Ezekiel 22:16 “When you have been defiled in the eyes of the nations, you will know that I am the Lord.'”

Two things impress me about this verse. The first is the widely divergent ways it can be translated. The NIV gives “When you have been defiled” in the main text, but in a footnote they indicate the way the Japanese translates it: “When I have given you the land of your inheritance.” Like many ancient languages, (including Biblical Greek) Hebrew had neither punctuation nor divisions between words in written text. Thus, dividing the written syllables differently could give extremely different meanings. Actually, Japanese is the same way, if you write it in just syllables. Thus, yakuzaishi, pharmacist, becomes yakuza ishi, a gangster doctor, just by the addition of a space. That’s why Japanese depends on Chinese characters, that have distinct meaning in and of themselves, to keep it all straight. Otherwise it degrades into unintelligible nonsense. Puns are inescapable! The other thing that struck me was that the day of reconning, whatever form it took, would bring knowledge that God is the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. The list of sins in the first part of the chapter is quite specific, and it is interesting how many of them are sexual. That really brings to mind the situation in America today. It is interesting but not surprising that those most involved in such sins are very likely to try to deny that God is indeed the Lord, because they want to deny their accountability to Him. As Paul famously made very clear, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7) As the Bible makes clear throughout, every individual will have to stand before God at the end of their time on earth, whether they had acknowledged Him previously or not, and they will receive their “inheritance” in full, whether they want it or not. The biggest miracle of the Gospel is that for those who have committed themselves to Jesus Christ in faith, God has already decided a “not guilty” verdict, and that’s what makes it the best news in the world.

Of course, I face that end-of-life moment just like everyone else. I am extremely grateful that I have known the Gospel from childhood and have submitted myself to its conditions. That’s far from saying I have lived a sinless life; I am as dependent on the grace of God as anyone else. However, I know that grace is there, and I have received it in countless ways, though not yet in the final, full measure. I have committed my life to letting others know that grace is available, and it is a huge joy when someone repents and believes. I am to pray for them and keep speaking the truth in love to them, leaving the decision of commitment between them and God, because I can save no one in my own strength or wisdom.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the news the other day that someone I ministered to several years ago wants to be baptized by me. That came as a shock, but a very happy one. I pray that You would take every word You speak through me and bring it to fruition in Your time, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!