Ezekiel 33-36:15: Preparation for Restoration
Introduction
1. Up until now Ezekiel’s message has been condemnation and
judgment for sin, but now Jerusalem has fallen.
2. The prophet’s message becomes one of hope and
restoration; these chapters lay the groundwork.
I.
The Responsibility of the Watchman (33:1-20)
A.
The Prophet’s Task Illustrated (33:1-6)
1.
God again uses a watchman to illustrate Ezekiel’s task, but this time He
addresses the people.
2.
Ezekiel’s audience needed to understand the nature of his mission and not
blame the messenger!
3.
The watchman’s job is to give warning; if he does not warn, he will be
liable for their blood.
B.
The Prophet’s Commission Renewed (33:7-9)
1.
Now God addressed Ezekiel and renewed the commission that He gave the
prophet before.
a)
Ezekiel was to hear the word from God’s mouth and then warn Israel with
God’s word.
b)
Ezekiel’s own salvation was bound to his fulfillment of his task as a
watchman for Israel.
2.
Application: What do we expect of preachers today? Do we
expect the same serious purpose?
a)
Preachers are not spiritual politicians who give a speech once per week
and visit the sick.
b)
If a preacher does not warn his audience of God’s holy commandment, he
can lose his soul!
C.
The Prophet’s Message Vindicated (33:10-20)
1.
Some in Israel had finally admitted their sin, but it had thrown them
into hopeless despair.
a)
The LORD assured them that He delighted in repentance and salvation, not
destruction.
b)
If they would turn from their wickedness, they could once again live
before the LORD.
2.
This section of Ezekiel (like chapter 18) utterly refutes Calvinism’s
doctrine of Eternal Security.
a)
The righteous that was promised life by God could become proud, could
fall, and be lost.
b)
The wicked that turned to God and bore fruit of repentance could be
forgiven and saved.
3.
Yet men today teach “once saved, always saved” and argue any other
doctrine undermines God!
a)
It is the doctrines of men, then and now, that are not right; God’s ways
are just and right.
b)
Every man will be judged according to his own ways; you are
responsible for your salvation.
II.
The Report of Jerusalem’s Fall (33:21-33)
A.
The Condition of the City (33:21-22)
1.
In the twelfth year of Ezekiel’s captivity on the fifth day of the tenth
month, a man came to him.
a)
The man had escaped Jerusalem, and he brought news of the city’s fall 18
months before.
b)
News may have already been heard, but this was the eyewitness God had
promised. (24:26)
2.
The hand of Jehovah came on Ezekiel the night before, and that morning
his mouth was opened.
a)
Some think this refers to a special period of muteness since his wife’s
death three years ago.
b)
But a simpler interpretation associates it with his original restriction.
(3:26-27; 24:25-27)
B.
The Corruption of the Survivors (33:23-29)
1.
Incredibly, the survivors in Palestine were still proud, wicked, and
opportunistic.
a)
In the wake of Jerusalem’s fall, the survivors still did not humble
themselves before God.
b)
Jeremiah details the coup against Gedaliah, and the survivors’ refusal to
obey God’s word.
2.
The survivors assumed the land now belonged to them. They cited Abraham
as their support.
a)
But God indicted them for six offenses including idolatry, violence, and
adultery.
b)
God would kill the survivors, make the land desolate, and end their
arrogant strength.
C.
The Complacency of the Captives (33:30-33)
1.
Ezekiel was sought out, but his audience was insincere; they heard his
voice, not his words.
a)
They feigned love toward the prophet, but they continued to pursue their
own gain.
b)
Ultimately, God’s word would be vindicated in the final judgment of
Jerusalem’s survivors.
2.
Application: How do we listen to preaching? Is it a
beautiful speech, or life-changing doctrine?
a)
We can become complacent and deceived if we listen to God’s word but do
not obey it.
b)
When was the last time you changed your life in response to a Bible class
or sermon?
III.
The Replacement of Unspiritual Shepherds (34:1-31)
A.
The Evil Shepherds (34:1-10)
1.
The word of Jehovah was sent thru Ezekiel to rebuke and condemn the
faithless leaders of Israel.
a)
The term shepherd is likely used to include both civil and
religious leaders.
b)
These men had abused positions of power and neglected the
responsibilities given to them.
2.
The LORD sent indictments against the ungodly behavior of these
shepherds.
a)
They had fed themselves instead of caring for God’s flock, using power to
gain privilege.
b)
They neglected the flock, oppressed the flock, scattered
the flock, and abandoned the flock.
3.
These shepherds were to provide for the sheep, not provide for
themselves from the sheep.
a)
So Jehovah would call them to account for the flock and remove their
oversight of them.
b)
He would deliver His flock from those who had abused the responsibility
of leadership.
4.
Application: Leadership is a serious responsibility, and
God will call us to account for it.
a)
How many politicians, preachers, elders, and parents forget: It
Isn’t About You, But Them!
b)
Shepherds must be attentive, compassionate, protective,
and responsible for the flock.
B.
The Divine Shepherd (34:11-31)
1.
First, the LORD promised to fulfill the needs of the flock that were
neglected by evil shepherds.
a)
He would seek them, gather them, feed them, rest them, and heal them.
b)
Jehovah would demonstrate the compassion and concern the ungodly
shepherds had not.
2.
Second, God addressed the flock and the judgment that would accompany His
leadership.
a)
He would judge between sheep and goats, those that ruined good grass and
water.
b)
He would judge those that had become fat thru force and save His sheep
from their abuse.
c)
He would install one Shepherd, David, the
Messiah, as Prince among them. Jn.
10:11-16
3.
Third, God promised blessings of abundance, security, and vindication
under His oversight.
a)
This section speaks in vivid, poetic terms of the blessedness of the
Messiah’s reign.
b)
Under Christ’s rule, we know Jehovah as our God and that He is with us as
God.
4.
Application: Here we see three aspects of God’s leadership:
its Nature, Judgment, and Blessing.
a)
God is everything anyone could want in a Master: concerned,
compassionate, and capable.
b)
We must submit to His oversight to benefit from it, else we are subject
to His judgment.
IV.
The Removal of National Enemies (35:1-15)
A.
Edom’s Desolation (35:1-9)
1.
Perhaps Edom is highlighted again as a nearby obstacle to Israel’s
restoration.
2.
Edom was guilty of acting on their ancient hatred by giving Israel
to the sword in their calamity.
3.
Since Edom did not hate the violence of bloodshed, it would pursue and
overcome them.
B.
Edom’s Condemnation (35:10-15)
1.
Edom was guilty of enmity and envy, blasphemy and boasting, greed and
gloating.
2.
Jehovah’s name would again be declared in the judgments that He brought
against Edom.
V.
The Reassurance of Israel (36:1-15)
A.
Israel’s Enemies will be Rebuked (36:1-7)
1.
This section is set in contrast to chapter 35; it complements the
thoughts in that chapter.
2.
First God addressed Mt. Seir in Edom, but now
He addresses the mountains of Israel.
3.
Israel’s enemies with their spiteful minds would bear their own
shame.
B.
Israel’s Fortunes will be Restored (36:8-15)
1.
But Israel’s fortunes would be restored and her land would once again be
blessed.
2.
God would once again turn to Israel and do them
good, even better than before.
3.
The captives did return and prosper, but restoration hope is ultimately
fulfilled in Christ.
Conclusion
1. This section paves the way for the glorious restoration
promises that complete the book.
2. Remember that God’s harsh condemnation was sent to
provoke repentance and the salvation of the wicked.