Main Idea: Divine mercy is the only answer to divine judgment.
A Look at the Text:
After the glory of the Lord departed the temple, Ezekiel’s vision focused on twenty-five men of significance who were gathered at the east gate of the temple, where the Lord’s chariot had just left.
While the exact details of their conversation are a bit fuzzy, they essentially believed they were insulated from judgment, as meat in a pot is insulated from direct flame (Ezek. 11:3). Their message before the people wasn’t one of repentance but of complacency and false assurance.
Yet the Lord knew what was in their minds (Ezek. 11:5), and He would be bringing judgment. They weren’t safe within the walls of Jerusalem. This was proven no better than by one of the leaders, Pelatiah, dropping dead during their meeting (Ezek. 11:13).
In response, once more the prophet Ezekiel cried out on behalf of the people of Israel, wondering if God would make a full end of them (Ezek. 11:13).
To this, God assured Him that there would be a remnant who would be gathered from faraway lands (Ezek. 11:17). Even more, a day was coming when He would grant His people new hearts, and they would walk in His ways (Ezek. 11:19-20).
Bringing it Home:
The only insulator from divine judgment is divine mercy.
There are no city walls high enough, no mountain ranges steep enough, no military might strong enough, and no wealth deep enough to thwart His purposes. God had purposed judgment for Jerusalem, and nothing could overturn His will. The sudden death of one of the wicked counselors was the perfect display of this.
Yet God’s will was never to make a full end. The same God who was bringing judgment was determined to spare a remnant. Even more, He would implant a new heart in those returning that they might obey His will. Judgment wasn’t going to be the end of the story because of the covenant-keeping faithful love of the Lord.
Likewise, we can rest assured today that we are loved with the same everlasting love in Jesus Christ who bore the judgment of God on our behalf. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38-39).
While we may be subjected to discipline or trials, we can always have a hope for the future because of God’s unchanging nature.
Praise be to God for mercy that was great and grace that was free, for pardon was multiplied to me, and that my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.
Challenge:
Do I take the costliness of mercy for granted?