Ezekiel 33:24

Inhabit those wastes. According to 2 Kings 25:12, 22; Jer. 52:16, the poor of the people were left in the land for vine-dressers and for husbandmen, and these were joined by fugitive Jews from surrounding countries. The present address is designed to combat a saying current among this group.

Abraham was one. These words express the arrogant assertions of those whom the Babylonians had left in the land. They declared, in effect, “If Abraham, being alone, was given possession of the land, we, being many, can certainly lay claim to the land, and take possession of the estates of the exiles.” In reply the prophet intimated that descent from Abraham would prove no advantage. God was interested in character qualifications. The fact that they were many had no bearing on the question.

Many today trust in their connection with some church organization, instead of seeking holiness of heart, which alone will enable them to stand in the last day. They place their confidence in numbers and popularity. In the last analysis, true religion is a personal matter, and each one must work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. Connection with the organized church is the natural and expected result of a genuine personal experience. But this alone is no ground for one’s hope.