Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.

Ezekiel 33

Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. v32

God continues to reinforce Ezekiel's role as watchman - to deliver God's message to the people to repent...so that we may have life.

In the New Testament, the role of prophets and the high priest changes as we have a direct line to Jesus and all of us can have a personal relationship with Jesus vs intercession through the prophet or high priest (Old Testament).  James warns us of reading or hearing the Word of God and not putting it into practice.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:22-24

 

See also posts on action and being in action.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love. I worry...and far too much!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.

Ezekiel 33

Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood. v5-6

About a week ago, I posted about how we will all bow to Jesus as Lord, whether or not we accept Him as Jesus.  Because of this we all ultimately are personally held accountable for our actions.  

Today, I am reminded that when God gives us an opportunity to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and we take it, God will save us from the sting of BOTH sin and death.  Ezekiel's role as watchman (see also v7-9) is to blow the trumpet warning for people to repent to bow to God as sovereign over all.  Just as we are all personally held responsible for our actions, Ezekiel is also held accountable for  his role as watchman.  This is also true for church leadership, parents, etc - all who have a God given role with the church or home.  As spiritual head of my household, I don't take this lightly.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am often too harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The merchants among the nations scoff at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.

Ezekiel 27

The merchants among the nations scoff at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more. v36

In Ezekiel 25-28, God tells Ezekiel to deliver a warning to Israel's/Judah's neighbors - depicted on the below:

God is warning these kingdoms to be prepared for His wrath.  Particularly striking is God's warning to Tyre where in chapters 26-28, God warns us about growing intoxicated and falling in love with wealth, material things, power, status, and prestige. Many believe (good summary here of one such example) that Satan's fall is a focus in chapter 28, where "[Satan's] heart became proud on account of [his]beauty, and [he] corrupted [his] wisdom because of [his] splendor" (v17).


These messages are important for all of us.

More on pride, material wealth, and humility - the latter of which is God's desire for us. 

Map Source: https://trumpet-call.org/2016/10/03/bible-study-ezekiel-21-instrument-of-gods-judgment

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of all the ways in which You bless me.  I worry...far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

To stir up wrath and take revenge I put her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered....Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.

Ezekiel 24

To stir up wrath and take revenge I put her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered....Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided. v8,13

God uses Ezekiel to give us another parable about sin...about the sin of Israel and our own sin.  We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  In the Old Testament covenant, spilling of blood was required for atonement, and as such animal sacrifice was used.  In the New Testament, Jesus is the ultimate and final sacrifice through the shedding of His blood on the cross...no further sacrifice is required.  Unlike the Old Covenant where Israel's blood is not covered, Jesus covers and washes our sin away (Romans 4:7).  

Additionally, today God reinforces how we all need to be more like Him, and this requires sanctification - an often very difficult process where God sometimes uses harsh punishment and difficult circumstances to mold us into who He wants us to be - the refiner's fire.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who died on the cross for me - thank You Jesus.  You paid the ultimate price so that I would have life.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry...far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 23

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. v49

God uses a parable of two adulterous sisters who prostitute themselves to communicate the wickedness of Israel.  In this chapter, we see how God reinforces the primacy of His reign.  Verse 36 further demonstrates that one way or another ALL MUST and WILL know God reigns and that all are held accountable.  See also my post of a few days ago.

Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution. v36

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus. I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 22

And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord. v12

We all want to experience God and His goodness.  The best way to experience God and not forget about God is to practice spiritual disciplines.  For me the key spiritual discipline is to read my Bible daily. 

God promises that if we seek Him (i.e. though Bible study), we will find Him.  We will also experience God and He will change us - by transforming our hearts and lives to be more like Him. 

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

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who is full of compassion, mercy, and kindness, etc. for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.

Ezekiel 21

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it. v26-27

We all want to be recognized - to feel worth, to be exalted.  Yet we often chase idols - other people, sex, drugs, alcohol, work, hobbies, etc. We often want the crown on our own head and and we often place our own desires ahead of those of God - we fail to recognize that we exist to glorify God.  God is our King of Kings and He deserves the glory!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love of mercy and compassion for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  I often place myself and idols before and above You. Please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin, overcome it and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 20

You will know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and your corrupt practices, you people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord. v44

We will all know the Jesus is Lord of All at one point or another.  Israel's wickedness is so pervasive that, although a righteous and repentant remnant is saved from which Jesus will rise, God's wrath is poured out on them on many occasions.  God does this to punish Israel but also to ensure that all will know His Name. On many occasions, in His compassion and mercy, He holds back the full the wrath of the Lord.

We will either bow at the end of times, our day of judgement, or when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

God loves us so much and is so full of patience, mercy and compassion that He wants us to come to Him during our lives here on earth so that we will not perish - He gives us many, many second chances.  God is great.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus. I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But it was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel, it was stripped of its fruit; its strong branches withered and fire consumed them.

Ezekiel 19

But it was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel, it was stripped of its fruit; its strong branches withered and fire consumed them. v12

Once again (see Ezekiel 15), we see Israel referred to as a vine that bears no fruit.  Jesus (John 15) referred to Himself and His followers as "the true vine" and the "branches".  For our own good and of course His glory, God wants us to be healthy vines the produce fruit.  But to do so, we must remain in Him.  We must cultivate a relationship with Him and tend to this relationship so that it grows.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has helped me grow in my faith - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and tender care.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

 

Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Ezekiel 18

Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! v30-32

Many claim that there is life when you do as you as wish - sin and all.  Yet my own experience, substantiated by verse as well, is that there is no freedom when you do as you wish as you are simply slave to sin. When we repent, choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and surrender our hearts and lives to Jesus, Jesus will give us life.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are a great God who HAS given me life and blessings well beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus! I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry....and far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by the roots.

Ezekiel 17

It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by the roots. v9

We need God to ensure we are tossed about by winds and wickedness of this world.  Unfortunately, when we allow ourselves to be rooted by the things of this world we may experience some fulfillment but ultimately we will wither.

When we invite God into our heart and make Him the foundation of our life, we are more firmly rooted.  


I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. v22-24

See also posts on firm foundation.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You are my firm foundation.  Thank You for giving me strength and protecting me from the winds and waves of this world.  I am not worth such love.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

^{Ezekiel 16}

Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. v60

In this chapter, God refers to Jerusalem as an adulterous wife and prostitute - unfaithful to God.  God describes how He cared for a young Jerusalem that was despised (v5), how He felt compassion on Jerusalem, made her His (v9), and how he nurtured and developed Jerusalem into a beautiful queen (v13).  Yet Jerusalem trusted in her beauty and misused her fame (v15).  

This is a message for all of us.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 describes how we are all entrusted with spiritual gifts.  We must be good stewards of these gifts and use them for God's glory - not our own.

God is full of grace and compassion for all of us just as He was with Jerusalem - He sent His Son as the everlasting covenant referred to in verse 60. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them.

Ezekiel 15

Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them. v7

Here in Ezekiel God refers to Israel and Judah as useless vine.  In John 15, God wants us to produce fruit from and FOR the vine (Jesus) - we are to be useful FOR God's purpose. For us to produce fruit, we must accept that Jesus is our Savior, and be "connected" to Him by remaining close to and in relationship with Jesus...otherwise we ARE useless BECAUSE our purpose is to glorify God and without this we have no other purpose.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who helps us grow and produce fruit - in my life and in the life of others.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I often miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words.

Ezekiel 13

Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. v6

It is important that our actions and our words are consistent with God's word and His will for our lives.  We must KNOW God's Word and spend time with God to build a relationship with Him, and through this we can be transformed to better know His will for our lives.

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

However, there are many in this world who misuse God's name claiming God speaks certain words when He does not.

We are to beware of such false prophets in this world and surround ourselves with others who can help us strengthen our relationship with Jesus to help us better understand His Word and will for our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me greater faith and others to strengthen my faith.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I often miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 12

But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord. v25

As Ezekiel continues to prophecy regarding the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon, he delivers a message from God intended to put to rest those who doubt God is in control and nothing can stop His will from being fulfilled.

Unfortunately, just as those in Ezekiel's time, we often live as if God's stated plans will not come to pass.  Above all, we must understand that we will all face judgement either when we die or when Jesus returns.  If we ignore this, we do so at our own peril.  

We should live with the end in mind, knowing that God holds all of us accountable for what we have done.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has rescued me from the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 11

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. v19

Israel and Judah's hearts had hardened towards God as they worshiped other gods before and above God.  God wants our heart above anything else from us.  He does not want us to follow His commands as an end in itself - our actions and life should be a manifestation of our love of God.  Our love of God and our desire to be more like Him WILL result in a changed heart and as a result we will love others and serve others - just as Jesus did.

For God is not looking for those who cut their bodies in actual body circumcision, but he is looking for those with changed hearts and minds. Romans 2:29 TLB

John 15 - The Vine and the Branches

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me a new heart - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

God gives Ezekiel a message to deliver to Jaazaniah and Pelatiah, leaders of the people and He is passing judgement on them for leading the city into sin.  In verse 12, God gets to the core of how Jerusalem is led into sin - by allowing wordly influences to play a greater role than God.  

God must be more, we and the world must become less.

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 

He must become greater; I must become less.  John 3:30

We are foreigners in this world - citizens of Heaven.  As such, our allegiance lies with Jesus, not with the world.  We are to be set apart.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart, my mind, and my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.

Ezekiel 9

Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it. v4

God sends out one in linen with a writing kit to mark those in Jerusalem "who grieve and lament" over Israel and Judah.  Those marked will be saved from punishment.  In today's age of sin and suffering, John Piper refers to such people as "groaners" who accept that sin's pervasiveness exists and that Christians do play a role in lamenting over such sin.  Piper encourages us to lament and groan just as those who did in Ezekiel's time (with the implication that we of course also lament and repent for the sin in our own lives).  

Piper then goes on to provide additional steps we can take, including:

2. "Realize that only God’s shoulders can bear the boulders of global suffering."
3. "Give thanks for the diversity of the gifting in the body of Christ."
4. "Trust God for the grace to do the good he expects you — not others — to do, and then do the good in your path, like the Good Samaritan did."

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who marked me as being saved even though I am undeserving of the salvation that Christ provides.  I worry and I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.

Ezekiel 8

The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land. v12

As God shows Ezekiel the idol worship practiced in the temple in Jersualem, God tells Ezekiel what the Israelites were saying in verse 12.

There will be times when we have our doubts that God sees us, that He sees pain or suffering in our lives.  However, we should never think God does not see us.  We should also remember that God is always with us.

A vivid example of God "seeing us" is when God heard the cries of Israel during their time of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 2:23-25, Exodus 3:7-10).

See also posts here.

With Jesus Christ, we have a God that will never leave us or forsake us.  See Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:5, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You love me, You always hear my cries and my prayers, You see what is going on my life and You are always with me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin.

Ezekiel 7

Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin. v19

God does not dislike wealth - He created it.  Yet wealth cannot stand in our way of or replace our relationship with Jesus.  We cannot idolize wealth.  In Ezekiel here we see how it caused Israel to "stumble into sin".


In the Bible God often deals harshly with those who put wealth above or in place of God.   

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5)

Yet even Jesus knows the truth about how hard the rich find it to part from their wealth (see Luke 18:18-30)

John Piper talks about being rich in good deeds.

See also wealth.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am undeserving of how You have blessed me.  I have too often placed my security in money and this is sinful!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then they will know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 6

Then they will know that I am the Lord. v14

God repeats these words four times.  As a follow up to my post yesterday, it should be clear to us when God is at work, particularly in our own lives.  Now we see in chapter 5-6 that God's anger grows more fierce and terrifying in terms of the punishment that is to be meted out. Yet the question in my mind becomes - how do we wait so long to not notice that God is real, He reigns and wants our submission and obedience.  We should not be frightened by God but instead drawn to Him because He is slow to anger, abounding in love, and full of compassion and grace for He sent His Son so we could be free from the sting of sin and death.

We ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and we all need a Savior.  Jesus Christ is that Savior.

God is waiting for us to accept Him as our Savior, but His patience is not unlimited.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is SO patient with me, even though You know everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such a God as You.  I worry far too much...I should not even worry at all.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This will be a sign to the people of Israel.

Ezekiel 4

This will be a sign to the people of Israel. v4

There will be times in our lives when it should be clear that God is doing something to get our attention.  It should not be hard for us to detect that God is up to something in our lives.  If we are close to God we should be able to see how God is using events and circumstances in our lives - see also Romans 12:2 where Paul urges us to "be transformed by the renewing of the mind". This renewing allows us to better see the world from God's perspective.

The Bible of course is full of examples where God uses His power to get our attention.

Ananias and Sapphira failed to give as God intends for us and both were struck dead (Acts 5).  After this it is said that "[g]reat fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events".  


Unfortunately, such events and circumstances cause many of us to push God away.  See also how Jesus healed the demon-possessed man and how (Luke 8:26-39) the "all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear".

This fear should draw us TO God and not AWAY from God.

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is full of love and compassion for me and You are ALWAYS doing things for me to help me - for my good.  Thank You Jesus that You love me so much.  Yet I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.

Ezekiel 3

But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people. v27

On several occasions in Ezekiel 3, God reminds us that He is in control (see also Colossians 1:16-17).  It is not Ezekiel's job to convince those in exile to turn from their sin - he is to (without fail) simply deliver the message.  In the same way, we as Christians, and fathers (see posts here, here, and here) particularly as spiritual head of the household, must deliver the message of Jesus (see Great Commission) and be Jesus to our families as best as possible as means to allow the Holy Spirit to work in the lives our families.
 
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and is the ultimate Father - the best Father anyone can ever have!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Ezekiel 2

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. v6

Ezekiel is called to be a prophet - to deliver God's words to the Israelites.  In the Old Testament, God spoke directly only to select individuals and through prophets.  The Israelites at large learned of God's words through these prophets and later through teachers of the law.  Although God led them out of Egypt through Moses, Aaron and Joshua, the Israelites rejected God as their king and instead asked Samuel to appoint an earthly king. With a few clear exceptions, including David, this decision by the Israelites marks a turning point and a turn from God and His rule to monarchy and a reliance on earthly power.

Ultimately, God's plan includes raising up His Son as the King of Kings and through Jesus, the Holy Spirit, His Word, etc., God can talk directly through and to us...and Jesus wants us to talk to others about Him...and just as Ezekiel 2:6 states, He wants us to speak boldly and fearlessly (see Acts 4:20).

Some of us may be gifted with the ability to prophecy (see 1 Corinthians 12-14) but I would highly recommend a watch of this interview with John Piper on the difference of prophecy between the New and Old Testament.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You sent Your Son so that we may have the same power - the Holy Spirit - that raised You from the dead available to us.  Thank You Jesus!  What an amazing God!  I love You Jesus.  Yet I am not worth all that You do for me.  I miss the mark - I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Ezekiel 1

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. v28

Ezekiel - referred to as God's watchman (see also chapter 33) - has a vision of God's throne (much like John's in Revelation).  Ezekiel is defined as someone that "looks out" for God, implying that others must know of God's presence and His words. 

We should be watchmen in our lives for where Jesus is - and we should remember that Jesus lives within us as we are temples (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) and He resides in our hearts.  And we should recognize that God is always at work within us - this is the Holy Spirit.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I know that You are within me and at work in me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.

Lamentations 5

Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure. v21-22

Sin separates us from God.  In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices and the spilling of animal blood was used as part of ceremonial law to atone for sins and to help restore and reconcile individuals back to God.  Jeremiah is correct that he and the exiled Jews needed to be restored, and Jeremiah also delivered prophecies pointing to Jesus, whose death on the cross permanently eliminated the need for animal sacrifice.  While Jesus does want us to repent and confess our sins, He does not want animal sacrifice.  Instead, He wants our lives to be about Him and for Him - we are to sacrifice FOR Him:


Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who laid down His life for me...for me...amazing!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an act.  I miss the mark. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

How the precious children of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter’s hands!...Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion; he will not prolong your exile.

Lamentations 4

How the precious children of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter’s hands!...Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion; he will not prolong your exile. v2, 22

As Jeremiah continues to "lament" over the destruction of Jerusalem, we also see signs of hope, some of which point to our Savior Jesus Christ.

In verse 2, we see a reference to the Jews as pots of clay - fragile, of less esteem than pottery of more fine material (vs gold), disposable, yet created by and mold-able by God who so often uses difficulties as a way to shape and refine us into who He desires us to be.  See various commentaries on this here.  In the New Testament, Paul refers to persecuted Christians as "jars of clay" (2 Corinthians 4:7) "to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

We should desire to be "jars of clay" so that others see Jesus in us.  No one desires to be broken but Jesus' words to Paul that "[His] grace is sufficient" should give us strength.

In verse 22, Jeremiah indicates that this exile is not permanent - see also my post from yesterday.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who died for us - thank You Jesus!  What an amazing God You are - the gratest gift of all time!  I am not worth such love.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of cancer.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

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.  For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. v31-33

Given Jeremiah's relationship with God - his proximity to God and his resulting relationship - he is able to remain hopeful for himself and for the Jewish people.  Although Jeremiah is pained by the punishment experienced by the Jewish people, he knows it is not an indiscriminate anger - God did not lash out hastily.  It is a thoughtful, rational response that is part of a plan to bring the Jews back to Him.

We know that God sent His Son - this is God's plan.  Therefore, God uses this punishment as a means to an end, not as an end in itself. 

See John Piper provides this excellent brief commentary on these verses.

See also previous posts on punishment as training. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You provided Your Son to redeem my sins, to cover my sins and to give me and everyone the opportunity to have freedom from the sting of sin and death.  We simply need to accept You into our lives and to accept this gift of grace with You as our Savior.  Thank You Jesus for the greatest gift of all time. I am not worthy of such a gift. I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let all their wickedness come before you; deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins. My groans are many and my heart is faint.”

Lamentations 1

Let all their wickedness come before you; deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins.  My groans are many and my heart is faint. v22

As this overview points out:

"Lamentations is a moment of self-awareness: anyone reading the scroll would remember why Jerusalem fell and why the survivors were taken to Babylon. But the book also would have been a hearty (and solemn) encouragement to those who return in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah: no matter how faithless His people are, God remains faithful."

God is faithful indeed.  God loves us even when we sin, even during our punishment, and He always keeps His promises. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

We can also count on God's perfect justice - in Lamentations 1:22 Jeremiah pleads with God to bring justice to all - not just the Jews.  Clearly, the Jews are surrounded by sin and wickedness, yet they (and we!) need not concern themselves about justice - God is the Judge and all will be judged. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, even when I sin!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such love.  Please forgive me Jesus for my worry and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind  and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In those days, at that time,” declares the Lord, “search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare.

Jeremiah 50

In those days, at that time,”declares the Lord, search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare. v20

Over the course of chapters 47-51 the Lord metes out a severe punishment for the Philistines, Ammon, Edom, Moab, Damascus, Kedar and Hazor, Elom, Babylon, and in chapter 52 Jersualem falls.  Yet once again we see God's grace through the remnant which He spares and uses to rise up a savior - whom we know to be Jesus.

God, always - always - keeps His promises.

Plus, He sent His Son so that would be free from the sting of sin and death as the Christ broke the cycle of sin and shame that previously bound us.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19

 

My Prayer:  Jessus, what an awesome God You are!  You died on the cross so that I could have freedom from the sting of sin and death!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such grace.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.