Judgment Not Postponed
August 11, 2022
Commentary
The prophet Eusocial, having in the former part of this chapter received instructions for the awakening of those that were at ease in Zion, is in these verses furnished with words for those that mourned in Babylon and sat by the rivers weeping when they remembered Zion. The inhabitants of Jerusalem abandoned them, supposing those that were really the best saints to be the greatest sinners of all men that dwelt in Jerusalem. Observe how they are described: They are thy brethren (says God to the prophet), whom thou hast a concern and affection for; to whom the right of redeeming the alienated belongs, but are far from being able to do it that they have themselves gone into captivity.
Two short messages were warnings that God’s words would come true. Less than six years later, Jerusalem would be destroyed. Yet the people were skeptical! Unbelief and false security led them to believe it would never happen. Since the prophets had pronounced the doom over an extended period of time and the fulfillment had not occurred, many were led to believe they either would not occur for a long time, or not at all (vv. 25-26). False prophets through flattering words had told the people what they wished to hear (Jer 14:13-16).
It is dangerous to say Christ will never return or to regard His coming as so far in the future as to be irrelevant today. All that God said is going to happen is sure to happen. This means that we should never assume that we have plenty of time to get right with God. God’s decrees are immutable. Blind and rebellious unbelief cannot break down his words. Those who set themselves against divine truth will find their words baseless and hollow.
Application
In reference to the Lord’s return and the fact that He may return at any time I need to be ready always to give to give an answer of the hope that is in me and share the Gospel with them.
Ezekiel 12:17– 28 (NET)
17 The Lord’s message came to me: 18 “Son of man, eat your bread with trembling and drink your water with anxious shaking. 19 Then say to the people of the land, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says about the inhabitants of Jerusalem and of the land of Israel: They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water in fright, for their land will be stripped bare of all it contains because of the violence of all who live in it. 20 The inhabited towns will be left in ruins, and the land will be devastated. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
21 The Lord’s message came to me: 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel, ‘The days pass slowly, and every vision fails’? 23 Therefore tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I hereby end this proverb; they will not recite it in Israel any longer.’ But say to them, ‘The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled. 24 For there will no longer be any false visions or flattering omens amidst the house of Israel. 25 For I, the Lord, will speak. Whatever word I speak will be accomplished. It will not be delayed any longer. Indeed in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and accomplish it, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
26 The Lord’s message came to me: 27 “Take note, son of man, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for distant days; he is prophesying about the far future.’ 28 Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer! The word I speak will come to pass, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
Illustration: Bill Graham Stopped for Speeding
Billy Graham told how a number of years ago I was stopped for driving too fast in a speed zone, and in the courtroom I pleaded guilty. The judge was not only friendly but embarrassed for me to be in his court. The fine was ten dollars. If he let me go free, it would have been inconsistent with justice. The penalty had to be paid either by me or someone else! Judgment is consistent with love. A God of love must be a God of justice. It is because God loves that He is just. His justice balances His love and makes both love and justice meaningful. (Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations – 6473).