Friday 03 March 2017

Psalm: Psalm 118:10-18

Background

Ezekiel received this vision during a time of exile in Babylon.The nation of Israel had long been divided into two parts; thenorthern part (Israel) had long since been defeated and overthrown,but more recently the southern (Judah) had also been occupied bythe Babylonians, and many of her people taken into exile. ButEzekiel's words of comfort were that there would come a time whenGod would end the exile and restore the holy nation.

Israel was the name given by God to Jacob, son of Isaac (Genesis 32:28). It means 'one who strives withGod', and became the name of the nation descended from him. Thatnation was divided into 12 tribes, and each was eventuallyallocated its portion of the promised land. These tribes each borethe name of one of Jacob's sons, with the exception of Ephraim andManasseh, who were his grandsons through Joseph. Following thedivision into two kingdoms, the tribes of Judah and Benjaminbelonged to the southern kingdom of Judah, and the other ten to thenorthern kingdom of Israel. These ten tribes became known as the'lost tribes'. Levi, being the tribe of the priesthood, had nospecific allocation of land and tends not to be included in thetwelve.

The symbolism of the sticks, then, spoke powerfully of thepromised restoration and reunification of the people of God. Notonly would the people of Judah (including the 'other Israelites'belonging there - verse 16) return to their land, but the losttribes would be restored and there would be one kingdom once more,with one king, just as in the glory days of David and Solomon. Thereference to Joseph and Ephraim (verses 16, 19) appeared becauseEphraim was often, poetically, used as an alternative name for thenorthern kingdom. Ephraim was the younger, but favoured, son ofJoseph, the favoured son of Jacob/Israel (Genesis 48:19-20), and so was, in a sense,Jacob/Israel's heir.

The passage ends with a promise that the time of punishment andexile would end, and the covenant be renewed.

To Ponder

• Why do you think this passage has been chosen for Lent?

• How do you think you might read this passage if you were arefugee? How (or where) can you hear the hopes, dreams and storiesof refugees today?