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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 354

"The land has been given to us as a possession"

Text: Ezekiel 33:24

A DEFIANT LOT OF REBELS

Jerusalem had been captured by the Babylonians. This was forewarned by many prophets. The Fall of Jerusalem took place in 586 BC. Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem and finally overcame the city. But there were some who managed to escape death. Instead of being grateful, they were filled with arrogance and defiance.

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
‘Son of man, they who inhabit those ruins
in the land of Israel are saying,
‘Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land.
But we are many;
the land has been given to us as a possession.””
Ezekiel 33:23-24

1. The word of the Lord.

a) This is a reference to God revealing a message to Ezekiel.

b) This word had to be revealed by divine power.

c) Ezekiel would never have this knowledge otherwise.

2. The inhabitants of the ruined city of Jerusalem.

a) God informed Ezekiel about those who managed to escape death.

b) They had not been deported to Babylon.

c) They managed to survive living among the ruins of the city of Jerusalem.

3. The thoughts of the rebellious inhabitants were revealed.

a) They were comparing themselves to Abraham.

i) They declared that Abraham was just one individual.

ii) But he inherited the land.

iii) They did not speak of the faith of Abraham.

iv) Neither did they refer to the Covenant that God gave to Abraham out of His grace and mercy.

b) They thought very highly of themselves.

i) They were “many” in contrast to Abraham being just one person.

ii) They were presumptuous to speak of themselves having been given the land as a possession.

c) The spirit of the rebellious group may be assessed as being:

i) Arrogant

ii) Presumptuous

iii) Delusional