September 6th~The Lord is There

Ezekiel 47:1-48:35

Ezekiel 29:17-30:19

2 Kings 25:27-30

Jeremiah 52:31-34

We finished the book of Ezekiel. Though most of his prophecies were doom and gloom, he ended his ministry on a positive note, detailing for us the restoration of Israel and Jerusalem in the end times. We have already discussed the fourth Temple. Today Ezekiel focused on the rest of the city and the surrounding area.

The highlight of this revival is that the presence of God, which had left the city of Jerusalem earlier in the book because of the wickedness of the people, returned to stay forever. In fact, to commemorate this glorious occasion, the city was renamed “Yahweh Shammah,” which is “The Lord Is There” (48:35). This name is fitting, indeed, as it has been, from the beginning, the desire of the Lord to dwell with His people. He walked with Adam in the Garden, He dwelt in a desert Tabernacle during the exodus, and He had a sanctuary in the Temple of Solomon. He even came to live among the people through His Son Jesus, and, finally, He indwells His followers today through the Holy Spirit.

Again, how fitting it is that the Lord would dwell with His people at the end of time and bless them with peace and prosperity. The culmination of all His promises — the Abrahamic Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, the Levitical Covenant, the Davidic Covenant — are all fulfilled at this time. The Lord is faithful and He is telling His people that He would do what He had said to them.

As a sign of this renewal, Ezekiel was shown a river flowing from under the city of Jerusalem to the east. Its waters heal the land, including the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Though nothing grows there now, in that day it will be filled with fresh water. Its shores will be lined with fruitful trees, and it will overflow with fish. God’s presence will bless the entire land.

Our section today ended with an obscure passage regarding the son of Nebuchadnezzar, Evilmerodach, the next king of Babylon. Evidently, he felt compassion towards Jehoiachin, the former King of Judah, who had been in prison now for 37 years. “He gave Jehoiachin preferential treatment over the other exiled kings. He sup- plied him with new clothes to replace his prison garb and allowed him to dine at the king’s table for the rest of his life. He also gave him a regular allowance to cover his living expenses until the day of his death” (2 Kings 25:28-30).

Why is this event recorded for us? It is God’s way of telling us that the line of David has survived the judgment of Judah. Remember, God promised David that he would always have a descendant at the head of His people. Jehoiachin and his family would survive the exile in Babylon. Though neither he nor his sons would return home to Judah, his grandson Zerubbabel would (1 Chronicles 3:17-19; Ezra 2:1, 2).

Daily Reflection

What aspects of heaven are you most looking forward to experiencing?

How does one wrap up the book of Ezekiel? I know no other way than what he did, celebrating the truth that God is faithful, that He will fulfill all of His promises to us, His people, and that one day we too will get to be with Him forever! While we will experience so many wonderful things in heaven, the best of them will be the fact that the Lord will be there!

BiAY.org | Day 249 — 116 Days to Go