Main Idea: God’s people should reflect their God before a watching world.
A Look at the Text:
Today’s text opens with a lament for the sad state of Israel. Israel was likened to a lioness with powerful cubs, representative of kings who were sadly taken away in its final days (Ezek. 19:1-9). In a second metaphor, Israel is pictured as a powerful vine that was likewise plucked up and taken away (Ezek. 19:10-14).
Then, in chapter 20, we again see the cause for all of this. As some of the elders came to inquire of the Lord through Ezekiel, the prophet recounts God’s covenant faithfulness in contrast to Israel’s covenant breach.
God made a covenant with Israel when He rescued them from Egypt and graciously gave to them the most abundant of lands (Ezek. 20:6; Ex. 19:5-6). His desire was that they would abandon the idols of Egypt, and yet they would not (Ezek. 20:7-8).
God gave His laws, intending for them to bring life (Ezek. 20:11). He gave His people Sabbaths so that they would know He was the One who sanctified them (Ezek. 20:12). Still they rebelled (Ezek. 20:13). Worst of all, their rebellion profaned the name of God before the nations! (Ezek. 20:14).
As a result, God wouldn’t be inquired of by the elders of Israel (Ezek. 20:31). Yet, in His grace, God still had plans for the people (Ezek. 20:33-38). Yes, He would bring them under discipline, but He would later manifest His holiness amongst them in the sight of the nations (Ezek. 20:41).
Bringing it Home:
God cares about how His people live. This was true then, and it is true now. God saved Israel from Egyptian bondage freely and then gave them His law to show how they ought to live as a saved-by-grace people. It wasn’t enough for Israel to leave Egypt geographically—Egypt had to leave Israel internally.
God’s law was given to make a unique people, a separate people, a holy people. A people who were distinctly His and represented His ways.
So it is today. Salvation is a gift of grace and not something that we can ever earn or deserve. But when someone is brought into the family of God, there is an understanding that they will begin to bear the family likeness (1 John 3:9-10).
God not only saves, but He also indwells. He doesn’t just forgive, but He also transforms. He makes us into new creations, His holy, special, distinctive people (2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Pet. 2:9). The invitation to “Come as you are” is not an invitation to stay as you were.
Tragically, Israel showed the world a picture of what God was not like as they fell prey to idolatry and syncretism again and again. The light of the world ended up partnering with darkness, and God’s name was profaned where it should have been extolled.
How is the light of the world shining today?
Challenge:
Does my life reflect the life of God within me?