Cat Island Trip 2012
For His Name's Sake
December 31, 1969 ~
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What is the writer saying?
A very cool 3-part plan from God for His people:
1) Save His people with a mighty hand and outstretched hand, pouring out His wrath upon their captors. (v. 33)
2) Bring His people out into another wilderness experience where He will judge them face to face (v.35), pass them under the rod (a term referring to the selection of livestock for the offering - v.37), and purge the wicked from among them; leaving once again a faithful remnant (v.38).
3) Manifest His holiness among them in the site of the nations.
God saves us for the sake of His own name and for His glory. He has no interest in a people who simply name His name, but go on with their lives of sin. His intention then, and now, is to cleanse His people of unrighteousness and purge the unfaithful from among them. Here, as with previous texts in Ezekiel, he serves a reminder that He will do everything He does "in the site of the nations". What He plans to do for His people is a miracle, and when the nations see it He will receive Glory and Honor.
So, He saves us for His Glory and namesake. But in addition, He saves us that we might be Holy as He is holy.
1 Peter 1:15 states: "...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'".
In this verse, Peter quotes Leviticus 11:44. The concept was already very well established for God's people, and surely Ezekiel was shaking in his boots since we see a powerful demonstration of God's holiness and glory in the first chapter of Ezekiel. There is no way for God to manifest His holiness among His people without total and absolute life change.
1) Save His people with a mighty hand and outstretched hand, pouring out His wrath upon their captors. (v. 33)
2) Bring His people out into another wilderness experience where He will judge them face to face (v.35), pass them under the rod (a term referring to the selection of livestock for the offering - v.37), and purge the wicked from among them; leaving once again a faithful remnant (v.38).
3) Manifest His holiness among them in the site of the nations.
God saves us for the sake of His own name and for His glory. He has no interest in a people who simply name His name, but go on with their lives of sin. His intention then, and now, is to cleanse His people of unrighteousness and purge the unfaithful from among them. Here, as with previous texts in Ezekiel, he serves a reminder that He will do everything He does "in the site of the nations". What He plans to do for His people is a miracle, and when the nations see it He will receive Glory and Honor.
So, He saves us for His Glory and namesake. But in addition, He saves us that we might be Holy as He is holy.
1 Peter 1:15 states: "...but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'".
In this verse, Peter quotes Leviticus 11:44. The concept was already very well established for God's people, and surely Ezekiel was shaking in his boots since we see a powerful demonstration of God's holiness and glory in the first chapter of Ezekiel. There is no way for God to manifest His holiness among His people without total and absolute life change.
How can I apply this to my life?
Just as Old Testament Israel was set apart by God from the surrounding nations to be holy, the church of today is set apart from sin to the service of God. My standard of and motivation for holiness is the absolute oral perfection of God Himself.
Ephesians 5:1 - Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
God's wrath burned against the captors of His people, and against His people themselves as they chose the falsehoods of their captors over him.
God's wrath burns against the sin and wicked culture of today, and against all who choose the short lived pleasures of this world over Him.
God, with a mighty hand and outstretched arm please pour out your wrath upon the sin of my life and purge me from the inside out. As you did for your people, manifest your holiness in my life and set me apart to serve you as an imitator of your very image. Do it in the full view of all who know me that you might receive Glory. Do it for the sake of you Holy Name. Amen.
Ephesians 5:1 - Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
God's wrath burned against the captors of His people, and against His people themselves as they chose the falsehoods of their captors over him.
God's wrath burns against the sin and wicked culture of today, and against all who choose the short lived pleasures of this world over Him.
God, with a mighty hand and outstretched arm please pour out your wrath upon the sin of my life and purge me from the inside out. As you did for your people, manifest your holiness in my life and set me apart to serve you as an imitator of your very image. Do it in the full view of all who know me that you might receive Glory. Do it for the sake of you Holy Name. Amen.
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