The Problem and the Promise

Today's reading is from Ezekiel 9, 10, 11, 12

The nation went into exile, taken captive by the Babylonians because of their persistent Idolatry. God sent prophets over and over again to tell them what the problem was:
""Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people."

Rebellion is simply choosing to ignore and choosing to not see. Ask Coach Tressel of Ohio State if that works. We usually think of rebellion as outrageous actions, or radicalized behavior; but it need not be demonstrative to be so. All we need to do is choose to ignore and not see.

In rebellion, God is still seeking. He comes to the captives and speaks words of promise in order to encourage them and call them to faithfulness even though they are dispersed from the land.
""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.'"

So there we have it: problems and promise. We need to do all we can to check the rebelliousness of ignoring and not seeing, and we need to hold on to the promises of God that come to a people who are truly seeking and desiring to live in Him.

Peace






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