And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity, because they were unfaithful to Me. So I hid My face from them and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword.

— Ezekiel 39:23

Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the LORD; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.

— Ezekiel 36:36

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

— Romans 15:4

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

–2 Timothy 3:16-17

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Israel’s history shows us that God sent His chosen people, Israel, into exile because they persistently rejected Him. In grace to His exiled people in Babylon, God continued to send their contemporary prophets, such as Daniel and Ezekiel, to speak to them on His behalf. While Daniel served God faithfully in the king’s palace, Ezekiel served among and spoke to the exiled community of God’s people in Babylon.

People may view the prophetic book of Ezekiel and Daniel as unfamiliar and challenging. However, all Scripture equips God’s people to know Him, to understand His ways. The Scripture assures us that God’s promises hold the future secure. Truths about God, ourselves, and our world rise from every portion of the Bible. Passages such as those in Ezekiel and Daniel, though primarily about Israel, speak to all of God’s people. They demonstrate His faithfulness, and His persistent pursuit of unfaithful people. God’s commitment to His plan gives us hope.