The Discipline of the Lord (Ezek. 21-22)

Wayne Galloway
06/02/15 - N/A

Series: God Speaks to Our People In Exile

Introduction:

1.  God has always called His people to come out of the world and to be separate. 2.  In ancient Israel, from the days of Abraham, circumcision was a sign of God’s special covenant with His people. 3.  At the Exodus from Egypt God reminded them, “I will be your God and you will be My people.” 4.  Truly they were God’s treasured people, the object of His gracious blessings.  But every generation from Egypt to Ezekiel had rebelled against the Lord (Ezek. 20).  Each time God had resolved to pour out His wrath upon them, to annihilate them.  That is what they deserved. 5.  Yet He spared them, for His name’s sake, and did not cause their annihilation, instead He chose to discipline them, as a father disciplines the child whom he loves (cf. Heb. 12:5ff; Prov. 3:11-12). 6.  The wilderness wandering is an example of God’s discipline of the generation who rebelled and would not trust the Lord to give them the land that He had promised them. 7.  Now, during the days of Ezekiel, God is using the nation of Babylon to discipline them.  Ezekiel 21-22 describe the circumstances.

Discussion:

I.  Why was God disciplining Israel? (Ezek. 22:1-5).

A.  This reading defines her sin generally.

1.  It speaks of her as a “bloody city,” a city of “abominations,” a city that “makes idols.”

2.  Even the nations mock for her ill repute and turmoil.

B.  The rulers of the people are addressed in verses 6-12.

1.  Observe their sins enumerated.  This is not mean to be an exhaustive list but representative of their rebellion against God.

2.  God had called on them to be like Him (Deut. 10:17-22).

3.  Such sins are the ones we saw enumerated in Ezek. 18:5-13.

4.  What the Lord required was straightforward (Deut. 10:12-16).

5.  It was founded upon their being God’s special people (Deut. 10:15-16).  Circumcision is even mentioned.  Recall it was a sign of the special covenant.

6.  It was for their good (Deut. 6:24).

C.  The prophets, priests, princes are singled out in verses 25-28.

1.  Observe their sins enumerated.

2.  All such actions are a reflection of false communication (v. 28).

D.  The people are addressed in verses 29-31.

1.  Observe their sins.

2.  There was no man to stand in the gap for the Lord.

II.  Thus the wrath of God’s anger was poured out upon them in discipline (22:31).

A.  No He did not utterly destroy them.

1.  The generation who refused to take the promised land wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, until a generation arose who would trust the Lord.

2.  God preserved His good name, a name associated with the giving of good gifts and blessing.  A name that Moses knew as characterized by grace (cf. Deut. 9:25-29) the keeping of His promises.

B.  The sword of Babylon was the agent of God in Ezekiel’s day.  Babylon was the instrument of God’s discipline.

1.  In Ezekiel 21 a parable is given of the coming of the sword of the Lord.

2.  Verses 18ff identify Babylon as that sword.

C.  Two additional images are used in chapter 22.

1.  An image of smelting in 22:17-22.

2.  An image of cleansing in 22:23-24.

D.  22:13-15 speaks of how God will scatter them among the nations.

III.  What does this mean for me?

A.  Heb. 11-12 speak of the great people of faith and what they endured.  12:1ff even speaks of Jesus and what He endured.

B.  It is out of this context that the writer introduces Prov. 3:11-12 into his discussion.

1.  “Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.”

2.  Note Heb. 12:7-11.

3.  Note the admonition to strengthen and be healed (12-13).

C.  Our rebellion against the Lord when we were sinners lead to severe consequences.

1.   Some of us were at the end of our rope—like the prodigal son.  For some suicide seemed a fair option, even an option of relief.

2.  But like the prodigal we turned to the Lord.

D.  Heb. 11 and 12 is about those who had turned to the Lord that were disciplined even though they had found the path of faith.

1.  Our thinking is “I am on the path of faith.  I should not have any hardship now.”

2.  But we have not fully escaped the effects of sin.

3.  Jesus had not sinned by experienced its effect by enduring the cross (12:2).  “That’s not fair,” you say.  But where would you be without it?

4.  Yes, the adverse affects of such discipline should bring us to greater understanding (10-11).

5.  Such discipline is not pleasant (11).

6.  Even Jesus “learned obedience through the things that He suffered” (Heb. 5:8).

E.  If you are experiencing the consequence of your sin why not turn from that sin?  You can eliminate some of that discipline (Heb. 12:13).

F.  If you are experiencing the discipline that comes from other’s sin don’t grow weary and lose heart.  Run with endurance.  Jesus has run your race.  He endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2).

Conclusion:

1.  Israel had done wrong and she was being disciplined.  She deserved annihilation.  She received the grace of discipline that she might receive life. 2.  We have done wrong and have been disciplined.  We deserve annihilation.  We have received the grace of discipline that we might receive life.