There is a Remnant

Praying for our nation today. Today's lesson was written but not posted. (Jan. 13)

 

O. T. #1859 "There is a Remnant"

January 14, 2021

Ezekiel 5-Part 3

... and ye shall know that I am the LORD. (6:7, 10, 13, 14)

LET IT GLOW

 Our key verse/phrase is used by Ezekiel some 65 times in his book of prophesies. It shows that the essential reason for judgment on Judah is the violation of the character of God. The motive for all obedience to God's law is the fact that He is the Lord God. (MacArthur)

In the Hebrew language, LORD (Yhoah, pronounced yeh-ho-vaw') means Jehovah, a Jewish national name of God; Self-Existent or Eternal.

God wants us to know who He is and have a relationship with Him. Isn't that amazing?

Know means discern; understand; have respect; be sure; comprehend; declare.

That the Creator (El Eyon) reaches down and bids us to come to Him; that a Holy God, the King (Melch), who is royalty in heaven-Jesus, loves us; our Risen Savior (Yasha) and Majestic Redeemer (Gaal) would be with us offering grace and mercy, is astounding! Do I hear an amen?

Friend, do you understand who the LORD is? Do we comprehend that He has sovereign and absolute control over all things? Are you sure that He is LORD of your life and holds our eternal life in His hands? Is He your LORD of lords and King of kings today? That is who He is. He alone deserves our worship and praise. He is way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper; that is who He is. Even when we don't feel Him working, He is; He never stops working, this light in the darkness.

Their calamity was coming to Jerusalem (sword, famine, pestilence). However, it was by those means that Israel came to know that God is the LORD and not the many false gods they had so obviously been serving in futility.

LET IT GROW

I recall seeing Grandma's quilt top that Mom had tucked away. My sister took it, since she knew our grandmother and I didn't. (She died 2 months before I was born.) How precious it is. Well, as we read through this long book of the Bible, of the gloom and doom ahead of God's chosen people, keep in mind that He had a remnant preserved that would worship only Him.

The purpose of all God's punishment was not to take revenge, but to impress upon the people the truth that the Lord is the only true and living God. People in Ezekiel's day were worshiping human-made idols and calling them gods. Today money, sex, and power have become idols from many. Punishment will come upon all who put other things ahead of God. It is easy to forget that the Lord alone is God, the supreme authority and the only source of eternal love and life. Remember that God may use the difficulties of your life to teach you that He alone is God.  (Life Application Study Bible)

All along, the prophets have been telling Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem; Isaiah used the word 15 times, Jeremiah some 19 times, and Ezekiel used it 6 times.

What is a remnant?  God would have a remnant, which refers to preserve; left behind; rest; reserve; even though so many would be killed by Assyria and Babylon, would die from disease and famine, God still loved His beloved people.

This small group of people would be preserved only after they had learned some hard lessons. Sometimes God has to break a person in order to bring them to true repentance.

The people needed new attitudes, but they wouldn't change until God broke their hearts with humiliation, pain, suffering, and defeat. Does your heart long for God enough to change those areas displeasing Him? Or will God have to break your heart? (Life Application Study Bible)

That remnant escaped the sword and was scattered through the countries. (verse 8)  They were allowed to return to Jerusalem by Cyrus king of Persia after 70 years passed. We read about it in Nehemiah. Esther helped preserve her Jewish people.

Matthew Henry said, "Where God designs grace to repent He allows space to repent. They were monuments of mercy. What God said was made good, and made to work for good, and to answer a good intention. One way or other God will make sinners to know and own that He is the Lord, either by their repentance or by their ruin."

So trouble one, keep in mind that God works all thing for our good and His glory.

LET IT GO

Thank You Father for preserving Your people throughout time.

Glory to You for being gracious and merciful, loving and forgiving to us sinners.

Bless those who are going through hard times today with Your Spirit and strength.