36 lines
1.8 KiB
Markdown
36 lines
1.8 KiB
Markdown
+++
|
||
title = "Ezekiel 32:17–32"
|
||
date = "2023-06-03"
|
||
+++
|
||
|
||
### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel32.17-32)
|
||
|
||
Two weeks after he was given the lament to sing over Pharaoh, Ezekiel receives
|
||
another prophecy concerning the people of Egypt. In short, the message is
|
||
that the multitudes of Egypt will be sent to the realm of the dead by way of
|
||
the sword. Usually, that would be the end of the message, but this time the
|
||
narrative follows the slain multitudes into Sheol (also called the pit or the
|
||
underworld) and describes those who are already present.
|
||
|
||
Egypt joins the likes of Assyria, Elam, Meshech-Tubal, Edom, and Sidon. Each of
|
||
these nations' multitudes lie in their graves, consigned to this place because
|
||
of their iniquities and the terror they brought about to their neighbors while
|
||
they lived. This pit they reside in is not a place of honor like the one the
|
||
mighty men of old are presumed to dwell, but one of shame and misery.
|
||
|
||
Over and over again in this passage, the people are said to lie in the place
|
||
of the uncircumcised. This is a shorthand to say they were not God's covenant
|
||
people. They were not living in the ways of their father Noah and as revealed
|
||
through Moses. They could have. Both Ruth and Rahab were foreigners who chose to
|
||
follow the Lord and these two women in particular became part of the Messianic
|
||
line of promise.
|
||
|
||
It also seems good to point out that the Bible always describes a real,
|
||
experienced afterlife, whether it is a reward or punishment. Death isn't the
|
||
end of anyone; it is not oblivion that awaits us all. While there is still time
|
||
before we reach our final destinations, your trajectory is fixed once you die.
|
||
Do not delay in responding to the Lord's call for your soul.
|
||
|
||
* * *
|
||
|
||
All mankind passes before Your throne, and You judge every one of us.
|