Spurgeon Morning and Evening February 17 PM

Biblical Context

The Book of Ezekiel is a powerful prophetic work delivered by the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC). Ezekiel, a priest, was among the first group of exiles deported to Babylon in 597 BC. His ministry took place by the Chebar Canal, far from Jerusalem, yet his prophecies often focused on the fate of Jerusalem and the people of Judah. The book is broadly divided into prophecies of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem (chapters 1-24), prophecies against surrounding nations (chapters 25-32), and prophecies of restoration for Israel (chapters 33-48).

Ezekiel 35 falls within the section of prophecies against foreign nations. Specifically, it is a detailed oracle against Mount Seir, representing Edom. Edom, descended from Esau, Jacob’s brother, was a long-standing enemy of Israel. Historically, Edom displayed animosity towards Judah, particularly during its time of weakness and judgment. When Jerusalem fell and Judah was exiled, Edom rejoiced and even participated in the plundering, hoping to take possession of the desolate land of Israel. Chapter 35 details God’s judgment against Edom for its perpetual hostility and its covetous desire for Israel’s land, proclaiming that Edom would become a perpetual desolation because of its pride and malice. The verse, “Whereas the Lord was there,” comes in the context of Edom’s presumption that because Judah was desolate, God had abandoned His land. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God’s presence, though unseen by Edom, remained a formidable, protective force over His chosen land and people, even in their lowest state.

Key Word Study

The pivotal word in our verse, “Whereas the Lord was there,” is the Hebrew term יְהוָה (YHWH), pronounced Yahweh. This is the sacred, personal, covenantal name of God, often rendered as “the LORD” in English translations using all caps. It is derived from the Hebrew verb “to be” and signifies God’s self-existence, eternal nature, and His unwavering presence. Unlike general titles for God like Elohim (God), which emphasizes His power and creatorship, YHWH highlights His specific relationship with Israel as their covenant-keeping God.

In the context of Ezekiel 35:10, the significance of YHWH is immense. It reminds Edom, and us, that the sovereign, covenant-making God, who is always present, was still there in Judah, even in its desolation. His presence was not contingent on Israel’s prosperity or outward strength, but on His own unchanging character and promises. This underscores His faithfulness even when His people are chastened, assuring them and us that His watchful eye and protective hand never truly depart. It is a declaration of God’s immanence and His unshakeable commitment to His heritage.

The Ever-Present Lord: Our Unseen Barrier and Eternal Security

The passage from Spurgeon opens with a vivid illustration of worldly presumption clashing with divine reality. Edom’s princes, observing the desolation of Judah, saw an opportunity for easy conquest. They calculated their odds based on visible weakness, on what their eyes could perceive. Yet, they overlooked the one, insurmountable obstacle: “The Lord was there.” This declaration from Ezekiel 35:10 serves as a profound truth, not only for ancient Edom but for every generation facing seemingly overwhelming odds. The physical desolation of the land did not equate to the absence of its Divine Protector.

Spurgeon emphasizes that this divine presence is the “great difficulty in their way – quite unknown to them.” It is this unseen, spiritual reality that forms the special security of the chosen land and, by extension, God’s chosen people in every age. No matter the “machinations and devices of the enemies of God’s people,” there remains the “same effectual barrier to thwart their design.” This barrier is not a mighty army, a fortified city, or human ingenuity, but the omnipresent, omnipotent God Himself. The saints are indeed God’s heritage, and His promise is unwavering: He is in the midst of them, and will protect His own. This truth is a cornerstone of Christian assurance.

Comfort in Conflict and Perpetual Preservation

What immense comfort this assurance yields us in our daily lives, particularly amidst our “troubles and spiritual conflicts!” Life as a believer is a constant interplay of opposition and preservation. We are “constantly opposed, and yet perpetually preserved!” This paradox highlights the supernatural nature of our existence in Christ. Our preservation is not due to our own strength or cleverness, but entirely to the abiding presence of the Lord.

Spurgeon then turns to the relentless assaults of Satan. “How often Satan shoots his arrows against our faith.” These arrows are designed to weaken, wound, and ultimately destroy our trust in God. Yet, our faith, shielded by the Divine presence, “defies the power of hell’s fiery darts.” These darts are not only turned aside but are miraculously “quenched upon its shield, for ‘the Lord is there.'” This imagery evokes the armor of God (Ephesians 6:16), where the shield of faith extinguishes the fiery darts of the evil one. The efficacy of that shield, however, is not merely in its material, but in the divine presence that undergirds it.

The Unyielding Virtues: Preserved by Divine Presence

The devil’s attacks are not limited to our faith; they extend to our very character and good works. “Our good works are the subjects of Satan’s attacks.” A sobering truth is presented: “A saint never yet had a virtue or a grace which was not the target for hellish bullets.” Whether it is a vibrant hope, a fervent love, an enduring patience, or a blazing zeal – every aspect of Christ-like character comes under fire from the “old enemy of everything that is good.” Satan seeks to corrupt, diminish, or utterly destroy every good thing within us. He aims to make us cynical, cold, impatient, and apathetic.

Yet, the profound truth that follows offers immense encouragement: “The only reason why anything virtuous or lovely survives in us is this, ‘the Lord is there.'” Our perseverance in virtue, our capacity to maintain love in the face of hatred, hope in despair, patience in trial, and zeal in lethargy, is not a testament to our own spiritual fortitude. It is a direct result of God’s indwelling presence, sustaining and preserving His work within us. He is the guardian of our graces.

Confidence in Dying and Eternal Perseverance

The Lord’s presence extends beyond life’s battles to life’s ultimate transition. “If the Lord be with us through life, we need not fear for our dying confidence; for when we come to die, we shall find that ‘the Lord is there’.” This is a powerful comfort in the face of mortality. The final moments of life, often described as a tempestuous sea, are made calm by His presence. Even “where the billows are most tempestuous, and the water is most chill, we shall feel the bottom, and know that it is good: our feet shall stand upon the Rock of Ages when time is passing away.” Christ, the Rock of Ages, remains our steadfast foundation, ensuring that death is not a fall into the abyss but a sure footing on eternal ground.

Spurgeon beautifully encapsulates the entirety of the Christian journey: “Beloved, from the first of a Christian’s life to the last, the only reason why he does not perish is because ‘the Lord is there.'” This summarizes the doctrine of perseverance of the saints, which is not based on human effort but on divine keeping. Our salvation, our sanctification, and our glorification are all secured by the Lord’s unwavering presence.

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH: The Lord is There, Eternally

The devotional concludes with a majestic declaration of God’s unchangeable nature and His eternal commitment to His people. “When the God of everlasting love shall change and leave His elect to perish, then may the Church of God be destroyed; but not till then, because it is written, JEHOVAH SHAMMAH, ‘The Lord is there.'” This name, Jehovah Shammah (יְהוָה שָׁמָּה), meaning “The Lord is there,” is the name given to the New Jerusalem in Ezekiel 48:35. It signifies God’s permanent and glorious dwelling among His people in the eschatological future. By invoking this name, Spurgeon affirms that the very essence of God’s being is His presence among His chosen. His love is everlasting, His nature unchangeable, and His presence eternal. The security of the Church, therefore, is as eternal and unshakeable as God Himself.

In every trial, every temptation, every moment of weakness, and even in the face of death, the bedrock of our hope remains: “The Lord is there.” This simple, profound truth is the ultimate source of our comfort, strength, and unwavering confidence.