QT 31/07/2025 Thu. Ezekiel 11. Scattered Yet Not Forsaken 分散却不被遗弃

QT 31/07/2025 Thu. Ezekiel 11. Scattered Yet Not Forsaken
READ http://www.esv.org/eze11

Scripture Focus:
"Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone." – Ezekiel 11:16 (ESV)

Reflection:
God speaks to His people in the midst of their exile — a punishment for their rebellion and idolatry. Yet even in judgment, God's mercy shines through: “I have been a sanctuary to them.” Though they are physically removed from the temple, God Himself becomes their place of refuge. He doesn't abandon them. His presence travels with them.

This is the gospel in shadow: even when we are far from where we ought to be — spiritually lost, broken by sin, scattered by choices or circumstances — God does not forsake us. Instead, He becomes our sanctuary. Through Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s sanctuary-presence, we are invited into fellowship even in the wilderness.

A Promise of Restoration:
In verses 17–20, God promises to gather, cleanse, and renew:

(1) Gather: “I will gather you… and give you the land of Israel.”
This is not only a physical return but a spiritual homecoming. Through Christ, we are gathered into the family of God, citizens of a new Kingdom.

(2) Cleanse: “They will remove… all its detestable things.”
True repentance follows restoration. When God draws us back, He also leads us to cast off sin and idols. The gospel isn’t just about rescue, but also about renewal.

(3) Renew: “I will give them one heart… a new spirit… I will remove the heart of stone… and give them a heart of flesh.”

Here lies the heart of the gospel. The Holy Spirit replaces our rebellion with softness, our pride with humility, and our apathy with love. This transformation enables obedience — not out of obligation, but out of a new nature.

The Glory Moves:
Verse 23 paints a powerful picture: “And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain…”

God’s glory does not vanish — it relocates. This is a prophetic glimpse of the coming of Christ. The glory that once filled the temple departs, but not forever. It returns — not to a building, but in the person of Jesus, who tabernacled among us (John 1:14). He is the new Temple. He is our sanctuary. He is the glory on the mountain.

Takeaway:
Even in your scattered seasons — whether caused by sin, suffering, or sorrow — God is not absent. He is your sanctuary. He gathers the broken, renews the heart, and restores His people to Himself.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank You that even when I am far off, You do not forsake me. You are my sanctuary, my refuge. Give me a new heart — a heart of flesh that beats for You. Remove every idol, cleanse me from every false thing, and gather me into Your presence. Be my God, and let me be Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QT 31/07/2025 星期四.  以西结书 11. 分散却不被遗弃
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eze/11/

经文聚焦：
因此你要说：‘主耶和华这样说：我虽然把他们远远地迁到列国之中，使他们分散在各地，我还要在他们所到的各地暂作他们的圣所。' - 以西结书 11：16

反思：
上帝在祂的子民被流放时对他们说话--这是对他们悖逆和拜偶像的惩罚。然而，即使是在审判中，上帝的怜悯也在闪耀：“我一直是他们的圣所”。虽然他们实际离开了圣殿，但上帝自己成为了他们的避难所。祂没有抛弃他们。祂的同在与他们同行。
这就是福音的影子：即使我们远离了我们应该在的地方--灵性迷失、因罪破碎、因选择或环境分散--上帝也不会离弃我们。相反，祂成为我们的避难所。耶稣基督是上帝圣所存在的最终实现者，通过耶稣基督，即使在旷野，我们也被邀请与上帝相交。

恢复的应许：
在第17-20节中，神应许要聚集、洁净和更新：
(1）聚集： "我必聚集你们......将以色列地赐给你们。
这不仅是物质上的回归，也是精神上的回家。通过基督，我们被聚集到神的家中，成为新国度的公民。

(2）清洁： "他们将除去......一切可憎的东西。
真正的悔改是在恢复之后。当上帝把我们拉回来时，祂也会引导我们抛弃罪恶和偶像。福音不仅是拯救，也是更新。

(3) 更新："我要赐给他们一个心......一个新灵......我要除去石心......赐给他们肉心。
这就是福音的核心。圣灵用柔软取代我们的叛逆，用谦卑取代我们的骄傲，用爱取代我们的冷漠。这种转变使我们能够顺服--不是出于义务，而是出于新的本性。

荣耀移动：
第 23 节描绘了一幅强有力的画面： “耶和华的荣光从城中升上去，站在山上......”
上帝的荣耀并没有消失，而是转移了。这是基督降临的预言性一瞥。曾经充满圣殿的荣耀离开了，但不是永远。它又回来了--不是回到一座建筑里，而是回到与我们同住的耶稣身上（约翰福音 1：14）。祂是新的圣殿。祂是我们的圣所。祂是山上的荣耀。

学习：即使在你感觉到离群或分散的季节--无论是由罪、苦难还是悲伤造成的--上帝也不会缺席。祂是你的圣所。祂聚集破碎的人，更新人心，使祂的子民归回祂自己。

祷告：
主神，感谢你，即使我远离你，你也没有离弃我。你是我的圣所，我的避难所。求你赐给我一颗新心--一颗为你而跳动的肉心。除去一切偶像，洗净我身上一切虚假的东西，并让我的灵魂与你同在。