Saturday 11 January 2025
And there, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east; the sound was like the sound of mighty waters; and the earth shone with his glory. (v. 2)
Background
In around 597 BC the Babylonians conquered Judah and forced its people into exile. Ezekiel was one of those taken into exile at the beginning of the Babylonian captivity (Ezekiel 1:1-2). That he was among the first indicates he was a leader of the people, well-placed and well-educated, possibly a member of the priesthood.
Ezekiel seems to have been a most unusual person, given to vivid and exotic visions –the Valley of Bones in chapter 37 is probably his most famous vision. Thus understanding what is going on here can be challenging!
The book of Ezekiel falls into three main sections – prophecies before the fall of Jerusalem; prophecies against other nations and prophecies during and after the siege of Jerusalem. The final chapters (40-48) of the third section give an account of the New Jerusalem, including a detailed picture of the Temple.
In the verses for today, Ezekiel is taken to the east-facing gate by the enigmatic man accompanying him (Ezekiel 40:3) and he sees the glory of the Lord coming from the east and filling the Temple. His message is one of encouragement and hope for the exiles – they would return to their country, the Temple would be restored and God would make his presence known among God’s people. The earth will shine with God's glory.
The story of the Exile is a poignant one: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and there we wept," says the psalmist (Psalm 137). Ezekiel’s message of hope is one needed for the exiles of today, thousands of years after his time. It is needed by those who have had to leave their home countries not because they choose to, but because they have to, driven by war, climate change, persecution, and so on.
To Ponder:
- Who do you know who is in exile from their home country? How might you try to show understanding and encouragement?
- Have you ever felt ‘in exile’? How may faith have helped you at that time?
Prayer
Open my heart and my hands, Lord, that others may be encouraged and somehow helped to feel ‘at home'. Amen.
Bible notes author: Gillian Kingston
Gillian Kingston is a local preacher on the North Tipperary Circuit of the Methodist Church in Ireland and an ex-Vice President of the World Methodist Council. She was the first lay Leader of the Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland. Married to Tom, a retired Methodist minister, and with four adult children, she is also the besotted grandmother of seven beautiful granddaughters and one handsome grandson.