Again and Again

In the seventh year, some elders of Israel came to inquire of Yahweh. Instead of answering their question, God told Ezekiel to declare the history of their fathers. It was a history of God's faithfulness and Israel's rebellion.

In Egypt God chose Israel and promised them a good land, but they would not throw away their idols. In the wilderness God gave them his statutes, which if a man does, he will live in them, and his Sabbaths as a sign between him and them. They rebelled there too. In the land, their children kept turning to high places and idols. Each time, God held back and acted for his name's sake, so his name would not be profaned among the nations.

Then God gave a promise. He would bring his people out of the countries and judge them face to face. He would cause them to pass under the rod, like a shepherd counting sheep, and bring them into the bond of the covenant. On his holy mountain they would serve him, and they would remember their ways and know he had not dealt with them according to their wicked ways.