Seeds of Promise Devotionals by Shenica Graham
Devotional: God Will Spare a Remnant
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| 3rd | Ezekiel | Chapter 10 | Chapter 14 | God Will Spare a Remnant |
Memory Verse: “22 And yet, behold, in it shall be left a remnant (an escaped portion), both sons and daughters…” (Ezekiel 14:22a (AMP)).
The man clothed in linen in Ezekiel 10, is the same man from verse 9 who had the writer’s ink bottle at his side – who was told to go out and put the LORD’s mark on the foreheads of all those who mourned because of sin, who had repentant hearts. In verse 10, God commanded the man clothed in linen – the writer, to take fire from between the wheels of the cherubim. After receiving the fire from a Cherub, the man clothed in linen went out (Ezekiel 10:6-7). At the close of verse 9, the man clothed linen testified that he had completed the task given by God, marking some with the mark of the LORD. Those who bore the mark of the LORD were spared from the desolation commanded by God to be made by the other six men who came from God in verse 9.
After God released the six men to destroy some, God showed Ezekiel that there was also wickedness in high places. Then Benaiah, a prince of the people died. Ezekiel was moved with anguish, asking if God would make a complete end of the entire remnant of Israel. Once again, God promised to spare some. He keeps giving yet another opportunity for His people to shed wickedness and be conformed to Him.
16 Therefore say, Thus says the Lord God: Whereas I have removed [Israel] far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet I have been to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries to which they have come. 17 Therefore say, Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel. 18 And when they return there, they shall take away from it all traces of its detestable things and all its abominations (sex impurities and heathen religious practices). 19 And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God], 20 That they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances, and do them. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God (Ezekiel 11:16-20 (AMP)).
After this promise of hope, God commanded Ezekiel to get out of from among those people. Ezekiel’s baggage was to be packed in the sight of the people, that they might wonder in themselves, “What is he doing, or why is he leaving?” God said that Ezekiel’s depart would be a sign to the people – that they would be exiled into captivity, even the least to the greatest of them. Still, God said that He would leave some to escape destruction.
16 But I will leave a few survivors who will escape the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, that they may declare and confess all their [idolatrous] abominations among the nations to which they go, and [thus God’s punishment of them will be justified before everyone and] they shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 12:16 Amplified Bible (AMP)).
The people were taking chances with God’s grace. Saying that what Ezekiel prophesied would not come upon them immediately; that the vision would be a long time delayed. Therefore, God said that the vision would no longer wait, but would be fulfilled (Ezekiel 12:28).
When God laid out His plan to put an end to the rebellious, He again planned to spare a remnant.
22 And yet, behold, in it shall be left a remnant (an escaped portion), both sons and daughters. They shall be carried forth to you [in Babylon], and when you see their [ungodly] walk and their [wicked] doings, you will be consoled for the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it (Ezekiel 14:22 Amplified Bible (AMP)).
God promises consolation for the evil that would befall the people because of their rebellion.
Source: Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Heir Force Ministries 