God's Grace to the Exiled Jews

Intro:

The Bible is unique among all books ever written because it is written by God. It is a collection of 66 books written by more than 40 authors over a span of 4,000 years. The backgrounds of the authors are diverse, from uneducated fishermen, all the way to the world’s wisest human king. The setting of the books are also diverse, some take place in the wilderness, some in the Promised Land, and some in exile. Yet, all the books taken together converge into one theme: mankind’s undeserved redemption by a gracious God.

Today, we’ll look at how God will redeem His chosen people, the nation of Israel. God chose and called Abram to be the father of this nation, whom God will use to bless all peoples of the earth. He redeemed them from slavery in Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai where He made a covenant with them that they should obey Him and He would be their God. However, we know that time and again, Israel rebelled against God.

It came to a point when God exiled them from the Promised Land to the nations because of their idolatry and sin. It is from this background where we find Ezekiel, together with other exiled Jews, in Babylon. The Jews were thinking among themselves, “Has God abandoned us?” In Ezekiel 11:14-21, God gave Ezekiel a message of hope to those who were in exile. In this passage, we will see three things. First, how the remnant in Jerusalem scorned the refugees in Babylon. Second, how God the Redeemer soothed the refugees in Babylon. Third, how God the Righteous scolded the remnant.

“And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, your kinsmen, the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.’ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.’ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.”

The remnant scorned the refugees (Ezekiel 11:14-15)

Details

King Nebuchadnezzer left a remnant in Jerusalem

This remnant scorned those who were brought into exile

They thought they had God’s protection because of the temple in Jerusalem

They wrongfully claimed the land for themselves

But God would judge them for their arrogance (cf. Jeremiah 24:1-10)

God told Ezekiel that his new family are his co-exiles

Timeless truth

We are in exile here on earth, for we belong in God’s kingdom (cf. Hebrews 11:13-16)

Our co-exiles are those who believe in Jesus Christ and do God’s will (cf. Matthew 12:48-50)

Application

Let us live in view of eternity. That is where we truly belong, in God’s eternal kingdom. We are merely passing through in this life, so let us hold loosely to the things of this world.

The Redeemer soothed the refugees (Ezekiel 11:16-20)

God is their sanctuary (Ezekiel 11:16)

Details

God may have chastened them by exiling them from the Promised Land

But God promised to be their sanctuary, even while in exile

The temple is not the true sanctuary, as the remnant thought

Timeless truth

God is the refuge of refugees (cf. Psalm 90:1; 91:1-2)

God’s presence is what makes a place a sanctuary (cf. Matthew 18:20)

Application

In this world of affliction and tribulation, let us look for comfort in God alone.

God will regather them (Ezekiel 11:17)

Details

God prophesied that the exiles will one day return to Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 44:26-28)

God fulfilled His promise (cf. Ezra 1:1-4)

Up to this day, the Jews inhabit the Promised Land

But His word has only been partially fulfilled

God will renew them (Ezekiel 11:18-20)

Details

God will cleanse the land (v. 18)

God prophesied that He will remove all detestable things and abominations from the land

These were still present even in the time of Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 23:25-28)

God will give them a new heart and spirit, and He will be their God (Ezekiel 11:19-20)

God said that the Jews will be obedient to Him

God said that the Jews will be His people, they He will be their God

Jews do believe in God and worship Him

But they rejected and killed the Messiah (cf. Acts 2:22-23)

Christ-believing Jews are still a minority in Israel today

Timeless truth

God alone is the one who can change people’s hearts and spirits (cf. Psalm 51:10)

God alone is the one who can make people obedient to Him (cf. Hebrews 8:10)

God will save Israel as a nation (cf. Romans 11:26-27)

Application

God is the only one who can renew and transform people. Without God’s grace, we can never live lives that are pleasing to Him. Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we cannot live out a life that is victorious against sin and death. BUT God also gives us free will to choose whether to live in accordance to His will or not. Let us live in submission to God.

The Righteous scolded the remnant (Ezekiel 11:21)

Details

God sent prophet after prophet to warn Israel and Judah, but they were ignored and killed.

God pronounced judgment on the remnant because of their idolatry (cf. Ezekiel 8:1-6)

God fulfilled His promise when Babylon conquered and destroyed Jerusalem (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:17-21)

Timeless truth

God will judge unrepentant sinners.

God gives people many chances to repent before judgment

Application

Because we live in a world tainted by sin, we experience suffering, persecution, and injustice. Our hearts may plead to God for justice against those who wrong us, but let us leave the decision or judgment to God. Let us remember that we, too, deserve God’s judgment, but God gave us opportunities to repent from our sins. Let us offer the same grace to others who sin against us.

Conclusion:

Praise God, because He is faithful to His promises. He redeemed Israel from her enemies as He promised, and He will one day redeem the nation from unbelief. Praise God because He has extended His grace to us who are undeserving of it. Praise God for His longsuffering against sin and rebellion. He gives us plenty of opportunities to repent before meting out His judgment.

Just as the exiles longed to return to the Promised Land, let us remember that we, too, are in exile here on this world. Let us live in view of eternity, for we belong in God’s eternal kingdom. Just as the exiles sought refuge in God for comfort, let us look to God for comfort in the midst of tribulation. Just as God will one day renew the nation of Israel and they will live in obedience to Him, let us live in submission to God, who has renewed us by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. Just as God pronounced judgment on the remnant who remained unrepentant until the end, let us leave judgment to God alone. Just as God extended His grace toward us, who were undeserving of it, let us extend grace to others even when we feel they are undeserving of it.

Outline:

The exiles are scorned by the remnant in Jerusalem (vv. 14-15)

God’s promises to the exiles (vv. 16-20)

God is their sanctuary (v. 16) (cf. Psalm 90:1; 91:1-2)

God will regather them (v. 17) (cf. Isaiah 44:26-28; Ezra 1:1-4)

God will renew them (vv. 18-20)

God will cleanse the land (v. 18)

God will give them a new heart and spirit (vv. 19-20a) (cf. Psalm 51:10; Romans 11:26-27)

God will be their God (v. 20b) (cf. Hebrews 8:10)

God’s promise to the remnant (v. 21)

Timeless truths:

Believers are exiles in this world.

Believers should find refuge in God alone.

God is the one who transforms people.

God will judge unrepentant sinners.

Applications:

Live in view of eternity.

Look to God for comfort.

Live in submission to God.

Leave judgment to the Lord.