God Punishes But Forgives

 Ezekiel 20:33-35  

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched

 out arm, and with fury  poured out, will I rule over you:  And I will bring 

you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries

 wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a

 stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.  And I 

will bring you into the wilderness of the people, 

and there will I plead with you face to face. 

     

  The more these prophecies of Ezekiel and Jeremiah are studied the more striking they appear. First of all, they establish the very important fact with respect to the government of the world, namely, that the throne of God has been removed from the earth, and the government of the world entrusted to man under the form of an empire among the Gentiles. In the second place, the veil is also withdrawn as to the government of God in Israel. This test, to which man had been subjected, in order to see if he were capable of being blessed, has only proved the entire vanity of his nature, his rebellion, the folly of his will, so that he is radically evil. Even from Egypt, it was a spirit of rebellion, idolatry, and unbelief, which preferred anything in the world, but not the true God.   

  But on God's part we see His patience, the most tender care, the most touching appeals, everything that could tend to bring their hearts back to Jehovah; interventions in grace, to lift them out of their misery, and bless them when in a state of faithfulness produced by His grace, But they gave themselves up to evil; and, as shown by Ezekiel and Stephen, the Spirit of God returns to the first manifestations of their heart, of which all that followed was but the proof and the expression. And the judgment is executed on account of that which the people have been from the beginning.  "And I will cause you to pass under the rod and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant," (Ezek 20:37).

  God changes His plan of Government, and reserves for Sovereign Grace the re-establishment of Israel according to His promises, which He would fulfil by His means who could maintain blessing by His power, and govern the people in peace. 

  My Friends, It is Sovereign Grace, which Blesses Israel and all the world when responsible human nature has been fully tried, through definite conviction of our sins and sinfulness as to God's ways, It is the starting point of our path and what belongs to us. Therefore the necessity of a new nature, and God's love in giving His Son, for all of us. The Cross secures the righteousness through which Grace reigns and our Salvation is secured.  One day we all will be standing before God, face to face, be it saved or unsaved it's your choice.

Amen!  

Reading: Ezek. 20:33-44

Ref: HGSB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

Cross Life Ministry