Daily Devotions
Ezekiel
"The end has come"
Text: Ezekiel 7:2
THE LAND OF ISRAEL
The LORD had promised to bless Abraham for his faith. The LORD promised to give them a special land (Canaan). This promise was declared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 15:18-21; 26:3; 28:13-15).
THE END OF ISRAEL’S STAY IN THE LAND
Israel had not fully fathomed that the LORD can give the land of Canaan to them or He could also disinherit them. The prophets of God had warned Israel that they could be disinherited if they forsook Him and became idolatrous. But Israel chose not to heed. Ezekiel was sent this word from the LORD.
“Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
‘And you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD to the land of Israel:
‘An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.””
Ezekiel 7:1-2
1. God had determined to end Israel’s stay in His land.
a) Canaan was once inhabited by other nations.
“The Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites,
the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites,
the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”
Genesis 15:19-21
b) Canaan was promised by the LORD:
i) As a gift to Abraham and His descendants.
ii) Joshua led Israel to conquer the land of Canaan.
2. God allowed Israel to conquer the land under Joshua.
3. Israel lived in the land under many kings. But sadly, the nation turned rogue and forsook the God who had given them the land.
4. It was within God’s sovereign right to disinherit Israel.
a) God told Ezekiel that Israel would dwell no more in Canaan.
b) They had come to the end of their tenancy in the Promised Land.
5. God’s Declaration was made solemnly and with great gravity.
“An end!” Ezekiel 7:2a
6. This decision would affect the entire land.
“The four corners of the land.” Ezekiel 7:2b
a) This was already forewarned by Moses.
b) God’s curse was forewarned (Deuteronomy 27:11-26).
c) God’s warning of severe chastisement (Deuteronomy 28).