Monthly Archives: February 2021

As the full impact of the siege of Jerusalem begins to settle in for the exiles, Yahweh begins the process of full healing for his people. He leads Ezekiel through the battlefield to admit his grief … and then he begins the assurance that, though the people now feel “cut-off” from any possibility of returning to their land, their sovereign Lord has a plan already in place. Such is the promise for those of us who may feel “cut-off” ourselves.

As Ezekiel catches word that the unthinkable has happened and that the city of Jerusalem has fallen to the Babylonian army (see chapter 33) the prophet hears a new word from Yahweh. The cause of the decline of the Hebrew nation cannot be solely attributed to the citizens … the leadership bears some of the blame as well. Yahweh instructs Ezekiel on a new message, fulfilling the dual roles of seeker of the lost and leader/prince in a surprising way.

The exiles in Babylon are aghast to learn that the puppet king back in Judea had made a decision that angered the “powers that be” and made life difficult for the Hebrews, both home and away. Through the teaching Yahweh gives to Ezekiel we find out that bad decisions or bad worship choices need not dictate the future. The Father loves us … and provides a way for us to enjoy the full blessing of His guidance and care.

The world needs a little bit of sanctuary, I think. The word means a place of protection, but it also has something to do with a real sense of God’s presence … and everybody needs that.