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new wilderness
Ezekiel 20:33-38 (JDV)
Ezekiel 20:33 As I live – the declaration of the Lord Yahveh – I will reign over you with a strong hand, an arm stretched out, and wrath poured out.
Ezekiel 20:34 I will bring you from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you were scattered, with a strong hand, an arm stretched out, and wrath poured out.
Ezekiel 20:35 I will lead you into the open country of the peoples and enter into judgment with you there face to face.
Ezekiel 20:36 Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the open country of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you. This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.
Ezekiel 20:37 I will make you pass under the branch and will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
Ezekiel 20:38 I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against me. I will bring them out of the land where they live as foreign residents, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahveh.
new wilderness
Ezekiel predicted a new wilderness experience for his people. Just as they were taken out of Egypt and judged in the open county, so not they will be taken out of the promised land and judged in exile. Only those who purge themselves of their idolatry will be rescued. Many will die in the new wilderness.
Are you living in God’s promised land today, or are you in the open country? Is there still some dross to melt away? Let your repentance be a complete turn — away from sin and toward God. Let your faith be full power.
LORD, change us.
