I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:19-20
Day 226 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith)
continues with my study of Ezekiel. My commentary* indicates that during the period "591 to 586 B.C., Ezekiel brings a number of denunciations against Judah for its idolatry, its false prophets, its corrupt leaders, its rebellious spirit, its religious infidelity, and its sins. Ezekiel says that God took him to Jerusalem to show him the idolatry in the temple and the punishment of idolaters and corrupt leaders, and then returned him to his house in Tel Aviv. It all happens somehow while Ezekiel is sitting in his house in the presence of a group of elders."
*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
As part of Ezekiel's vision, God puts "a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in [Jerusalem]" (Ezekiel 9:4). Those with the mark are spared slaughter (Ezekiel 9:6). John MacArthur explains that "since God's departure [Ezekiel 9:3] removed all protection and gave the people over to destruction, it was necessary for the angelic scribe to mark for God's preservation the righteous who had been faithful to Him...[.]"
Yet, because God is faithful (based on the Davidic covenant that Judah will survive and a king will rise from her), and He protects those who are faithful, Ezekiel's (God's) message to the exiles in Babylonia includes a message of restoration. God's message that He will give those whom He restores an "undivided heart and put a new spirit in them" emphasizes His role in our salvation. God saves - while it is undeniable that God gives us the Great Commission and commands us to tell others about the Good News of Jesus Christ - it is God alone that saves.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who saves - thank You for saving me! I am grateful for this gift - the greatest gift of all time. Yet I am undeserving. My sin continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
