Warnings against rebellion and disobedience
Text Ezekiel 20 Time 12/11/06 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
We begin to day on a new series of visions from Ezekiel, a third series. We have looked at the first set of visions in Chapters 1-7. These began in the fourth month on the fifth day of Ezekiel's thirtieth year and the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin. The second set began just over a year later In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day and are in Chapters 8-19.
The third set (Chapters 20-24) begins another year on (verse 1) In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day. What happened, Ezekiel tells us, is that some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down in front of him. The word of the LORD comes to him and says Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel. He is to speak in God's name and ask Have you come to inquire of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me. They have no right to enquire of God. Their hearts are not right. They need to see this. It's something we all have to learn. By nature we assume that we have a right to enquire of God, to pray to him - but in fact we don't. If he refuses to let us enquire of him that is it. It's his decision. You may have things you want to say to the Prime Minister or the Queen but you can't just bowl up and force your opinions on them. Certainly you can't with God. It's up to him whether he will allow an enquiry or not. So here is a lesson for us. Do not think you have an automatic right to pray or to come to God. He decides. Humble yourself therefore.
So the Lord continues by asking Ezekiel (4, 5) Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their fathers and say to them: This is what the Sovereign LORD says. So a history lesson first. God wants the people to consider their past. He takes them back to Egypt and the desert. He wants them to see the pattern of rebellion that has existed from the beginning. I want us to see it too and see the need to break the cycle of sin.
1. Consider how God's people rebelled in Egypt and avoid doing the same
1. Consider God's goodness and his call to obedience
The third set (Chapters 20-24) begins another year on (verse 1) In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day. What happened, Ezekiel tells us, is that some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down in front of him. The word of the LORD comes to him and says Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel. He is to speak in God's name and ask Have you come to inquire of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me. They have no right to enquire of God. Their hearts are not right. They need to see this. It's something we all have to learn. By nature we assume that we have a right to enquire of God, to pray to him - but in fact we don't. If he refuses to let us enquire of him that is it. It's his decision. You may have things you want to say to the Prime Minister or the Queen but you can't just bowl up and force your opinions on them. Certainly you can't with God. It's up to him whether he will allow an enquiry or not. So here is a lesson for us. Do not think you have an automatic right to pray or to come to God. He decides. Humble yourself therefore.
So the Lord continues by asking Ezekiel (4, 5) Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their fathers and say to them: This is what the Sovereign LORD says. So a history lesson first. God wants the people to consider their past. He takes them back to Egypt and the desert. He wants them to see the pattern of rebellion that has existed from the beginning. I want us to see it too and see the need to break the cycle of sin.
1. Consider how God's people rebelled in Egypt and avoid doing the same
1. Consider God's goodness and his call to obedience
So they are taken back to the time when they were slaves down in Egypt so long before. Ezekiel wants them to think of
1 God's goodness to them
1 God's goodness to them
They knew - the privilege of revelation. (5) On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of the house of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, I am the LORD your God. Simply to know there is a God and to have him speak to you is a privilege. Imagine a line of soldiers being inspected by the Queen or someone. Now if she should stop and speak personally to one and address him by name – what an honour. The Jews were singled out. It's their great honour. Whenever God has dealings with a person it's a great honour. To read the Bible is a privilege. To come to learn anything about the Lord is a great blessing. Don't forget that.
They knew - the promise of redemption. Of course, there was more. 6 On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands. What a wonderful promise they were given. God was going to redeem them from a life of slavery and bring them to a land of milk and honey. Follow that illustration of the Queen stopping to address the soldier by name. She now says she has something very special lined up for him, something quite different to the regular drudge of soldiering! When we read the Bible we see it is full of wonderful promises. What good things are here. Believe them. Make them yours.
2. The call to obedience
They knew - the promise of redemption. Of course, there was more. 6 On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands. What a wonderful promise they were given. God was going to redeem them from a life of slavery and bring them to a land of milk and honey. Follow that illustration of the Queen stopping to address the soldier by name. She now says she has something very special lined up for him, something quite different to the regular drudge of soldiering! When we read the Bible we see it is full of wonderful promises. What good things are here. Believe them. Make them yours.
2. The call to obedience
God also said (7) Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. With privilege comes responsibility. In Egypt they were worshipping idols. These idols must go. They must worship God alone. To be singled out by the Queen, as in our example, is a privilege but it brings responsibility too. The new situation means new duties, more responsibility. With the promises in Scripture are demands on us that we must fulfil. Christ will save us if we trust in him but we must live to please him.
2. Consider the people's rebellion and disobedience
2. Consider the people's rebellion and disobedience
Then in verse 8 we get words that follow a pattern partly repeated again elsewhere in the chapter – see verses 13 and 20. Here it is But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Although they were told very clearly to do so, they did not get rid of their idols. They refused to listen. Yes, token efforts were made but underlying the time in Egypt as in the desert was a commitment to idols. What about us? Is the spirit of rebellion against God alive in us this morning? Are we disobeying him despite our privileges? It ought not to be. Can you imagine the soldier saying to the Queen 'No, I can't do as you say I love my vices too much – drinking and smoking wit the other squaddies, etc'? How foolish!
3. Consider God's judgement on them and his mercy
3. Consider God's judgement on them and his mercy
Then we have another pattern that is repeated later. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt. But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations they lived among and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites by bringing them out of Egypt. Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the desert. What sufferings they knew in Egypt. They were slaves as we know and when God began to work things got worse before they got better. What terrible times they knew. It was part of God's judgement on them for their rebellious ways. Yet shining through it all is his mercy. I led them out of Egypt he says. He delivered them from bondage – and with what power. How gracious he is! And haven't we known many great mercies from God despite our rebellion against him?
So there's the pattern – God is good to his people but they rebel and disobey so incurring his judgement. Yet in the midst of judgement he remembers mercy. We see it again in what follows.
2. Consider how God's people rebelled in the desert and avoid doing the same
1. Consider God's goodness and his call to obedience
So there's the pattern – God is good to his people but they rebel and disobey so incurring his judgement. Yet in the midst of judgement he remembers mercy. We see it again in what follows.
2. Consider how God's people rebelled in the desert and avoid doing the same
1. Consider God's goodness and his call to obedience
We've spoken of the powerful deliverance from Egypt in 10 I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the desert. Verses 11/12 go on to speak of their distinctive privileges - I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy. In the desert, at Sinai the 10 Commandments and other laws were given to the people through Moses. God singles out how his Sabbaths (weekly and other Sabbaths) acted as a sign to show how distinctively they were set apart to God. Of course, all these laws imply not only privilege but a need for obedience too. Once again then we say be thankful for your privileges – the Word, Jesus Christ and all he has done, whatever understanding you have of this, the Holy Spirit, the Lord's Day, etc. But recognise the responsibility this brings. We must live up to the light we have received.
2. Consider the people's rebellion and disobedience
2. Consider the people's rebellion and disobedience
But once again we get that note sounded (13) Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the desert. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws - although the man who obeys them will live by them - and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. As you know, that is exactly what happened in the desert. It's not enough to know the law, we must do what it says. It's not enough to read the instruction manual for something if you don't do what it says in the book. Again the question is whether we are taking our responsibilities seriously and seeking to live as God calls us to. We must not rebel.
3. Consider God's judgement on them and his mercy
3. Consider God's judgement on them and his mercy
Then again So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the desert. There's the note of judgement again. All who rebel and who are disobedient will be judged. On the day of judgement many will be consigned to hell for this very reason – they are rebels against God and have refused to obey. Others, despite rebellion and disobedience will find mercy. God says (14) But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. In the desert, of course, despite his judgements, he also acted to save. It is in 15-17 God swore to them there that he would not bring them into the land of milk and honey because they rejected my laws and did not follow my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths. For their hearts were devoted to their idols. Yet (17) I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or put an end to them in the desert. Always have before you God's severity and mercy. It is the key. We deserve hell but there is mercy for all who repent and turn to him.
3. Consider how God's people rebelled also in the next generation and avoid doing the same
3. Consider how God's people rebelled also in the next generation and avoid doing the same
So though Moses and his generation all died in the desert he spared the next generation and brought them to Canaan. So again
1. Consider God's goodness and his call to obedience
1. Consider God's goodness and his call to obedience
We've already read (17) of his pity so that he did not destroy them or put an end to them in the desert. As ever with that privilege there is responsibility. 18-20 I said to their children in the desert, Do not follow the statutes of your fathers or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God. The basics don't change. The privilege of being spared brings the responsibility of obedience. Never forget the connection.
2. Consider the people's rebellion and disobedience
2. Consider the people's rebellion and disobedience
21 But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws - although the man who obeys them will live by them - and they desecrated my Sabbaths. The succeeding generation was no better. How sad it is. The next group to arise is no better. Don't we see the pattern in our own lives too?
3. Consider God's judgement on them and his mercy
3. Consider God's judgement on them and his mercy
22 So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the desert. There's the note of judgement yet again. And the voice of mercy. But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
And so it went on even in the land so that (23, 24) the Lord swore that he would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries, because they had not obeyed his laws but had rejected his decrees and desecrated his Sabbaths, and ... lusted after their fathers' idols. As time went on he (25, 26) gave them over to statutes that were not good and laws they could not live by; I let them become defiled through their gifts he says - the sacrifice of every firstborn - that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the LORD. Even in this there was a measure of mercy then. We ought to look at our own lives and try to see where he has judged and where he has been merciful. The two are mingled. It should lead us to repentance.
4. Consider how God's people rebelled too in Ezekiel's day and avoid doing the same
And so it went on even in the land so that (23, 24) the Lord swore that he would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries, because they had not obeyed his laws but had rejected his decrees and desecrated his Sabbaths, and ... lusted after their fathers' idols. As time went on he (25, 26) gave them over to statutes that were not good and laws they could not live by; I let them become defiled through their gifts he says - the sacrifice of every firstborn - that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the LORD. Even in this there was a measure of mercy then. We ought to look at our own lives and try to see where he has judged and where he has been merciful. The two are mingled. It should lead us to repentance.
4. Consider how God's people rebelled too in Ezekiel's day and avoid doing the same
In the closing part of the chapter Ezekiel deals not with history but with the present situation and the future. The pattern is made less obvious but you can still see it there.
1. Consider God's goodness and his call to obedience
1. Consider God's goodness and his call to obedience
Once again in Ezekiel's day the Sovereign Lord speaks to his people. He reminds them how down to that time the people had blasphemed God by forsaking him. Even in the Promised Land (28, 29) if they saw any high hill or any leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, made offerings that provoked me to anger, presented their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings. Then I said to them: What is this high place you go to? (It is called Bamah to this day.)
And so the Lord asks (30, 31) Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did and lust after their vile images? When you offer your gifts - the sacrifice of your sons in the fire-you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And so the question is Am I to let you inquire of me, O house of Israel? And the answer is clear, As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will not let you inquire of me. You see the logic? Why should God allow these people to enquire of him when they are bent on rebellion? They've thrown away all their rights and privileges.
And so the Lord asks (30, 31) Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did and lust after their vile images? When you offer your gifts - the sacrifice of your sons in the fire-you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And so the question is Am I to let you inquire of me, O house of Israel? And the answer is clear, As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will not let you inquire of me. You see the logic? Why should God allow these people to enquire of him when they are bent on rebellion? They've thrown away all their rights and privileges.
Is that true of you this morning? Have you so rebelled that you would have to be honest and say you don't even have the right to be here? Well, what is the root of this problem? Isn't it our rebellion? Our refusal to submit to him?
2. Consider the people's rebellion and disobedience
2. Consider the people's rebellion and disobedience
32 You say, We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone. Isn't that the fundamental problem? Wanting to be just like everyone else. The people of the world seem happy enough most of the time. Why can't we just be like them? To think in such a way is to rebel against God. Do you see that?
3. Consider God's judgement on them and his mercy
3. Consider God's judgement on them and his mercy
And here we get a little insight into what was going to happen after Ezekiel's time. But what you have in mind will never happen. As surely as I live, says God, I will rule over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered - with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. I will bring you into the desert of the nations (Babylon) and there, face to face, I will execute judgement upon you. As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you. The judgement of the exile to Babylon had only begun. There was worse to come.
The exile seemed like unmitigated bad news but see what God says in 37, 38 I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, like a shepherd counting his sheep and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Some good is going to come out of this. The time in Babylon was a time of purifying. And isn't this how it is when we fall under God's wrath and things go wrong in our lives? Doesn't it serve to purify us? We learn to turn from sin.
In conclusion God says then (39) As for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! If you are bent on rebellion then go on with it. But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols. For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD, there in the land the entire house of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There's going to be a return from exile. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices. Temple worship will be restored. I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will show myself holy among you in the sight of the nations. This is surely pointing us to the coming of Messiah. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your fathers.
And this is exactly what happened, of course. After 70 years they returned from exile and then some hundreds of years later Messiah was born there in the promised Land. 43, 44 There says God you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done. You will know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD. There is hope then despite Israel's many sins and the judgements that follow them.
The exile seemed like unmitigated bad news but see what God says in 37, 38 I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, like a shepherd counting his sheep and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Some good is going to come out of this. The time in Babylon was a time of purifying. And isn't this how it is when we fall under God's wrath and things go wrong in our lives? Doesn't it serve to purify us? We learn to turn from sin.
In conclusion God says then (39) As for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! If you are bent on rebellion then go on with it. But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols. For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD, there in the land the entire house of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There's going to be a return from exile. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices. Temple worship will be restored. I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will show myself holy among you in the sight of the nations. This is surely pointing us to the coming of Messiah. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your fathers.
And this is exactly what happened, of course. After 70 years they returned from exile and then some hundreds of years later Messiah was born there in the promised Land. 43, 44 There says God you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done. You will know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD. There is hope then despite Israel's many sins and the judgements that follow them.
And so it can be for us too. If we come to the point of repentance, the point of return, by God's grace, we can come to loathe our sins and begin to serve him again through Christ. Pray for that. God calls us to serve him – do it. If you have rebelled or been disobedient repent. There is judgement but also in God there is mercy. That is the message of the cross.
