QT 7/12/2023 Ezek 16:53-58, Appreciating my salvation

Ezekiel 16:53–58 (ESV) —

53 “I will restore their fortunes, both the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and the fortunes of Samaria and her daughters, and I will restore your own fortunes in their midst, 54 that you may bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all that you have done, becoming a consolation to them. 55 As for your sisters, Sodom and her daughters shall return to their former state, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former state, and you and your daughters shall return to your former state. 56 Was not your sister Sodom a byword in your mouth in the day of your pride, 57 before your wickedness was uncovered? Now you have become an object of reproach for the daughters of Syria and all those around her, and for the daughters of the Philistines, those all around who despise you. 58 You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your abominations, declares the Lord.

 

NOTE: In the midst of judgment, there is still hope in the future for Israel. Since Israel's sins were greater than Samaria and Sodom, God promises to restore them as well. But the problem is that Sodom was destroyed. There is no Sodom to restore. And Samaria was never really a people, just Israel intermarried to other nations. So the restoration of Sodom and Samaria cannot have a literal fulfillment. Edom (part of present day Jordan) and the Philistines (Gaza strip) have been restored. There are people living in old Samaria (the west bank and the east bank (Jordan), and technically cities near where Sodom exist have appeared. In fact, Saudi Arabia is spending $500B to build a city (NEOM) near to the area of Sodom, the most futuristic city on the planet.

 

But in a non-literal sense, God is restoring the Gentiles through faith in Christ. Formerly, those who Israel considered dogs, are coming to faith in the one God and receiving an inheritance as sons and daughters of the king. Israel, except for the remnant, remains blinded and is suffering the result of their rejection of the Messiah. Only at the end times, in the final judgment, will they come to their senses and recognize their Messiah. In the meantime, God is blessing the remnant and Gentiles with the knowledge of his presence. He is restoring the dead in sin, with life in Christ (not riches, but riches in a relationship).

 

PONDER:

1. I have been given a great gift, knowledge of the most high -- do I truly appreciate it?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for these days. I love the time to do the things that I feel I need to do. Thank you for answering prayer. Continue to help me to use my days in a manner that honors you.