Holy God, Holy Living
Opening Prayer
Lord, I pray for insight from Your Word into how to more faithfully uphold my society and government.
Read EZEKIEL 36:16-38
[16] Again the word of the LORD came to me: [17] “Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman’s monthly uncleanness in my sight. [18] So I poured out my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols. [19] I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. [20] And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the LORD’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’ [21] I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone. [22] “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. [23] I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. [24] “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. [25] I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. [26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. [28] You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. [29] I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. [30] I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. [31] Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. [32] I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel! [33] “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. [34] The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. [35] They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.” [36] Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the LORD have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.’ [37] “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Once again I will yield to the plea of the house of Israel and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep, [38] as numerous as the flocks for offerings at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why is God going to restore his sinful people?The consequences of the violence and idolatry of the people had been their dispersal into a long, painful exile and, because of that, the profaning of the Lord’s holy name among the nations (16-21). Sin has national repercussions as well as personal ones. God takes the initiative again, however, and is going to act, not for the sake of his disgraced people, but for the sake of his holy name (22,23,32).
As God’s reputation and character are restored, his people benefit, also. They will be brought back to their land and it will produce abundant harvests. Cities will be repaired. The people will be cleansed and spiritually renewed. It seems that the restoration of God’s holy name and the well-being of his people are inextricably linked (24-30).
This double restoration also has significant consequences: God’s people will be reminded of the loathsomeness of their sins (31). They will know that the Lord is God and has acted (36,38) so that surrounding nations will see his holiness expressed through his people’s holy living (23). That is also a challenge for us, his people, today.
Apply
What changes in your words, attitudes or lifestyle would better display God’s holiness and your distinctiveness?
Closing prayer
Holy God, I do want my life to reflect credit on You. Show me ways I can better do that.
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