Light cannot co-exist with darkness – there must be separation. But if we find ourselves alone in darkness, God has left the door open, if we wish a reconciliation and a return to His light.
Despite many decades of warnings from the Lord’s prophets right up to the time of Ezekiel, the Temple leaders and most of their followers in Jerusalem firmly rejected God with a hard heart, and devoted themselves instead to the worship of false gods and idols. The time had finally come for God to do something about it, and it came in the form of a terrible judgment. God’s protection over the city and its Temple were removed, and His wrath was permitted to come in the form of an invasion by King Nebuchadnezzar’s army from Babylon. But God still deeply loved His people and wanted to retain an eternal relationship with them. He would protect those who remained faithful to Him in the midst of the approaching catastrophe, and would continually try to turn back the hearts of those who opposed Him, using the coming hardship to soften them.
Ezekiel’s vision described what was actually happening behind the scenes, in the spiritual realm.
3 Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. And the Lord called to the man dressed in linen who was carrying the writer’s case. 4 He said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.” Ezekiel 9:3-4 (NLT)
Since the time of Moses, the ark of the covenant had been the footstool and mercy seat of God’s presence on earth. Residing behind a curtain in the Temple’s Holy of Holy’s, it was symbolically presided over by two golden statues of angelic cherubim. The ark was only approached by one human being, the High Priest, once each year, and this was only done after a spiritual “covering” of the priest’s impurity through a sin sacrifice, as prescribed under the law of God, given to Moses.
The pattern for the ark and its surroundings were earthly representations of heavenly realities, also given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. These were implemented first in a mobile tabernacle, and later, in the Temple built by King David’s son, Solomon, on the holy location God had chosen, Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. The Temple’s dedication had been a joyful event, filled with much worship, prayer and many atoning sacrifices. God blessed Solomon’s work with a visible manifestation of His presence and glory on its dedication day.
But now, these many years later, the Lord was about to remove His glory from the Temple. Ezekiel saw this dark day in a vision, which included the real cherubim that the golden statues above the ark were modeled after, and represented.
18 Then the glory of the Lord moved out from the entrance of the Temple and hovered above the cherubim. 19 And as I watched, the cherubim flew with their wheels to the east gate of the Lord’s Temple. And the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them. Ezekiel 10:18-19 (NLT)
22 Then the cherubim lifted their wings and rose into the air with their wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered above them. 23 Then the glory of the Lord went up from the city and stopped above the mountain to the east. Ezekiel 11:22-23 (NLT)
What a tragic day. The Creator of the universe had honored Jerusalem with His presence, intending them to be His light to the world, attracting people to the Lord from every nation. Instead, His people were now pointing them to demonic idols. Because of this, God was pulling up stakes and leaving the Temple, His holy light unable to coexist with the dark worship and constant elevation of their false gods and idols.
But God did not give up His love and good will towards His people. Prophecy tells us that one day, Jerusalem will indeed fulfill its role as the footstool of God and as an attractive beacon of His presence and goodness to all the world. The throne of David will be restored for eternal global rule by the Messiah, Jesus Christ, perhaps assisted by King David himself.
In the meantime, God did extend grace and protection to all of His faithful who were suffering as a result of His cleansing judgment. And many of those who had rejected Him were given a renewed chance to soften their hearts, repent of their ways, and humbly return to His open arms. Ezekiel continues with his instructions from God:
16 “Therefore, tell the exiles, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. 17 I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.’
18 “When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. 19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, 20 so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those who long for vile images and detestable idols, I will repay them fully for their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 11:16-21 (NLT)
God used the tool of hardship to soften and tenderize unbelieving hearts, making them more open and receptive to the Lord’s outreach.
Ezekiel’s vision thus ended, and he shared this divine message with the exiles.
24 Afterward the Spirit of God carried me back again to Babylonia, to the people in exile there. And so ended the vision of my visit to Jerusalem. 25 And I told the exiles everything the Lord had shown me. Ezekiel 11:24-25 (NLT)
This theme of tenderization through trial is also prominent when, centuries later, Jesus told the Parable of the Lost, or Prodigal, Son. This parable, found in Luke 15, outlines the principle of a person in rebellion going through hardship, a change of heart, and a welcome return into the fellowship with the Lord. Many a believer has walked that path.
In the story, a young man turns his back on his father, disrespectfully demanding, receiving, then spending his share of the family inheritance, wasting it on wild living in a foreign land. When the money was gone, he found himself suffering in his self-imposed exile. Starving with hunger while the pigs he slopped were being well fed, he finally came to his senses. His heart was “tenderized” through suffering, and he became much more softened towards his father, and longed to return home, but was afraid.
Realizing that, even as his servant, he would be much better off under the care and protection of a father who loved him than in his exiled state, the young man decided to humbly return home. His father saw him while still a long way off, as he had been long been watching and hoping for his son’s return. Rather than condemn him, the father ran to hug him and celebrated this joyful occasion with a great feast. This is how our Heavenly Father regards us, who have rejected and abandoned Him.
God used the difficult experiences of the young man’s life to bring him safely back into the fold. He longs to be reconciled with each one of us who are currently alienated from Him, and He will go to any length to do so, even use a little tenderizer, while there is yet time.
Reflection
Who do you know who currently feels separated from God because of their past? We pray for their return.
Perhaps it is you. He is right there, longing for complete reconciliation.
Lord, continue to draw each of us closer to You in Your love, especially those who feel alone and isolated. Forgive us for the sins of our past as we bring them to the cross of Christ. Hold us up through our times of trial and trouble, keeping us in Your grip until the storm passes. Let Your light so shine through me that I may become a beacon, attracting others to your glorious Light and the joy of reconciliation. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Have a beautiful and joyful day in the peace of the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 