Daily Devotions
Ezekiel
"I will cause lewdness to cease from the land"
Text: Ezekiel 23:48
RAISING AN ASSEMBLY
In ancient days, locals were called to form an assembly. Some would be appointed “judges.” The task of the assembly was to hear cases of grievous sins committed. The assembly would hear all the evidence given. The accused would be given the right of defence. Judgment would then be pronounced.
“For thus says the Lord God:
‘Bring up an assembly against them,
give them up to trouble and plunder.
The assembly shall stone them with stones
and execute them with their swords;
they shall slay their sons and their daughters,
and burn their houses with fire.
Thus I will cause lewdness to cease from the land,
that all women may be taught not to practice your lewdness.
They shall repay you for your lewdness,
and you shall pay for your idolatrous sins.
Then you shall know that I am the Lord God.'”
Ezekiel 23:46-49
1. The task of the Assembly.
a) To hear charges made.
b) To listen to both sides.
c) To make a judgment based on facts and truth.
2. Powers of the Assembly.
a) To trouble the guilty parties.
b) To cause them to be heavily fined (as if they were “plundered”).
c) To stone the guilty.
d) To execute them with the sword.
e) To kill the family members who are guilty.
f) To burn their houses.
3. Divine judgment.
a) This has already been made known by the prophets.
b) The Assembly is to ratify what God has already declared.
c) Samaria and Jerusalem were charged with many grievous sins.
d) That were found guilty of all the charges made against them:
i) Idolatry
ii) Criminal activities
iii) Wickedness
iv) Bloodshed
4. Intended consequences.
a) That the people may know and fear God.
b) That lewdness would cease from the land.
c) That the punishment would cause Israel to repent.
d) That Israel would return to the Lord their God.
e) That Israel would choose to walk in paths of righteousness henceforth.