A word to the Wealthy

 Read Ezekiel 27

If not checked by strong spiritual and moral principles, wealth and prosperity can result in personal ruin, both now and in eternity.

Tyre brokered the seaport trade for the Middle East.  Nations from Africa and Arabia brought their wares for sale and shipping throughout the Mediterranean.  Twenty-three nations are mentioned in this chapter.  Tyre's fleet was the best, traveling all the way to Spain to deliver goods.  Being such a commercial hub made the merchants of Tyre incredibly wealthy.

Then, when they received word that Jerusalem had been destroyed, they saw it as opportunity for themselves.  Greed and selfishness became their final undoing.  The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel in the previous chapter condemning Tyre.  Next, He had the prophet write this dirge for the once famous city.

The poem depicts Tyre as a beautifully crafted ship that everyone admired.  But, the ship sank and everyone mourned.  Even the protection of an elite military proved useless when God brought His judgment upon them.

1. Wealth is a gift from God.
Solomon, the wealthiest man in the world, wrote: "Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is a gift from God." (Ecclesiastes 5:19)  The amount and definition of wealth is relative.  That is why the Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians not to worry about what they did not have but to focus the use of what God had given them. (2 Corinthians 8:12) 

2. Wealth brings accountability to God.
"You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth." (Deuteronomy 8:18).  Since our resources belong to God and are on loan to us only for a time in this life, we must one day give an account to the Owner for how we managed His property.  "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)

3. Wealth gives opportunity to impact the lives of others.

The instruction given to Pastor Timothy concerning wealthy church members was this: "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)  This, then, is a normal part of church discipleship.  It is the cure for greed.  The greater the resources the greater the opportunity for reaching others with the good news of Jesus.

 

 

When God makes a Promise

 Read Ezekiel 26.

After prophesying judgment against the neighbors to the east and west, the next three chapters are devoted to Tyre in the coastal north.  Like Ammon and Moab in chapter 25, Tyre celebrated the downfall Jerusalem.  They saw this as their opportunity to enrich themselves.  "Aha, the gate of the people is broken; it has swung open for me.  I shall be replenished now that she is laid waste." (v.2)

But God's response was the same to Tyre as it was to the others.  He promised to reduce this wealthy fishing and seaport trade area to nothing more than a place to dry fishing nets.  It would no longer be the prosperous and power-brokering city of the Mediterranean. 

Tyre thought they were safe and that the Babylonians only wanted to put down the rebellion in Judah.  What they did not realize was that the same destructive fate awaited them.  To this day, the site of the city of Tyre lies in ruin, just as God predicted.

As Isaiah recorded the words of the LORD, "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)  "Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.  Your faithfulness to all generations..." (Psalm 119:89-90a)

When God makes a promise, He keeps it.  Know the promises of God.  Depend upon the promises of God.  He will be faithful.

 

How to respond to a hurting Enemy

 Read Ezekiel 25.

Having delivered the prophecy concerning Jerusalem, God next turned His messages to the neighboring nations.  For nearly a thousand years, the four mentioned in this chapter had been enemies of Israel.  Every leader of Israel since the Exodus dealt with them militarily.  When Israel was strong, these four fell under its rule.  When Israel was weak, these same four rebelled and often sided with Israel's enemies. 

The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, including the Temple.  God addressed each of these four neighbors according to their individual response to Jerusalem's demise.  But these were more than neighboring people groups.  Three had a family relationship with Israel.  Ammon and Moab were the sons of Lot, Abraham's nephew (Genesis 19).  The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother (Genesis 25).  They fell into two categories.

1. Those who rejoiced while others wept. (vv.1-11)
The LORD executed judgment against Ammon and Moab because they celebrated when they heard of the Temple's destruction.  "You have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul."  But Israel was God's people and the Temple was God's sanctuary.  Therefore, their celebration proved to be against God Himself.  He promised to have them overrun by an enemy and lose their national identities.

2. Those who took revenge while others suffered. (vv.12-17)
The Edomites lived to the south and east of Israel.  The Philistines occupied much of the west.  Instead of coming to the aid of Israel, or rejoicing over Israel's downfall, these two took an active role in helping the enemy.  They saw Israel's weakness as an opportunity for their own revenge.  For this God promised His own vengeance against them.

We must be careful how we respond those who are suffering, especially an enemy.  God has a word for believers concerning this very thing.  In the same chapter that urges us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep,” the Apostle Paul wrote: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'  To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21)

 

God's purpose in a time of great Loss

 Read Ezekiel 24.

Ezekiel, Daniel and many others had already been taken captive.  Living in and around the city of Babylon, the exiled Jews were dependent upon messengers for news from Jerusalem.  Here, before the fugitive messenger arrived (v.26), God gave the prophet a parable and a sign to let the people know in advance what was taking place.

The date was January 15, 588 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem.  This day is so important it is mentioned in this chapter and three other times (2 Kings 25:1, Jeremiah 39:1 and 52:4). 

The Parable of the Pot
To describe what was happening in Jerusalem, the LORD used a parable of cooking with a rusty pot.

Scene One. (vv.3-8)
Jerusalem was like a pot with rust and build-up inside.  Choice meat had been placed in it for cooking.  When the heat was applied and the water boiled, all the impurities rose to the surface.   Predictably, the meal was ruined. Nothing could be done, except to dump it out.  God placed His best in that city, but their rebellion against Him corrupted all that was good.  The time had come for cleansing.  The LORD used the Babylonians to empty the city.

Scene Two. (vv.9-14)
Starting over with an empty pot, the hot fire of God's judgment will cleanse Jerusalem of all that corrupted it.  His judgment was a certainty.

The Sign of Sorrow (vv.15-27)
To prepare the people for this great loss, the LORD used a tragedy in Ezekiel's own life.  God gave the prophet his sobering message for the people, but that evening his wife died.  The impact and explanation of the sign proved true on multiple levels.
-For Ezekiel, his wife had been the delight of his eyes and now she was gone. (v.15)
-For the Jews, Jerusalem had been "the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul..." (v.21).  But now she was gone.
-For God, Jerusalem was His "sanctuary", His holy place.  Now, for a time, it will be destroyed.

In order to gain attention, Ezekiel was instructed not to grieve as would be normal and expected.  When the people asked why, then he was to deliver the message.  The response that God desired was not for the people to mourn their loss but to realize that God is the Sovereign LORD and there is no other.  When the LORD is all you have, He is all you need.

When God is not Enough

 Read Ezekiel 23.

In Egypt, God developed the family of Abraham into a nation.  He proved Himself over and over by demonstrating His power to protect them and care for them.  For centuries, Israel experienced the benefits of being God's chosen people.  But, God was not enough for them.

They wanted to be like the ungodly surrounding nations.  While they continued the rituals of worshiping God, they embraced the practices of the cultural false gods.  They thought they could live like the wicked world and still enjoy a relationship with the LORD.  Indeed, they sacrificed their own children to a false god and "on the same day" they came to the Temple in Jerusalem (v.39).  God compared this pollution of worship to spiritual adultery.  He will not tolerate it.

God supplied their needs and would have done more.  However, like a couple of prostitutes, the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah lusted for what they could get from other nations.  In attracting political alliances, they are pictured as dolling themselves up and even sending for men to come to them (vv.40-41).  First, Israel entered into agreements with Egypt, Syria and, finally, Assyria.  But each pact took them deeper into enslavement.  Assyria turned out to be a brutal enemy that destroyed the northern kingdom.  Judah witnessed what happened to their sister in the north and learned nothing.  In fact, Judah proved to be morally, politically, and spiritually worse. 

"Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring." (v.35)  But the people surely would have responded, "Lord, we still go to the Temple and we still believe in you."  The truth is that God demands an exclusive relationship with His people.  He will not share us with any other beliefs and practices.

The Apostle Paul asked, "What accord has Christ with Belial?  Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?  What agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God: as God said, ....'Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you..." (2 Corinthians 6:15-18)

 

 

The nation that forgot God

 Read Ezekiel 22.

God assayed the nation.  He compared His testing to that of a metallurgist smelting ore to rid it of impurities.  However, when Israel melted all that remained were impurities (vv.18-20).  The nation became worthless, without any sustaining value to Him or to the neighboring nations. 

Exactly what did God see in His evaluation of the nation?

Look at the list. (vv.4-12)
The overarching sins were violence and false worship.  Under that heading, the LORD names specific sins that brought judgment on the nation.
-Disrespect for parents
-Oppression of non-citizens
-Maltreatment of the fatherless and widows
-Disregard for things that God deems as holy
-Pollution of the Sabbath law
-Displays of lewdness
-Violation of women
-Accepting acts of adultery and incest
But worst of all, and at the root of sin, was living life as if God did not matter; "me you have forgotten, declares the Lord God."

Look at the leaders. (vv.23-29)
Instead of the national leadership providing justice and righteousness, they had become the source of the problem.  They were guilty of all the above list of sins and, therefore, the people had cast off all restraint.
-The Prophets.  God's prophets preached His word and suffered for it in this culture.  The peddler prophets (see Ezekiel 21 blog comments) spoke a false message of peace and prosperity.  They enriched themselves at the expense of the people and had even become violent in keeping their status.
-The Priests.  Their violence was against God's word.  They did not instruct the people in how to live for the LORD according to His expectations.
-The Princes.  The king and other governmental leaders were corrupt.  Nothing prohibited their dishonesty and killing those who got in their way.
-The People. They followed their leaders.

Look at the LORD. (vv.30-31)
God looked for a leader who could turn things around; one who could build up the nation, instead of tearing it down.  There existed a gap between God and man and no one filled that void.  Therefore, the LORD would intervene and correct the problems with His punishment.

Thankfully for us, Jesus filled the gap and makes reconciliation with God possible.  "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

 

The difference between a preacher and a Peddler

 Read Ezekiel 21.

When my pastor spoke of those in our city without Jesus, he paused due to being overcome with emotion.  Tears were visible.  The message was not new but those who know the truth understand the reality of people facing a Christ-less eternity of torment.  Carrying the ministry of reconciliation with God to others is a joyous message of hope and forgiveness.  But when people do not know or reject that unique message in Jesus, there is a pain that only Christ-followers understand.

In this chapter, God instructed the prophet to deliver a message of earthly judgment upon Jerusalem (v.29).  He called the punishment "my sword."  As one preparing for battle, the LORD spoke of drawing His sword, then honing it and polishing it.  However, God stated that His sword would be "given into the hand of the slayer" (v.11), namely the king of Babylon (v.19).  In making the decision about the attack on Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar would shake arrows (similar to drawing straws), consult his false gods, or check the marking of the liver of a sacrificed animal (vv.21-22).  The LORD made it clear that seeking guidance from other objects is a false divination.  He is in sovereign control.

Why was this judgment coming upon the people of Judah?  Because when God previously spoke to them through His prophets they did not listen.  And, when He used His "rod" of discipline, they did not learn their lesson.  So, now, He will act in a more painful way in order that they may know He is the LORD.

For Ezekiel, delivering the message would be painful.  "As for you, son of man, groan with a breaking heart and bitter grief" (v.6).  "Cry out and wail" (v.12).  The preacher knew what God said was true and that people were in peril.

The Apostle Paul described the believer's ministry this way: "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.  Who is sufficient for these things?  For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)  

 

Why God does what He Does

 Read Ezekiel 20.

A third time the elders came to Ezekiel for a word from the LORD.  We are not told the question on their minds, but whatever it was God refused to be inquired by them.  He had something else to say.

In this chapter, God retraced a thousand years of Israel's history.  He took them back to the Exodus from Egypt, then the through the wilderness, into the Promised Land, and to Ezekiel's day.  The review from God's perspective was to demonstrate His mercy, His grace, and His patience with His people.  After each instance of His loving care for them, the LORD desired their faithful worship and obedience in return.  But each time, the nation failed to forsake the false worship of the cultures around them.  "Let us be like the nations, like the tribes of the countries, and worship wood and stone." (v.32b)

Such actions of sin are repeatedly referred to as rebellion against God.  Each instance could have resulted in death for the entire nation.  Indeed, God said that very thing to Moses in Exodus 32.  However, the LORD stayed His wrath.  Even when He finally judged the northern kingdom of Israel by scattering them and the southern kingdom went into exile, it was to demonstrate the same purpose.  From generation to generation, His motive did not change.

What was, and continues to be, the main motive of God in His actions?

Three times the LORD declared: "I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations..."  His chief concern was to protect His reputation and character in His world and especially among His chosen people.  In other words, the nation of Israel was meant to show the world what a difference worshiping and obeying God makes.  When they acted like everyone else instead, they violated their assigned mission.

The closing verses reminded them again of the future hope of the nation.  Like a shepherd, the LORD will count His own individually (v.37).  It will be a new day with a new covenant.  No more will they profane His name by giving themselves and their resources to inanimate objects.  His people will live and give to Him alone.  "And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake..." (v.44a)

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)

 

Where is the King of the Jews?

 Read Ezekiel 19.

This is the first of five funeral songs regarding Jerusalem contained in the book of Ezekiel.  The poem specifically laments the down fall of the once great Davidic dynasty of Judah ("princes" v.2).

Israel transitioned over time from Moses, the prophet leader, to Joshua, the military leader, to the period of the Judges, and then to desiring a king.  After Saul's disastrous rule, God selected David, "a man after his own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), and established his as an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-13).  But after Solomon's death, the kingdom of Israel divided.  Not one of the 19 kings in the north was godly rulers.  In the south, there were 20 kings of Judah in the lineage of David.  The spiritual leadership varied greatly.

Chapter 19 utilizes two main metaphors to lament what finally happened. 
1. The lioness and her lions. (vv.1-9)
Two of the kings are immediately identifiable. 
-In verse 4, the king taken captive by Pharaoh Neco II was Jehoahaz.  See 2 Kings 23.
-In verse 9, Jehoiachin was imprisoned by Nebuchadnezzar and taken to Babylon.  See 2 Kings 24.

2. The vine and the branches. (vv.10-14)
The metaphor is of a family tree.  God spoke of a vine, branches and stems.  The first word, "your", makes this a personal reference to the king at the time, Zedekiah.  Israel once enjoyed strong world leadership and fruitful abundance.  The loss lamented here was due to "the east wind."  Instead of the west wind off the Mediterranean Sea, the east wind was hot, as it came from the desert.  It parched the land and destroyed all its life.  Such was the comparison to Babylon's destruction of Judah.

The saddest words are the last in verse 14, "so that there remains in it no strong stem, no scepter for ruling."  They no longer had a king who reigned and controlled the land God gave them.  Indeed, Israel has not seen such a ruler over a united Israel since the death of Solomon.  What happened to God's covenant with David that promised one of His descendants would forever reign? 

What Ezekiel could not understand at the time is answered in the prophecies of Messiah.  "…and the government shall be upon his shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6)
"Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place and he shall build the temple of the LORD" (Zechariah 6:12)
"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1)
"the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David" (Revelation 5:5)
"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:32-33)

Jesus is coming!

 

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."

 

The 2 key elements of true Worship

 Read Ezekiel 11.

Having left the holy place in the Temple, the glory of God hovered over the eastern gate of Jerusalem.  This is the last of four parts to the vision the LORD gave Ezekiel concerning why the Babylonian exile took place.

Commercial and legal transactions happened at the city gate.  The twenty-five men depicted here were civic leaders and not the same group mentioned in chapter 8.  The "rules" by which they administrated were not what God instructed.  Instead of operating by the word of God, they "acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you" (v.12).

When the prophets, like Jeremiah, warned of the coming invasion, the false prophets and these leaders encouraged the people to build houses (v.3).  They were to have helped the people do what was right and please the LORD.  But, they actually turned the people from Him.  In the absence of justice, innocent citizens were killed (v.7).  The message to them was that they would die at the border where the Babylonians processed the exiles at Riblah (v.11).

But what about the faithful?  There were those who never stopped loving God and obeying Him.  With the loss of the Temple, they had no identifiable place of worship.  So, God provided both current and future reassurance to them concerning true worship.

1. Worship of God is a Person, not a place. (v.16)
The beautiful Temple Solomon built provided a designated location for worship.  But what made it of any spiritual value was their sincere and obedient response to the presence of God.  To the exiled believers, He declared, "I have been a sanctuary to them."  Such was one of the religious hang-ups of the woman at the well in her conversation with Jesus.  Some say that true worship should take place in Jerusalem, while others argue for Samaria.  Jesus responded, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)  It is not a religion but a relationship with a Person.

2. Worship of God comes from a changed heart. (vv.19-20)
The context has to do with the future restoration of Israel.  He will bring the Jews back to the land.  In that day, they will no longer tolerate false worship.  God will give them a new heart and a new spirit.  Then, as a unified nation, Israel will love and serve the LORD.  The Apostle Paul wrote of such a change for those who place their faith in Jesus.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

What caused God to remove His Glory?

 Read Ezekiel 10.

Ezekiel had been taken exile from Judah to Babylon.  While there, God gave the prophet a vision to show him vividly what caused the downfall of Judah.  Chapter 10 is the third part of that vision.  He was transported back to Jerusalem and stood by the altar in the Temple.

The prophet saw specially created angelic beings and the mobile throne of God.  He recognized the cherubim and the throne as the same that appeared in his first vision (see chapter 1). Here the glory and visible presence of God had moved from behind the veil to the threshold.  The sights and sounds of this vision truly fit the dictionary definition of the word awesome.

Other angelic beings were also present (see chapter 9).  The LORD ordered the one with the writing case to take some of the burning coals from the altar and "scatter them over the city."  The scattered fire alludes to God's purifying judgment of Jerusalem.  And, indeed, the Babylonian army literally burned the city to the ground.

From the threshold of the Temple, the brightness of the glory of God filled the inner court.  Finally, the cherubim and the mobile throne of God mounted "up from the earth" (v.16).  God remained Omnipresent in the world, of course, but He refused to share His glory with the sin and false worship that had desecrated His place of worship.

This is the not the only occurrence of the LORD removing His glory from a holy place.  In 1 Samuel 4, we have the account of God allowing the Philistines to capture the Ark of the Covenant due to the sin in Israel.  When the devastating news was reported, Eli's daughter-in-law gave birth to a son.  She named him Ichabod which means "the glory has departed from Israel."   God told Jeremiah to remind Judah of that historical fact in Jeremiah 7:12.  Just like He removed His glory from Shiloh, He would remove it from Jerusalem.

As believers in Jesus, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  However, He demands purity of His people.  "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)  May others see the glory of God's presence in our lives today.

 

With the LORD there is Safety

 Read Ezekiel 9.

In the previous chapter, the exiled elders in Babylon sat down with Ezekiel in his house.  Presumably, the question on their minds was a further explanation of why Judah had lost everything.  This, then, is part two of the vision God gave the prophet in chapter 8.

What prompted God's judgment against them was their multiple and detestable sins.  In His anger, the LORD unleashed the punishment.  He used the Babylonian army to invade and destroy Jerusalem.  In verse one they are called "the executioners" because that is the role they performed.

The vision showed six men (angelic beings), standing by the bronze altar, ready to strike.  A seventh man, a scribe, carried "a writing case".  In 8:16, there were twenty-five leaders of Judah between the altar and the porch of the Temple praying to a sun god.  Those twenty-five were probably the first victims slain for their planetary worship.  With that the glory of God moved from the holy place behind the veil in the Temple to the threshold.  The LORD prepared to vacate the Temple.

Not everyone was doomed for disaster.  There were those, like Jeremiah, in the city who trusted and obeyed the LORD.  They grieved over the sin of their city (v.4).  For these, God ordered the scribe to put a mark on each one to set them apart for protection during the killings.

When the LORD looked upon the land He had given to Abraham and his descendants, all He could see was violence and injustice (v.9).  The character of God in such judgments is consistent throughout Scripture.  For example:
1. Before the worldwide flood, God's heart was grieved because "every intention (of the people) was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5-6)  But He protected Noah and his family who had faith in the LORD.
2. Before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He led Lot out of the area. (Genesis 19).
3. Before the Great Tribulation strikes the earth, believers will be caught up and taken out of the way. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 4:1)
4. Even during the Great Tribulation, God will have 144,000 chosen Jews to serve Him.  They will be protected by the "Father's name written on their foreheads." (Revelation 14:1)

Hebrews 11 makes it clear that there have been and will be martyrs among believers.  Death is merely the gateway to eternal protection.  Still, the safest place in the world, in any era or time, is in the hands of Jesus.  His grace and care are present to sustain us.  That is why we may trust Him when He repeatedly says, "Fear not."  "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

 

Why is this happening to Us?

 Read Ezekiel 8.

Still confined to his house (3:24) near Babylon, the elders of Judah in exile visited the prophet, presumably for a word from God.  The elders may be still endeavoring to understand, what caused such severity as they had endured.  In other words, "Why is this happening to us?"

Fourteen months had gone by since Ezekiel's first recorded vision from the LORD in chapter 1.   As Ezekiel inquired of the LORD on their behalf, "the hand of the LORD fell upon me there" (v.1).  He first saw an appearance like that of a man.  The description with its gleaming brightness is similar to John's vision of Jesus in Revelation 1.  In the vision, not physically, God snatched Ezekiel up from his house near Babylon and took him back to Jerusalem.  God wanted him to see precisely the sins that brought about such harsh punishment upon Israel.  The sinfulness became so bad that God said it would "drive me from my sanctuary" (v.6).  It required four chapters (8-11) to explain all that he was shown.

1. An idol at the north gate. (vv.3-6)
In the Temple's inner court stood an idol.  This place is where God was to be worshiped.  Ezekiel called it "the image of jealousy" that provoked God to anger.  Isaiah 42:8, "I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols."  If that was what captured the hearts of the people, God would leave His Temple.

2. Images behind the wall. (vv.7-13)
In private, where people could not see, were idols and pictures of creepy, loathsome, detestable things.  Before them stood seventy elders of Judah involved in acts of worship, looking to and even praying to these.  They did it in the dark thinking that no one would see.  "For they say, 'The LORD does not see us." (v.12)

3. Weeping for Tammuz. (vv.14-15)
This is a reference to the Sumerian god of vegetation.  In mythology, in seasons when there were no crops, it was due to the so-called death of this deity.  The women mourned his death, praying he would return in the spring so they would have plenty of food.  They looked to creation instead of the Creator.  In short, they forgot it is the Sovereign God who controls the seasons and the rain.

4. False worship in the Temple. (v.16)
Twenty-five men were seen gathered in the Temple where priests normally would have been pleading for the LORD's mercy.  But, physically their backs were turned to God and they were looking to the sun for help and guidance.  God called such planetary worship, or commonly known as astrology, an evil abomination.

How much more simple and easier it would have been to place child-like faith in the LORD who loved them?  In His faithfulness, He supplied all their needs.  He gave them His word.  If only they had trusted and obeyed Him in loving response. 

 

The losses of not listening to God

 Read Ezekiel 7.

This is the second sermon God gave to Ezekiel.  He performed his assignment from chapter 3 of being a watchman for the nation.  Disaster was about to strike and the faithful watchman sounded the alarm.  Israel's sin reached the tipping point of the LORD's patience and plan.  Over and over, the message states that this is "the end" or "the time has come."

In His wrath, God will remove from Israel both the cause of the punishment and the benefits of His blessings.

1. No more pride. (v.24)
"I will put an end to the pride of the strong..."  Their hubris caused them to think they were safe from harm and that they did not need the God of heaven.  All the stuff that made them feel secure and esteemed would be taken from them.  Nothing of any value would be left.  In the famine and battle to come, buying and selling, gold and silver, land and buildings--all would be worthless to them.  God even allowed His Temple to be desecrated and destroyed.

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5b)

2. No more peace. (v.25)
"When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none."  As the LORD gave warning of His judgment and called for them to repent.  It was the false prophets who tried to counter God by preaching peace.  The end had come.  They did not listen to God and paid a severe price.

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)

3. No more prophetic vision. (v.26b)
"They seek a vision from the prophet, while the law perishes from the priest and counsel from the elders."  Having rejected God's messages from His prophets, the people kept trying to find a message that pleased them and made them feel good. 

"Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors."  (Psalm 119:24)

 

The danger of mixed Beliefs

 Read Ezekiel 6.

When the LORD gave the land to Abraham and his descendants, it was for the purpose of raising up a people for His name and glory.  In Exodus, He powerfully brought the Jews out of Egypt and back to the land with the same intent.  But instead of honoring God and influencing others to know and serve Him, Israel became ensnared by the evil practices of the surrounding nations.

The Canaanites participated in a complex system of multiple false gods.  For example, they worshiped a made-up fertility god, Baal, with sacrifices on altars in high places.  They built temples for others, like Dagon.  The burning of incense symbolized their prayers to these idols. As He stated in 5:13, the LORD is a jealous God and will not share His rightful worship.

In a straightforward sermon, God announced that He would destroy these places of man-made religion, whether on the mountains or in the valleys.    All will be wiped out, including the worshipers.  The cause of the judgment remained the same: sin.  The purpose of the corrective punishment remained the same: "And you shall know that I am the LORD." (vv.7,10,13,14)

God's own words inscribed in the Ten Commandments should have been enough for Israel.
"You shall have no other gods before me.  You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:3-6)

This should serve as a severe warning to anyone who claims to know the LORD, yet mixes their beliefs with other forms of life-guidance, philosophies, and religious systems.

 

Purpose behind the Pain

 Read Ezekiel 5.

The visualization, or acting out, of the message continued with further orders directly from God.  This entire series of strange doings was meant to illustrate the humiliation and punishment of Jerusalem for its rebellion.

1. Shaving his hair.
In those days, a shaved head and beard embarrassed a man.  It indicated either shame or deep mourning.

2. Dividing his hair. 
Knowing the rest of the story, we may interpret these actions by comparing Scripture with the actual events.  Gratefully, the explanations are provided in this same chapter.
-Ezekiel took one-third of the hair to the middle of the city and burned it.  Like the fire consumed the hair, God explained, "A third part of you shall die of pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst" (v.12).  Indeed, the Babylonian siege brought about an unthinkable famine with all its horrors.

-Ezekiel took the next third of his hair and chopped it up with a sword.  The explanation in the middle of verse 12 is that many of those who survived the famine would be killed as the invaders breached the wall.

-Ezekiel took most of the remaining third and threw it up for the wind to scatter.  Those who escaped would be taken away to Babylon.

-From the last third, Ezekiel was to keep a few hairs inside a special place in his robe.  Yet, even these few protected ones would experience the fire of God's punishment.

With His message of judgment also came His statement of purpose.  "And they shall know that I am the LORD--that I have spoken in my jealousy."  That phrase, "they shall know that I am the LORD" appears over 60 times in this book. 

The people thought they could live life on their own terms and still claim to be His people.  What they forgot is that the LORD demands exclusive worship.  He will not share His rightful glory with anything or anyone else.  Soli Deo gloria!  Glory to God alone.

 

Getting the audience's Attention

 Read Ezekiel 4.

The message of God's judgment on sin was hard and it was being delivered to a hard-hearted people.  First, those about to experience the captivity and exile in Babylon needed to be prepared.  They had heard and spurned such preaching before.  So now, in order to gain a hearing, God instructed Ezekiel to perform a series of signs.  He acted out what would happen to the people of Jerusalem.

Chapter 3 verse 24 indicates that God confined the prophet to his house.  So, presumably these sermonic displays took place in front of his home where a crowd could witness them and hear the explanations.

1. Playing in the dirt.
He made a brick, probably like a clay tablet, and outlined the city of Jerusalem on it.  Next, on the ground he built a miniature version of the impending Babylonian siege.  It is not clear what the iron griddle illustrates.  The best explanation is that during this time the people would be praying to God for deliverance, but their prayers would be blocked.  Moses had warned the nation of this very thing in Deuteronomy 28:23 if they rebelled against Him: "And the heavens over your head shall be as bronze."
 
2. Laying on his sides.
First, he laid on his left side, tied up, for over a year; 390 days, one day for each year of punishment.  Because of the instructions in the rest of this chapter, it seems obvious he only performed this for a part of each day.  This illustrated God's judgment of the northern kingdom of Israel for their sin.  Second, he repeated the process on his right side for 40 days.  This illustrated God's judgment of the southern kingdom of Judah.  It is unclear as to how the LORD calculated the number of years stated here.

3. Cooking in a distasteful manner.
God wanted to give the people a vivid picture of what life would be like during the siege.  With a shortage of food, grains would have to be combined to make a simple piece of bread.  Ezekiel was limited to 8 ounces of bread and 2/3 quart of water each day.  Perhaps worse than the rationing of food was the manner in which it was to be baked.  If there was a scarcity of wood available, people commonly used cakes of animal dung as fuel for their fires.  But it was considered a defilement to use human dung for cooking.  When Ezekiel voiced this to God, the LORD allowed him to use cow dung, instead.  Again, this pointed to the severity of the famine in Jerusalem.

God seeks to gain our attention throughout each day.  Sometimes it is the rainbow to remind of His promises.  Sometimes it is a word of wisdom from another person.  Sometimes it is that "still small voice" when He speaks to our conscience.  Every day He desires to communicate to us in the reading of His word.

 

The role and responsibility of God's Representative

 Read Ezekiel 3.

You cannot give what you do not possess.  Before Ezekiel could serve as God's spokesperson he had to consume God's written word.  In the symbolic eating of it, the Scriptures tasted sweet.  Other writers in Scripture made the same observation.  David wrote, "More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:10)

His calling was to a specific target audience.  The LORD sent him to minister to those taken captive, exiled in Babylon.  It was a hard message he was to deliver to some hard hearts.  God encouraged him a third time by saying, "Fear them not, nor be dismayed" (v.9).  But even with a tough crowd, God made Ezekiel just as tough as they were.  Indeed, Ezekiel's name in Hebrew means "God will strengthen" or "God will harden."  The hardness here refers to the determination that will be required for this assignment.  A thin skinned person would not be fit for the job.

Next, if Ezekiel was to represent God, he had to see and feel what God saw and felt.  The sound and sight of the mobile throne appeared again.  This time the Holy Spirit said, "Get in."  The experience overwhelmed him.

His role.
As God's prophet, he served like a "watchman."  When God gave warning, Ezekiel was to sound the alarm and warn the people.  He would be held accountable for listening to God and speaking God's message to them.

His responsibility.
He was not held accountable for the way the people responded to God's message.  The people were individually and personally accountable for their response to what the LORD said.

Believers in Jesus have been commissioned as ambassadors for Christ and given the message of reconciling people back to God.  As the Apostle Paul wrote, "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)

 

6 essentials for communicating God's Word

 Read Ezekiel 2.

God revealed Himself to Ezekiel visually and vocally.  By age, Ezekiel had just begun his official service as a priest.  Here, the LORD called him to be His spokesperson to the nation; a prophet.  In these ten verses are found the essential and transferable elements that apply to all those who preach or teach.

1. Relationship with God.
The LORD referred to Ezekiel as "son of man."  At least, 93 times in this book God called him by that term.  It indicates he was part of God's family and had a personal relationship with the LORD.  Today, a personal and growing relationship with Jesus is the first step for any who would represent God.

2. Empowerment by God.
"The Holy Spirit entered into me."  New Testament believers receive the Holy Spirit at salvation (Romans 8:9).  Under the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon God's people at strategic times to empower them to serve Him.  A life that is not dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit will only be representing themselves. 

3. Call of God.
Twice the LORD said, "I send you."  The position of being God's spokesperson was not a job to seek; it was God's job to send.  Notice the compelling sense felt by the Apostle Paul to do what God called him to be doing.  "For the love of Christ controls us..." (2 Corinthians 5:14)  "For necessity is laid upon me.  Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16b)

4. Message from God.
The content of his preaching was to be "Thus says the LORD God", "And you shall speak my words to them."  At the core was to be what God said in His written word (vv.9-10).    He was not allowed to communicate his own content and speak of other things.  Every word spoken needed to be in alignment with the word of God.

5. Assignment from God.
The LORD gave Ezekiel a tough audience.  They had heard God's word before and chose to ignore it.  More than complacent toward what they heard, they stubbornly lived in outright rebellion.  God warned him in advance that the people would reject the message.  They would speak against Ezekiel with threats.  While he preached, the crowd would even make faces at him.  Fortunately, this is not the experience of all who communicate God's word.  But it does point out the fact that Ezekiel was not responsible for the behavior and response of the people.  The assignment of ministry and the measurement of ministry are two distinct issues.

6. Evaluation of God.
In this instance, the LORD encouraged Ezekiel twice to not be afraid of the responses of the people or the lack thereof.  What mattered to God was He had sent His spokesperson to communicate His expectations of the people.  "A prophet has been among them."  He would be held accountable for faithfully delivering the message.

Representing God before others, communicating His word, is not an easy ministry.  Because of the very nature of its influence upon others, there is a higher level of accountability.  "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (James 3:1)

 

 

What happens when we encounter God?

 Read Ezekiel 1.

Ezekiel was a priest and a prophet.  While Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem, Ezekiel, along with many others, had been taken captive from Judah and lived in exile just outside of Babylon.  Verse 1 provides the date of July 31, 593 B. C.  Having reached the age of 30, according to the Law of Moses (Numbers 4:3) he was now qualified to serve as a priest.

We are told two essentials regarding his ministry in verse 3.  First, the message was not his.  He was simply the messenger.  "The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel."  Second, the authority and empowerment was not from him.  "The hand of the LORD was upon him there."  God gave Ezekiel a vivid and graphic vision of Himself, complete with sound.

What Ezekiel saw:    
1. Four living creatures. 
This exactly corresponds to other like visions in Scripture.  Ezekiel 10:2 identifies them as cherubim, a type of angels.  In Exodus, they were depicted in the Tabernacle, with wings extended, hovering over the Ark of the Covenant.  Revelation 4 states that these four fly around the throne of God in heaven, continually crying out, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

2. The throne of God.
This pictures a mobile throne.  His presence and power were not limited to the Temple in Jerusalem.  He is omnipresent.  So, when the Jews went into exile, it was reassuring for them to know that God's presence was with them.  The double set of these massive wheels (a wheel within a wheel) allowed the chariot-type throne to move in any direction without turning.  The mention of multiple eyes refers to the omniscience of God.  He sees and knows everything, including their current suffering.  The brilliance of the sight with its rainbow of colors is what the Apostle John saw in his vision of God's throne in Revelation 4.

3. Ezekiel saw God. 
He compared the appearance to that of a man (vv.26-28).  It reminds one immediately of John's description of Jesus in Revelation 1.  In both instances (and the same experience of Isaiah in Isaiah 6), a glimpse of the glory of God caused them to fall at His feet in submission.   

What Ezekiel heard.
In verse 25, the prophet heard the voice of God.  What Ezekiel records then is direct revelation of God's word.  The Apostle Peter wrote, "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy spirit." (2 Peter 1:20-21)

As we gain a fresh glimpse of God through the reading and study of His word, it should cause us to join the others in falling down in worship before Him.

 

The road to Recovery

 Read Lamentations 5.

When Judah thought they were self-sufficient and felt no need for dependence on the LORD, they played.  But when they lost everything, they prayed.

This is the fifth acrostic funeral poem for the city of Jerusalem.  Judah had fallen.  The devastation was beyond belief.  Jeremiah has cried ceaselessly (4:49).  Now, the attention turns from the earthly circumstances to the heavenly solutions. 

God remained in sovereign control.  He reigns from His throne on high forever (v.19).  Therefore, this appeal is to the One who can do what no one else can. 

1. Remember us. (vv.1-18)
They were overwhelmed by their disgrace and suffering.  Everyone-- young and old, male and female, leaders and poor--were physically and brutally mistreated.  The first thing requested in this prayer was for God to look and see what was happening to them.  The truth is the LORD sees everything, all the time (Proverbs 15:3).  Not only did He see and know, but He was the source of the punishment.  "Our fathers sinned, and are no more; and we bear their iniquities." (v.7) 

No one in their right mind enjoys pain and suffering.  But God can use such things to cause the rebellious to stop and consider their waywardness.  Godly sorrow should lead one to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).

2. Restore us. (v.21a)
All the celebrations and singing had stopped in Judah (vv.14-15).  How they longed for a time of joy.  Notice that this is not a call for restoration of their circumstances, but a return to the person of Jehovah Himself.

When King David suffered the conviction and consequences of his sin, he prayed in Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation."  After repenting of sin and coming clean with God, the direction of the heart will go back to the basics.  The foundation of our relationship with the LORD is when and how He intervened in the first place to bring us to Himself.  Nothing restores our faith like going back to the cross and realizing the price Jesus paid on our behalf.  Being saved by His grace should prompt an immediate burst of thanksgiving and joy. 

3. Renew us. (v.21b)
There was no reason for God to restore and renew their material things until they dealt with their spiritual condition.  Otherwise, they would have simply returned to their rebellious self-sufficiency.  In Psalm 51:10, David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."  When God forgives and cleanses our hearts, we are then in a position to live for Him.  The word "right" is literally "upright" or faithful.  This was what God wanted all along for Judah and wants for each of us.

 

Do people get the leaders they Deserve?

 Read Lamentations 4.

"Every country has the leadership it deserves."  That quote from the writings of Joseph de Maistre in 1811 concerning Russia has been translated, altered, and attributed variously over the years.  As leaders go, so goes the nation.

Over the years, the kings and other leaders in Jerusalem made sure the city was secure, safe and self-sufficient.  The walls and gates of the city could withstand any opposition.  An underground tunnel supplied water.  God's blessings of abundance caused food to be stored.  So, when Jeremiah and other of God's prophets spoke of surrendering to the Babylonians, it sounded like treason.  "The kings of the earth did not believe, nor any of the inhabitants of the world that foe or enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem." (v.12)

But the multiple sins of the corrupt governmental and spiritual leaders reached a point where God intervened (v.13).  He warned them if they did not surrender the people would die by sword, pestilence or famine.  After a 30 month siege, this fourth funeral poem for Jerusalem records the results.  It is one of the more difficult chapters in the Bible to read due to the graphic awfulness of the famine.

What used to be precious and of high value, such as gold, gems, leadership positions, and even human life, became worthless.  Bodies of old and young, rich and poor were strewn on the ground and left like broken pieces of pottery.  There is an interesting contrast in verse 6 with Sodom and Gomorrah.  That judgment in Genesis was quick, but this one was painfully prolonged.

In the closing verses, Edom, celebrated the calamity.  They helped the Babylonians by sealing off any escape in their direction.  Jeremiah let them know that their day of judgment was coming.  The prophet Obadiah's message further explained God's ultimate punishment of Edom. 

What a difference there would have been if Judah's leaders had fully obeyed the LORD and led the people in doing what was right!  Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

 

Finding God in the middle of the Pain

 Read Lamentations 3.

Preachers have feelings too.  It is an awe-filled task to deliver God's messages of sin and judgment.  Jeremiah understood his own human flaws and disobedience.  Then, when the fulfillment of the prophecies began to unfold, he experienced the loss of all things along with his countrymen.

Chapter 3 is the third acrostic eulogy for Jerusalem.  There are two notable differences.  First, instead of one verse for each of the 22 Hebrew letters, this poem takes three for each.  Second, this is Jeremiah's very personal response to what has happened to the city, to the people, and to himself.

The insights come, not from his deep feelings of hurt, but notice how he moved from there to his faith.

1. Jeremiah's Hurt. (vv.1-18)
When his world fell apart, it brought him to a dark place "without any light" (v.2).  The results were both inside and out.  It affected him physically (v.4), emotionally (v.5), spiritually (v.8).  He could find no place of peace (v.17).  He reached the end of his perceived ability to endure it any longer (v.18).

These are not the words one would expect of a man of God.  Is not the believer always to be singing the victory song?  Don't the people who trust the LORD live above it all?  Those who have placed their trust in the LORD have the same emotions and experience the same hurts in life as everyone else.  There is no denying reality.  But there is more.

2. Jeremiah's Hope. (vv.19-40)
Tears?  Yes.  In verse 49, he wrote, "My eyes will flow without ceasing."  However, the believer processes the pain differently.  Greater than their hurt is their hope.  It requires a deliberate act of faith to also "call to mind" (v.21) the rest of the story.  Circumstances may change, but God does not change.  Discipline for sin may come, but so does God's mercy.  His offer of forgiveness and restoration is immediately available for those who put their trust in Him.  Indeed, the very purpose of this discipline of Judah was to turn hearts back to the LORD.

In the middle of his pain, in the center section of this book, Jeremiah penned, perhaps, his most famous words: "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’" (vv.22-24)

3. Jeremiah's Help. (vv.41-66)
He acknowledged his hurt.  He remembered his hope.  Then, he turned to the source of his help.  Jeremiah recognized that he was not the only one hurting.  He called upon those around him to examine themselves and come clean with God.  He prayed, realizing the LORD was always present, hearing and seeing what happened, and powerfully able to intervene.

"This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles." (Psalm 34:6)

 

What happens when people ignore God's Kindness?

 Read Lamentations 2.

Jeremiah is often called the "weeping prophet."  He wept over his country's sin and their refusal to repent.  Here, in this second of five funeral poems for Jerusalem, he cried until he could do so no longer (v.11).  What he observed caused him to be sick to his stomach.

In the opening verses, Jeremiah made it clear that it was the LORD Himself who inflicted this destruction.  He did so out of anger (v.1), without mercy (v.2), in His wrath (v.2), like an enemy (v.4), and in fierce indignation (v.6).  The prophet itemized the losses one by one from the fires, as the Babylonians burned the city, to the killing of many, to the city walls, gates and Temple that were destroyed.

The preacher was at a loss for words (v.13).  What could he possibly say now?  He had warned them that this was coming if they did not turn back to God.  But, at this point, there seemed to be nothing he could say that would bring comfort and healing.

Even the law of Moses with its priests and the prophets were no longer operative (v.9).  In truth, the people had ignored God's word for a long time, except to go through the motions of certain rituals and festivals to their liking.  However, had they taken heed to God's word, they would have known of these consequences.  A thousand years before, in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, God told them their disobedience would bring such results.  With uncanny precision, what God said came true.

"The LORD has done what he purposed; he has carried out his word, which he commanded long ago; he has thrown down without pity; he has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes." (v.17)

The daily, moment by moment, kindness of God should move us to turn from sin to holy living. 
"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4)

 

Disobedience and Discipline

 Read Lamentations 1.

This is a book of laments or five funeral poems for the city of Jerusalem.  After years of warning, Judah's demise at the hands of the Babylonians became a reality.  The once proud city that reached its zenith when Solomon ruled as king was no more.  Everything had been stripped away; no power, no abundance, no prestige, no friends, only enemies. 

The poems are in acrostic style.  Each lament has 22 verses, each verse beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Chapter 3 triples the number of verses for each Hebrew letter. 

It is a sad eulogy.  In the very first verse, Jeremiah described Jerusalem as a destitute widow who had lost everything.  Then, he remembered her as being a princess who had become a slave.  As a result, the city was no longer the place of God's blessings and celebrations.  This caused everyone, even the roads (v.4), to mourn and groan.  Five times in this first chapter we read that there was none to comfort or to help her.  In verse 12, with outstretched arms looking for someone to care, she cried, "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?" 

In the personification of Jerusalem, there was no one to blame but herself.  As Jeremiah quotes her in verse 18, "The LORD is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word."  As a loving father, God had to discipline His disobedient children.

The purpose of good discipline is to correct wayward behavior.  When the LORD disciplines, it is to stop us from sinning and to bring us back to godly living in accordance with His word.  "He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:10b-11)

The blessing comes when we are willing to be trained by God.

 

Listening in the tough Times

 Read Jeremiah 52.

All that God said concerning the downfall of Judah came true.  In this closing chapter, Jeremiah summarized what took place.  The king and the people refused to listen and trust what God told them.

1. Jeremiah repeatedly warned Zedekiah not to rebel but to surrender in peace.  He would not listen and he paid a severe price.  His sons were slaughtered in front of him.  His eyes were put out.  The Babylonians imprisoned him for the rest of his life.

2. In chapter 27, Jeremiah warned that the rebellion would lead to the destruction of Solomon's beautiful Temple in Jerusalem.  Further, the Babylonians would take all the precious vessels of the Temple.  More to the king's liking, Hananiah, a false prophet, spoke the opposite message.  Jeremiah was treated as a traitor.  Here in chapter 52, the writer details the extensive work in tearing down the various parts of the Temple and hauling them off.

3. All the remaining city officials, including the Temple priests, were executed.

4. A few of the poorest in the area were allowed to stay in order to work the land.  In a series of deportations, thousands were taken in exile to Babylon.

As bad as these fulfilled prophecies are, God had not forsaken His people.  This earthly punishment of the nation was due to their sin and only for a time.  Jeremiah had also delivered God's message that the exile would last 70 years.  Even in exile, the LORD was gracious.  He remained faithful to them in meeting their needs, as Jeremiah stated in Lamentations.  His presence was there, as Ezekiel addressed.  He demonstrated His power again and again, as Daniel recorded.

King David wrote Psalm 23, "The LORD is my shepherd."  As a good shepherd, God cares for His own through the toughest of times.  "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Listen to and trust the Shepherd.

 

Are some people getting away with Sin?

 Read Jeremiah 51.

God's judgment against Babylon required two chapters.  In chapter 50, there are details of an invasion from the north to totally destroy the land.  It became obvious that many of the statements refer to a distant future punishment.  Here, in chapter 51, more detail is provided about the immediate invasion.

Though their destruction will be at the hands of another nation, God takes full credit.  "I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon." (v.1)  In the first fall of Babylon, God used the Medes along with the Persians (v.11a).  The Babylonians had been His instrument to mete out His punishment against others.  But the long-suffering patience of the LORD had come to an end.  "The land of the Chaldeans is full of guilt." (v.5b)   It is not only their personal sin that was "full" according to God, but He had not forgotten their desecration of His Temple in Jerusalem (v.11b)   "This is the time of the LORD's vengeance, the repayment he is rendering to her." (v.6)

What about Israel and Judah?  Had God forgotten them?  Will they be caught in the cross-fire of Babylon's collapse?  There were days when the Jews felt forsaken.  To the contrary, God said, "For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the LORD of hosts." (v.5a)  In fact, when Cyrus, King of Persian, took over, he offered to let the Jews return to their homeland and even paid for the rebuilding of the Temple (2 Chronicles 36:22-23).

God always takes care of His own in the midst of dealing with sin and delivers them.  God sees every sin and every injustice.  In His time, He will carry out His justice.  Though for the present it may appear that the guilty are unchecked, we need only to wait on God's timing.  No one gets away with sin.

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine.  I will repay, says the Lord.'" (Romans 12:19)

 

Time and the promises of God

 Read Jeremiah 50.

Now, God turned His attention to Babylon.  This is the empire that He used to punish other nations, but their judgment is coming.  Their sin of pride and false worship will reach an end of God's patience with them.  In addition, the LORD will take vengeance for what the Babylonians did to His holy Temple in Jerusalem (v.28).

At first glance, it would be a quick assumption to conclude that this is referring to the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C.  However, on closer reading, a half dozen statements will not match that invasion.  For instance, at that time Babylon was not totally destroyed but occupied in order to control their empire from India to Africa.  Therefore, the LORD has something more in mind.

Yes, there was a partial return of the exiles of Judah under Cyrus.  But, the regathering of a united Israel and Judah in the land of promise for the intent of worshiping God forever has yet to happen (vv.4-5).

In Revelation 17-18, reveals that there is a future Babylon to be built.  It will fall being totally destroyed near the end of the Great Tribulation.  Note that Revelation 18:2 states, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!"  Twice fallen.  It fell once, but there is a greater fall coming.

Time and years are counted here on earth.  God lives in eternity.  Though more than 2500 years have passed on earth, God's word concerning Babylon is as valid as if He had pronounced it five minutes ago.  The same is true for all the promises of God to us.  If it is the word of God, you can stake your eternity on it.

"For all the promises of God find Yes in him.  That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.  And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 1:20-22)

 

Learning our lessons from History

 Read Jeremiah 49.

God continued His pronouncements of judgments on the surrounding Gentile nations.  Five are mentioned in this one chapter. 

Ammon
Like Moab, the Ammonites were descendants of Lot through incest with his other daughter.  When Judah went into exile, the Ammonites decided to move into the deserted territories.  They felt safe, secure and untouchable.  Their pride-filled question was "Who will come against me?"  The answer came quickly from the LORD, "I will." (vv.4-5)

Edom
The condemnation of Edom parallels the message of Obadiah.  Teman was known for its wise men.  In Job 2:11, Eliphaz was a Temanite who tried to bring counsel to Job.  God's question for Edom in verse 7 was "Is there no more wisdom in Teman?"  They had not only sinned against the LORD but they had committed a great wrong against their national brother, Israel.  Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob.  Most of these judgments end with a promise of future restoration for that nation. Edom is an exception.  Once their punishment came, they no longer existed as a people group.

Damascus
This is a prophecy against Syria.  God used the Babylonians to fulfill this judgment.  The mention of Ben-hadad refers to the rulers of Syria in the ninth and eighth centuries B.C. (Charles Dyer, Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Kedar and Hazor
The LORD also used Nebuchadnezzar to take care of the sin of the desert tribes mentioned here.  They were nomads.  Being mobile meant they had no city gates or doors to lock.  So, they felt safe and secure in their remote locations. (v.31)  But God warned, "I will bring their calamity from every side of them." (v.32)  There is no future for the people of Hazor as it will be "an everlasting waste." (v.33)

Elam
The area of Elam is modern day Iran.  Elam was well-known for its archers and here God promised to "break the bow of Elam." (v.35)  While destruction surely came upon them historically, it is interesting to note that the LORD promised "I will set my throne in Elam." (v.38).  That coupled with the promise of restoration points to His future reign on earth.

Wise people learn from history so as to avoid the same mistakes.  The writer of Hebrews put it this way:
"For we have come to share Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.  As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." (Hebrews 3:14-15)