Ezekiel 12:25

THE LORD IS NOT SLACK

‘I am the Lord; I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall be performed; it shall be no more deferred.’

Ezekiel 12:25 (R.V.)

I. In various ways the people of Israel were endeavouring to minimise the effects of Ezekiel’s denunciations of judgment.—They did not deny that he spoke the Word of God, but comforted themselves with the reflection that it was not likely to be fulfilled for some time yet. ‘The vision that he seeth is for many days to come.’ God, on the other hand, said, ‘It shall be no more deferred.’

II. We are all disposed to remove the wonderful working of God to the remote past or the distant future: either that He did miracles or will do them. Heaven touches the earth at this horizon or that, but it is remote from the place where we stand. This is the tendency of our mind, and for this reason we miss the manifestations of God’s grace and power which wait to enrich our lives. Now is the accepted time, now the day of salvation. As Christ is, so are we. There is as much of Divine power and love-throbbing around, and within our easy reach, as ever filled the upper room. That Jesus did miracles at the beginning of the Christian era does not excite surprise, nor yet that He shall do wonderful things at its close; but we are apt to be incredulous that our own days should be days of the Son of Man—the scene and time of His mighty deeds. We have no faith for it, and there is no room for Him to act. Who of us will dare to translate the Bible into living daily experience, and dare to believe that God will do (for those who trust Him) all, and more than all, than He did for those of old; especially by bearing witness to their words, with signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and distributions of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will? Let us not crowd God out by our fussy activities and self-directed energies, but make room for Him to do wondrously, whilst we look on, or co-operate, as He directs.

Whatever God has spoken He will perform. Whether it be of wrath to the sinner, or salvation to the saint, it shall no more be deferred.

Illustration

‘It had come to be a proverb, since the threatened judgment was so long in coming, that it would not come at all (St. Luke 18:8; 2 Peter 3:3). The long-suffering of God, which is intended to lead to repentance, is thus quoted as against His word. But, in the teeth of the scoffing mockery with which these predictions were received, God would keep to a precise fulfilment of His threatenings. Some dared to affirm that judgment would be so long deferred that it would not come in their time. To these the Prophet says in effect: “The Judge standeth before the door.” Gird yourselves for the fray, and watch as those that await their Lord’s return, which is as certain as the rise of to-morrow’s sun.’