The word of the LORD came to
me:
…if the wicked turn away
from all from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes
and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die.
None of the transgressions that they have committed shall be remembered against
them; for the righteousness that they have done they shall live.
…I will judge you, O house
of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent
and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise, iniquity will be your ruin.
Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me,
and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house
of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live (New Revised Standard Version).
In 607 BC, the Babylonian army, under the command of Nebuchadnezzar, dragged the leaders of
Our Lord is the one and only true and creative god of truth, freedom, love, and vitality. In the passage above, Ezekiel draws this tight connection between truth and life. Through his prophet, Yahweh says that if the wicked turn and keep his statutes, then they shall live. The words of Yahweh’s statutes are truth. If we live by the truth revealed to us by Yahweh, then he will lead us into fullness of life.
Since Yahweh is love, he refuses to coerce us into keeping his word. Like the people of
But power is not the narrow path to life. It is the broad road to death. Through his prophet Ezekiel, Yahweh expresses his deep frustration with the people of
Sadly, the people of Jerusalem did not turn and live. They stayed true to the Olympian gods. Those that didn't fall to sword, famine, and pestilence went into exile.
Jesus continues to share these words of truth with us today. He continues to speak to us through the very words he once shared through Ezekiel. With gratitude, let us as Christians and churches affirm his gracious invitation to hear his word of truth, do what is right by love, and live. Then let us share this same light, love, and life with those we meet each day—for everyone's good and God’s glory.
Copyright © 2012 by Steven Farsaci.
All rights reserved. Fair use encouraged.
All rights reserved. Fair use encouraged.