Ezek 11.
16 Thus saith the Lord God. Although I have cast them far off among the
heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries Yet will I be
to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. I am
going to be quite candid about my subject this evening. I referred to this when
I was last at Providence[2], but I
had no idea just how much there was in it of real gospel truth. And on further
meditation, I became so impressed by it that I felt constrained to bring it
before you here this evening. My attention was first directed to it after a
Bible Reading at Woodbury[3] on
Daniel’s vision recorded in chap 10, where he spoke of the effects of the
vision turning his comeliness into corruption, and he said Yet heard I the
voice of His words. The word yet thrilled me. It was as though he said In spite
of my vileness and corruption, He did not cast me off forever as I deserved but
He spoke words of love and comfort to me, and the way the Divine author of the
book used this word Yet thrilled me and started me off on a completely fresh
study of His precious word. By the aid of Young’s Concordance[4] I found
it is used in many other places in a similar way, and I referred very briefly
to this one at Providence but on further study found something very sweet
indeed and at the same time something very solemn also. Ezekiel prophesied in
the days of the captivity and he found that judgments of God were not having
the desired effect and the people were going further and further away from Him.
This is clearly emphasized in the early part of this chapter, Ezekiel is
brought to the east gate of the Lord’s house and there he sees 25 men and it
seems to me that he recognizes two of them and God shews him that these men are
ringleaders in the [dede….][5] that is
going on and Ezekiel is directed by the Spirit of God to prophesy against them
and as God’s messenger he is empowered and is told to Speak. Thus saith the
Lord. Would to God this was the case in all our pulpits up and down the land
tonight and he finishes his oration with the words (Still speaking under the
direction of the spirit of God) v. 12. Ye shall know that I am the Lord.. and
ye privileged Israel have not done as ye ought to have done after the manner of
the heathen that are round about you. Now something happens God vindicates His
servant in a very solemn way. When Ezekiel prophesied one of the recognized men
died. It is as though He was saying Be not deceived God is not mocked,
whatsoever a man so if that he shall he also reap. And this is not the only
time that God has indicated His servants. Please turn to Acts 5 and read again
the record of the death of Ananias & Saphira his wife[6], and you
will see their two deaths occur and you may ask why? And I think the answer is
found in Heb 2. 3 & 4. The great salvation was spoken first by our Lord,
then by His disciples and God bear them witness both with signs and
wonders. And I might say here I do not think we have any scriptural grounds for
saying that the two persons were lost souls. They were removed by death and
great fear came upon all the church. They realized something more of the nature
of God who had acted so graciously towards them and the death of Pelatiah
recorded in our chapter here acted in the same way. Even Ezekiel fell upon his
face and cried with a loud voice. Ah Lord God wilt thou make a full end of the
remnant of Israel. Here is a question asked by a divinely appointed messenger
who is in dead earnest He realizes something of the awful majesty and power of
God and cries out in fear and God’s answer is one of great compassion and
loving kindness. He does not minimize Israel’s sin and states clearly that
their captivity is the just rewards of their deeds YET I will be to them a
little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. Here we have one
person becoming a place of worship and that one person is none other than our
adorable Lord[7].
Do you not remember the disciples saying to Him Lord we know not whither Thou
goest and how can we know the way. Jesus said I am the way etc. no man cometh
unto the Father but by me[8]. And it
is place than all more sweet. It is the bloodstained mercy-seat[9]. Now do
we all grasp the force of the word “Yet”. Was Pelatiah alone worthy of death.
Do you see those people coming to the Lord telling*Him about those Galileans
whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices. What does Jesus say Suppose
ye they were sinners above all Galileans. I tell you Nay Except ye repent ye
shall all likewise perish. All were guilty, as we are today. Ah Lord wilt thou
make a full end of the remnant of Israel. No No thank God all have sinned Yet
will I be a little sanctuary. There is a place where Jesus sheds the oil of
gladness on our heads. A place than all besides more sweet. It is the bloodstained
mercy seat. They shall come thither and rid themselves of their detestable
thereof and I will give them a new heart Yes all things are to be made new[10]. It is
a new birth.. And they shall be my people and I will be their God[11]. Our
wonder of wonders. Can these dry bones live[12]? Not
just a wonder, but a wonder that is unique. Nothing like it. The demon
possessed man, sitting at the feet of Jesus clothed and in his right mind[13]. Now
just a word of warning in verses 21 & 25 There are the rejectors in that
day as in our own day who prefer their detestable things who say. We will not
have this man to reign over us. Who refused to give up the reins of government.
Well God speaks again, and this is what He says I will recompense their way
upon their own heads, and in verse 25 Ezekiel says Then I spake unto them all
the things that the Lord hath shewed me. All that was necessary for the
salvation was made known to them. And the light came and they loved darkness
rather than light because their deeds were evil and they stand before a just
and holy God condemned, and we are just in exactly the same position today.
*Luke
13. 1-5
[1] This talk is undated and seems to have been given at three different locations. The first was presumably presumably between March 6, 1956 and May 5, 1956.
[2] Providence Chapel was the other Baptist Church in Chiddingfold see January 29. Woodside was another church and this gives the impression that Manor Road and Standford were perhaps cottage meetings in or near Chiddingfold
[3] Lloyd spoke at Woodbury in April the previous year, but this is perhaps a Bible Reading given by someone else at this Cottage Meeting
[4] A comprehensive analytical concordance which enables readers without Hebrew or Greek to trace the use of words in the original language. A work I have also extensively used!
[5] This word is unclear to me
[6] see 30 October 1955
[7] A striking example of Lloyd's Christocentric reading of the Old Testament
[8] John 14:6
[9] Hymn by Rev. Hugh
Stowell an Anglican clergyman (1799-1865)
From ev'ry stormy wind that blows,
from ev'ry swelling tide of woes,
there is a calm, a sure retreat;
'tis found beneath the mercy seat.
There is a place where Jesus sheds
the oil of gladness on our heads,
a place than all besides more sweet;
it is the blood-stained mercy seat.
There is a spot where spirits blend,
where friend holds fellowship with friend,
tho' sundered far; by faith they meet
around the common mercy seat.
[10] Ezekiel 11:17-18
[11] Ezekiel 11:19
[12] Ezekiel 37:3
[13] Mark 5:15