Taste and See That the LORD Is Good!

Sermon delivered on Sunday, July 8, 2018 PENT 7

Text: “Taste and See That the LORD Is Good!”

In the name of Jesus, dear Christian friends.

They are familiar words—many Christians are familiar with them—they’re incorporated into wall art and pictures for our homes—Christian churches incorporate these words into their liturgy—I know it’s one of my favorite songs of praise—we sang it from our hymnal today—“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!” These inspired words of the psalmist () are exciting words—the idea of tasting something is filled with expectation and excitement! We imagine all kinds of good things to eat and that appeals to us all. It’s one of the simple joys God gives to us in life—that sense of taste, touch, sight and smell and even sound--it all comes together so wonderfully in the things we take in our hands and eat and drink. And so when the psalmist says, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good,” we imagine all kinds of good things coming our way!

May these words of the psalmist accompany our thoughts this morning as we consider the words before us today in the Book of Ezekiel. Through his servant of the Word God want his people to “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” In his mercy God wants to bring many blessings to us. Receive them in repentance with thanksgiving.

in our circles (and of course outside the WELS) have incorporated these words into their liturgy—I know it’s one of my favorite songs of praise from our hymnal. Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Ezekiel gives the setting for our text back in chapter one.

The New International Version Chapter 1

In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

When really good things happen to us we remember it vividly--the exact day and even the exact hour sometimes. Mothers know the day each of their children were born and exact time. “I remember it was _________ and it at ___ a.m. in the morning.” You see this with the gospel writers, too, who remember even the time of day they were called by Jesus to discipleship, or also the way they recorded the exact hour of his suffering on the cross.

Ezekiel remembers this vividly too—who wouldn’t remember the time God pulled you up in spirit to behold a vision from him. I was thirty years old at the time, the fourth month of that year and the fifth day. I was among those who were carried away into exile in faraway Babylon. The “thirtieth year” BTW was usually the time when priests began their duties in the temple, but not Ezekiel. He was taken away with about 10,000 other Judeans to Babylon where they lived in great discouragement. The vision Ezekiel receives is almost impossible to describe in words that make sense—it’s the kind of thing that you try to draw because it is so visual—but everything you draw begins to contradict the things you’ve already drawn—it’s a vision of four living creatures, which later turn out to be cherubim, who come hurrying from a distance, to a place where Ezekiel can see them, and above them we see the LORD in a great expanse.

Right at the climax and conclusion of this vision of the LORD in chapter one is the sight of an expanse over the LORD in which there appears a rainbow, Ezekiel says, (1:28) “Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.” It was all so vivid! The richness and elegance of this vision—this image of the LORD that Ezekiel beholds is one that goes along very well with the psalmist’s words, “Oh taste and see that the LORD is good!”

It was all so vivid! The richness and elegance of this vision—this image of the LORD that Ezekiel beholds is one that goes along very well with the psalmist’s words, “Oh taste and see that the LORD is good!” Right at the climax and conclusion of this vision of the LORD in chapter one is the sight of an expanse over the LORD in which there appears a rainbow, Ezekiel says, (1:28) “Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.”

It was all so vivid! The richness and elegance of this vision—this image of the LORD that Ezekiel beholds is one that goes along very well with the psalmist’s words, “Oh taste and see that the LORD is good!”

And then the LORD speaks to Ezekiel these words.

and despite his holy glory the image of the LORD to this humble sinner, Ezekiel is also a picture that very well could accompany the psalmist’s words, “Oh taste and see that the LORD is good!” Right at the climax and conclusion of this vision of the LORD in chapter one is the sight of an expanse over the LORD in which there appears a rainbow, Ezekiel says, (1:28) “Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.”

And then the LORD speaks to Ezekiel these words.

(2:1) He said to me, “Son of man, p stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

The New International Version Chapter 2

2 He said to me, “Son of man, p stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.

Ezekiel is one of those in exile in Babylon, far from home, along with the other exiles from Judah who were taken there by Nebuchadnezzar, after the fall of Jerusalem. In spite of his many blessings they turned their nose up at his Word and his will and instead chose to follow the ways of the pagan nations around them. Four kings in a row in Judah did evil in the eyes of the LORD and turned the people of God away from him. So God sent them into exile in Babylon. Living there in incredible discouragement, far away from home, they had no one but themselves to blame. Yet in mercy, God still sent blessings through his servant Ezekiel.

Ezekiel had been flat on his face when the LORD commands him to stand up. Then comes this sobering reality: (vv.4-5) “The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn.”—that’s the reason they are here in captivity—that’s the reason they are in exile in Babylon, because I gave them one blessing after another—I gave them the Promised Land that was flowing with milk and honey—things that they could taste—opulent goodness from the LORD—blessings that were theirs to enjoy, theirs to keep—and yet they rejected me and turned away from me in unbelief! The LORD warned Ezekiel that this was going to be a tough assignment. Your words will not always be received in faith. Nevertheless, (vv.4-5 cont’d) “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

The sight his holy God in all his glory overwhelmed Ezekiel with a sense of fear and guilt!

The New International Version. (2011). (Eze 2:4–5). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Looking at this verse and it is a sad commentary on the people’s attitude toward God and his Word, and yet, what a testimony to the LORD’s goodness and divine mercy in not entirely forsaking them, but instead sending Ezekiel to them, the servant of his Word. Again we have an example here of tasting and seeing that the LORD is good that we heard in our psalm today. Still, we have a God who shows mercy to his people despite their unfaithfulness to his Word.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

What a clear reminder that the LORD exists to bring eternal blessings of grace to his people. Just as the LORD preserved his promise of a Savior and spared the human race by saving Noah and his family from the flood, so God promises to save all people ever since who cling in faith to that same Savior descended from Noah.

The New International Version Chapter 2

And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words.

But then comes this sobering reality (vv.4-5) “The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn.”—that’s the reason they are here in captivity—that’s the reason they are in exile in Babylon, because I gave them one blessing after another—I gave them the Promised Land that was flowing with milk and honey “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Oh the many blessings God had showered on his people—he had made them his covenant people at Sinai—delivering them from slavery in Egypt, giving them his words and laws at Sinai, giving them the temple ans a pattern to worship—he organized things for their everyday life by giving them civil laws that allowed them to live in peace and harmony, but in spite of all these many blessings, the people soon turned their nose up at his Word and his will and instead chose to follow the ways of the pagan nations around them. Four kings in a row in Judah did evil in the eyes of the LORD before the invasion of the Babylonians. God loved his people so he disciplined them harshly, hoping they would turn in repentance and faith back to their LORD. Living there in Babylon, in incredible discouragement, far away from home, they had no one but themselves to blame.

The New International Version Chapter 2

listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.

(vv.9-10) “Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.”

(3:1,2) “And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll...fill your stomach with it.”

Oh the many blessings God had showered on his people—he had made them his covenant people at Sinai—delivering them from slavery in Egypt, giving them his words and laws at Sinai, giving them the temple ans a pattern to worship—he organized things for their everyday life by giving them civil laws that allowed them to live in peace and harmony, but in spite of all these many blessings, the people soon turned their nose up at his Word and his will and instead chose to follow the ways of the pagan nations around them. Four kings in a row in Judah did evil in the eyes of the LORD before the invasion of the Babylonians. God loved his people so he disciplined them harshly, hoping they would turn in repentance and faith back to their LORD. Living there in Babylon, in incredible discouragement, far away from home, they had no one but themselves to blame.

God wants his Word to fill every fiber of Ezekiel’s being so he says “eat this scroll”--and it’s likely that in this vision Ezekiel does just that—he eats the scroll—and it’s real to Ezekiel. “Fill your stomach with it,” God says.

Now, if I told you to take this Bible and eat it’s pages with black and white ink on it, I’m sure it would not taste very good to you. But God tells Ezekiel to eat it.

3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

(3:3) So I ate it,” Ezekiel says, “and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”

Yet in mercy, God did not leave them comfort and hope from his Word. He set apart Ezekiel to minister to his people.

God’s Word is described this way in a number of other places in the Bible. () “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

The Apostle John says something similar in . In the Psalm it seems like the expression is a figure of speech, but with Ezekiel it seems they actually eat the scroll in his vision, which again, would not normally taste sweet. But how sweet the message of God’s Word is to the soul that’s hungry for what the LORD has to say. To the soul that longs for forgiveness for the many sins we commit, there is nothing sweeter than the good news that God indeed does forgive us for Jesus’ sake. Then, too, forgiven and free of sin the Law also is sweet to the believer’s ears. When the psalmist says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD,” what is there but joyful agreement in the believer’s heart!? The same goes for Paul’s encouragement to the Colossians: “Let the Word of Christ dwell among you richly.” When you receive God’s blessings in repentance and faith, it tastes good to your soul and you want more. You not only look forward to worship, but you might even start looking forward to Bible study and church with the Pastor and personal time with the LORD in his Word at home.

“Oh taste and see that the LORD is good!” Sometimes it’s literally true that God’s goodness is sweet to our taste. In the Lord’s Supper we actually receive him in his true body and blood. You wouldn’t know this but, as your pastor, but inside I literally shake my head in amazement when I see people leave just before the sacrament is served. I wonder: do they have people expecting them somewhere? Or maybe you’re serving at an important charity event. But the LORD is the real host here. Something to think about. How can 15 more minutes here in God’s House make a person that late for anything that can’t even begin to compare with what the Savior holds out before us here in this Holy Supper.

Maybe you don’t think that way. Maybe you think I’m overly concerned about it. But I wonder what He thinks.

You see what I’m getting though? It’s not so much about one decision you make like that, but the attitude in your heart...

In the it seems like the expression is a figure of speech, but with John and Ezekiel it seems they actually eat the scroll in their visions.

. . Again, in those verses it seems like the expression is a figure of speech, but here Ezekiel seems to actually eat the

Again, in those verses it seems like the expression is a figure of speech, but here Ezekiel seems to actually eat the

Think for a moment now, of the Prayer of the Day earlier in the service. We prayed: “Oh God, your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy. Grant us the fullness of your grace that we may be called to repentance and made partakers of your heavenly treasures, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”

Do you see how this prayer we prayed earlier connects with this lesson from Ezekiel?