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“The Prophets” Heart.Soul.Mind 30 April 2020 to You, O God, We Lift Our Hearts, Knowing That Their Innermost Thoughts and D

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“The Prophets” Heart.Soul.Mind 30 April 2020 to You, O God, We Lift Our Hearts, Knowing That Their Innermost Thoughts and D “The Prophets” Heart.Soul.Mind 30 April 2020 To you, O God, we lift our hearts, knowing that their innermost thoughts and desires are already known to you. As you have in the past been steadfast in your love even for faithless people, so show us your favor when we fall away. Teach us by their example the pleasant lines of life in you and renew us in both gratitude and graciousness to live as you have called us. Amen. Ezekiel I – Prophet of Indirection There is ample vivid imagery and strong language in Ezekiel and we examine some of it today. What we will see, interestingly, is that Ezekiel tends to point the strongest light not on his primary audience, but on others. Yet the message is for his fellow exiles. Thus, a “prophet of indirection.” A. Who are the “others?” Ezekiel 7:2, 12-13 (cf. Leviticus 25:24-30) – “the land of Israel” Ezekiel 8:3 (and all of chapters 8-11) – Jerusalem and the Temple Ezekiel 20:4-6, 27-28 – ancestors of Exodus, wilderness, and settlement Ezekiel 23:1-4 – ancestors from Egypt; Samaria and Jerusalem B. Offenses, by now, are familiar Pride (7:10, 24); Violence & wickedness (7:11, 23); gold & silver [idols] (7:19, 20) “Abominations” – 7:3, 4, 8, 9, 20, 24; and chapter 8, throughout All orders of leadership are affected: 7:26-27 (prophet, priest, elders, king) Destruction (chs. 9-11) comes on Jerusalem, but practices are all from the region where Ezekiel and the exiles dwell – Mesopotamia Temple wall drawings (8:7-13); mourning Tammuz (8:14-15); praying to the East (8:16-18) Thus: an indirect caution to the exiles And a comfort, as well – Ezekiel 11:14-20 C. The purpose – not a choice among gods, but God vs. not-God Ezekiel 7:4, 9, 27 – “you shall know that I am the LORD” Tora parallel: Israel in Egypt (Exodus 7-10; 14:4, 18) – “the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD” Ezekiel 20:5-8 – the ancestors as idolators in Egypt Theme: God relents – “but I acted for the sake of my own name” (20:9) So do not be like those others 20:32 – “let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone” Because God is making a new Exodus Bring you out…with a mighty hand and outstretched arm (20:34) Bring you into the wilderness…face to face (20:35) Bring you within the bond of the covenant (20:36) “And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, or corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, says the Lord GOD” (20:44). Look to the ancestors, as both caution and comfort. D. Two sisters of “questionable character” Oholah & Oholibah From of old, “they played the whore in Egypt; they played the whore in their youth” (23:3) Samaria & Jerusalem, consorting with Assyria, Egypt, Babylon Moving toward the destruction of 587/6 bce by Nebuchadrezzar Yet: no avenging angel; no heavenly host; no nature-catastrophe Natural consequences (23:9; 23:22, 28-32, 34) Just as the penalty for adultery is stoning (23:47; see Leviticus 20:10) What is the benefit of Ezekiel’s “indirection?” When have we seen our community, our church, our “own people” at risk of working against their proper character? What precedent or “other” might we use to show caution and comfort to our own people? Reading for next week: to be announced .
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