EZEKIEL'S REBUKES

Well - really they are God's rebukes, faithfully recorded by Ezekiel.

God punished Israel's rebellion against Him through the countries that surrounded her, but afterward punished the countries who attacked Israel because of their arrogance in their actions. The past couple of days I've read chapters 25 - 28, which spell out God's indictments against the powers who are against Israel. The penalty is severe and another reminder that God's purpose in disciplining His people is to draw them back into a relationship with Him. His purpose in punishing them is for the ultimate good of knowing that He is God - and honoring Him as the Lord of their lives.

Affirmation for that premise is corroborated in Ezekiel 28:25-26, "Thus says the Lord God: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God."

I see this as a layered prophecy, with more than one time in Israel's history where the prophecy finds interim application - but ultimately, this has to mean the Millenium because it speaks so clearly of the people dwelling securely. Until then, peace is a hope rooted deep inside us - a longing we inherently yearn for - but it won't happen in this deepest sense until after the Messiah returns!

With regard to the results of the declarations against the nations that surround Israel - every prophecy will be fulfilled. God's Word is true and He who spoke these declarations is faithful to keep His Word. Woe to those who regard Israel as an enemy, for in so doing they have made God their enemy.