Tying Clouds Together

On Monday I wrote on the ancient Hebrew understanding of the word ‘Remember.’ Yesterday I leaned into the Hebrew understanding of Life and Death, which is much more than simply breathing and not breathing.

Both are rooted in the present, in how we choose to live now. This is really needed and helpful for us, because more than a few people get lost in the tidal wave of yesterday, or are splashing around in the worry of tomorrow.

So, in this writing, let’s tie some clouds together.

The ancient Hebrew prophet Ezekiel addresses his people, Israel, as they are reflecting on the mistakes of their past and wondering if they even have a future. Let’s listen in on Ezekiel 18:21-23,

“But if the wicked turn away from all the sins they have committed and keep all my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?”

Wow, there is so much here. To turn away from is the Hebrew word shuv, which is the root of where we get repent (t’shuva). To turn toward or return to the Divine. And their sins will not be remembered (zakar) against them, which is to say that the Divine will not act based on those past sins. Again, there isn’t a magical eraser to what was, rather the actions taken today have disregarded the sins of the past.

Forgiveness is tied to regarding those past sins no more. Beautiful.

And to do what is just and right, a couple of really important Hebrew words we won’t get into here, is to choose life.

Let’s not miss the Divine does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. We are being invited to see a God who is about restoration, not retribution. Choosing life, not death.

Brilliant.

But if one turns from that which is just and right to walk the way of the wicked, then the righteous acts won’t be remembered. Oh boy. It would be easy to swing on some theological monkey bars at this point and walk away with some sort of cocktail of karma or quid-pro-quo religious wack-a-mole thinking. But there is a fantastic insight into a growing consciousness within the context, which is actually happening within the Biblical narrative. Before our text here, Ezekiel speaks about being responsible for our own actions, which is a growing development away from generational guilt and punishment. Which feels like something we should talk about… tomorrow.

But here, in this, we are being met by the Divine, as we are, and invited to take that next right step with God. To get lost in the past (shame and guilt), or to hyper focus on tomorrow (worry and anxiety), can keep us from experiencing life… now.

Our eyes are peeled open today, and we are being invited to choose life. Because yes, what we believe and how we live matters, so let’s think deeply and live intentionally. There is endless grace as we walk the road of justice and righteousness, which guides us to party in peace, that is in the shalom of the Divine.

Stunning. May you choose life. Today. And may you be washed in the dynamic grace of God.