GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

A basic literary pattern in this chapter is this: God’s benevolence is stated, following by an assertion of Israel’s rebellion, an announcement of God’s judgment, and the declaration of God’s grace because of His reputation. The elders of the exile community ask to enquire God through Ezekiel, but God refuses because they are also idolatrous like their ancestors. Then God proceeds to recount Israel history of idolatry. The goal of recounting this history is to loathe sin and lead to repentance. The history begins with Israel’s slavery in Egypt for 430 years. The reason God sent them to Egypt is because of their idolatry. God then saves them and enters into the Mosaic Covenant with them in the wilderness, but again they rebel against Him. So God punishes them. Israel’s idolatry continues to Ezekiel day, even among the exile elders. While in exile, God gives them to pagan laws, bad laws to them under pagan rule. Throughout the history of their punishment, God does not destroy them completely because of His concern for His reputation. He has promised to bless the whole world through Israel and her Messiah; therefore, He cannot destroy Israel completely.

Even though Israel wants to be idolatrous like the rest of the nations, God will not let them because of His reputation. He will save them from themselves in the end times. In the end times, God will punish them again for their idolatry. They will be in exile again and enter into the wilderness (Hosea 2:14-15; Rev. 12:14). There God will begin His restoration process. This passage is referring to the end times because v. 40 says all Israel (those Jews who are left after God purges the rebels v. 38) will be saved (Rom. 11:26).

The divine reputation depends on the fate and welfare of his people. All of God’s dealings with Israel were public—before the eyes of the nations. Israel was to be the agent through whom the nations would come to know that He is Yahweh. Nothing has changed. Jesus reminds His disciples that their prayers should be different from the self-seeking petitions of the Gentiles (Matt. 6:5–15). Concern for the sanctity of His name and the glory of His kingdom remains the mark of God’s people. ^[1]  Understand that when you are saved, you are automatically an ambassador of Christ. What you will do and say will reflect the reputation of Jesus. Honor His reputation, don’t shame His name.

 

^[1] Block, The Book of Ezekiel.

 

 

 

 

这段经文中包含一个基本文学架构：神阐述祂的恩慈，但以色列悖逆神，结果神宣告祂的审判，但又因自己的名向他们施恩。被掳之民的长老们想借着以西结求问神，但被神拒绝了，因为他们也像自己的列祖一样是崇拜偶像的。接着，神回顾了以色列崇拜偶像的历史，其目的是要他们厌恶罪恶，叫他们悔改。历史的重述由以色列在埃及为奴的430年开始。神差他们到埃及的原因是他们拜偶像。之后，神施与拯救，在旷野中与他们立摩西之约，但他们又悖逆神。因此，神惩罚他们。以色列的偶像崇拜一直延续至以西结的时代；即便在被掳之民的长老中也有所见。以色列被放逐时，神任他们守外邦体制下的律法，即不良的律法。在惩罚他们的整个过程中，神为祂名的缘故不完全消灭他们。神已应许要借着以色列与她的弥赛亚祝福全世界，因此祂不能完全毁灭这国。

虽然以色列要像列国一样拜偶像，但神为祂名的缘故绝不会容许他们那么做。神会在末世时拯救他们脱离这样的罪。那时候，神又会因他们拜像崇拜刑罚他们，使他们被驱逐到旷野去（何2:14-15；启12:14）。神要在那里展开祂复兴的工作。这段经文指的是末日的时候，因为第40节说所有以色列的全家（神在第38节除尽一切悖逆者后所剩的其余犹太人）都要得救（罗11:26）。

神的名有赖于祂子民的命运和幸福。神待以色列的方式尽是公开的，叫列国都能见证。以色列本是神的器皿，叫万国晓得祂是耶和华——至今仍无改变。耶稣提醒祂的门徒说他们的祷告当与外邦人自私自利的求告有所不同（太6:5-15）。神子民的标志一直都是对神之名的神圣性和神国度之荣耀的关注。^[1] 你要明白当你得救时，你自然成为了基督的代表。凡你所行所言的都有影响耶稣的名。我们要高举神的名，不让祂的名有亏损。