Has it recently dawned on you how majestic and mighty our Lord is? Ezek 13 deals with false prophets while Ezek 14 condemns idolaters. By the Word, and the Spirit of God, men can be reborn; and at last healed of their separations, and united under one King. The Lord knows that I need it very greatly. Kingdom Man. These policies had been the direct result of turning away from God, and constituted attempts to secure national safety by intrigues with these nations. David was the first to use the term when He asked: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down.—Ezek. The workers are trapped. This is Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International with the Whyte House Daily Devotional Bible Reading Episode #396. Like Nate Wilson in the devotional commentary referenced in today’s illustration, we should always be alert to the meanings and applications of Scripture for our spiritual lives. John “was in the spirit; and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne” (Rev. Is there anything we value more than the Lord? This denunciation has two movements; the first in short, sharp sentences, broken with emotion declares the Divine decision; the second in more measured manner describes the break' up of the nation. . The message is phrased in dramatic if/then conditional statements, but the “if” is rhetorical; that is, it was sure to happen. The arrow directs him to Jerusalem. Like Simeon, Ezekiel was chosen by God to be a “watchman,” one who sees what is coming and brings news or warning to everyone else. Such is the law of the temple. All you need is a Bible, a pencil or pen for underlining, and the discipline to set aside some time every day for a private appointment with the King of Kings. Yet in the darkest moments of God’s lament over His people held captive in Babylon, His love shines through in His call for them to walk again on the path of life. Let us think of covenant love, and then we shall leave sin, lament sin, and loathe sin—yea, we shall loathe ourselves for sinning against such infinite love. He needs a man erect, in the attitude of alertness and attention, ready for action. The stunned official pointed to the smallest cross on the hill, and the boy ran and knelt in front of it. They might be sins we’ve rationalized, such as greed for money or gluttony. -Works with God's Word in convicting, fixing, and healing Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to ""all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"" (1 Cor. Death will be forced to give back its prey. The prophetic message demonstrated the futility of such wickedness. They were not doers of the Word, but hearers only (James 1:22–25). But there is this way, because of the character and nature of God. This place of the Prince is arresting. Then another seed, King Zedekiah, became a vine which tried to rebel against Babylon by relying on an alliance with Egypt (the second eagle). . The Israelites saw it in the cloud, before God provided them with quail (16:10). He’s waiting for you. But that was, and is ever, a grave responsibility, how grave is revealed in the central paragraph of this chapter (Ezek 3:7-21). 21:1–7). Daniel “beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit” (Dan. If they persist in unrighteousness the hour comes when He says "An end!" At His will they are drawn forth from the waters and cast to die and rot upon the land. Then we can be assured that there is “no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. We are to be majestic, holy, and tender people, sensitive to the call of God on our lives. His presence would not remainwith idolaters and covenant–breakers. Forbes magazine published a 2008 special report on “America’s Most Sinful Cities.” For each of the seven deadly sins, researchers chose a statistical stand–in—wrath or anger was measured by the murder rate, greed or avarice by the number of billionaires per capita, gluttony by obesity rates, and so on. Just as the honor of God’s name demanded the justice of judgment, so it also meant that He would give the people new hearts and restore them as a witness to the nations (Ezek 36:20–28). He takes no pleasure in punishing the wicked, but stands ready to forgive all who turn to Him. One day they would return from exile—homes would be built, crops would be grown, the people would live in peace again (Ezek 36:8–12). Everyone in this room, everyone in our church has something wonderful to do in the work of God’s Kingdom. God’s glory had departed. Here also is inserted the prophecy uttered more than fifteen years later concerning the conquest of Egypt by Babylon. The corrupt state of all classes in the kingdom is the immediate cause of its destruction. 80, Isa. He g a watchman, having one function, and a twofold responsibility. Why should I not feel that hand touching me this evening? The reprobation of God could not be annulled by the policies which forgot Him. The United Nations estimates that at least 12.3 million people worldwide are enslaved in such forced labor arrangements. In the allegory of the foundling in the previous chapter Ezekiel was dealing with the spiritual and moral malady of Israel. How wonderfully doth the Lord find out His chosen! Ezekiel’s commission as a “watchman” was renewed at the start of the passage (Ezek 33:1–20). Ezekiel’s words in chapter 3 make it clear that a warning is vital not only for the person receiving it but also for the person giving it (vv.16-21). It represented His love and faithfulness and reminded them of their responsibilities to obey and walk with Him. But, apart from God's intervention, all people are deserving of His wrath. Today, by turning from sin to God through faith in Jesus Christ, anyone can have a new heart. Ask the Lord to clarify them, to make them a part of your experience, and to teach you. Ezekiel 24:15–27. The earth separated from heaven, or heaven separated from earth, is not the original order. In The Inferno, Part I of Dante’s Divine Comedy (“comedy” here indicates a narrative with a happy ending), Dante and his guide, the Latin poet Virgil, descend into hell. The teaching has wider application than to Israel. Their crushing defeat is certain, to the point where the prophet issued a mock invitation for animals to come to a “feast” after the battle (Ezek 39:4, 17–20). During the reign of David, God punished Israel with a 3-year famine because David’s predecessor King Saul had attempted to exterminate the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:1). Sin can now be mapped. This vision of the final earthly Temple has much to say to us today as to the reverence and sanctity of true worship. It is significant that to Ezekiel was revealed more about the primeval fall of Satan (Ezekiel 28:11-19) and the glories of the coming kingdom (Ezekiel 40-48) than to any of the other Old Testament prophets. But he’s wrong. As we begin this month’s book study of Ezekiel, we need to heed Patterson’s admonition. Jesus loves you far too much to allow another, however dear, to eclipse and rival Him. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Following the departure of God’s glory in chapter 10, Israel’s leaders were again condemned in chapter 11. God looked for but could not find a single righteous person to “stand in the gap” (Ezek 22:30). His is the most important name in all the world. But there is no change in the verb. Amen. 22–23). . Matthew 23 lists seven “woes,” or denunciations, directed at leaders who failed to lead justly. Blackbeard had some success as a pirate, but his “career” abruptly ended when he encountered a contingent of the British Royal Navy. God is standing on the porch of heaven, expectantly hoping, searching the horizon for a glimpse of his child. connection we find the most graphic and illuminating portrayal of Satan to be found in the whole Bible. 5:22). Thus the name of God was blasphemed. They should in all things act with scrupulous integrity and a commitment to righteousness. This chapter is devoted to the description of the buildings surrounding the Temple proper, or the Sanctuary, but all within the sacred precincts. 33:23). Precious shall be their bones; their very dust is blessed. More than 100 NBA rule violations are defined and illustrated in this way. He needed to see God’s overarching, sovereign majesty and to understand that God was still on His throne and still had a plan for his life. Here also the last note is one declaring the coming restoration, but clearly showing that it will be brought about, not by human policy, when the policy is conceived in rebellion, but by the action of His Own power, and in answer to the inspiration of His never failing grace. Fire that proceeds from Him will be absolutely just in its activity. He was among the exiles by the Kebar River in Babylon. God thinks of nothing but peace toward his children. “The salary is tremendous. . For this, its power and status will be broken—the crocodile will become road kill. . It is still proceeding, and will do so until He appear again, and establish the kingdom of heaven on earth. Did not the loved one occupy Christ's place in the heart? Early in our marriage, Katrina and I entertained the pioneer Free Will Baptist missionary, Laura Belle Barnard, the first missionary in our modern denomination. These buildings were for the use of the priests while engaged in the sacred service of the Temple. They received a mark of protection (9:4–6), reminiscent of the blood on the doorposts during the Exodus from Egypt. God waits long for nations, and gives them opportunities of return to righteousness. For example, the second circle contains lustful people, the fifth circle wrathful people, and the eighth circle fraudulent people such as flatterers and hypocrites. In view of this, it is surprising to read Moses’ statement in today’s passage claiming, “It was not with our fathers that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today” (Deut. It was a sure thing because God said it. That’s why He will one day show everyone the difference between how His name is abused and what it actually stands for. Ezekiel 27-28, Job 9:21-35, John 9:26-41, 1 John 2:12-17 . The prophet Ezekiel sheds light on an ancient city whose people suffered God’s judgment, in part, because they embraced a self-indulgent lifestyle. His heavenly throne was never in danger. The second half of verse 7 is difficult to interpret because it is difficult to translate. Ezekiel had been beaten down by life. The Israelites should not blame the Babylonians but realize that God was the one executing judgment. Instead, Jesus tells us that we show His love in action when we “love [our] enemies and pray for those who persecute [us]” (Matt. What will it be like when we see the Lord for the first time? Their bloodshed and idolatry so defiled the land that the Holy God could no longer dwell with His people. Samaria and Jerusalem were the capitals respectively of the northern kingdom of Israel, and the southern kingdom of Judah. How Christ Changes Us. He blamed “extreme procrastination behavior” caused by depression. No single group has a monopoly on evil—we are all fallen. A shared meal can bring glory to God! The revelation of the diabolical inspiration behind all human pride is clear; its wisdom, seductive beauty, and tremendous power are patent. We’re not just hurting our own reputation when we fail to live up to God’s holy standards—we’re giving unbelievers an excuse for their low opinion of Him. Their light is soft and diffuse, unlike the bright light from normal incandescent bulbs. 25:3). First came the vision, and therefore, whatever was to be said would come to this man with the authority of all that was revealed in that vision. Once the nation was changed, God promised to restore it fully (vv. There is no doubt that through all his ministry, whether Ezekiel listened to the voice, or spoke the messages entrusted to him, he did so in the consciousness of the glory of Jehovah as he had seen it in those visions. —Ezek. . The people responded by taking refuge in a proverb: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge” (Ezekiel 18:2). Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever” (Ps 79:9, 13). There is a gleam of light in the word of Jehovah to him, which in commanding him thus to abstain from outward expressions of grief, yet said: "Sigh, but not aloud." The cup of God’s wrath was full. The word rendered "wall" is an unusual one. INSIGHT: In today’s passage, the prophet Ezekiel offers a message of future hope and peace to a nation that had suffered defeat and was living in exile far from their homeland. There might be someone here, and the Lord really wants to call you, really wants to use you, really wants to empower you to do something for Him. —Ezekiel 36:26. We need to linger over the Word of God, reading it, chewing on it, swallowing it, digesting it, and letting it be assimilated into our minds. That is the true title of this chapter. Why do I not enter my rest?”. This is the Divine energy, enabling a man to come to the height of his manhood, and so to find readiness to hear the word of Jehovah. It is very remarkable how evil men believe in goodness, and in hours of danger hope that its influence will protect them. God is the waiting Father, the caring Shepherd in search of his lamb. God "overturns, overturns, over-turns" nations, and dynasties, and civilizations. One third of the people would die from famine during the siege, one third would be killed by Babylonian soldiers, and one third would be exiled and scattered among the nations. ... Devotionals: - Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for March 11; return to … And we will see our risen and glorified Savior, the Lord Jesus (1 John 3:2). 8:1). One of the purposes of our redemption is for us to bear witness to this truth! Written By: Jim Hughes. Ezekiel 43:12. Deut. The person who found him living in a cave on a high and rugged place in New Zealand didn’t recognize him as a sheep. This is the most likely reason why Jonah tried to run away. Ah me! Leaders were doing the right things externally, but internally they were not cultivating attitudes of faithfulness and obedience. The whole theme is that of commercialism and may thus be set out; her commercial supremacy, Ezek 27:1-7; her commercial enterprises, Ezek 27:8-25; her commercial ruin, Ezek 27:26-36. But God emphasized the former in this case because the Israelites were using His judgment as a cynical excuse to continue their disobedient ways, whereas He was calling them to repent and live. In today’s reading, the false prophets’ whitewashing couldn’t hide the nation’s moral filth. Now know I the quickening Spirit of the ever-living Jehovah. Better that his knowledge of the truth should be limited to its mere elements, its first principles, and yet with it be enabled to say, "Behold, I am vile," but "He has loved me, and given Himself for me," than to possess "all knowledge," and live and die destitute of the renewing grace of God upon the heart. What do fish, tadpoles, and spiders have in common? And then three things happened to him, in rapid succession—wham, wham, wham. Yet in Ezekiel 26 there is a situation that would occur against similar odds. Look at our text again: This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. As a young man in the late 1600s, Edward Teach joined the crew of a British ship that was headed to the Caribbean. But God turned that valley of the shadow of death into a place of life. He gives us a fascinating description of the whirlwind which opened the vision, and of the four living creatures, the cherubim, who guard the throne. No lingering over the passage. 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