In the 7th year, 5th month, 10th day, some elders of Israel came to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord. The word of the Lord then came to Ezekiel, and God told him that He would not allow them to inquire of Him. This was because the matter was no mystery; it should have been obvious, especially to the elders, that all these troubles had come upon the nation because of their rebellion and disobedience to God and His laws.
Instead, God instructed Ezekiel to recount a panoramic history of Israel, showing how faithfully God had dealt with His people from the very beginning, including delivering them from slavery in Egypt.
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, “I am the Lord your God.” 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.
Ezekiel 20: 5-6 (nkjv)
The Lord gave the Israelites His laws and teachings so that they might live, yet they consistently rebelled and disobeyed. They deserved punishment for this, but God, out of mercy and a desire to uphold His glory and honour spared them. In doing so, the surrounding nations would recognise the power of God and not dishonour His name.
13 “‘Yet the people of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my decrees but rejected my laws—by which the person who obeys them will live—and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the wilderness. 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.
EZEKIEL 20:13-14(NKJV)
God declared that those who persisted in rebellion would be purged and judged. If Israel thought they could live like the other nations serving idols and ignoring God’s commands without consequence, they were gravely mistaken. It was God who had delivered them and brought them into the land; it was not by their own strength. Therefore, He would judge them if they continued in their rebellion.
32 “‘You say, “We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.” But what you have in mind will never happen. 33 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will reign over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. 34 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. 35 I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you. 36 As I judged your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign Lord.
EZEKIEL 20:32-36
Gods mercy towards Israel
What is remarkable and truly awe-inspiring is that despite Israel’s persistent rebellion, God promised that when they returned to Him, He would receive them and show them mercy. This is truly what love is, after being dishonoured God would still be merciful to Israel.
But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols. 40 For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.
EZEKIEL 20: 39-44 (NKJV)
41 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 be proved holy through you in the sight of the nations. 42 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 ancestors.
43 There 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. 44 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, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
Prophecy Against the South
The Lord then instructed Ezekiel to look towards the south and prophesy against the forest of the southland. God declared that He would set fire to it, and it would consume every tree—both green and dry. The blazing flame would not be quenched, and every face from south to north would be scorched by it. All would see that the Lord Himself had kindled the fire, and none would be able to put it out.
Faith With Petra 