What I Noticed Today (Ezekiel 33-36)
Ezekiel 33
In verses 1-9, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel appointing him to be a watchman over the house of Israel (v. 7). The responsibility of the watchman was to warn the people of the coming judgment. If he did that and the people ignored his warning, they would bear the consequences of their own guilt. However, if the watchman did not warn the people, he would be responsible for the people’s death.
In verses 10-20, God says he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked; he would prefer that they turn away from their wickedness and lead righteous lives. If they do that, they will live. The righteous man who becomes wicked will die in their sins; their past righteousness will not save them. Yet the people say that the Lord’s way is not just, but God says He will judge each person based on their own actions.
In verses 21-22, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel on the fifth day, in the tenth month, of the twelfth year of the exile, or January 9, 585 B.C. A fugitive from Jerusalem came to Ezekiel telling him that the city of Jerusalem had fallen. Because all of Ezekiel’s prophecies about Jerusalem had come true, the Lord opened his mouth, and he was no longer mute.
In verses 23-29, the remnant who stayed in the land of Israel felt they had a right to be restored to the land. They compared themselves to Abraham whom God brought to the land (through his descendants). But God said, no you are a sinful people why should you be restored to the land. Instead, said God, I will make the land desolate because of all their sins, and then you will know that I am the Lord.
In verses 30-33, the Lord condemns those who liked to come to listen to Ezekiel and ask the Lord but then never did what He told them. They remained sinful in their hearts, rejecting the word of the Lord’s prophets. But when all the prophecies of Ezekiel came true, then they would know that he was a prophet of God. When the final judgment came, each one would be held accountable for their own response to the word of the Lord through Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 34
In verses 1-6, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel against the shepherds of Israel (the rulers). The shepherds were supposed to care for the flock, but instead, they had not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, or brought back those who strayed. Instead, they ruled over the sheep harshly by force. As a result, the sheep had scattered and became for all the wild beasts.
In verses 7-10, because the shepherds had neglected their responsibilities in caring for the sheep but instead had cared only for themselves, the Lord said He would rescue His sheep from these shepherds.
In verses 11-16, God said He would personally rescue His sheep. He would seek them out from all the places where they had been scattered. He promised to bring them out, feed them, bring back the strays, bind up the injured, strengthen the weak, and destroy the strong.
Note: This promise has not yet been fulfilled but will be when Christ returns for His Millennial reign.
In verses 17-24, God will judge between the sheep, the rams, and the goats prior to the Millennial reign. Wicked sheep will be driven away. God will install “my servant David” as their shepherd who will feed them and be their shepherd.
Note: Some scholars think this reference to David as the Millennial shepherd is literal, that David will be resurrected as Israel's shepherd. The majority of scholars believe (and I agree) this is a reference to Jesus, who is from the line of David.
In verses 25-31, the Lord establishes a covenant of peace with the restored people. They will dwell securely, their crops and animals will be blessed, and they will no longer be prey to other nations. Then they will know that He is the Lord, and they are His people.
Ezekiel 35
In verses 1-4, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel directed against Mt. Seir (Edom). God said He would lay waste to the land and the cities, and then they will know that He is the Lord.
In verses 5-9, Ezekiel uses the “Because…Therefore…I will…” format to condemn Mt. Seir. Because they have been perpetual enemies of Israel, therefore I will pursue you, and I will cut you off and make you a perpetual desolation. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
In verses 10-15, Ezekiel condemns Seir again. Because they tried to take possession of the two countries (Israel and Judah) that God had given to His people, therefore He promised to deal with them according to their anger and envy, saying He would make the land of Seir and all of Edom desolate. Then they will know that He is the Lord.
Ezekiel 36
In verses 1-7, The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel directed to the mountains of Israel (a reference to the entire land of Israel). Because you have been made desolate and crushed from all sides. Therefore, the Lord promised to bring judgment upon all the surrounding nations who mistreated Israel.
In verses 8-12, the Lord promised to bless the mountains of Israel. They will produce fruit when the people are restored to the land. The people will prosper and multiply.
In verses 13-15, when God restored the people they would no longer be disgraced, they would no longer suffer reproach from other nations, and no nation would cause them to stumble again.
In verses 16-21, Ezekiel reminds the people of their past. God had brought them to the promised land, but they were impure (like menstrual impurity). So go judged them for the sins of shedding innocent blood and worshipping idols. He scattered them to other nations, and they continued to profane His name. Yet the Lord remembered His people and was concerned for them.
In verses 22-32, God said He would restore Israel, not for their sake, but the sake of His holy name (establish His holiness among other nations). Then these nations will know that He is the Lord. He will gather the people together from where they had been scattered. He will cleanse them, give them a new heart and a new spirit, and they will walk in His statutes, and obey His laws. He will bless them with abundance, so they will never face famine again. Then they will remember their sinful pasts and be ashamed. God will do all this, not for their sakes because they should be ashamed of their sins against God.
In verses 33-38, God promised that when He cleanses the people from their sins, He will restore their cities and their land will be fruitful like the Garden of Eden. Then all the surrounding nations will know that He is the Lord because He has restored His people. In addition, He will bless the people by increasing their numbers so that all the desolate cities will be filled once again. Then they will know that He is the Lord.
