Though these three men…

In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 14, we hear of a judgment Go would pour out.  And then He says this…

“Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver [but] their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD…Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, [were] in it, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall [but] deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” Ezekiel 14:14,20

I wonder why.  I wonder what was so special about Noah, Daniel, and Job that God used them as examples.  Why not  Joseph, or Moses, or David?

Maybe the answer lies within their stories.

Noah was spared from the flood.  He worked hard for the Lord for 120 years building the ark and preparing, so that when the flood came, he was all good.  Him and his family.

Daniel endured the lions’ den.  He refused to bow his knee or worship any God but the LORD God of Israel. 

Job… well, Job, if you haven’t heard of him… he took a beating and still blessed the name of the Lord.  He learned how to pray for people who slandered him and he saw God blessing and favor return in his life.

All three of these men had great perseverance.  They were great men of faith and great men of steadfastness.  They were obedient.

Noah means rest.

Daniel means God is my judge.

Job means hated.

But their personal obedience would not be enough to spare anyone but themselves.

Joseph, Moses, David… now that is a different story.  And that is why God did not use them as examples.  Joseph’s obedience delivered Israel from famine.  Moses’ obedience delivered all of Israel from slavery.  David’s obedience delivered Israel from the hands of her enemies, never losing a battle.

And Joseph, Moses, and David were all forerunners to Jesus… who would deliver us all from death.

Sometimes God raises up people to bring great things to His people.  And when that call is on your life… you cannot rest until you do it.  You conscience judges you and convicts you.  And you will be hated of the world because you are not of the world.

Who has God made you to be?

SDG