Today's Scripture Reading (June 20, 2023): Ezekiel 12
"Misery
loves company." Well, at least according to Christopher Marlow. In his
play "The Tragic History of Doctor Faustus," Marlow places the phrase
on the lips of the demon Mephastophilis, an agent for Satan in the deal that
dealt the soul of the historical Johann Georg Faust to the Devil as his
possession. Marlow's phrase was written in Latin and translated to "it is
a comfort to the unfortunate to have had companions in woe," or more
simply, "Misery loves company." It seems likely that the use of the
phrase even precedes Marlow, but Marlow's example is the most well-known of the
early uses.
But
it is also true. Maybe it is just that we know that those in misery can
empathize with how we feel. Or perhaps it is that we are not the only ones
missing out on something because of our tragic circumstances; others are also
missing out. But there is something comforting in being among those suffering
as we suffer.
This
had to be one of the most striking scenes recorded in the Bible. I must admit
that even as I read the passage, I had to carefully review everything I knew
about Ezekiel, verifying each point. Is it possible that this passage has
mysteriously taken us back in time to a period before the exile? But the answer
is no. Ezekiel, as he goes through this charade, is definitely in Babylon. So,
here the prophet acts as if he is going to be taken into exile when, in reality,
he is already in exile, and he is going through this drama in front of people
who are also already in exile—confused yet?
The
reality is that those taken in the first rounds of exile may have believed the
teaching going around that those in exile were being punished for their sin,
and the remnant that God was going to restore was actually back home in
Jerusalem. Somehow, they had missed the mark, and God's punishment was resting
hard on them
Ezekiel
needed them to understand that that was not true. Yes, they had been brought
into the Babylonian captivity. But they were the first and not the only. More misery was on its way to
Babylon. More Israelites were coming, they would join them by the
Kebar River, and there they would weep the tears witnessed by the Psalmist. "By the rivers of Babylon we sat
and wept when we remembered Zion" (Psalm 137:1).
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 13
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