Ezekiel 11:16

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

Therefore say {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Although I have cast them far off {H7368} among the heathen {H1471}, and although I have scattered {H6327} them among the countries {H776}, yet will I be to them as a little {H4592} sanctuary {H4720} in the countries {H776} where they shall come {H935}.

Therefore, say that Adonai ELOHIM says this: 'True, I removed them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries; nevertheless, I have been a little sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.'

Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they are come.

Commentary

Ezekiel 11:16 offers a profound message of hope and divine faithfulness amidst impending judgment and exile for the people of Israel. Despite the prophet Ezekiel's earlier pronouncements of doom against Jerusalem's wicked leaders and the city's destruction, this verse reveals God's enduring commitment to His covenant people, even in their darkest hour.

Context

This verse follows a severe condemnation of the princes and inhabitants of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 11:1-12), who were leading the nation astray and facing God's wrath. The glory of the Lord, which had been present in the Temple, is symbolically shown departing from the city (Ezekiel 10:18-19, Ezekiel 11:23), signifying impending destruction and the Babylonian captivity. The people are to be "cast far off among the heathen" and "scattered among the countries." It is within this grim prophecy of forced displacement and the loss of their beloved Temple that God's unexpected promise of being "a little sanctuary" emerges.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence in Exile: The primary message is that God's presence is not confined to a physical location like the Temple in Jerusalem. Even when His people are scattered and far from their homeland, God promises to be with them, offering solace and spiritual refuge. This underscores God's omnipresence and unwavering commitment to His people, regardless of their circumstances.
  • God as a Spiritual Sanctuary: With the physical Temple destined for destruction, God declares Himself to be a "sanctuary" for His exiled people. This signifies that true worship and communion with God are not dependent on brick and mortar, but on His direct presence and relationship with His people. He becomes their holy dwelling place, a source of comfort and a center for their spiritual life in foreign lands.
  • Hope Amidst Judgment: This verse serves as a crucial glimmer of hope in the midst of severe judgment. It reminds Israel that the scattering is not a sign of God's abandonment, but rather a disciplinary measure that still contains His loving provision and a future promise of restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a little sanctuary" translates from the Hebrew miqdash miz'ar (מִקְדָּשׁ מִזְעָר). The word miqdash typically refers to a holy place or temple. The addition of miz'ar, meaning "little," "small," or "for a little while," is significant. It implies a temporary or diminished form of a sanctuary, but nonetheless a genuine one. It suggests that while the grand Temple in Jerusalem would be gone, God Himself would serve as a spiritual, portable, and accessible holy place for them wherever they were scattered. This concept was vital for the Jewish communities in Babylon, where they gathered in homes and later synagogues, continuing their faith without a central temple.

Related Scriptures

This promise in Ezekiel foreshadows God's continued faithfulness to His people through various trials. It echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." The promise of God's presence during exile is also found in Isaiah 43:2, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee." Furthermore, this verse sets the stage for the glorious promise of a new heart and spirit given in Ezekiel 11:19-20, which is a key component of the future restoration and the new covenant.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 11:16 offers immense comfort and reassurance. It teaches us that:

  • God's presence is not limited by circumstances or location. Whether we face personal exile, hardship, or feel far from what we consider "holy ground," God is always accessible and can be our sanctuary.
  • Our relationship with God is personal and spiritual. While communal worship and physical churches are important, our true spiritual dwelling place is in God Himself. We can find refuge, peace, and holiness in Him regardless of external conditions.
  • Hope endures through adversity. Even in difficult or disciplinary seasons of life, God remains faithful. He provides comfort and a means to connect with Him, turning trials into opportunities for deeper reliance on His presence.

This verse encourages us to seek God as our ultimate refuge and sanctuary, knowing that He is ever-present and faithful to those who trust in Him.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 8:14

    And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

  • Psalms 90:1

    ¶ A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

  • Leviticus 26:44

    And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I [am] the LORD their God.

  • Jeremiah 31:10

    ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.

  • Psalms 31:20

    Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

  • Psalms 44:11

    Thou hast given us like sheep [appointed] for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.

  • Proverbs 18:10

    ¶ The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.