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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 377

"O mountains of Israel"

Text: Ezekiel 36:1

A SPECIAL WORD TO ISRAEL

The word “Israel” in this context is not a reference to the Northern kingdom. That kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC. This is a reference to Judah, the Southern Kingdom. The term “Israel” was chosen because of its original concept. God was speaking to His people, the children of Israel.

“And you, son of man,
prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say,
‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord!
Thus says the Lord God:
‘Because the enemy has said of you,
‘Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession.”'”
Ezekiel 36:1-2

1. “Mountains of Israel”

a) Israel was surrounded by many mountains.

b) The mountains were used to symbolise the following things:

i) Antiquity

ii) Strength

iii) Majesty

c) These were the things God had in mind when He addressed Israel.

2. “Son of man”

a) This was God’s favourite phrase when He spoke to Ezekiel.

b) On the one hand, it signified his frail humanity.

c) On the other hand, it masked the fact that this was the term the Messiah would use to describe Himself.

d) The Lord Jesus’ favourite phrase to identify Himself was “Son of Man”.

e) The ministry of Ezekiel was a lofty one for he was a prophet of the Lord.

3. The ministry of Ezekiel.

a) He was called and equipped to be a prophet.

b) He has a special message from God to deliver.

c) He must hear this word from the Lord carefully.

4. The arrogant claim of the enemies.

a) The enemies claimed the ancient heights of Israel as their possessions.

b) God wanted Ezekiel to be aware of what the enemies had declared.

c) He must give a strong response to these enemies who have belittled Israel.