Grace and Goodness of God

O. T. #1875  "Grace and Goodness of God"

March 4, 2021

Ezekiel 20

LET IT GLOW

It was by the grace of God that He chose Israel to be His beloved people. It was not because they were worthy of such goodness, but He loved them. Israel was chosen to be a peculiar people unto Himself. God made Himself known to them, gave them a Promise Land, and established covenants with them showing His commitment to provide and protect Israel. God remained faithful to them down throughout the centuries of time. All they had to do was keep God's commands, statutes, feasts, love and worship God only, and keep their covenant to Him.

It is by the grace of God that we are saved and experience His goodness and grace daily.

Yet, Israel rebelled against the Lord in not observing His ordinances, statutes, Sabbaths, and by continuing in idolatry.

The good news is that after 70 years of God's judgment of His people and His land, He regathered Israel, not because they were worthy, but because of His grace. At that time they repented of their sins, were saved, and entered into the promised blessings in the land. We read about this in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Although Israel does not have a king on the throne that is of the lineage of David, there will one day be one. There will be when Jesus Christ returns to earth to reign as King during His millennial reign, for He is of the house and lineage of David.

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary, The Prophets, Ezekiel, by J.Vernon McGee]

Now that is good news among the doom and gloom of this book. We know that right down to the very day that Neb besieged Jerusalem, God was willing to spare them. His mercy was extended to Israel and Judah. All they had to do was repent of their sins, yet they would not. so many died because of their rebellion.

LET IT GROW

We read previously in chapter 14 that the elders of Israel/Judah came to Ezekiel to enquire of the LORD and sat before the prophet. This chapter begins the same way.

Enquire means to seek or ask; question; search; inquire.

How did God respond to this group of men? Are ye come to enquire of Me? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you. (verse 1)

Since God can see into the hearts of people and read their minds, He knew why those elders came to Ezekiel. It was to complain and criticize God; to say how He was unfair to judge them and to destroy Jerusalem. Even though they could have begun to take seriously the prophetic warnings, judgment fell.

Oh, if only those elders had been willing to follow God and His instructions. Their inquiring took place about 5 years before Jerusalem was destroyed and the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonian army. If only their heart had fully been devoted to God. But they wanted good news without having a willingness to follow God.

Are we willing to follow God's instructions to us, to obey His Word, and to do as the Holy spirit directs us? No matter the cost, are we willing to follow Jesus? Will we speak out and up against the sins and rebellion of people and nation, as well as against the evil lawmakers of our nation? 

God is giving us a chance to repent of our sins, materialism, homosexuality, killing of unborn babies, idolatry and not being faith to Him and His Word. What is our response? Will we ask for mercy, agreeing with God that we are guilty of those sins? Or will we reject His call?

LET IT GO

Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run, the fountain I drink from; Oh, He is my song.

Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide, the ransom for my life; Oh, He is my song.

'Cause You are good. (Song by Steffany Gretzinger & Bethel)

Is Jesus the King of your heart?