Grace Upon Grace-reflecting on Ezekiel 20:1-32
Several things are striking about Ezekiel 20:1-32. The first is God’s response via Ezekiel when the elders of the people came to “inquire of the Lord” (Ezek 20:1). It sounds like a good thing that they would want to seek God’s will. We are not told what they wanted to ask and “guesswork is pointless in view of Yahweh’s total repudiation of any right or privilege … to inquire of him about his designs.”[1]He responds with a detailed, painful history of disobedience despite God’s mercy and blessing. Things are not always, as they seem because “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Personally, to discern and not take things at face value is something perhaps we all need to work on.
Repeatedly God blesses his ancient people and bestows grace upon grace, yet they spurn his overtures and rebel against him. He does not let go, however. This is even hinted at after the litany of disobedience and rebellion. “You say, ‘We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone.’ But what you have in mind will never happen” (Ezek 20:32). Like a besotted lover, though they are punished, he will not let go, like the old hymn, “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.”
How patient is God? Can we walk in our ways rather than his enough that he will let us go? Do we underestimate the depth and desperation of his love for us? Jesus said, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand” (John 10:29). Does the “no one” include us?
[1] Bruce Vawter and Leslie J. Hoppe, a New Heart: A Commentary on the Book of Ezekiel, International Theological Commentary, ed. Fredrick Carlson Holmgren and George A. F. Knight (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1991), 102.
The Bible. New International Version.
Exegesis on Ezekiel
This is my most recent Ezekiel exegesis for my class on the prophets.
I. Historical/Cultural Context
This figurative narrative or allegory, from the beginning of the monarchy or earlier, [1]is a striking departure from Amos’ and Hosea’s depiction of
At maturity, Yahweh weds
II. Analysis of the Passage – God’s “Nymphomaniac Bride”[5]
Scene 1 takes place in verses 1-7. Verses 1-2 show the allegory as confrontation. Verse 3 concerns
Scene 2, verses 8-14 find Yahweh again as a passer-by. Verse 8’s spreading the corner of the garment signified a marriage commitment (cf. Ruth 3:9).[13] God is attracted to the physically matured girl. “The allegory is particularly daring in view of
Verses 15-34 provide the turning point, unfaithfulness flowing from pride in her beauty, portraying
Wronged husband Yahweh, verses 35-43, shames unfaithful
III. Synthesis of the Passage
In this poignant allegory, God confronts
IV. Application
God’s rescuing and choosing of one unwanted parallels God’s choosing and calling us. Where others see insignificance, God sees his “chosen ones, holy and beloved” (Col 3:12a). Riches (clothing etc.) bestowed were gifts from her husband, “the result of …unsolicited and unanticipated benefaction”[20] as are God’s riches of his love, grace, and salvation (Eph 2:7). Prideful, we sometimes seek other lovers, wanting that which only the Beloved can provide.
[1] Joseph Blenkinsopp, Ezekiel, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, ed. Patrick D. Miller (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1990), 76.
[2] Gordon McConville, A Guide to the Prophets, Exploring the Old Testament, vol. 4 (
[3] Blenkinsopp, 76.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Robert R. Wilson, Ezekiel, The HarperCollins Bible Commentary, ed. James L. Mays (
[7] Blenkinsopp, 77.
[8]
[9] Vawter and Hoppe, 93.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Blenkinsopp, 78.
[14] Vawter and Hoppe, 93.
[15]
[16] Vawter and Hoppe, 94.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Ibid., 95.
[20] Blenkinsopp, 78
Bibliography
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Ezekiel. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and
Preaching. Ed. Patrick D. Miller, Jr.
McConville, Gordon. A Guide to the Prophets. Exploring the Old Testament. Vol. 4.
The Bible. New International Version.
Vawter, Bruce and Hoppe, Leslie J. A New Heart: A Commentary on the Book of Ezekiel.
International Theological Commentary. Ed. Fredrick Carlson Holmgren and
George A. F. Knight.
Wilson, Robert R. Ezekiel. The HarperCollins Bible Commentary. Ed. James L. Mays.
Morning Prayer 4.26.08
April 26, 2008 by josh
Bible in the foreground as the Old Catholic diocese of Haarlem prepared to vote on its 18th bishop. (Who are those ladies in the front? Click the pic.)
Begin with awareness that you are praying with others around the world; this is the Common Prayer of the Church.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
INVITATORY AND PSALTER
Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed: Come let us adore him. Alleluia.
Hymn: Christ Our Passover
Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he dies, he dies to sin, once for all; *
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
Psalm 75
We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, *
calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.
“I will appoint a time,” says God; *
“I will judge with equity.
Though the earth and all its inhabitants are quaking, *
I will make its pillars fast.
I will say to the boasters, ‘Boast no more,’ *
and to the wicked, ‘Do not toss your horns;
Do not toss your horns so high, *
nor speak with a proud neck.’”
For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west, *
nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.
It is God who judges; *
he puts down one and lifts up another.
For in the LORD’S hand there is a cup,
full of spiced and foaming wine, which he pours out, *
and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and drain the dregs.
But I will rejoice for ever; *
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
He shall break off all the horns of the wicked; *
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Psalm 76
In Judah is God known; *
his Name is great in Israel.
At Salem is his tabernacle, *
and his dwelling is in Zion.
There he broke the flashing arrows, *
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of battle.
How glorious you are! *
more splendid than the everlasting mountains!
The strong of heart have been despoiled;
they sink into sleep; *
none of the warriors can lift a hand.
At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, *
both horse and rider lie stunned.
What terror you inspire! *
who can stand before you when you are angry?
From heaven you pronounced judgment; *
the earth was afraid and was still;
When God rose up to judgment *
and to save all the oppressed of the earth.
Truly, wrathful Edom will give you thanks, *
and the remnant of Hamath will keep your feasts.
Make a vow to the LORD your God and keep it; *
let all around him bring gifts to him who is worthy to be feared.
He breaks the spirit of princes, *
and strikes terror in the kings of the earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE LESSONS
Leviticus 23:23-44 (NRSV)
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of complete rest, a holy convocation commemorated with trumpet blasts. You shall not work at your occupations; and you shall present the LORD’s offering by fire.
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Now, the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you: you shall deny yourselves and present the LORD’s offering by fire; and you shall do no work during that entire day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God. For anyone who does not practice self-denial during that entire day shall be cut off from the people. And anyone who does any work during that entire day, such a one I will destroy from the midst of the people. You shall do no work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your settlements. It shall be to you a sabbath of complete rest, and you shall deny yourselves; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening you shall keep your sabbath.
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month, and lasting seven days, there shall be the festival of booths to the LORD. The first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall not work at your occupations. Seven days you shall present the LORD’s offerings by fire; on the eighth day you shall observe a holy convocation and present the LORD’s offerings by fire; it is a solemn assembly; you shall not work at your occupations.
These are the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you shall celebrate as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the LORD offerings by fire-burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day apart from the sabbaths of the LORD, and apart from your gifts, and apart from all your votive offerings, and apart from all your freewill offerings, which you give to the LORD. Now, the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall keep the festival of the LORD, lasting seven days; a complete rest on the first day, and a complete rest on the eighth day. On the first day you shall take the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. You shall keep it as a festival to the LORD seven days in the year; you shall keep it in the seventh month as a statute forever throughout your generations. You shall live in booths for seven days; all that are citizens in Israel shall live in booths, so that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Thus Moses declared to the people of Israel the appointed festivals of the LORD.
Canticle: A Song of Creation
Song of the Three Young Men, 35-65
Invocation
Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
I The Cosmic Order
Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, *
O heavens and all waters above the heavens.
Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *
all winds and fire and heat.
Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, *
drops of dew and flakes of snow>
Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, *
O shining light and enfolding dark.
Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
II The Earth and its Creatures
Let the earth glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills,
and all that grows upon the earth, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, *
O whales and all that move in the waters.
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, *
and all you flocks and herds.
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
III The People of God
Let the people of God glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Doxology
Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 (NRSV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
Canticle: Song of the Redeemed
Magna et mirabilia
Revelation 15:3-4
O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *
surpassing human understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord
and sing the praises of your Name? *
for you only are the Holy One.
All nations will draw near and fall down before you *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Show us your mercy, O Lord;
And grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
For only in you can we live in safety.
Lord, keep this nation under your care;
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Let your way be known upon earth;
Your saving health among all nations.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
Collect of the Day: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Diocese of Springfield
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in the Diocese of Springfield for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach them in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide them to perceive what is right, and grant them both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
(Please add your own prayers here.)
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13
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