Choices bring Consequences

 Read Ezekiel 18.

"We are suffering and it someone else's fault."  That was the essence of the well-known proverb being repeated in Ezekiel's day.  The people blamed the previous generations for the losses they endured.  Since it was not their fault, then God was acting unjustly toward them.  God told Ezekiel to put a stop to that false proverb.  If God loves us, why are we suffering?  How can a loving God do this?

CHOICES BRING CONSEQUENCES

Did their "fathers" sin?  Yes.  But the LORD made it clear that this current suffering was due to their own personal sin and not that of someone else.  The body of this chapter is built around two big "ifs."  If a person chooses to live a life of sin, they will suffer the consequences.  If a person chooses to live a life that is right before God, they will live.  It is an individual choice.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS THE REAL ISSUE
Not all human suffering is the result of personal sin.  So, be sure to deal with the right issue.
It continues to this day that there are those who want to live life on their own terms and when life does not go their way the first reaction to blame God.  They have no time for Him whatsoever.  They may not even be sure there is a God in heaven.  But when something bad happens, they begin questioning God's justice and integrity.  Many will all of a sudden claim to know what the Bible says, though they have not seen one for years.  Behind the thin veneer of their anger is a boat load of personal guilt.  They are aware of their sin but try to deflect the guilt by projecting the blame elsewhere.

Such people attack the wrong issue.  The first thing to do is shut the door and take a long look in the mirror.  Then ask, "Do I acknowledge that God is the Owner of my life?"  "Am I living my life to please God or me?"  The answers can mean the difference between life and death.

GOD HOLDS US ACCOUNTABLE, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND
Here is what God wants everyone to know:
1. God is the Owner of our souls. (v.4)
"All souls are mine."  As the Creator and Owner, He has the right to do with His property as He wishes.  No one then may question Him regarding the just use of what belongs to Him.  He is sovereign.

2. God does not desire that anyone suffer for their sin. (v.23a)
2 Peter 3:9 repeats this thought: "...not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 

3. God always provides a plan for deliverance from the punishment of sin. (vv.30-31)
-"Repent and turn from all your transgressions."  This requires humility before God.  Our pride wants to argue and not admit that we are the problem.  We must turn our back on sin.
-"Cast away from you all the transgressions you have committed."  This requires action to rid our lives of those things that lure us away from a life that pleases God.  We must stop choosing to sin.
-"Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit."  This requires a life-change commitment to discipline ourselves to do what pleases God in thought, speech, and behavior.

The LORD's closing question to the undecided is sobering.  "Why will you die?"  That is a foolish choice.  Choose life!

 

The story of two eagles and God

 Read Ezekiel 17.

God's word came to Ezekiel to communicate a parable.  A parable is a comparative story that most often needs an explanation.  The Bible is the best commentary on itself and gratefully this story is explained within the chapter.

The first great eagle was Nebuchadnezzar and the place, though called Lebanon in the story, refers to Jerusalem (v.12).  Lebanon was used to depict the stately cedars of that area.  As the eagle lopped off the top of the tree, so Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin and other key leaders to replant them in Babylon.  Then, he appointed Zedekiah to oversee Jerusalem (v.13).  Zedekiah took an oath of loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar.  It was a step in bringing this area under Babylonian rule without destroying the city.

The second great eagle was Egypt.  It was a temptation to believe that, perhaps, with Egypt as an ally, the combined forces could relieve Judah of Babylon's control.  There were at least two problems with that thinking.  First, Egypt was no longer the powerful nation it once had been.  Second, the exile and control from Babylon had been ordered by God Himself (v.16-18).  Therefore, the rebellion was not only against the Babylonians but against God.  This disloyalty resulted in the LORD causing Nebuchadnezzar to return to destroy Jerusalem (v.20-21)

But God is not through with Israel.  In the closing verses of this parable, the LORD will pick His own top person and establish them to rule over all.  Finally, Israel's earthly peace, prosperity and world influence will be restored.  This, of course, did not happen in the return from Babylon and has yet to take place.  Such is the description of the earthly rule of Christ from David's throne in Jerusalem.  "Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!  Over such the second death has no power but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)

 

Stewardship brings Accountability

 Read Ezekiel 16.

God's word came to the prophet Ezekiel comparing the city of Jerusalem to an adulterous wife.  The LORD saw this piece of real estate in its infancy when no one else wanted it.  The analogy is that of a baby who had been tossed aside at birth to die on its own. 

The heritage (father and mother v.3) of that area was a mix of pagan cultures, including the sisters of Samaria and Sodom (v.46).  But God took pity on it.  He cleaned and nourished the city in its infancy.  This loving care and protection caused Jerusalem to flourish.  When it matured (v.8), God entered into a special relationship with the city.  Jerusalem became the capital with Israel's kings reigning from that place (v.13).  Blessed with unbelievable abundance, King Solomon built the beautiful Temple there and the LORD adorned it with His visible presence.  God compared the relationship to that of a covenant between a husband and wife.

However, in time the people forgot the source of their blessings and what made Jerusalem the envy of all the other nations (v.22).  They trusted in their glorious beauty and wealth (v.15).  Turning from God, they entered into spiritual relationships with anyone and anything else (v.25).  They embraced the paganism of the nations around them.  The LORD repeatedly made it clear that no one encouraged them to do this.  A prostitute would physically behave in such a way and be paid for services.  Jerusalem did the opposite.  She paid and sacrificed in order to worship false gods (v.34). 

Where did Jerusalem acquire the life (v.6), the money, the materials, the "flour, oil and honey" (v.19), and even the children that were sacrificed?  It all came from the LORD.  He owned it all (Psalm 24:1).  It was His provision that He had given to them as a stewardship.  But instead of honoring Him with those things, they used His possessions for evil.

God's judgment, then, would be like that of a jealous husband.  According to the law, she, along with her so-called lovers, would be publicly humiliated and put to death (Leviticus 20:10).  Though Israel had been unfaithful, the Lord will demonstrate His faithfulness to them by keeping His promises that includes atonement for their sin. 

Stewardship is faithfully managing God's resources for God approved purposes.  Each one of us will one day give an account of how we used all the blessings God loaned us during these years of life.  May we pray moment by moment for wisdom to please the LORD in the use of all our time, energies, and resources.

 

Where is the Evidence?

 Read Ezekiel 15.

Several passages of Scripture liken Israel to God's vine.  For example, in Psalm 80:8-9 Asaph wrote, "You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.  You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land." 

The purpose of planting a vine is that it will bear fruit for the owner.  The reason God planted the descendants of Abraham on the land of Canaan was for them to bear the fruit of righteousness for Him.  They were to be a blessed testimony for the LORD to the other nations.  But Israel, and specifically Jerusalem, had separated themselves from God.  Their lives produced nothing that was godly.  Therefore, they had become spiritually unusable.

God is looking for the evidence of faith in His people.  Having "acted faithlessly" (v.8), the response from God was that such a vine was only good for a fire.  And, so the fire of God's judgment would be on its way.

For those who claim to be followers of Christ, there are some parallels here with the statements of Jesus in John 15.  "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."  He went on to say, "I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers, and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."  "By this is my Father glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:1-2, 5, 8)

 

The results of half-hearted Devotion

 Read Ezekiel 14.

The elders of Israel paid Ezekiel a visit again at his house near Babylon.  It is not stated what their question was but presumably it must have been related to the cause and length of the exile.  These leaders wanted to hear a word from God.  Their concerns were surface issues.  Instead, the LORD went straight to the heart of the problem.

In Jerusalem, they had openly worshiped false gods and idols.  That brought about the judgment of God and the loss of everything.  But after all they experienced, they still had not let go of their false beliefs.  The idol worship continued privately in their hearts.  They mistakenly thought they could have it both ways--maintain false beliefs and still expect a relationship with God.  The LORD would have none of it.

God accused them in verse 7 of separating themselves from Him and that their sin had put a "stumbling block" between them and Him.  What did God want from them?  First, "Repent and turn away from your idols."  Second, He wanted their wholehearted devotion.  "That they may be my people and I may be their God." (v.11)

The fifth and final sermon in this series dealt with the absolute certainty of God's judgment.  Could not the intercessory prayers of righteous people stay God's punishment?  Four times the LORD stated that "even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they would deliver but their own lives." (vv.14, 16, 18, 20)  Each of those were known to have faced extreme circumstances and remained faithful.  Each of them experienced God's miraculous deliverance.  Yet, the sin cried out for justice.

How could a loving God do this?  The answer is in the closing verses of this chapter.  Observing the sinful ways and deeds even of the remnant that survived revealed that the punishment was deserved.

"Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart." (Psalm 119:2)

 

God's evaluation of pretending Preachers

 Read Ezekiel 13.

After countering a false message in chapter 12, God then dealt strongly with the false messengers.

 1. The source of their messages. (vv.1-3)
They said they spoke the words of God, but, in fact, they preached "from their own hearts."  They followed "their own spirit, and have seen nothing."  In other words, they made it up.  Their messages came from their own imaginations instead of what God said.

2. The content of their messages. (vv.4-7, 17-23)
They spoke of peace at the very time the Babylonian army marched straight at Jerusalem.  They preached prosperity, encouraging the people to build houses (chapter 11).  But, the LORD compared such talk to whitewashing a wall that was in great need of repair.  The storm of His wrath was on its way and would quickly wash away the cheap paint and reveal the problem for all to see.

Then, there were women who posed as prophetesses, but they were nothing more than mediums, pretending to practice magic.  They encouraged the people to continue in their sin, instead of turning to God.  They approved evil.

3. The consequences of their messages. (vv.8-16)
As a result, the people were deceived and led astray.  Unlike Ezekiel who stood as a watchman for the city, sounding the alarm, these false messages left the people unprepared for what was about to take place.

In verse 9, God pronounced three specific judgments for their "lying divinations".
-They shall lose their place of influence, or council, among the people.
-They shall lose their citizenship.  History will not even record their names.
-They shall never see the land of Israel again.

Pretending to be religious and speaking on behalf of God is a serious error that has eternal consequences.  Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name and do many mighty works in your name?'  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23)

 

2 signs and a Sermon

 Read Ezekiel 12.

Several times in the Old and New Testaments those with rebellious hearts toward God are referred to as being spiritually blind and deaf.  In other words, they are incapable of seeing and hearing what the LORD is saying to them.  The words are there, but the comprehension is not.  Yet, God in His faithfulness sent His spokespersons, the prophets, to communicate His word.  First, the prophet must gain their attention.

1.  Sign One. (vv.1-16)
God instructed Ezekiel to pack a bag with his belongings and carry it over his shoulder.  Next, he was to dig a hole in the wall in an act of escape.  Then, God told him to cover his face so he could not see.  All of this was performed in plain sight of the people so they would ask, "What are you doing?" (v.9).

God used the skit to depict what He was going to do so they would listen to the message.  As the Babylonians threatened, some hurriedly took only what they could carry and tried to escape Jerusalem, but they were captured.  The royal family member, or prince (v.12), proved to be Zedekiah.  The enemy slaughtered his sons and put his eyes out as he was escorted in exile.

2. Sign Two. (vv.17-20)
Ezekiel acted out the second sign of this chapter by eating and drinking while shaking violently.  This demonstrated to the people how they would feel emotionally during the invasion.  They would come to realize that Jeremiah's messages of surrender had been the best course of action for them.  Instead, they persecuted Jeremiah and chose to believe the false prophets who preached peace and prosperity.

3. The Sermon. (vv.21-28)
Actually, this is the first of five sermons that will continue through chapter 14.  Not all well-known sayings and adages are in alignment with God's word.  The prophets of God had preached judgment upon Jerusalem.  But, time had passed, and nothing happened.  A folk proverb emerged: "The days are long and every vision comes to nothing" (v.22).  In other words, God is not going to do anything.  So, the LORD sent Ezekiel to counter that false proverb with "The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision" (v.23).  "It will be performed.  It will no longer be delayed" (v.25).  And the rest is history.

A similar sense is found in 2 Peter 3:4 concerning the return of Christ and His coming judgment of the nations.  "They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming?  For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."  The answer to that question in 2 Peter 3:9 is the same as in Ezekiel's day.  "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."