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The
Promise. Then God promised that the destruction of Israel
would not be delayed any longer.
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Therefore
say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'I will make this
proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb
in Israel. But tell them, The days draw near as well as the
fulfillment of every vision. For there will no longer be
any false vision or flattering divination within the house
of Israel. For I the LORD will speak, and whatever word I
speak will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for
in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and
perform it,' declares the Lord GOD.’” (NASB)
Ezek. 12:23-25 |
The
Jewish historian Josephus records the following:
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Ezekiel
also foretold in Babylon what calamities were coming upon
the people, which when he heard, he sent accounts of them
unto Jerusalem; but Zedekiah did not believe their prophecies,
for the reason following: It happened that the two prophets
agreed with one another in what they said as in all other
things, that the city should be taken, and Zedekiah himself
should be taken captive; but Ezekiel disagreed with him,
and said, that Zedekiah should not see Babylon; while Jeremiah
said to him, that the king of Babylon should carry him away
thither in bonds; and because they did not both say the same
thing as to this circumstance, he disbelieved what they both
appeared to agree in, and condemned them as not speaking
truth therein, although all the things foretold him did come
to pass according to their prophecies . . . |
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Josephus.
The Antiquities of the Jews. 10.7.2 |
Conclusion: Ezekiel
12 is a strong warning to every believer that God will not wink at
our sin forever. Yes, He is merciful and longsuffering but He hates
evil. He will not allow His saints - His righteous ones - to sin
and sin forever. Eventually, He will bring suffering into a sinning
person's life to encourage that person to stop sinning, if that person
really belongs to Him. God wants a relationship with us, but He
wants a holy one centered in love!
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