Exposing the Bible

In this passage, Yahweh confronts the false prophetesses. They seek to control the exilic community through false divinations/visions. The Lord issues charges against them and their appropriate judgment.

We are pleased to announced that Brad has accepted a Senior Pastor position at First Presbyterian Church in Eden, North Carolina!

In Ezekiel 13, we see the false prophets stand in the gaze of God. His eyes are set on them. He notices they are false prophets. He will now deal with them. In Ezekiel 13:1-16, God calls out the false prophets of the day. They do not prophesy on behalf of God, but on behalf of their own hearts. The words of these prophets are nothing more than smoke - something that has the appearance of substance, but there is nothing to really hold. In prophesying by their own hearts, not the Spirit, they have led people away. However, God will reveal these are false prophets and will lead His people to Him. Our passage can be broken into two sections. In Ezekiel 13:1-7, Yahweh issues the charges against the false prophets. Then in Ezekiel 13:8-16, He announces their coming judgment.

In the previous passage, God actively gives the Gentiles over to their sin. He is personally and punitively, though not vengeful or spiteful, involved in giving the Gentiles over to their sin. God condemns homosexuality as unnatural and unbiblical. Then Paul lists off 21 different sins the Gentiles are guilty of in their rebellion against God. These 21 sins represent total rejection of God. Finally, those who perform and even approve of these sins are in danger of hell fire. 

In Romans 2:1, Paul subtly changes to an unrighteous Jew by revealing he is guilty because he practices the very sins they judge. Then in Romans 2:2-5, the eternal destination of the unrighteous Jew is revealed.

Ezekiel continues Yahweh’s oracles against Israel. The elders and the exiles fail to grasp true repentance thus far. The false prince Zedekiah will be taken captive by the Babylonians. He will be blinded and taken to Babylon. His fate is secured by Yahweh. Yet, Yahweh’s oracles against Israel continue. 

Ezekiel 12:17-28 can be broken up into two sections. In the first section, Ezekiel 12:17-20, we will see that the entire land of Israel will become desolate. In the second section, Ezekiel 12:21-28, we will see that this word, the destruction of Jerusalem, will be performed.

Failing to give God glory is the root of sin and now we see what the outflow of this rejection leads to - God gives people over to their sins. In these verses, we read “God gave them up” three times. This giving over is not passive on God’s part. He actively gives them over to their sins as the outworking of His wrath. Rejecting God as the sovereign Creator is a personal rejection of God and He responds with just judgment. Romans 1:24-32 can be broken up into two sections. In Romans 1:24-27, we plainly see that homosexuality is unnatural. Then in Romans 12:28-32, Paul lists out a host of sins they were given over to in their rejection of God.

The unrighteous Gentiles will be under the wrath of God. They fail to see God in creation and as a result are given up to worship idols.

Ezekiel’s vision ends and he tells the elders/exiles what he saw. You would think they would respond with joy. The New Covenant promise is for them. However, as we will see, they do not respond with joy or gratitude. The state of their hearts hasn’t changed. They are still a rebellious house. They hate God even though He promised to be their sanctuary in exile. 

This oracle in Ezekiel 12:1-16 would devastate the exiles. Ezekiel will once again act out a bizarre sign-act and then give its meaning. In Ezekiel 12:1-7, we will see the sign-act. Then in Ezekiel 12:8-16, the sign-act is explained. Overall, this is one unit, one vision.

We now come to the last part of Paul’s introduction to the church in Rome. Though only two verses, we must understand the power in these two verses. In these two verses, we will see the power of God as it saves individuals from sin and we will see the righteousness of God as it regards to faith.

This passage is incredibly powerful. It becomes even more powerful when we understand that Paul is using eschatological language. God delivering us from His wrath and sin in not just limited to today. Paul is going to show us that this deliverance is a future event. This Scripture is going to give us great promises to hold on to regarding our future salvation on the great day of judgment.

In Ezekiel 11:14-25, there is no longer just a simple glimmer of hope. Ezekiel’s vision ends with not just a simple taste of hope, but a full meal. Hope for the exiles is promised in this passage. God will be their sanctuary in the exile. He will bring them back into the land. He will give them the promise of a new heart and a new spirit. The promise of the New Covenant is here and it rests in the exiles! In Ezekiel 11:14-21, promises to the exiles fill the text. In Ezekiel 11:22-25, the glory of God leaves Jerusalem entirely.