A New Heart and A New Spirit
12/05/2016
A New Heart and A New Spirit Ezekiel 11:14-21
Dynamic Prophetic Voices
» The prophetic voice raises questions » Questions we cannot relegate to someone else » The prophet speaks to us directly and demands our response
A Sense of Wonder
» The spring season in Toronto evokes a sense of wonder – the greening of the city – blooming of flowers & trees » Wonder reminds us that “life is ultimately a question not an answer” (Heshel) » Life raises questions, evokes wonder curiosity
» We have considered the prophets Jeremiah (preexile), Zechariah (post-exile), and now Ezekiel (mid-exile) » Ezekiel living in Babylon (1:1) but having visions that transport him between Jerusalem and Babylon
I. A Message of Hope Then the word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, your kinsfolk, your own kin, your fellow exiles, the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘They have gone far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.’
Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. Ezekiel 11:14-15,17
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12/05/2016
In Exile
Yahweh’s Promise
» The prophet recognizes that the majority of people have gone into exile (v14)
» Yahweh promises to return those in exile to their land (v17)
» But there are some who remain in Israel – they are taking the position that the exiles are judged and their land is available to be taken (v15b)
» The land is not available to be taken by anyone
Our Desert Experience
Real Newness
» Ezekiel reminds us that our desert experience will not last forever » Our immediate circumstances are not locked in stone » There are possibilities that lie beyond the confines of the moment
» The prophet calls us to understand that the possibility of real newness exists
The Call of Hope » Hope calls us to rise above despair » A call for patience – hopeful waiting » Even as a farmer waits upon the planted seed to grow and bear a harvest
» The people will be brought back from exile
» God does not quit on Israel; God does not quit on us » The valley of dry bones receiving new life (Ezekiel 37: 1-10)
II. A Message of Sanctuary Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far away among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a little while in the countries where they have gone. Ezekiel 11:16
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12/05/2016
Where is God’s Sanctuary? » God’s sanctuary is normally seen in his presence in the temple » God abiding in the Holy of Holies » It is connected to a specific place in the Old Testament
» Similarly God tabernacles with us no matter what the situation » Regardless of our experience – God is with us and provides sanctuary » The story of Hagar being sent into the desert but cared for by Yahweh reminds us of his constant presence (Genesis 21:14-21)
I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:18-20
» Ezekiel makes the remarkable insight that God’s sanctuary is not limited to a place » God’s sanctuary goes with the people into exile even in Babylon (16b) » God is their shelter, refuge and strength in Babylon
III. A Message of
Transformation
When they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them;
» The people returning from exile will desire to walk with clean hands (v18) » I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. (Ezekiel 36:25)
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12/05/2016
Two Images for Renewal 1. A New Heart » One heart/ new heart » Heart as the center of will & intellect » No longer a heart of stone – ie. resistance, stubbornness, selfishness » Rather a responsive, pliable heart
The Journey of Transformation » Calls us to encouragement – God is working in us to complete us » Though our conversion is one of “fits and starts” as Augustine spoke of his own conversion
2. A New Spirit » A spirit that turns to God – Ezekiel 18:31-32 – “get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit …turn then and live.” » A spirit of life; of synergy with God » It alludes to the new covenant of God’s provision for us with his Spirit in us
The Call to Pay Attention » Be attentive to our lives » Be alert to the prompting of the Spirit as we keep turning to Him » Use the spiritual disciplines to aid our attention to God’s voice
Life is ‘a Question Not an Answer’ » Hope, sanctuary and transformation all aid us in probing God’s question to us » All evoking in us a ‘yes’ to God’s nuances of love and care
4
A New Heart and A New Spirit Ezekiel 11:14-21
Dynamic Prophetic Voices
» The prophetic voice raises questions » Questions we cannot relegate to someone else » The prophet speaks to us directly and demands our response
A Sense of Wonder
» The spring season in Toronto evokes a sense of wonder – the greening of the city – blooming of flowers & trees » Wonder reminds us that “life is ultimately a question not an answer” (Heshel) » Life raises questions, evokes wonder curiosity
» We have considered the prophets Jeremiah (preexile), Zechariah (post-exile), and now Ezekiel (mid-exile) » Ezekiel living in Babylon (1:1) but having visions that transport him between Jerusalem and Babylon
I. A Message of Hope Then the word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, your kinsfolk, your own kin, your fellow exiles, the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘They have gone far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.’
Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. Ezekiel 11:14-15,17
1
12/05/2016
In Exile
Yahweh’s Promise
» The prophet recognizes that the majority of people have gone into exile (v14)
» Yahweh promises to return those in exile to their land (v17)
» But there are some who remain in Israel – they are taking the position that the exiles are judged and their land is available to be taken (v15b)
» The land is not available to be taken by anyone
Our Desert Experience
Real Newness
» Ezekiel reminds us that our desert experience will not last forever » Our immediate circumstances are not locked in stone » There are possibilities that lie beyond the confines of the moment
» The prophet calls us to understand that the possibility of real newness exists
The Call of Hope » Hope calls us to rise above despair » A call for patience – hopeful waiting » Even as a farmer waits upon the planted seed to grow and bear a harvest
» The people will be brought back from exile
» God does not quit on Israel; God does not quit on us » The valley of dry bones receiving new life (Ezekiel 37: 1-10)
II. A Message of Sanctuary Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far away among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a little while in the countries where they have gone. Ezekiel 11:16
2
12/05/2016
Where is God’s Sanctuary? » God’s sanctuary is normally seen in his presence in the temple » God abiding in the Holy of Holies » It is connected to a specific place in the Old Testament
» Similarly God tabernacles with us no matter what the situation » Regardless of our experience – God is with us and provides sanctuary » The story of Hagar being sent into the desert but cared for by Yahweh reminds us of his constant presence (Genesis 21:14-21)
I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:18-20
» Ezekiel makes the remarkable insight that God’s sanctuary is not limited to a place » God’s sanctuary goes with the people into exile even in Babylon (16b) » God is their shelter, refuge and strength in Babylon
III. A Message of
Transformation
When they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them;
» The people returning from exile will desire to walk with clean hands (v18) » I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. (Ezekiel 36:25)
3
12/05/2016
Two Images for Renewal 1. A New Heart » One heart/ new heart » Heart as the center of will & intellect » No longer a heart of stone – ie. resistance, stubbornness, selfishness » Rather a responsive, pliable heart
The Journey of Transformation » Calls us to encouragement – God is working in us to complete us » Though our conversion is one of “fits and starts” as Augustine spoke of his own conversion
2. A New Spirit » A spirit that turns to God – Ezekiel 18:31-32 – “get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit …turn then and live.” » A spirit of life; of synergy with God » It alludes to the new covenant of God’s provision for us with his Spirit in us
The Call to Pay Attention » Be attentive to our lives » Be alert to the prompting of the Spirit as we keep turning to Him » Use the spiritual disciplines to aid our attention to God’s voice
Life is ‘a Question Not an Answer’ » Hope, sanctuary and transformation all aid us in probing God’s question to us » All evoking in us a ‘yes’ to God’s nuances of love and care
4
