Ezekiel
37:15-23 - God’s Kingdom people
God’s plan was to unite the fractured Israel.
After the reign of King Solomon, Israel was divided into the Northern Kingdom
of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Though divided, God still regarded
them as one for they were all the descendants of Israel. It is not difficult to
reason why He would want them united.
Here in Ezekiel 37:15-23, the Prophet Ezekiel was instructed to
demonstrate the plan of God to unite the two fractions. Taking two sticks,
Ezekiel was to write on one of them, ‘For Judah and for the sons of
Israel, his companions,’ and on the other, For Joseph, the stick of
Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.’ Then he was to
bundle and
hold the two sticks together so that they would be seen as one in his
hand.
The people, God anticipated, would enquire the meaning of what
Ezekiel had done. He was then to tell them the meaning of his actions. God was
going to gather His scattered people, both Israel and Judah and bring them back
to their land to unite them. This restored Israel would be one people in His
hand and have only one king to rule over them. No longer would they be two
nations but one.
Besides, the people would purge themselves of their defilement.
They would no longer participate in idolatry and detestable practices or
indulge in their transgression. God would deliver and cleanse them. And they
shall be His people and He, their God.
While what Ezekiel was saying speaks of the reunion of Israel and Judah, God appears to be referring to the Kingdom that Jesus the Messiah would reign. He alone is the perfect King who can bring about unity. Jesus came to unite and establish for God one people that will honor, worship, and serve God alone. The Gospel Jesus came to herald is uniting the people of the Kingdom of God. Unitedly, we are cleansed and set apart as people of His Kingdom.
No comments:
Post a Comment