QT 8/28/2023 Ezek 32:20-32, Hell is a destiny that people would prefer to forget

Ezekiel 32:20–21 (ESV) —

20 They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword. Egypt is delivered to the sword; drag her away, and all her multitudes. 21 The mighty chiefs shall speak of them, with their helpers, out of the midst of Sheol: ‘They have come down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’

Ezekiel 32:22 (ESV) —

22 “Assyria is there, and all her company, its graves all around it, all of them slain, fallen by the sword,

Ezekiel 32:24 (ESV) —

24 “Elam is there, and all her multitude around her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who went down uncircumcised into the world below, who spread their terror in the land of the living; and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 32:26 (ESV) —

26 “Meshech-Tubal is there, and all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for they spread their terror in the land of the living.

Ezekiel 32:29 (ESV) —

29 “Edom is there, her kings and all her princes, who for all their might are laid with those who are killed by the sword; they lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 32:30 (ESV) —

30 “The princes of the north are there, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who have gone down in shame with the slain, for all the terror that they caused by their might; they lie uncircumcised with those who are slain by the sword, and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.

 

NOTE: It is not clear if the insight into the underworld is doctrinal or rhetorical. Block argues they are rhetorical: "The caricatured and contrary-to-fact features of this prophecy suggest that one should interpret the passage as a literary cartoon rather than a literary photograph." We do learn some doctrinal facts. I think Sheol is a literal place since it is also mentioned frequently by other OT authors. While judgment may seem long in taking place, it occurs quite frequently and quickly from God's perspective -- the many nations sitting in Sheol makes that point. Also, many of these nations, Judah tended to rely upon instead of God. Many were great powers during their time and are nothing at some point in the future. These nations may have mocked Judah in their day, but there is little to mock in Hell. Instead they will all bear their shame in the pit. It might seem empowering to say you are proud of your sin, but all people will bear the true reality of shame someday. And all people who have not repented of their sins and turned to Jesus will bear their shame for all of eternity. The days are coming to a close. Every day in rebellion makes the next day harder to turn. At some point a person is so hardened, they can no longer repent. Or they die before they can repent. As the author of Hebrews writes:

 

Hebrews 4:7b (ESV) — …

“Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts.”

 

Hebrews 4:11–13 (ESV) —

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

 

The day is coming sooner than anyone can imagine. Don't wait any longer.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I really know Jesus or am I just religious?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for people who are just playing a game, reveal to them their blindness. Help them to see the real Jesus before it is too late. Father, you hate sin, and yet we pretend as if you don't care. Open our eyes. Have mercy on us.