Ezekiel 20:33-38 – There will be a sorting so, remain true to God

Remember what happened in the time of Prophet Samuel? First Samuel 8:19-20 tells us that the people then asked the Prophet Samuel to give them a king like all the other nations. They told him saying, “…We must have a king over us. Then we’ll be like all the other nations, our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.” The thoughts of the people then and the thoughts of the people Ezekiel was addressing had not changed and God knew it. In Ezekiel 20:32, what the people wanted was “We will be like the nations, like the tribes of the lands, serving wood and stone.” The crux of the matter was their refusal to acknowledge God as their king, they wanted to be in control of how they would run their own lives.  But God would never allow them to do it without any consequence.

Their thinking showed how far off they were from what God had for them. In the covenant relationship with God, He had solemnly pledged to be their God and them, His people. And He was not about to let them ruin His plan. He is God and He would not allow them to sabotage His plan. God was not giving up on Israel, He vowed to make it work. So began in Ezekiel 20:33 God declared to them, “As I live …surely with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, I shall be king over you.” In other words, I (the sovereign Lord) am in control, and I will rule over you, notwithstanding all the stubbornness.  

To accomplish it here God used the term was going to bring another exodus. In the first exodus, He delivered Israel from their bondage in Egypt. However, the purpose of this “second” exodus would be one of judgment, not deliverance. In this judgment, He would gather them into the wilderness.  God was referring to the exile in Babylon where He would be dealing with them like a shepherd. They, like sheep would pass through the shepherd’s rod as He sort out the obedient from the disobedient sheep.  In other words, this judgment was a purging. The obedient would be brought into the covenant bond. And the disobedient would not be part of His covenant plan. And without a doubt, the renewed and obedient ones would know His true character as their Lord.

What a thought to know that the King wants to be involved in our lives. He is our shepherd. With Him as our shepherd, Psalm 23 tells us that we will have a life without lack, without evil, and without end. What a blessed thought! Be sure we continue to abide in Christ and remain in His sheepfold.