Ezekiel 37 - 39

Ezekiel is given messages for Israel and her opponents.  While Israel will be restored and enjoy God's blessing, her enemies will suffer defeat and destruction.  The graphic illustrations used to deliver these messages are unique, surprising and serve as reminders that the God Who is able to deliver such signal messages, is also able to fulfill the promises made by them.

Ezekiel 35 - 36

God promises to pour out judgment on Edom and Israel.  However, once again He promises to show mercy and love for the sake of His holy name.  He will demonstrate over and again just how loving He is toward the nation of Israel.  He will cleanse her and purge her of her sins so that she may enjoy pure fellowship with a holy Master.  What a loving God!

Ezekiel 33 - 34

God reminds Ezekiel of his commission as a watchman over the house of Israel.  When he receives a message from God, his task is to communicate the message.  He is not responsible for the responses to the message, only for the faithful delivery.  What a great reminder for the pastors who speak God's word today.  Our is not to manipulate the response, but to faithfully and accurately communicate the message.  God looks at His messengers as shepherds, and the hearers as sheep.  When the shepherds do not care well for the sheep, judgment comes.  Throughout the book of Ezekiel, God demonstrates the severity of His judgment.  The wise shepherd will seriously consider the solemnity of his task and will feed the sheep in his care with diligence and propriety.

Ezekiel 30 - 32

God outlines specifically how Egypt will fall to the power of Babylon.  Specific cities and specific styles of destruction are outlined, so that Egypt will now that God Himself has spoken.  When God speaks, it comes to pass!

Happy Thanksgiving.  Enjoy the day remembering God's goodness and mercy over the past year; and dedicate yourself to remembering it on a dailiy basis.

Ezekiel 27 - 29

The Lord singles out the city of Tyre and the nation of Egypt; and He lays out His reasons for their punishment.  Tyre has vainly boasted in her beauty and opulence.  The pedigree of her citizens was enviable and her allies were top caliber.  Yet, these allies and business partners will stand in awe at the destruction God brings to the city.  A special message of judgment comes to the king of Tyre.  Because of his boastfulness and pride, he would be cast down.  Strangers would come from outside his kingdom and overthrow him.  The source of his wickedness was Satan himself.  God depicts the fall of Satan in this passage - and it is a definite fall from grace and favor to the depths of destruction.  And yet, once again, in the midst of the messages of punishment and judgment, God states that He will show mercy to those whom He chooses to favor - especially the nation of Israel.

Egypt is also singled out for a proclamation from God out of Ezekiel's mouth.  God would bring destruction to Egypt to demonstrate that God alone reigns in the universe and He controls nations and rulers.  Specific mention is made that Babylon will invade and overthrow Egypt, again to demonstrate that God is the Universe's Sovereign.

Ezekiel 24 - 26

God determines to set out the punishment for the nation.  He uses a very graphic illustration of how He will treat the nation; and how the nation will respond.  Ezekiel prophesies of the nation's response in the morning and in the evening his wife dies.  His wife's death is another picture of how the nation will respond to God's judgment.  Just as Ezekiel did not weep outwardly, the nation would not be moved by the seriousness of their transgressions.

God also delivers messages of judgment to the surrounding nations, especially that of Tyre, who tried to take advantage of a weakened Israel.  God, while punishing the nation for their sin, is still jealously protective of her.

Ezekiel 22 - 23

God continues to outline for Ezekiel the charges He has against the nation He loves.  She has acted adulterously toward the One Who chose her, elevated her and loved her.  The punishment she will endure is fitting, yet even in punishment love is demonstrated as God compasssionately demonstrates that sin cannot and will not be tolerated.

Housekeeping Matters

Regular readers of this blog may be interested in the following personal update.  At any rate, yoru thoughts and prayers would greatly be appreciated.

On Thursday night / Friday morning, the facilities of Fairway Park Baptist Church, where I am blessed and privileged to serve as pastor were illegally entered by person or persons unknown.  These burglers made their way maliciously through the buildings, and focused most of their attention on my personal office space.  When they left, they took with them the church copier, my computer, printer, monitor, keyboard, and other peripherals, as well as personal mementos and ministry-related souvenirs.  Among the peripherals that were taken were the backups to most of the files on my computer.  To say that the loss of 8 years worth of ministry notes, sermons, photographs and other church-related documents is devastating would be an understatement.  I am trying to create a list of what is gone, so that I know where to begin in recreating the necessary documents needed for our church.

While the loss came as a surprise, I am learning some great lessons.  First of all, I am learning what it means to trust in the Lord completely, that is, without a safety net.  The sermon notes prepared for this morning's service disappeared a few hours short of being printed on Friday morning.  The recreated outline and message was much better - due in no small part to the fact that God was working on my heart as I leaned more fully on Him for guidance and direction.  Secondly, I am being reminded of the power of community.  The church family is wonderfully demonstrating the power of 'shared burdens and blessings' as they minister to me during this time.  Thirdly, I am growing personally.  My prayer is that my inner attitude would accurately be that which my words and actions seek to display.  I don't want to hypocritically say one thing while thinking another; and God is teaching me that.

So, pray for me and the church, if you would.  We are seeing God grow us individually and corporately through this process; and it's exciting to be a part of it!

Ezekiel 20 - 21

God lays out His condemnations of Israel's sins.  He outlines specifically where they erred, and proves that He is righteous in punishing them.  Afterwards, He instructs Ezekiel to protray graphically for the nation how the punishment will come via the nation of Babylon.

Ezekiel 18 - 19

God promises, through the lips of Ezekiel, that each member of the nation of Israel will be judged on their singular merits.  The sins of the fathers will be visited upon the fathers; the punishment for the transgressions of the children will be theirs to bear.

Ezekiel 16 - 17

God gives Ezekiel two very unique descriptions of the way that He has treated Israel, and the way Israel has responded.  He depicts Israel as an abandoned baby that He chose to love and elevate to royalty.  The newly made princess then turns from her position and becomes adulterous with all the neighboring suitors.  God promises to deal with His adulterous bride as is fitting, He will bring her to the point of shame and humiliation so that she will return.  This is pictures as a vine being picked apart by an eagle.  God will exact punishment on those who refuse to obey Him; and will be vindicated as doing what is right.

Ezekiel 14 - 15

Many people inquired of Ezekiel, hoping to hear a personal message form God.  Those who came were still idolatrous, having set other things in the place of God - yet still hoping He wouldn't notice or be concerned by it.  God's message was clear:  the one who sets up idols in his heart and then comes looking for a message from God will find only God's wrath and punishment.  God will not share His glory with another.  God states that even if the righteous man of Israel (Noah, Daniel, Job) were to intercede on their behalf, God's anger would not be dissuaded.  He would treat them like wood that was useless for anything other than kindling.

Ezekiel 11 - 13

Ezekiel is given instructions to prophecy in direct conflict with the message given by the ruling nobles.  Theirs was a message of hopelessness; Ezekiel's was a message of hope despite hard times.  While he spoke, one of the rulers died, causing Ezekiel to fear for the lives of those remaining in the city.  God, however, reiterated His promise of protection for those whom He had chosen to bless - no matter where they had been scattered.

Ezekiel was then given the task of illustrating the rebellious nature of the people.  He accomplished this by acting out the motions of one going into captivity:  gathering his belongings by day and digging through the wall by night.  When asked why he was performing such tasks, he was to respond that it was a sign of what was to come - and that the nation would know that God is God when the events occurred exactly as predicted.  The time of its occurrence was not far off.  In fact, God would accomplish it so quickly that the proverbial saying "judgment later" would fall out of use.

God then turns His attention to those who claimed to represent Him, but did not.  These false prophets would find themselves on the receiving end of God's wrath and punishment.  The exact opposite of what they declared would come to pass, revealing their failure to speak for Deity.  All this would be done to underscore the fact that God alone is God.

Ezekiel 8 - 10

Ezekiel is given a vision of what is taking place within the spiritual leaders of the nation.  While they are putting forth a holy front, their hearts are worshipping false gods and their actions encourage the very behaviors God has commanded ought not to be done.  An angel was given the task of marking those who were grieved over the sin of the nation.  Others were given the duty of passing throughout the city and slaying all who did not possess the mark of abhorrance over sin.  Ezekiel asks God to spare the lives of those remaining in the city; but God declares that He will repay these sinful people for their deeds.  Ezekiel then sees a vision of a great chariot filled with the presence of God departing the temple.  The structure that for years had been called "the house of the Lord" was now left desolate of that abiding presence.  The building that had housed the physical manifestation of God's glory was now empty spiritually.  I wonder if anyone in addition to Ezekiel noticed?

Ezekiel 5 - 7

Ezekiel continues to bring news from the Lord to the sinful nation of Israel.  Israel will not be spared from God's punishment.  His eye will not look away from them until their punishment is completed.  They will look for deliverance, but God will not provide it until His wrath is satisfied and the people return in repentance and submission to Him.

Ezekiel 3 - 4

Ezekiel is given strict instructions on how to deliver the messages he recieves from the Lord.  When a message is to be given, Ezekiel will have freedom to speak.  When there is no message, Ezekiel will be unable to speak clearly to the nation.  His duties are those of a watchman - to give words of warning for the impending destruction that is coming.

Ezekiel was to construct a replica of the city of Jerusalem and lay seige against it for 390 days while laying on his left side, and for 40 days while laying on his right side.  During this time, Ezekiel would eat bread baked over a fire fueled by cow dung.  All this would be a sign to the nation of God's treatment of the nation, one year for every day Ezekiel lay on his side.

Ezekiel 1 - 2

Ezekiel, the priest, is given a vision of God's granduer.  Overcome by this spectacle, he is told that God will speak to him, and he will pass along the messages to the people.  The message Ezekiel is told to give is one of sorrow, lament, and woe.

Lamentations 3 - 5

Jeremiah relates the turmoil that he has personally experienced while watching the events unfold as God stated they would.  He describes an inner struggle that borders almost on anxiety; but reminds himself of God's goodness and promised mercy.  Even in difficult and chaotic situations, the prophet has hope.

By contrast, Zion (Jerusalem and her inhabitants) has been reduced to ashes.  The princes who walked in regal robes are left with tattered garments with which to adorn them.  Bodies atrophy and hunger is prevalent.  Canibalism begins to be practiced.  The surrounding nations can hardly believe that an enemy has walked right into the heart of Jerusalem; but Jeremiah reminds his audience that God permitted it due to Judah's great sins and allowed the invaders to gain access.

Jeremiah's fifth lament is a prayer for restoration.  He lays out the conditions found in Judah; confesses that the situation has been caused by their sinful behaviors; and reminds God of Who He is - a God who is everlasting and sovereign.  He begs God to restore His people if there is yet any mercy that can be shown to the nation.

Lamentations 1 - 2

Jeremiah the prophet offers up poetic displays of the ruin to which Jerusalem and Judah has been subjected.  The city is like an abandoned woman; one who has been courted and wooed by many men but now left alone, uncared for and detestable.  Her sorrow attracts no sympathy, her tears bring no comfort, her cries for help go unanswered, and her prayers are seemingly unheard.

God has displayed His displeasure with Judah by bringing her to this state of destruction.  His hand of protection has been removed and total devastation has been the result.  His voice had been ignored for so long by the people that now He will keep silent.  Judah will not be consoled.  Instead, other nations will observe God's dealings and ask "How could this be they city which God favored?"  Even this will serve to display God's serious dealings with sin and rebellion.  He had promised to punish the people for their sin, and His word has come to pass.

Jeremiah 51 - 52

Jeremiah continues to predict the utter destruction of Babylon.  One day, the devastation that Babylon brought to Judah will be repaid and Babylon herself will be utterly destroyed.  Concurrent with Babylon's destruction will be the re-establishment and blessing of Judah.  Jeremiah sent a record of these predictions to Babylon, so that the nation would know what God had planned.  The capital of Judah, Jerusalem, was sacked by the Babylonian army.  The king, Zedekiah, was cruelly tortured and the city burned.  The valuable objects were carried off and the people (4,600 of them) taken captive to Babylon.  God was fulfilling His promises to the nation.

Jeremiah 50

Jeremiah continues to prophecy the words the Lord gives him to utter.  Although Judah was punished for her sins through captivity to Babylon, God would still hold Babylon accountable for her sins.  The day would come when Babylon would answer for her wrongdoing and be punished severely for it.  In that day, Judah would once again be spared and allowed to return back to her land and flourish again as the object of God's favor.

Jeremiah 48 - 49

“Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord with slackness, and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed." - Jeremiah 48:10

What a condemnation on those who seek peace at all costs.  There does come a time when it is necessary to take up arms for a noble cause.  When that time arrives, the one who steps up to the battle is blessed - according to this passage.  Wisdom is needed to determine when the time is necessary.

But, do not neglect the first part of the verse!  Those who approach God's work with the notion that it is a life of ease and "only one day of work a week" will find themselves cursed by the Almighty!  Representing the King of kings is a task that requires, demands even, the totality of one's efforts and energies.  Dear God, may I always approach Your work with integrity and not slackness!

Jeremiah 46 - 47

Jeremiah speaks words of judgment against the foes of Israel:  Egypt, Babylon and Philistia.  In the midst of these words of coming doom, there are still words of comfort and blessing for Judah.  God will not forget His chosen people.

Jeremiah 43 - 45

The nation of Israel decides that Jeremiah is still operating for "the enemy" and not speaking for God.  They ignore his pleas to stay in the land and surrender to the Babylonians.  Instead, they flee to Egypt.  Jeremiah delivers a prophecy that Nebuchadnezzar will conquer not only Israel, but Egypt as well.  As a sign that Judah's sin was against the Lord, and that He had taken notice, Babylon would conquer both Egypt and Judah in the lifetime of those who heard the prophecy.

Jeremiah 40 - 42

Jeremiah is released from prison by the Babylonians.  They allow him to choose where he would like to dwell, and he chooses to live among his people in the land of Israel.  The governor, Gedaliah, encourages the people to live peacefully under Babylonian rule.  However, insurrection mounts against Gedaliah and he is killed by a man named Ishmael.  Terror fills the streets as Ishmael's strength and forces are feared.  The people turn to Jeremiah for direction from God, and state that whatever God commands, they will do.  After 10 days, God gives the answer to Jeremiah:  those that remain in the land will survive and thrive; those who run off to Egypt, the disaster you flee will meet you there.  Jeremiah begs with the people to stay and not run to Egypt.

Jeremiah 37 - 39

Jeremiah instructs the nation to not put their trust in the Egyptian army who came to fight against Babylon.  Those who did so would find that when the Egyptian army withdrew, that the Babylonians would return with a vengeance and exact a punishing toll on the city.  Jeremiah is accused of colluding with the Babylonians, and is thrown in prison.  He continues to tell his message of the coming Babylonian invasion, but none will listen.  He specifically instructs the king that if he surrenders, his life will be spared and the city preserved.  This king, however, decides to flee.  As a result, the king is humiliated by the invaders.  His family is killed in front of him, and his eyes are then put out - the image of his family's demise the last image he will see.  The city is then burnt and destroyed.  Jeremiah, meanwhile, is released from prison and allowed to remain in his home.

Jeremiah 34 - 36

King Zedekiah is given a promise that he will be taken captive by Babylon, but will die peacefully and be lamented by his constituents.  The king declares that all Hebrew slaves are to be freed; the people obey this command, but later regret the decision and re-enslave their former slaves.  This enrages the Lord and he pronounces great punishment upon them.  The land will be left desolate because of their sin.  The Rechabites, however, obey the commands not only of God but of their ancestors as well.  God pronounces a special blessing upon this household for their obedience.  Jeremiah puts all the words of his prophecies into a scroll that is delivered to king Jehoiakim.  The king, displeased with the content of the prophecies, cuts the scroll apart and burns the pieces.  As punishment for this, God promises that Jehoiakim will die violently, his progeny will not survive, and no one from his line will ever again sit on the throne of the nation.  God's Word is to be taken seriously, and is not available for human revision.

Jeremiah 32 - 33

The king of Babylon attacks Jerusalem, just as Jeremiah had predicted.  While Nebuchadnezzar is beseiging the city, the prophet is shut up in prison for delivering the news of the seige.  God promises King Zedekiah that he will not be successful in his attempts to thwart the attack.  God also directs Jeremiah to buy land, since the land would once again be possessed by the Israelis.  Jeremiah obeys, but prays for wisdom.  God reminds him that He is omnipotent, nothing is difficult for Him.  He then outlines for Jeremiah exactly how the city will be taken and destroyed; nevertheless, He is not abandoning His plans to bless them immensely.  God then outlines for Jeremiah the plans He has for blessing the nation, even with the calamity that currently faces them.  All this will come to pass, God assures Jeremiah, so that His name will be once again revered and praised in the land.  God again and again tells Jeremiah that the nation will return from their captivity.

Jeremiah 30 - 31

Jeremiah continues to call the nation to repent and return to God.  He passes along the promises of a future based on God's provision and goodness.  Those who find their rest and security in Him, will never be disappointed.

Jeremiah 27 - 29

Jeremiah uses another illustration to bring a message to the rebellious nation.  He places himself in a yoke used to harness animals as a message to the Israelites that they should place themselves under the rule of the Babylonians.  One of the other prophets decides that this is NOT the message God wants to send, so he breaks the yoke.  Jeremiah tells this false prophet that instead of the wooden yoke broken, now God has placed the nation in a yoke of iron.  As a result of the false message, the false prophet dies within the year.  However, God continues to promise that there is a future for the nation of Israel.  His plans include a future and a hope for the future.  They can continue to trust in God who will continue to provide for them.

Jeremiah 24 - 26

Jeremiah continues to prophesy to the nation about God's judgment on their sin.  The response of the people?  Let's put the messenger to death!  But God gives Jeremiah the words to say that allow him to have favor with the people, thus sparing his life.