These Three Men

Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness, says the Lord God. 

Ezekiel 14:14

When God chooses to use particular individuals as examples of righteous people, whom does He choose? According to our text, He chooses Noah, Daniel, and Job. In the context God is speaking of bringing judgment on Israel for their persistent unfaithfulness. He says, ‘Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it.’ Having said that, He follows with the words of our text. His point is, these three men are most notable for their righteousness, so when God brought judgment, ‘they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.’ What is worthy of our consideration is that these men all had great afflictions and endured much to bring them to deep knowledge of God. Each of them encountered Christ in one form or another. God spoke to Noah to build the ark. He interacted extensively with him throughout the whole process. Daniel testifies it was the Messenger of Jehovah, the pre-incarnate Christ, Who shut the mouths of the lions. God spoke to Job from the whirlwind, another Christophany. Thus these three knew God through Christ and are for us examples of how various hard experiences lead us to a greater knowledge of God as Christ reveals Him to us.  

Our Great and Sovereign God, 
we rejoice that You are the God of truth and righteousness. 
We praise You that as you reveal Yourself to us, 
we know more of Christ. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning