A LESSON FROM THREE (3) OLD TESTAMENT PERSONS – EZK 14:1-23

[By Robert Arthur]

A Bible Class Booklet No. 1

We know the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the ultimate property God has given to Christians. It beholds on us to treasure the Word of God, to hold it in reverence and to preach about it. Besides, the Bible is the only book which does not just speaks of the characters of good people. But it also laments on the bad characters as well. Those who pleased the Lord received His praise and reward. Those that were wicked, evil and distasteful got their due punishment respectively from the Just God, like Cain & Abel in the Book of Genesis 4.
However, the Bible commits and encourages all of us to emulate the recorded characters of good people it presents. 3 John 11

In Chapter 14 of the Book of Ezekiel, the Prophet Ezekiel brought up the memories of three distinct persons of his predecessors into the limelight. The Elders of Israel have engaged themselves in folly and idolatry. Their idolatry was so boldly drawn in their faces. But hypocritically [concealment of character] went to inquire from Ezekiel what the counsel of the Lord is for them in their time of desolation. Ezk 14:1-3. Down through the succeeding verses of the same chapter show clearly that nothing is hidden from the eyes of God! All our actions whether good, bad or ugly are opened before the Lord God, the just Judge and the Sovereign Lord. Heb 4:13. Thus all of us shall receive a just reward from Him accordingly, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10, Rom 14:10-12, Eccl 12:13-14

The Elders of Israel could not be smart on the Omniscient God. And just like the Lord God told Moses in Exo 32:33 “…Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book”. The Lord through Ezekiel rebuked the Elders by pointing to them that He shall only deliver and save a nation from its continual pestilence and hardship base on their righteousness, just like the Lord God saved [delivered] Noah in the great deluge, Daniel in the lion’s den and Job from his pains and suffering. And He said “Son of man, when the land sinned against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord Jehovah”. Ezk 14:13-14
The Prophet Ezekiel was not speaking about these three persons to be reincarnated [resurface, reappear, comeback to life] and be saved whenever there is a desolation [catastrophe] on any land. But just as the Hebrew writer presented to the Christians to imitate the lives of the early fathers of faith [Heb 11:32-40], here Ezekiel also reminded us of how these three faithful lived and walked with God and how we can also be assured of our deliverance and salvation if we likewise live faithfully and journey well with the Lord.
Today we are going to be looking at the lessons we can learn from the exemplary lives and characters of these Three Old Testament Personalities.
The Apostle Paul by inspiration exhorts us in Rom 15:4 that “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”. And that "these things were our examples”. 1 Cor 10:6

(1). NOAH – ‘THE RIGHTEOUS PREACHER’
Noah was one of the sons of Lamech. He had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. The writer did not mention his wife’s name. The reasons unknown, but I guess in those days God dealings with humankind were only with the heads of the family, probably the man of the household [the patriarchs]. Gen 5:30-32
In Genesis Chapter 6, we saw the Lord God was displeased with men. Men have become flesh and lived in wickedness. He saw the depravity of man’s nature continue to increase day by day. He regretted creating man at all and decided to utterly destroy them from all the earth. In verses 8-9, Noah found grace [favor] with Jehovah God. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God”.
While the people in Noah’s generation lived in iniquity and wickedness, Noah and his household lived a righteous live before the Lord. Noah could not have been merited by this favor without a holy life. The Hebrew writer exhorts us to “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”. Heb 12:14
It would have been unjustifiable and against the Sovereign Lord position to utterly destroy the innocent with the guilty, the just with the unjust, and the righteous with the unrighteous. Mal 3:18. Much in the same way God could not destroy the righteous Noah and his household with the wicked and perverse generation together.
Remember what Abraham pleaded for on behalf of his nephew Lot. “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? ..... I [God] will not destroy it for ten's sake”. Gen 18:23-32
Some historians believe that Noah was then a very good, gifted and skillful in carpentry work in his days. But look God did not favor him because he was good skilled carpenter or was he saved because he had three handsome sons all married to beautiful wives. Indeed he had a wonderful family but that was not nearer to God reasons and criteria. The Prophet Jeremiah cried out “Run ye to and fro … if ye can find a man, if there be any that executes judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it”. Jer 5:1
And God pardoned [saved] Noah because he was righteous man! And the righteousness of Noah was exhibited in his obedience to the Lord’s commandment by preparing and building the Ark as according to the pattern set forth by the Lord God for his household salvation. Gen 6:21-22

The phrase “as according to the pattern” shows his love, faith and trust in the Lord [John 14:15]. Hence Noah by faith preached for 120 years to the perverse generation but none could heed to his message of God’s eminent destruction of the wicked on earth. Only Noah and seven members of his household were saved in the flood.
Hebrews 11:7 says “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith”.
Therefore the Apostle Peter was right to call Noah ‘the righteous preacher’. 2 Pet 2:5

(2). DANIEL – ‘THE FAITHFUL MINISTER’
Daniel, who was nicknamed Belteshazzar, was one of Israel captives in the land of Babylon. When King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Israel and took them captives according to the Prophet Jeremiah, Daniel and his three very good friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were also among them. They were good and devout Jews. They had respect for the commandments of God. They purposed in their hearts to stand for and always give glory to the Lord their God even in a foreign land. They made it a vow not to defile themselves with the king’s ‘food and wine’ [food sacrifice to idols] at the king’s palace. Dan 1:6-9
Whilst in captivity Daniel and his three friends never gave up on their faith in the Lord God of Israel. They were sincere, devoted and obedient to the laws of Moses to the letter. Daniel and his companions by the divine spirit in them helped to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar horrific dream. Dan 2:17-23.

Their unmatched faithfulness in the Lord moved the King to confess the supremacy of God. “The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret”. Dan 2:47
However, Daniel’s faithfulness made him to become one of the three most prominent King Darius’ ministers who were placed in charge to secure his finances and to also supervise the other 120 Account Clerks in his kingdom. Dan 6:1-2

The book recorded something more worthy of honor about him. “And Daniel distinguished himself above all the governors ….because an excellent spirit was in him”. Dan 6:3   
The phrase ‘distinguished himself’ that is used here suggests Daniel’s will to obey and determination to succumb to the Lord God commandments on faithfulness and covetousness. Exo 18:21; 20:17. He purposed in his heart to stand and remain different amongst the other ministers. And so he did!
The King loved and trusted Daniel that he almost put him in charge over the other two. This made Daniel to be envied and jealous by the other appointed ministers in the kingdom. They conspired to eliminate him from the palace and therefore sought to find him guilty before the king. All their firing missiles on corruption against him failed. The last resort was to find something that will infringe on his Jewish worship. Therefore a law was passed against his worship of God for thirty days.
But that excellent spirit (speaking of Holy Spirit) in him won’t rest until he has paid homage to his God. And as his manner he “knelt down on his knees three times and prayed and gave thanks”. Dan 6:10
Daniel was arrested over this breach of law. The King knew he was innocent and made all effort to release him but his enemies refused and he was put into lion’s den. The Bible said the King fasted for Daniel that night and refused all his concubines and anything that could amuse him. But Daniel surrounded all his life unto the Lord and never did he rain insults and curses on his enemies, rather his faith was forever solid in Jehovah.
The Word of God gave this paradoxical end to the story of Daniel. “Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spoke and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then Daniel said unto the king, O king, live forever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God”. Dan 6:19-23

In more literal term Daniel is saying that, King Darius the lions could not devour or eat me up because in the sight of God I have done nothing wrong. Neither was I greedy nor displayed any act of corruption. In short I'm not guilty. I’m innocent before my God. And you King you saw no dishonesty in me. I never coveted your silver or gold. And I am alive today because I [Daniel] was faithful to God!
This attitude of faithfulness found in Daniel was in consonance with what the Apostle Paul admonished the Christians at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 "Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in [the matter of] this bounty which is ministered by us: for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men".
When the Hebrew author was presenting the old fathers of faith he was inspired to refer to Daniel’s deliverance in the lion’s den. “Who [Daniel] through faith….stopped the mouths of lions”. Heb 11:33

(3). JOB – ‘THE ENDURED SERVANT’
The story of Job is the most related story ever told to people in distress and afflictions. In other words it is the very simple and common example of hope, comfort and encouragement we give to people in times of pain, worries and death etc. Why? I believe because Job’s suffering, pain and endurance weigh heavier than all the other patriarchs and even down through succeeding Christian believers who have also suffered martyrdom.
It is believed that Job was among the patriarchs. Therefore he may have lived before the time of Moses [Mosaic Law]. Some scholars accredit the authorship of the Book of Job to Moses. But that is not what we are interested in this lesson.
The first opening verses of the book wonderfully spelt out the person of Job. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil”. Job 1:1

I have found no other character of person in the Bible whose traits of character are well pronounced than that of Job. His exemplary character was not something that was just trumpeting by his subjects, companions or his family members. But Jehovah God himself gave out that testimony to the Devil. “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job 1:8
There is another description of the Hebrew word which is translated “greatest”, which shows Job’s immense wealth and his unmatched pedigree amongst his league of gentlemen in the land of Uz. Job 1:3 reads “so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east”.
With all these colorful descriptions the Lord God gave still Job was the most vilified and endured patriarch to talk of. He suffered without a cause of his own doings. He innocently suffered, alone!

There are times when people ask several questions about suffering and pains.
Q.1. Does God brings sufferings and pains?
Q.2. Why does God allow His children to suffer?
Q.3. Why should a good person suffer?

These and many other related questions are frequently asked.
But we will just deal lightly on the second question. The answer is Yes, God sometimes allow His children to suffer for the following reasons;
1. To discipline them so to partake of His holiness. Heb 12:5-11, 1 Pet 4:1-2
2. To make them rely on His mercy. 2 Cor 1:9-10
3. To humble them. 2 Cor 12:7-9
4. To test the genuineness of their faith. 1 Pet 4:12-13
5. For their perfection and experience. 1 Pet 5:10, Rom 5:3-4
6. To punish them for wrong done. 2 Sam 12                                                                                      7. To fit us for the ministry of sympathy. 2 Cor 1:4                                                                            8. Sometimes it is for glorification of God and Christ. John 9:1-2, John 11:1-4

I believe these points will forever solve the belief that whenever the Christian suffers it is because he or she has sinned or perhaps not in good relationship with God.

Job’s suffering fits into the fourth reason. It was to bring out his faithfulness and sincerity to the Lord. It is like a refiner’s fire. Peter calls this type of suffering the ‘fiery trial’. 1 Pet 4:12. And just like the Goldsmith would heat the raw mineral that is extracted from the mines and refines it in the refiner to make a precious jewel out of it, such were the sufferings of Job.
The Psalmist agrees with this point. “For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou brought us into the net; thou laid affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou brought us out into a wealthy place”. Ps 66:10-12

The Apostle Peter also did confirm this in his letter of admonishment. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”. 1 Pet 1:6-7

The accuser, the Devil approached the living God to challenge Him over his faithful son Job. The Devil wanted to prove God that Job has a shallow of reverence for Him because He has blessed and protected him. Therefore if God should strip him off all his wealth and properties he would deny Him. Job 1:9-12. Satan succeeded in his challenge and struck Job with turbulence and catastrophe. All that Job had, his children, wealth and properties were taken away from him within a moment. Job 1:13-19.
I will say Job fell ‘from grace to grass’, ‘from somebody to absolute nobody’. He lost all of his possessions!

For many Christian believers that I have known have given up their faith in the Lord. Simple because they lost their love ones or their businesses collapsed or just that their churches couldn’t support them when they needed them most. This stand Job did not consider the alternative. He instead opened his mouth to say. “Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD”. Job 1:21
The writer closed the chapter in this way. “In all these Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly”. Job 1:22. This seemed to suggest Job’s suffering and pain were over. But no it was not all over!

The Chapter 2 has another episode of temptations from Satan to simply derail Job. This time the Devil directed his missiles on the physical body of Job. He inflicted him with sores on his whole body. But still Job proved to be resolute in the Lord. I think he may have been inspired to believe in his heart to say “though our outward body continues to wear out but our inward being is renewed daily”. 2 Cor 4:16
Even his dear wife was used by Satan against him but Job wouldn’t simply kowtow to the darts of afflictions and sufferings on his flesh. He believed in the Lord and was happy to say “For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth”. Job 19:25
Yes, the Redeemer of true believers lives and has promised to be with us forever. Mat 28:20
Yes, our Deliverer Lord Jesus assures to make an avenue of way out for His children in times of our trials and temptations. 1 Cor 10:13

The endurance of Job in all of his temptations is a lesson we need to learn something from as Christians.
Those who have doubted the story and existence of Job were put to shame when the Apostle James quoted the story of Job to the early Christians in his exhortation letter. “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy”. Jam 5:10-11
I believe we have learned many great lessons from these Three Old Testament persons in my presentation.
“Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, says the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness”. Ezk 14:20










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