Ezekiel 36 reminds me of an old chest of
drawers my daughter bought for college. It was mostly covered with
dust and junk in the corner of the used furniture store. It looked
much worse when we got it out into the light of day. I was
skeptical, but she saw something in it. After regluing and cleaning
and refinishing, it looked much better. After we ground off the
crud, the brass handles began to sparkle. Once it was reassembled,
what was junk became fine furniture again. Sadly too many people
today have been discarded. Over time, people too can be abused and
covered with junk, until they no longer resemble what they were
created to be. Today’s chapter reveals God’s Reclamation
project. Ezekiel is told to “prophesy
to the mountains of Israel… Because they ravaged and crushed you
from every side… you became… the object of people’s malicious
talk and slander“. He is
talking to the victims and to those on the fringe, the “hills…
ravines and valleys… that have been
plundered and ridiculed by the
rest“. They avoid mirrors and
hide in photos. They have given in to the helplessness. Do you know
them?
In
the previous eleven chapters, God spoke with “burning
zeal” against those “with
malice in their hearts” toward
His people. Now He speaks to His own, “I
am concerned for you and will look on you with favor“.
He might even be talking to you, “No
longer will I make you hear the taunts… and no longer will you
suffer the scorn of the peoples“.
To those that think they are undeserving; God knows your real worth.
God says, “Their conduct was
like a woman’s monthly uncleanness in my sight“.
He adds, “They profaned My
holy name“. Please understand
these people did nothing to earn God’s love. “It
is not for your sake… that I am going to do these things, but for
the sake of My Holy Name“.
Did you know that you were bought for a precious price?
God uses the foolish things to confound the
wise. “I will show the holiness of My Great Name… when
I am proved holy through you before their eyes“. Listen
closely friend, God does the work, “I will gather you…
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I
will cleanse you from all your impurities“. He does not just
make us look better, in fact the Master repairs us from the inside,
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will
remove from you your heart of stone… And I will put My Spirit in
you… you will be My people, and I will be your God“. Why
does God renew our life? So the people around us notice! “On
the day I cleanse you from all your sins… the ruins will be
rebuilt” they will say, “This land that was laid waste has
become like the garden of Eden… Then they will know that I
am the Lord“. Ephesians 2 teaches us that God doesn’t just
clean us up, but He makes us spiritually alive, “But because of
His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made
us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…
for we are God’s handiwork“. Jesus instructed
us to no longer hide in the corner. After God cleans off the crud,
you too will sparkle, “Let your light shine before others, that
they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”
(Matthew 5:16). He will put you on display as proof of His
craftsmanship. Have you been discarded? Will you allow God to work
in you today?