God uses Ezekiel to symbolically show Israel’s destruction. He has Ezekiel lie on his side a day for every year of Israel and Judah’s sin – 40 days/years for Judah, and 390 days/years for Israel! Not only did Ezekiel have to lie on his side for over a year for Israel’s sin, but Israel was living in rebellion for almost 400 years! God also has Ezekiel build a mini-Jerusalem, play out a mini-siege, and use his hair (off of his now-shaved head) to symbolize how the Israelites are going to die.
What stands out to me in all of this is how seriously God takes Israel’s sin. Not only is He ready to wipe them out for their sin, but He uses them as an example to the surrounding nations. I think He has Ezekiel go through all of the symbolism to grasp the gravity of Israel’s rebellion.
This God that took Israel’s sin that seriously is the same God of today. He is the God we pray to, the God we worship, and the God we serve. Is He still forgiving? Yes. Is there still room for grace? Yes. But along with all of that is an anger that God has against sin. I think Paul said it best:
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” –Romans 6:1-2
Too often I’m quick to shower myself with God’s grace. When I sin, I tell myself that it’s ok and that God will forgive me. Though this is true, I shouldn’t take my sin so lightly. God sees it as a serious issue, and so should I.
So should you.
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