Ezekiel Prophesies a Restored, Eternal Kingdom

“I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken…And the name of that city from that time on will be: ‘The Lord is there.’ “ (Ezekiel 34:23; 48;35b. NIV).

As I began this series of devotionals on Ezekiel, I warned that it is a difficult prophecy to understand and that these devotionals on passages selected were not intended as an in-depth exegesis but rather as a selection of portions that can give insight to our Christian walk. With today’s selected verses, I conclude this present series on Ezekiel. Much is left that I encourage you to study further. Although the nation sinned against God, set up idols, and was overcome by a foreign pagan power, God did not forget his people. Ezekiel in a series of meaningful visions encouraged the people and gave them hope. At the same time, he chastised them for their unfaithfulness to God. Chapters 25 through 32, which I have not touched upon at all, give judgments against surrounding nations, namely Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. Then the fourth division of the prophecy of Ezekiel gives the vision of restoration (Chapters 33-48). Ezekiel is the faithful watchman who holds forth the word of hope that the nation indeed will be restored. He gives the messianic prophecy that a new David will rule in peace and love. He envisions a new temple in Jerusalem, describing in detail its dimensions, accoutrements, and sacred use. The restored land is reunited into one kingdom with thirteen divisions, one each for the twelve tribes (two from Joseph) and one for “the prince” and the rebuilt temple, with the tribe of Levi, the priests, having their dwellings in this segment around the restored Jerusalem.

Throughout his book of prophecy, Ezekiel challenges us to have a fresh and living encounter with God. He saw unusual visions and revelations from God. He lets us know that God will lead us, too, if we are willing to listen, to respond, and to step out in faith. Just as Ezekiel warned his contemporaries of God’s judgments, so we, too, are given the responsibility of standing as watchmen. Even when grave trials, separation, even death, occur, Ezekiel’s example and teaching show confidence that God is in control and will bring new life to His people. He ends his prophecy with the glorious words about the restored city of Jerusalem: “The Lord is there.” We have the assurance that wherever we are, under whatever circumstances we live, “our Lord is there.” What better declaration than this to end Ezekiel’s message? “Out of the ruins came Ezekiel. Out of the ruins came the promise. Out of the ruins came the new hope.” (Max Lucado, The Devotional Bible. Thomas Nelson Co., 2003. p. 991).

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, October 7, 2010