The Supreme Surgeon; Ezekiel 11

May the mumbling commence!

Ezekiel was sent to prophesy destruction at the beginning of his time as a prophet.  He found it distressing when the words of the Lord came true before his eyes.  Read about one instance of this from Ezekiel chapter 11:

Now as I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell facedown and cried out in a loud voice, "Ah, Sovereign Lord! Will you completely destroy the remnant of Israel?" 

The word of the Lord came to me:  "Son of man, your brothers – your brothers who are your blood relatives and the whole house of Israel – are those of whom the people of Jerusalem have said, 'They are far away from the Lord; this land was given to us as our possession.'  

Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.' 

Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.' 

They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols.  I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Verses 13-20)

We see, once again, the power of DABAR – the power of the spoken word of the Lord.  Ezekiel spoke the word of the Lord and Pelatiah fell dead.  Ezekiel fell facedown in fear and trepidation.  Ezekiel asked the question, “Can anyone survive the wrath of the Lord?”

God reminded Ezekiel why the destruction an impending exile was going to happen – Judah had wandered far from the Lord.  So the Lord would make them wander in exile.  But God would continue to provide sanctuary for the exiles in the far-flung countries that they would go to.  In fact, God would eventually bring back Judah to the Promised Land.

Exile was the painful tool of the Lord to bring the people back to Him, to implore them to remove their idols.  Within these people, God would create a new heart of flesh – rather than the heart of stone that reflect the idols that humanity had created.  The Law of the Lord – the word of the Lord, would be on their hearts; and rightful relationship would be restored between the Lord God and His people.

Exile and destruction are the tools of surgery to remove sin.  They cut and hurt and maim.  They will leave scars (as anyone who has undergone surgery can attest).  But, in the hands of the Supreme Surgeon, exile and destruction will lead to life eternal.

Comfort us in our time of uncertainty!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out