Ezekiel 14:14 “…even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the LORD God.”

This verse is a statement of how angry God has become with the Jewish people. God repeats this though over and over as He list the things that He will do to Jerusalem and the land of Judah. God is emphasizing the terrible punishment that will come and that His mind is made up to complete the destruction He has promised.

The righteousness of these three great men of faith would not be enough to change God’s mind. This is a break with the past. God has always made allowance for men of faith and faithfulness. He is assuring Ezekiel that the prophecies will come true and that they will be justified. Does that mean there will be no survivors? No, God always saves a remnant. In this case the remnant will be to prove to Ezekiel how bad things were.

Four means of destruction are mentioned: famine, wild beasts, war, and pestilence. Anyone would be sufficient and the fact that four are mentioned enforces how angry God is with the idolatrous nation. It serves as a warning for us even today because we definitely live in an idolatrous world.

Task for Today: Wouldn’t you like your name added to the three righteous men? They are pointed out by God because of their lives. You might want to restudy them and see how you can emulate their faithfulness. Look in the mirror and see what God sees not what friends see. God held Job up to Satan. Would He do the same for you? Change what needs to be changed today.