GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

The 25 men are the real leaders of Israel since king Zedekiah fears them (Jer. 38). They are evil and constantly hinder God’s warning to His people. God told them He would exile the people, but they told the people the walls of Jerusalem are strong, which is liken to a cauldron, so they are safe like precious meat in this cauldron; therefore they should continue to build houses and enjoy life. But God says the only people who are safe, spiritually, are the righteous whom these wicked leaders had slain (Is. 57:1). God will slay these rulers with the sword at the border of Israel where they are judged by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 39:6). As a true prophet of God, Ezekiel intercedes for the salvation of sinners. He did not gloat over their death.

God answers Ezekiel’s prayer by prophesying that one day Israel will be fully restored. One day, God will give them a new heart so that they will love Him and no longer worship idols. This is the New Covenant that God speaks of in Jeremiah 31:34 and Ezekiel 36:24-32. The beginning of this fulfillment is the death and resurrection of Jesus who has inaugurated this covenant (Luke 22:20). Israel’s acceptance of this covenant will be in the end times (Zech. 12:10). In other places of the OT, especially through Jeremiah, God also promises to return the exile from Babylon in the near future. God is faithful to the nation, but individuals will be judged according to their allegiance to God. Individuals who worship idols will be in hell, while those who worship God will be in His kingdom, His paradise.

 

God knows the thought of our hearts. Those who do not worship Him will be judged. No human tradition, status or even the presence of a wooden cross can save people. Only a faith that submits to the lordship of God and His salvation in Jesus can one be saved. All other ways of salvation engineered by human wisdom and religions are sinking sand. Pray that you will only trust in God’s grace in Jesus as your master and deliverer to save you, not your good works, status or religious affiliation. Pray you will help others to understand this too.

 

 

 

 

这二十五个人是以色列真实的首领，因为西底家王也怕他们（耶38）。他们是邪恶的，持续抵挡神予祂子民的警告。神告诉他们祂将驱逐以色列民，可他们却说耶路撒冷的城墙坚固如锅，所以他们像锅里珍贵的肉一样安全；因此，他们当继续建造房屋，享受生活。然而，神说灵性安全的人实际上是这些邪恶首领所杀的（赛57:1）。神要在以色列边界用刀杀了这些首领，即尼布甲尼撒审判他们的时候（耶39:6）。身为神的真先知，以西结为罪人的救恩代求。他并没有幸灾乐祸。

神回应了以西结的祷告，预言以色列日后将全然复兴。那日，神会给予他们一颗新造的心，叫他们能爱祂，不再崇拜偶像。这就是神在耶利米书31:34与以西结书36:24-32中所论的新约。耶稣的死与复活便是这应许之应验的开端；耶稣是创立新约的那一位（路22:20）。以色列将在末日时接受这约（撒12:10）。在旧约的其他经文里，尤其耶利米书，神也应许被掳之民要在不久的将来从巴比伦归回以色列。神对这一国是信实的，但个人也要为他们对神的忠诚度受审判。凡拜偶像的将下地狱，但敬拜真神的将在祂的国度，即祂的乐园中。