Day 241, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ezekiel 33:21–36:38
7 Reasons for Us to be Accountable
An organization, business, or even family must hold its members accountable. If it does not, things will get worse. They will experience a loss of productivity, quality, motivation, reputation, and respect. For their name’s sake, the LORD’s, and ours, each of us should be accountable. In 586 BC, this is what Israel needed to learn, and today this is what we should discover.
1. If we hold ourselves accountable, God will not punish us.
In today’s Bible reading, most of God’s people were in exile in Babylon. They were there because they did not hold themselves accountable. Israel and Judah were evil—more than all the surrounding countries. Because the LORD had been extremely patient, they wrongly assumed he did not see their misdeeds, or he was like a permissive parent. They found out differently. After being warned many times by God’s prophets, his people were held accountable for their behavior. The LORD’s punishment was destroying their beloved city and exiling them from their land for seventy years.
How do we think of God—as a permissive parent or as a patient Lord who gives us every chance to repent? Let us make the right choice to be saved or to listen and follow the Lord. Then we will not have to suffer for our actions.
2. Consequences can be brutal
In today’s Bible reading, the prophet Ezekiel records a heart-wrenching event. “In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month on the fifth day, a man who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, ‘The city has fallen!’” (Ezekiel 33:21, NIV). Although Ezekiel had prophesied about this for twelve years, the Jewish exiles were shocked.
Many liked Ezekiel’s preaching style (unlike Jeremiah) but didn’t take him seriously. Finally, God closed his mouth for a time because they were not listening. The people continued in their sins and deceived themselves into believing that the nation of Judah could survive Babylon’s attacks as she had previously. Soon, as their prophets falsely foretold, they will return to their land. They were wrong— the day of judgment came, and the city of Jerusalem fell.
3. Self-Deception is Dangerous
After Jerusalem’s fall, there were some in the land who survived Babylonian destruction. They were poor people and under the control of Babylon. Strangely, however, these impoverished Israelite people became proud.
The LORD tells Ezekiel,
“Son of man, the people living in those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession’” (33:24, NIV).
Like some firm or educational system employees, the Israelites think they will not be removed because of their tenure and Jewish heritage. They disobey the laws of God yet expect to retain their place. This self-deception causes them to continue and even increase their evil behavior. The LORD holds them responsible, however, and they are removed. Now very few remain in the land, and foreigners occupy it.
4. God replaces uncaring leaders
Israel’s leaders had failed miserably. God likens them to bad shepherds who do not care for their flock (their people). Because they cared only for themselves, their sheep were scattered by war and exile, and Babylon devoured the rest. For these sins, the LORD says he holds the shepherds accountable.
We may not be shepherds of sheep, but most of us have responsibilities over some people. How do we treat them? God holds us responsible.
Because of their incompetence, the LORD says he will shepherd Israel. He will deliver his people from their place of deportation and bring the scattered ones back to pasture in the Promised Land. He will be their protector and provider.
This prophecy would be partially fulfilled when God delivers the Jewish people from exile. This prophecy will find complete fulfillment during the millennial reign of Christ.
5. Evil hearts need to change
Before the millennial reign of Christ, God will give Israel a new heart to obey him (Ezekiel 36:25-27).This is not merely the turning over of a new leaf. This is a spiritual transformation, and it begins with turning to God, confessing our sins, and receiving his forgiveness. Then his Spirit comes to live within us. Our attitudes change, and we want to please him.
6. Enemies are held responsible
In our last Bible study, we saw how the nation of Tyre was held accountable for profiting from Israel’s disaster. In today’s Bible reading, Edom is again held responsible for rejoicing over Israel’s demise. Instead of helping her sister nation, Edom rejoices and profits from her downfall (the same accusation is made in the book of Obadiah and in Ezekiel 25:8-14).
It is of some comfort to know that our persecutors will also be held responsible when Jesus comes back in fiery vengeance to exercise justice (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).
7. Accountability should include forgiveness and restoration
In the end times of the earth, as we know it, the LORD will save Israel physically and spiritually, restore her land, and protect her.
Why would the LORD save Israel? Has she not violated every law of God? Has she not defiled herself by bowing down to all the gods of the surrounding nations? Was she not more wicked than all the countries around her?
Yes, yes, yes! Now she suffers for it, but when God’s wrath is complete, he will look upon her again with mercy. In his great love, God will redeem her for his own name’s sake, not because the Jewish people deserve it. He will change her heart, forgive her sins, and restore her because the LORD is faithful to fulfill his promises, and he is kind.
Have any of us turned our backs on God? The Lord is merciful and faithful to forgive us if we confess our sins to him and repent.
If someone sins against us, it can be difficult; there is a barrier between us. If we are not at fault in the matter, our relationship with that person may have to be put on hold until God teaches them humility and what is right. In the meantime, let us not be embittered and hold grudges. Instead, we can pray and anticipate the time when God answers our requests. When they return with a repentant spirit, let us be ready to forgive and restore them back into our good graces.
Discussion
Why should we hold ourselves accountable? What will happen if we don’t?
How do some people deceive themselves about God? What is the truth?
What do we need to do to hold ourselves accountable and experience God’s mercy and faithfulness when we mess up?
Focus Verse
Ezekiel 36: 9a (NIV) “I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: At the end of a storm there is sometimes a rainbow. It is a symbol of Renewed Hope. What hope is there for Israel in days ahead? What hope is there for us?
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