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GLORY THAT IS TO BE REVEALED
Ezekiel is one of God's prophets who prophesied during the captivity in Babylon. In this special book we find an interesting teaching of the Lord in chapter fourteen.
Notice with me Ezekiel 14:14: "...even though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job went in its midst, BY THEIR RIGHEOUSNESS they could only deliver themselves, declares the Lord God." Each would be responsible for his own relationship with God.
God, in this chapter of Ezekiel, had been discussing the wickedness of His chosen people, Israel, and the consequences of such behavior. God had declared the importance of their need to repent, and turn back to being faithful to Him. "Turn away from your idols" might be the theme of this chapter. Since He used these three men (Noah, Daniel, and Job) to portray righteous servants it might be interesting to note why God considered them in such a way..
Noah.. when all other people became evil and lost God's favor, only Noah was found to be righteous. "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8)
"These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN, BLAMELESS IN HIS TIME; NOAH WALKED WITH GOD." (Genesis 6:9)
"And Noah did ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THE LORD HAD COMMANDED HIM." (Genesis 7:5)
Daniel...a wonderful example of a young man with courage, faith, and trust in God. Also one who prophesied during the captivity in Babylon. Taken captive at a young age, among those taken captivity early on. (Daniel chapter 1).
"Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then DANIEL BLESSED THE GOD OF HEAVEN; DANIEL ANSWERED AND SAID, "LET THE NAME OF GOD BE BLESSED FOREVER AND EVERY, FOR WISDOM AND POWER BELONG TO HIM." (Daniel 2:19,20)
"To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For Thou hast given me wisdom and power. Even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee." (Daniel 2:23)
Job... "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man WAS BLAMELESS, UPRIGHT, FEARING GOD, AND TURNING AWAY FROM EVIL." (Job 1:1)
After Satan took away Job's children, much of his wealth, and even his health, notice how Job responded: "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground AND WORSHIPED. And he said, NAKED I CAME FROM MY MOTHER'S WOMB, AND NAKED I SHALL RETURN THERE. THE LORD GAVE AND THE LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD." "Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God." (Job 1:20-22)
Three ordinary men who chose to serve God and obey Him, even under the most difficult of circumstances. By his faith and trust, Noah saved his family from the flood. Daniel was able to cope with captivity, and serve the king with the Lord's help. His courage, faith , and trust in God helped save others. He lived many years, with the help of God, and his faith.
Job endured the harshest of lives for many years because of the power of Satan on him. But in the end he was blessed doubly by the Lord, and able to live many more years of happy life. (Job 42:10-17)
These are only three men who chose to serve God and reaped the results. Lessons we can look to for confidence and trust for ourselves in the Lord. Hope is sometimes defined as "CONFIDENT EXPECTATION" . I believe these men had that hope in their lives, looking to the reward in the end.
How about you?
Paul reminds us in the letter to the Romans how great that reward will be...."For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with THE GLORY THAT IS TO BE REVEALED TO US." (Romans 8:18)
Ross
