord GOD, "you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. 4 "Behold, all souls are Mine; 5 But if a man is just 6 If he has not eaten on the mountains, 7 If he has not oppressed anyone, 8 If he has not exacted usury 9 If he has walked in My statutes 10 "If he begets a son who is a robber 11 And does none of those duties, 12 If he has oppressed the poor and needy, 13 If he has exacted usury 14 "If, however, he begets a son 15 Who has not eaten on the mountains, 16 Has not oppressed anyone, 17 Who has withdrawn his hand from the poor 18 "As for his father, 19 "Yet you say, 'Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?' Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. 21 "But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live? 24 "But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die. 25 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? 26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. 27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. 28 Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? 30 "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" Ezekiel 19 Israel Degraded1 "Moreover take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, 2 and say: 3 She brought up one of her cubs, 4 The nations also heard of him; 5 'When she saw that she waited, that her hope was lost, 6 He roved among the lions, 7 He knew their desolate places, 8 Then the nations set against him from the provinces on every side, 9 They put him in a cage with chains, 10 'Your mother was like a vine in your bloodline, 11 She had strong branches for scepters of rulers. 12 But she was plucked up in fury, 13 And now she is planted in the wilderness, 14 Fire has come out from a rod of her branches | |||
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| Ezekiel 17:1-19:14 v. 2 a riddle – chiydah (Heb.) a puzzle, a trick, conundrum, dark saying, hard question, proverb parable – mashal (Heb.) a pithy proverb, usually of metaphorical nature; a simile (In this context: a metaphorical story) house of Israel – This phrase refers to the entire family of the God's people of promise descended from Jacob whose name God changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28). Jacob was the father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel (Acts 7:8). 3 a great eagle – In this parable the first great eagle is allegorically representing Nebuchadnezzar who took Israel into captivity (v. 12) The second eagle, mentioned in verse seven, represents Egypt. Lebanon – allegorical for Jerusalem in this parable (v. 12) cedar the highest branch – Lebanon was famous for its high quality cedar trees. In this parable the highest branch of cedar represents the royalty of Jerusalem (v. 12). v. 4 cropped off its topmost young twig – symbolic here of the King of Babylon taking the King of Israel's offspring (v. 13) a land of trade…city of merchants – Babylon v. 5 seed – referring to Zedekiah, son of Josiah (2 Kings 23-24). planted it in a fertile field – The King of Babylon made Zedekiah a vassal king (2 Kings 24:17). abundant waters – More than enough water to provide growth and health. A possible reference to Tigris and Euphrates or merely speaking of the plentiful and prosperous environment of Babylon. like a willow tree – A tree that thrives and grows quickly when plenty of water is provided. v. 6 a spreading vine of low stature – No longer a tall cedar, Israel had been brought low but still alive and thriving. Its branches turned toward him – An allegorical depiction of the people of Israel dependent upon the king of Babylon (v. 14). put forth shoots – Though replanted in the foreign land of Babylon, Israel continued to grow and multiply. v. 7 another great eagle – Egypt (v. 15) this vine bent its roots…stretched its branches toward him – Israel violated its covenant with Babylon and looked to Egypt for help (v. 15). garden terrace – Matta` (Heb.) a place of planting, plantation, vineyard. Speaking of the well-cared-for surroundings of the vine of Israel now in Babylon. v. 8 planted in good soil by many waters – The prosperous land of Babylon. majestic vine – a splendid and flourishing plant v. 9 Will he not pull up its roots – The King of Babylon (the great eagle of verses 3 and 12) should rightfully destroy the majestic plant (Israel, v. 8) which he provided and cared for because it turned to another great eagle (Egypt, v. 7, 15). no great power or many people – It won't take a great army to destroy and uproot Israel. v. 10 east wind – The hot, dry wind which withers all vegetation (19:12) Here symbolic of Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces. v. 12 rebellious house – A major theme in this book. God sent Ezekiel to preach to Israel who had a long history of rebellion against all authority (2:3). the king of Babylon – Nebuchadnezzar, represented by the first great eagle of this parable (v. 3) Jerusalem – the capitol and royal city of Israel represented in this parable by Lebanon (v. 3) v. 13 the king's offspring – Zedekiah, son of King Josiah (2 Kings 23-24) made a covenant with him – Nebuchadnezzar made a covenant with vassal king Zedekiah and made him swear an oath of allegiance (2 Kings 24:17). v. 15 Can he break a covenant and still be delivered? – The point of this verse and chapter is that the rebellious house of Israel not only rebelled against the Lord and therefore was sent into captivity, but they then rebelled against the king whose hands God delivered Israel into. v. 16 As I live – A common biblical way of swearing a solemn oath assuring its fulfillment. This phrase is spoken by the Lord 16 times in the book of Ezekiel (Num. 14:21, Is. 49:18; Jer. 22:24; Rom. 14:11). in the midst of Babylon he shall die – Because vassal King Zedekiah violated his oath to Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, Zedekiah would die in Babylon. v. 17 Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty…do anything in the war – Egypt's attempt to rescues Israel from Babylon would fail (2 Kings 24:7). v. 19 My oath…despised…My covenant…broke – The Lord Himself calls Israel's disregard of her covenant with Babylon as a despising of a covenant that God Himself had established since Israel's captivity in Babylon was God's judgment upon Israel (Jer. 27). v. 20 treason – Israel's rebellion against Babylon was considered by God as a rebellion against His chastening hand. v. 21 his fugitives –Israel's fleeing troops I, the LORD, have spoken – An absolute assurance that this judgment will come to pass (Num. 23:19). v. 22 the highest branches of the high cedar – A "Messianic" promise. God will some day take from the royal line of David and personally establish the future Messiah. a high and prominent mountain – Zion, Jerusalem. Jerusalem is "high and prominent" not necessarily in geographical elevation but in importance before God. v. 23 birds of every sort – Symbolic of the diverse nations of the world who will some day seek shelter under the Messiah's reign (Matt. 13:32). v. 24 all the trees of the field – A figure of speech representing all the nations of the world in this Messianic prophecy (Is. 55:12,13). Ezekiel 18v. 2 proverb concerning the land of Israel – The following saying was frequently applied to Israel. The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge – The basic meaning of this proverb is that the children suffer because of the parent's poor choices and sinful actions. v. 3 As I live – A common biblical way of swearing a solemn oath assuring its fulfillment (Num. 14:21; Is. 49:18; Jer. 22:24; Rom. 14:11). v. 4 souls – nephesh (Heb.) creature, living being, life, self, person soul who sins shall die – The main thrust of this statement in this context is that God will directly punish the sinner rather than the sinner's offspring. v. 5 just – tsaddiyq (Heb.) lawful, righteous v. 6 eaten on the mountains – A reference to eating meat sacrificed to idols on the shrines and high places (Eze. 6:3, 4; Hosea 4:13). idols of the house of Israel – Israel had become a place filled with a great variety of offensive idols. Many Hebrew people would seek help and guidance from these idols rather than God in violation to God's Law (Lev. 19:4; 26:1, 30). defiled his neighbor's wife – To commit adultery. A clear violation of God's Law (Ex. 20:14; Lev. 20:10; Deut. 5:18). Nor approached a woman during her impurity – To have sex with a woman during her menstrual period was forbidden by the Law of Moses (Lev. 20:18). v. 7 oppressed – yanah (Heb.) To suppress, treat violently, maltreat, vex, do wrong. A reference here to the rich taking advantage of the poor. restored to the debtor his pledge – To give back a possession to a person who gave it in a good faith loan. A good example from today's culture would be to return an item that had been "pawned" in a pawnshop after proper payment had been made for it. Robbed no one…given…covered – More obvious pictures of the actions of a just and righteous person. v. 8 not exacted usury – To make loans at interest. The Law of Moses forbade the charging of interest when lending to a fellow Hebrew (Deut. 23:19, 20). Nor taken any increase – to make profit from charging interest to the poor (Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:35-37) iniquity – evel (Heb.) injustice, unrighteousness, wrong true judgment – In this context, to properly treat all men equally without prejudice of any kind. This was another principle of the Law of Moses (Lev. 19:15, 35; Deut. 1:16, 17; Prov. 31:8, 9; Is. 1:17). v. 9 walked – a lifestyle statutes – chuqqah (Heb.) something appointed, custom, manner, or ordinance judgments – mishpat (Heb.) justice, ordinance, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) just – tsaddiyq (Heb.) lawful, righteous. v. 10 If he begets a son who is – In context God is contrasting a righteous man who has an unrighteous son and does all the evil that his father did not do. Begets – yalad (Heb.) bear, bring forth (children, young), bring up v. 12 abomination – tow`ebah (Heb.) a morally disgusting or detestable thing v. 13 His blood shall be upon him – A biblical way of saying the punishment of his guilt will come upon him (Lev. 20:9, 11, 12, 16, 27). v. 17 He shall not die for the iniquity of his father – The point of this chapter. A righteous son or daughter will not be punished for the sins of his or her evil parents, nor shall an unrighteous son or daughter be exonerated from their sins because of the righteousness of his or her parents. v. 20 The soul who sins shall die – The main thrust of this statement is that God will directly punish the sinner rather than the sinner's offspring (v. 4) v. 21 wicked – rasha` (Heb.) morally wrong, guilty one, criminal statutes – chuqqah (Heb.) something appointed, custom, manner, or ordinance v. 22 transgressions – pesha (Heb.) rebellion, sin, trespass, breach of trust righteousness – tsedaqah (Heb.) honesty, justice, right acts v. 27 preserves himself alive – He will save his own life. v. 30 judge – punish Repent – shuwb (Heb.) to return, turn back v. 31 Cast away – shalak (Heb.) to throw out, down or away. new heart and a new spirit – God desires a work of transformation in their heart to take away the hardness against Him. (Repeated and developed in ch 36:26-32) Cp. Ps 51:10. Ezekiel 19v. 1 princes of Israel – Israel's political leaders v. 2 What is your mother? A lioness – Allegorical language speaking of the origin of the princes of Israel. The Lioness could possibly allude to Jerusalem or the tribe of Judah whose banner was the lion. young lions – allegorically referring to the rulers of Israel keeping company with other strong and healthy rulers v. 3 one of her cubs – This is a reference to wicked King Jehoahaz who reined in Jerusalem only three months but in that time adopted oppressive policies and devoured men (2 Kings 23:31-34). v. 4 the land of Egypt – Referred to as Shallum here, Jehoahaz died in captivity in Egypt (Jer. 22:11, 12). v. 5 another of her cubs – Allegorically speaking of wicked king Jehoiachin raised up after Jehoahaz. Jehoiachin was conquered and taken captive to Babylon (v. 9). King Jehoiachin reigned only three months and was then taken into captivity to Babylon in 597 BC (2 Kings 24:8-12). v. 7 laid waste their cities – Jehoiachin wrought havoc in Israel until he was conquered and brought into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon (v. 8-9). v. 9 a cage with chains… Babylon – Jehoiachin was imprisoned in Babylon for 37 years. v. 10 like a vine in your bloodline – A parallel parable to verses 2-9. Israel has often been portrayed by God as a vine (Eze. 15:2-8, 17:6; Is. 5:1-4; Matt. 21:33-41). fruitful and full…many waters – Israel was well provided for and carefully nurtured by the Lord. v. 11 scepters – shebet (Heb.) A rod used for fighting or punishment; staff, branch, offshoot, or club. At times, this word was even used to describe a tribe (Gen. 49:16). She towered in stature – The kingdom of Israel once stood out head and shoulders above the rest of the kingdoms. v. 12 east wind – Referring to the fury of Nebuchadnezzar and his army conquering Israel (17:10). v. 13 the wilderness – Babylon, compared to the Promised Land, seemed like a barren region to Israel. v. 14 Fire – God's wrath against Zedekiah who rebelled against God's chastening in the captivity of Babylon (2 Kings 24:20). | |||
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| "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?" –Ezekiel 18:23 "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" –Ezekiel 18:31-32 It is such a powerful truth, God, that those who do not know You will die and suffer eternal separation from You. It matters not to You, God, whether we think we deserve Your offer of salvation or not. We know that, as Your word says, that You don't take pleasure in the death of any of Your children, no matter how sinfully they have acted. We pray today for those who do not know, that they would heed Your call to "turn and live!" | |||
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18:23 "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?"
Youth Ministry
