"As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem."

Ezekiel 15

"As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem." v6

The reference to how God's children are a vine shows up elsewhere in the bible:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8

In Ezekiel, the Lord refers to God's children as the vine in the sense that we are to be used as fuel for the fire - because we are not loving, worshipping, serving, and obeying the Lord.  We are useless.

In John, Jesus refers to himself as the vine and we are branches of the vine.  If we remain in Him we will bear fruit and be useful.  If we are not, we will - as Lord refers to us in Ezekiel - be thrown in the fire and declared useless.

My Prayer: Lord, You are truly the vine and You have produced much, not just in me but everywhere and all around me.  You are an amazing God.  Thank You for Your rich blessings that You have provided.  I am not worthy of such blessings.  Please forgive me for how I am so critical of others and how I lack compassion with my mom.  Please help me with this relationship so that I can be a sign of the Lord to her and bring her to You Jesus.

...for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.

Ezekiel 12

...for I have made you a sign to the Israelites. v6

As the Lord continues to exercise his wrath on Jerusalem, he speaks to and uses Ezekiel as a sign to the Israelites.  The Lord commands Ezekiel to leave during the day with all of his belongings so that it is clear to everyone that this is something to notice and to understand.

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.

3 “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious people. 4 During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. 5 While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it. 6 Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign to the Israelites.”

7 So I did as I was commanded. During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulders while they watched.

8 In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “Son of man, did not the Israelites, that rebellious people, ask you, ‘What are you doing?’

10 “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.’ 11 Say to them, ‘I am a sign to you.’  v1-11

I desire to hear the Lord, to be used by the Lord, to obey the Lord, and for my actions to be so clear, distinct, and separate from the world's ways that it is clear I am of the Lord and not of this world.

My Prayer: Lord, Your works are perfect and they are beautiful.  The spring, with its warmer weather and beautiful flowers are a great thing.  And you provide the spring for us to enjoy.  How great You are.  You also went to the cross for us, then defeated death so that we would not be slave to sin, we could have Your Holy Spirit, and an eternity with You in heaven beyond this life on earth - how awesome!  I am not deserving of all this!  You love me despite how weak I am.  Thank You Lord Jesus but please forgive me.  Help me have more energy, more courage, and more love and devotion to You.  Help me be the husband, father, and man You intend me to be.

And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.”

Ezekiel 11

And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.” v12

The Lord calls us to be separate, not of this world, and not to conform to the ways of the world but to Him.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

It must be clear to others that God exists, He is sovereign, and He desires all of His children to come to Him.  We must act in a way so that others see Jesus.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

My Prayer: Lord, Your ways are perfect, Your will is perfect, and everything about You is perfect, pure and holy.  I so desire to be like You.  Yet I fall short, in my sloth, my haste, my anger, my arrogance, etc.  Thank You for Your love but please forgive me Lord Jesus!  Help me be more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me be more bold so that others see Jesus in me.

They say, ‘The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’

Ezekiel 8

They say, ‘The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’

There are times when I knowingly sin and I say to myself "I will be forgiven", or "God knows I am imperfect"....both of which (and there are other things I say to myself) are LIES I tell myself to excuse my own sin.  What I do is no different than what the elders of Israel are doing with idols in the temple in this chapter in Ezekiel. 

The Lord knows all and sees all.

My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.  Jeremiah 16:17

...

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14

...

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You DO know all, and You have power over all.  While forgiveness is available to me, I must not abuse this grace given to me as Your patience and grace is not unlimited for me.  I must not openly and willfully sin.  Please help me Jesus so that I don't tell lies to myself about my sin.  I know You see all and I am deserving of harsh punishment.  Help me turn from sin and be strong.  Give me strength Jesus.

You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.

Ezekiel 2

After the fall of Jerusalem, God calls Ezekiel to be a prophet to deliver a message to the Israelites in exile in Babylonia. 

And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. ⁶ And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. ⁷ You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.  v5-7

The key point here for me to understand is that we are to deliver God's word to everyone regardless of whether they listen or not.  God is in charge of the outcome.  We are simply His messengers.

These words remind me of the Great Commission:

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:16-20

My Prayer: Lord, Your words are truth, power, hope, love and so much more.  All people deserve to hear Your words.  Yet I live in fear of spreading Your word.  I am weak.  I know You love me anyway - thank You for such patience and compassion.  But please forgive me.  Help me be more bold.  Give me strength.  Be with me.  Help me boldly proclaim Your word and Your truth...the truth, hope and love of Jesus Christ.

You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.

Lamentations 5

You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. v19

While the world around is continues to evolve and we see our own circumstances change - the one thing we can be sure of Lord Jesus, our God who never changes.  He is a rock.  We can trust in Him, His word, and His love of us.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the one constant not only in my life but in all lives.  Your love for me is boundless and it is forever.  How awesome and how awesome You are!  Thank You Jesus for Your love for me as I am weak and lazy.  Forgive me for this and help me have a greater love for You and strength to be Your servant.  Help me love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul...as You command me to.

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

Lamentations 3

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. v31-32

After the Lord lays siege on Jerusalem (as He said He would through Jeremiah), there is much suffering and moaning.  Yet even in the depths of despair, the Lord appears:

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them,

and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.

28 Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. 29 Let him bury his face in the dust—

there may yet be hope. 30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. 31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. 32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. v20-33

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that even in the darkest moments, there is hope.  That hope is You.  Hope for comfort, strength, provision, healing, etc. - the Lord Jesus will provide as only He can do.  Lord Jesus You are the one and only God.  My God.  I try to love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul, yet I am often lacking with this - thank You Jesus for patience and compassion.  I know You love me anyway but please please forgive me.  Help me grow in my love for You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me please You Jesus.  Give me strength.

“Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Jeremiah 46

“Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you.  I will discipline you but only in due measure; will not let you go entirely unpunished.” v28

With the Jews living in divided kingdoms and as they are scattered throughout many nations, sin is rampant.  God shows enormous patience but this patience is of course not unlimited. 

I must not act as if God's patience for me is unlimited.  I must turn from sin, repent, and stay on the path God lays out for me.

My Prayer: Lord, it is amazing how many second chances you offer me and all of Your children.  Your patience, mercy, compassion and kindness is truly amazing.  I personally thank You Jesus.  I need You Jesus...desperately.  I am weak...please forgive me.  Help me grow in strength.  Help me find strength in You alone.

If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you.

Jeremiah 42

9“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition, says: ¹⁰ ‘If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you. 11 Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the Lord, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands. 12 I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land.’ v9-12

God gives us multiple second chances...it is amazing the depth and breadth of His patience and compassion for us.  If we indeed demonstrate a true heart of repentance He will forgive and show mercy but not because we deserve it but because He is merciful.  If He makes a promise He will keep it.  But if we don't keep up our end of the bargain, there is certainly no guarantee that God will continue to give us additional "second chances".

My Prayer: Lord, Your patience, compassion, and mercy is beyond what I can comprehend.  You demonstrate mercy for me even though I don't deserve it.  Thank You so much Lord Jesus.  Please forgive me for my lust and help me turn from it.  Help me give in to You fully and turn from this sin.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.

15 Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me.”

Jeremiah 38

Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me.” v15

Jeremiah knows of God and His power, might, compassion, etc. He is a prophet and God speaks to him regularly.  It is Jeremiah's job to convey God's messages to His children.  He does this in face of great danger to himself. 

We are no different than Jeremiah.  Although we are not prophets, we know God's word, its power, and we are to proclaim God's word to all corners of the world.  Throughout scripture, God's servants speak and act boldly in the face of great personal danger.  For example, Peter and John are called before the Sanhedrin after healing the paralyzed man in front of the temple and they are commanded not to speak of Jesus.  Peter's response:

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20

I should be asking God for the same courage.

My Prayer: Lord, Your power is undeniable and so is Your greatness.  I have witnessed Your power in my own life and in the lives of those around me.  There is no other God except You.  Yet I fail to speak out boldly on your behalf.  I know You love me anyway, but please Lord Jesus help me proclaim Your greatness.  Forgive me for my fear and weakness.  Give me courage.

'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know'.

Jeremiah 33

'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know'. v3

As the Lord continues to speak to Jeremiah of restoring Israel and Judah, He emphasizes how the Lord reveals and guides those who seek Him.

This is also found:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 199:105

My Prayer: Lord, Your knowledge and wisdom surpasses any that exists on earth and in the universe.  You know not only everything but You know me...and You know what is best for me.  You love me.  What a great God.  I am weak however and undeserving of such love - I worry even though You tell me not to.  Thank for Your love but please forgive me.  Please also help me with my school and help me not to worry.

“This is what the Lord says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.

Jeremiah 32

“This is what the Lord says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them. v42

Sin does not go unpunished.  Yet for those who turn to Jesus and repent...they are also restored.:

“This is what the Lord says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them. ⁴³ Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals, for it has been given into the hands of the Babylonians.’ ⁴⁴ Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, because I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord.” v42-44

James speaks of trials and temptations as producing perseverence...that we see it all for God's glory and our good.

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-3

God is righteous and His love for us is infinite...everything He does, including for us specifically, is perfect.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are perfect, Your word is perfect and all that you have done and will do is perfect - I cannot question Your motives.  They are based out of love to bring all people to You. I am amazed that You love me and are so patient with me.  I am still full of anger, lust, arrogance, etc.  Thank You for Your love but please forgive me for this and rid me of this sin.  Purify and refine me.  Mold me.  Make me Yours.  Use me. 

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Jeremiah 31

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people. v33

The covenant continues:

“Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.” v36

I desire to have the law on my mind and on my heart.

My Prayer: Lord, Your word is precious and perfect.  There is nothing more that is needed.  Of course I need You - in prayer, in worship, and I need to serve You and Your plan.  That you have done all that You have done for me is beyond my comprehension.  I am not worthy of all that You have done - yet You have done this and more for me.  Thank You Lord Jesus.  Please forgive me for lustful thoughts and for my weakness.  Help me be even more mindful of Your word throughout my day - I desire that Your desires are my desires.

I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.

Jeremiah 30

I will discipline you but only in due measure;

I will not let you go entirely unpunished. v11

Just as Israel and Judah are to be restored, the Lord tells Jeremiah to pass on a message to his children that although they are to be restored, their sin will not go unpunished. 

I am of course not unlike, the Israelites.  I sin and I sin often.  I fall short.  I must understand that sin does not go unpunished.  I must also understand that if I turn from my sin and ask God for His forgiveness, He will forgive.  My response to God's gift of forgiveness should be to respect this freedom and act as if it is free but it is also expected that I must mature on my own and that patience has its limits:

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,  instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  Hebrews 6:1

God expects that His discipline to work!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your training and discipline I know comes from love.  Your love for me is beyond what I deserve and I am deeply thankful and amazed that You love me so much.  Forgive me for my laziness and lack of courage.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me so that I can live a live of faith and action - to serve You and to allow Your plan and Your love to shine through me.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29

As the Lord was about to release Judah from the hands of Babylonia, he gave Jeremiah the following message to take to Judah.

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” v10-13

We are to be punished for our sins.  But this is discipline from love.  The Lord is just and righteous and He knows what is best for us. He also sustains us through difficult times as He does here. 

My Prayer: Lord, I know You are a great God and Your discipline for me as the same as that for a child....it is intended to train me and is done out of love.  I do sin and I thank You that You love me anyway.  But I pray that You forgive me and sustain me Lord and help me be the servant You intend me to be.

My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land.

Jeremiah 24

My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. v6

Once again, the Lord demonstrates patience, kindness, and compassion - even towards those who sin repeatedly.  Of course we are all fallen, yet God provides a path to Him for even the fallen.  However, this may not always be the case - we are to repent and rid ourselves of sin because there are limits to His patience because not all are graced by his patience.  All are punished and we should expect punishment - we deserve it and it is up to God to deal with us as He sees fit.

4 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 5 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians. 6 My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

8 “‘But like the bad figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the Lord, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the survivors from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt. 9 I will make them abhorrent and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, a curse and an object of ridicule, wherever I banish them. 10 I will send the sword, famine and plague against them until they are destroyed from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.’” v4-10

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God and You are the Great Protector as You helped Dustin get through his filling at the DDS and You are full of patience, compassion and kindness for me...because I sin.  Thank You for Your Love Jesus and for protecting Dustin.  Please forgive me for my sin and please also help rid me of such sin - purify and refine me Jesus.  Mold me and help me such that Your desires are my desires.

This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

Jeremiah 23

This is the name by which he will be called:

The Lord Our Righteous Savior. v6

The dictionary defines righteous as - acting in accord with divine or moral law, free from guilt or sin.

Indeed Jesus Christ is perfect.  He is free from both guilt and sin and His works, including the Bible are perfect.  His perfection alone makes Jesus worthy of worship...yet there is SO much more, including His grace, his power, his wisdom...and it goes on and on without end!

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God, worthy of worship.  And You love me...amazing!  Particularly so because I am far from perfect.  Thank You Jesus.  Forgive me for my sin Lord Jesus - my lust and impure thoughts and actions.  Purify and refine me Jesus.  Make me Yours.  Help me make Your desires my desires.