EZEKIEL

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The Ammonites were likewise the subject of the prophetic utterance of Ezekiel. They too, were dwellerís of ìthe landî as well as were the Israelites. The Ammonites were the descendents of Lot, by the incest of his daughters. According to their genealogy they were close kin to Israel but did not serve the God of Israel. There was often conflict between the two nations. Ezekiel pronounced judgment upon them by Babylon as they swept into the land to capture the Israelites. Though they were descendents of the same family as Abraham, they did not subscribe to the promises given Abraham. Salvation is by grace and not by race. Eze. 21:28-32

The next prophecy is directed toward what is termed, ìthe bloody city.î
Eze. 22:2 What a contrast exists between what men say about the city and what the feelings of the Lord are toward a city of this nature. The prophecies of the Old Testament pertaining to this city are confirmed to be still in effect by the Lord Jesus and the Word of the Lord concerning the last days. The lament of the Lord Jesus toward Jerusalem was caused by their rejection of Himself. He was to suffer the same murderous fate as the prophets who had come before Him. He justly accused them of stoning the prophets of the Lord by falsely accusing them of being individuals who were wizards or were possessed by a familiar spirit. Stoning unto death was to be the judgment of such persons. In their actions against these men of God, they wrought a great injustice and thus the guilt of the shedding of innocent blood was upon them. Lev. 20:2, 27 In spite of their extreme sin, the Lord Jesus demonstrated nothing but love and great compassion toward the city and itës inhabitants. He came with a message of love, deliverance and freedom fulfilling all the prophetic utterances which foretold of His coming. Luke 19:41-42 Foolishly, and to the extreme loss of their true Messiah, they rejected Him, subsequently bringing judgment upon themselves. Luke 19:43-44.

According to the words of the Lord to Ezekiel he was to expose all the wickedness and the abominations of this particular city. The Lord had chosen the site of the city and made it to be the place of His presence. It was to be the secular and spiritual capital of the nation. The scriptures speak of its beauty and worth. All of that was grossly marred by the actions of its inhabitants which were contrary and in rebellion against the will of the Lord. They were a stubborn people, incapable of receiving correction, while in the mean time, destroying with their own sword, those who came to help them and instruct them in righteousness. Jer. 2:30.

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