THE PARABLE OF THE SEETHING POT
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
In his wisdom and goodness, God formed the descendants of Abraham through Isaac into a great nation.
In his wisdom and goodness, God formed the descendants of Abraham through Isaac into a great nation.
He delivered them from Egyptian bondage, led them through the wilderness, and finally brought the second generation into Canaan.
He blessed them with every advantage and aided them in every necessary way. He encouraged their obedience and warned them against rebellion; but they departed from His word in virtually every way.
The heart of their rebellion was their demand for a king, to be like the other nations.
The heart of their rebellion was their demand for a king, to be like the other nations.
5 and they said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
7 And Jehovah said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them.
Saul’s reign lasted 40 years, until he corrupted himself
Saul’s reign lasted 40 years, until he corrupted himself
David reigned the next 40 years, and Israel was blessed
Solomon reigned for 40 prosperous years, but he introduced idolatry through his pagan wives.
Rehoboam caused the nation to be divided
Jeroboam ruled in the ten tribes of the north.
Disaster eventually came upon the Northern Kingdom, when God sent the Assyrians into the land; they slew many Israelites, devastated the cities of the north, and enslaved the rest. This was in 721 B.C.
Disaster eventually came upon the Northern Kingdom, when God sent the Assyrians into the land; they slew many Israelites, devastated the cities of the north, and enslaved the rest. This was in 721 B.C.
Disaster came upon Judah, the Southern Kingdom, when the Babylonians invaded and captured Jerusalem in 606 B.C.
Disaster came upon Judah, the Southern Kingdom, when the Babylonians invaded and captured Jerusalem in 606 B.C.
A number of the Israelites were slain, some were taken into captivity, and the rest placed under Babylonian control.
They rebelled again in 597 B.C., and once more the Babylonians came, killing many and enslaving more.
At this point, King Jehoiachin and Ezekiel were among the captives.
Ezekiel began his prophetic work in 592 B.C., after five years in Babylonia.
The Israelites in captivity believed the false prophets who told them they would soon be returning home.
The Israelites in captivity believed the false prophets who told them they would soon be returning home.
Ezekiel’s work, in part, was to convince them that there would be no return until seventy years of captivity had elapsed.
Later, when they had repented, he became the prophet of hope for Israel.
Those Israelites still in Palestine believed the false prophets - who told them they would be taken out from under the cruel heel of the Babylonians (Jer. 28:1-4).
Those Israelites still in Palestine believed the false prophets - who told them they would be taken out from under the cruel heel of the Babylonians (Jer. 28:1-4).
They thought that they were safe within Jerusalem, that the city was like an iron pot (Ezek. 11:3)
They thought that as long as they had Jerusalem, the enemy could do them no harm
They thought that like the pot keeps the fire from the flesh within the pot, so the walls of Jerusalem would protect them from the assault of the Babylonians.
DISCUSSION
EZEKIEL 24
EZEKIEL 24
The Fall of Jerusalem
The Fall of Jerusalem
1 Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this selfsame day: the king of Babylon drew close unto Jerusalem this selfsame day.
The siege against Jerusalem lasted for eighteen months, during which time there was immense suffering, famine and death. (2 Kings 25:1-4)
With the fall of the city, many were slain, including the king’s sons, and many people were taken into exile in Babylonia (Jeremiah 52:24-30)
The very day that Nebuchadnezzar began his 18-month siege of Jerusalem, God informed that fact to Ezekiel, and instructed him to record it
In the following verses, he is told to report that fact to the Jews in exile.
The only way the prophet could have known of the beginning of the siege was by revelation from God.
Later, when the official report of the siege reached their ears, they could know beyond any doubt that Ezekiel was a true prophet of God.
The Parable of the Seething Pot
The Parable of the Seething Pot
3 And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Set on the caldron, set it on, and also pour water into it: 4 gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones. 5 Take the choice of the flock, and also a pile of wood for the bones under the caldron; make it boil well; yea, let the bones thereof be boiled in the midst of it.
6 Wherefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the bloody city, to the caldron whose rust is therein, and whose rust is not gone out of it! take out of it piece after piece; No lot is fallen upon it. 7 For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the bare rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust. 8 That it may cause wrath to come up to take vengeance, I have set her blood upon the bare rock, that it should not be covered.
In his prophetic picture, called a parable here, the people are told to set up an iron pot and fill it with water; they were to gather the various parts of an animal’s carcase and put them into the pot. The pot was to have a fire built under it so that the flesh and bones might be well-cooked.
The city is represented by the pot
The city is represented by the pot
The choice pieces of meat are the leaders and chief people of the city
The flesh in the pot represents the inhabitants of Jerusalem
The bones under the pot depict those who have no flesh left on them (the poorest of the people, who are put out of their misery first).
The terrible affliction and destruction to be brought against Jerusalem was earned by reason of the sinful conduct of the people.
The terrible affliction and destruction to be brought against Jerusalem was earned by reason of the sinful conduct of the people.
They had been warned, but would not repent.
The scum in the pot is the permeating wickedness that filled Jerusalem.
Each piece in the caldron would be subjected to the tribulation; no lot would be cast by which any of them would be shown favor.
The bloodshed which the inhabitants of Jerusalem had shed during their rebellion against God was open to the sight of all.
The bloodshed which the inhabitants of Jerusalem had shed during their rebellion against God was open to the sight of all.
The blood they shed was as if it had been poured upon the top of a rock; its presence was obvious.
They did not pour it upon the ground and cover it with soil.
Jerusalem is to be Severely Punished
Jerusalem is to be Severely Punished
9 Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the bloody city! I also will make the pile great. 10 Heap on the wood, make the fire hot, boil well the flesh, and make thick the broth, and let the bones be burned. 11 Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that it may be hot, and the brass thereof may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the rust of it may be consumed. 12 She hath wearied herself with toil; yet her great rust goeth not forth out of her; her rust goeth not forth by fire. 13 In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have cleansed thee and thou wast not cleansed, thou shalt not be cleansed from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my wrath toward thee to rest. 14 I, Jehovah, have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it: I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord Jehovah.
God is giving a verbal picture in parabolic form to describe to the exiled Jews the destruction being then imposed on their brethren back at Jerusalem.
God is giving a verbal picture in parabolic form to describe to the exiled Jews the destruction being then imposed on their brethren back at Jerusalem.
He calls for more wood, that the fire may be intense
He directs that the contents of the pot be well-seasoned with spices, that the “taste” of the “meal” will be palatable to the Babylonians, who were “cooking” Jerusalem.
The city had worn itself out in committing sin; her sins included lies and lewdness; the scum of sins was great, but God would burn it up in the consuming fire of the Babylonian siege and assault.
The city had worn itself out in committing sin; her sins included lies and lewdness; the scum of sins was great, but God would burn it up in the consuming fire of the Babylonian siege and assault.
God would not rest until his wrath had been poured fully upon Jerusalem.
“Even the consumption of the contents is not enough; the caldron itself, which is infected by the poisonous scum, must be destroyed—i.e., the city itself must be destroyed, not merely the inhabitants, just as the very house infected with leprosy was to be destroyed (Lev. 14:34-35)” (JFB, p.295).
God had determined the fate of the city; he would not go back on his word; they had reached the point of no return; it was too late for a reprieve to be offered. They have had more than sufficient time and occasion to repent, but refused to do so
16 Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.
Our nation is fast approaching a similar disaster; it has had ample time, reason, and opportunity to come to a sort of national repentance, but is plunging further and more deeply into depravity; it has largely rejected the precepts of the gospel, which at the first formed the basis of America’s existence.
Although our founding fathers were not Christians in the New Testament sense of the word, they were God-fearing men, who believed in the power of his word.
The Lord’s church in this nation is also nearing a similar disaster.
It has courted with sin and sectarianism for many years; many preachers and elders have corrupted themselves by sin and false doctrine
The many, if not a majority, of the members have likewise become tainted; those who maintain a strong stance in the truth are shunned, hated, and dismissed as out of touch with the needs of society.
But since only the truth can save, only those who follow the truth will be saved.
31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; 32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
THE TRAGEDY OF EZEKIEL’S WIFE SYMBOLIZED ISRAEL
THE TRAGEDY OF EZEKIEL’S WIFE SYMBOLIZED ISRAEL
The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife is Foretold
The Death of Ezekiel’s Wife is Foretold
15 Also the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 16 Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet thou shalt neither mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. 17 Sigh, but not aloud, make no mourning for the dead; bind thy headtire upon thee, and put thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. 18 So I spake unto the people in the morning; and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
Ezekiel is required to do a most unusual thing.
Ezekiel is required to do a most unusual thing.
God reported to him that his wife was to die that day, but that the prophet was not to mourn for her.
The “desire” of his heart was his wife.
This was to be a sign to the captives that they were not to mourn when news came of the downfall of their beloved city.
Ezekiel is not to cry or mourn according to the customs of that day when someone near and dear died.
Ezekiel is not to cry or mourn according to the customs of that day when someone near and dear died.
He was not to remove his headdress; the head covering was usually removed and dust and ashes were put on the head (Joshua 7:6)
The prophet was not to remove his shoes, which was another sign of mourning (2 Samuel 15:30)
He is told not to cover his lips, another sign of grieving (Micah 3:7)
He was not to partake of the food brought in by neighbors who sought to offer comfort. In order to refrain from displaying grief over his loss, he was not to eat the food his friends would bring; apparently he was to provide his own food.
The cause of the death of his beloved wife is attributed to “a stroke” from the Lord.
The cause of the death of his beloved wife is attributed to “a stroke” from the Lord.
Her death would be sudden and unexpected.
She likely did not know ahead of time about her part in the operation. It was not wicked of God to take her life; it would be merciful and painless.
But in this special plan, she had an important part in God’s arrangements.
There are some points of comparison between her and Isaac, when that young man was used as a test of his father’s faith (Gen. 22).
The exiled Israelites ask the meaning of the parabolic picture
The exiled Israelites ask the meaning of the parabolic picture
19 And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so? 20 Then I said unto them, The word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 21 Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left behind shall fall by the sword. 22 And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. 23 And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away in your iniquities, and moan one toward another. 24 Thus shall Ezekiel be unto you a sign; according to all that he hath done shall ye do: when this cometh, then shall ye know that I am the Lord Jehovah.
Ezekiel spoke to the people in the morning; in the evening his wife died; the following morning he followed the instructions God gave him and refrained from any of the usual demonstrations of grief. He volunteered no information about his unusual conduct. They were moved to inquire.
The prophet then delivered the message God gave him.
The prophet then delivered the message God gave him.
God would profane his sanctuary; this he did by allowing the Babylonians to conquer Jerusalem, after which they plundered and destroyed the temple.
The Jewish captives were full of longing for the temple; it was the center of their reflections.
The temple was more to the Jews of that ancient time than Washington, D.C., and its national treasures are to most Americans.
But God would allow it to be destroyed.
Further, the young generation living in Jerusalem would fall by the sword.
Some of these evidently were offspring of the captives.
Think how devastating it would be to adult Americans if nearly all of the young generation was to be starved to death, die of disease, and to be slaughtered by heathen invaders.
This is what happened to their people, young and old.
The prophet instructed the people that they were to follow his example; as he did not mourn for his dead wife, they were not to mourn for the tragedy that was to befall their beloved city and temple.
The prophet instructed the people that they were to follow his example; as he did not mourn for his dead wife, they were not to mourn for the tragedy that was to befall their beloved city and temple.
As far as we know, Ezekiel’s wife was a godly woman; but the people of Jerusalem were not godly; they were being justly punished for their grievous transgressions; they deserved what they received.
This is why the exiles are not to mourn; God was justly punishing them for their many offenses.
The Exiled Israelites will learn of Jerusalem’s fall
The Exiled Israelites will learn of Jerusalem’s fall
25 And thou, son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their heart, their sons and their daughters, 26 that in that day he that escapeth shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears? 27 In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him that is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: so shalt thou be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.
Eighteen months later, news would reach them of Jerusalem’s fall; they would learn that Ezekiel had predicted the exact details of its destruction; they would then know that Ezekiel was a true prophet and that God is truly the Lord.
The prophet is not to speak until the siege was over and the report came about the tragedy. God would allow someone to escape to bring the message.
When the report of the city’s destruction came, the exiles would be more inclined to listen to God’s word.
When the report of the city’s destruction came, the exiles would be more inclined to listen to God’s word.
Until then, they would live with the desire to return home, to their loved ones and to their temple; but with the temple destroyed, the city in ruins, and their loved ones either dead or in exile, they would have only one proper alternative: to turn back to God.
They would now be fully convinced that God is the Lord, that Ezekiel is his true spokesman, and that God’s word is to be followed.
HAS OUR NATION LEARNED FROM HISTORY?
HAS OUR NATION LEARNED FROM HISTORY?
Our nation is not taking heed to the Gospel. Many efforts are being made, but few obey the gospel. The reasons may be manifold, including:
Our nation is not taking heed to the Gospel. Many efforts are being made, but few obey the gospel. The reasons may be manifold, including:
The hypocrisy they perceive in the religious community, and even in the Lord’s church.
Material success has led many to think they have no need of God.
The world religions and corrupted forms of Christianity have deceived multitudes into thinking they are all right spiritually because they have satisfied their conscience.
The religions of men offer strong competition for the Lord’s church; they tell the materially minded man that covetousness is all right; they give those who seek only for an emotional fulfillment a message and practice that stimulates them to an emotional high; they offer the casual seeker a system that makes no great demands on their time, money, or energy; they provide entertainment to those who are more interested in worldly pleasure. The truth of the gospel has little interest to these kinds of people.
Unbelief has perverted the thinking of the masses, so that great numbers have rejected the God of the Bible and repudiate the Bible as the inspired message it claims to be.
There are many enemies of the truth in our nations. The number of avowed atheists in America is put at 4% of the population—more than ten million. Their efforts to oppose the truth are many and very strong and venomous. Every means at their disposal are being employed in corrupting the minds of our children.
There are many enemies of the truth in our nations. The number of avowed atheists in America is put at 4% of the population—more than ten million. Their efforts to oppose the truth are many and very strong and venomous. Every means at their disposal are being employed in corrupting the minds of our children.
The have succeeded in getting the majority of people to believe in evolution.
They have been able to obtain court rulings and have promoted laws which essentially deprive all the children in public schools the opportunity of learning about God, the Bible, and real morality.
They have developed television programs and movies which promote irreverence. A generation ago, it would have been unthinkable for the entertainment industry to offer the American public a diet of irreverent material that is becoming common today.
Many in the Lord’s church have fallen victim to these current trends.
Many in the Lord’s church have fallen victim to these current trends.
Instead of preaching and teaching the truth on all subjects, some have compromised the Bible standard of morality, the plan of salvation, the work and worship of the church, and virtually every other sacred truth in God’s word.
The liberals and the modernists are working tirelessly to dilute the pure gospel of Christ.
The radicals have sown discord by binding what God did not bind, and promoting other extremist practices and doctrines.
The lukewarm members have adversely influenced many who were formerly zealous in the work.
The immoral members contaminate weak members and give the local church a bad reputation.
Those who are materialistic and enamored with pleasure disrupt and weaken the efforts of the faithful.
The compromisers demand that the truth be diluted so that the sectarians, the materially-minded, those in unscriptural marriages, and others who do not accept the truth, will not be offended by the truth.
We do not know the future, but we can know the past. Indeed, if we do not learn from the lessons of the past, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of those who have gone before us.
We do not know the future, but we can know the past. Indeed, if we do not learn from the lessons of the past, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of those who have gone before us.
Example after example is given us in the Old Testament where God brought punishment upon disobedient nations
God does not change in his righteous character
6 For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
What about the future of our own great nation?
What about the future of our own great nation?
Has America become more righteous or less righteous over the past 200 years? By comparing current attitudes with those of the past we can answer this question.
Has America become more righteous or less righteous over the past 200 years? By comparing current attitudes with those of the past we can answer this question.
Washington: "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible....He is worse than an infidel who does not read his Bible and acknowledge his obligation to God."
Lincoln: "I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book...and you will live and die a better man."
Webster: "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible our country will go on prospering, but if we and our posterity neglect its instruction and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury us and our glory in profound obscurity."
Public laws and practices show that a great decline in respect for the Bible has occurred in America.
Public laws and practices show that a great decline in respect for the Bible has occurred in America.
Prayers to God and studying his word are now forbidden in public schools.
Each year we murder more than 1 million unborn babies.
Add to this the crime figures, drug problems, sexual perversion, hatred, religious error, suicide rates, child abuse, and sins of other kinds.
There are many who believe the Bible and follow it; but America has lost much of the former respect for the moral principles of the Bible.
What can we do to preserve our nation?
What can we do to preserve our nation?
We can commit ourselves to godly, scriptural lives.
Even the church is slipping into the ways of our society. We must do all within our power to keep the church from apostasy and to present the truth to our world and to the next generation.
The influence of a few godly people is tremendous
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
We can bind our homes together with the Word of God.
The home is the backbone of a nation: as goes the home, so the nation.
Strong Christian homes can benefit the nation and the world.
We can teach against the evils that plague us and enlist others in the war.
You can begin your battle now by obeying the gospel or by being restored!