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There were four for Wordlisteners, and our discussions involved the fact that we are prideful individuals and selfish, just like these nations that have God's judgments pronounced against them in these chapters. Furthermore we are me focused, instead of God focused, and we need to work to get self "out of the way" Its interesting the subtle differences between the prophecies, and how much our society is like the one of Tyre.
God's heart and lessons for us- don't revel in other's misfortunes. Don't deny that God's setting apart a people to himself has no meaning regardless of what you see, and certainly don't make an joyful effort to prosper because of someone's misfortune.
Here are my notes from Ezekiel 25-29.
Ezekiel 25
A prophesy toward Ammon - a warning from God, to a people He didn't choose, but made, allowing them to turn in right relationship to Him. They were glad God profaned His sanctuary allowing it to be destroyed, so God will give them to their enemies. He is warning them ahead of time, so when it happens (which they probably didn't think it would) they would know He is God. God will destroy them.
This was a warning to a specific people at a specific time, but God has let it endure. For the history lesson, or is there something in there for us today. Ammon was glad that God allowed His temple to be profaned and His nation made desolate. There are people today that are glad when bad things happen to God's people. Both Israel and the Church, and this warning endures for them as well. God is God and His desires will happen, nobody should be happy at the misfortune of others.
Now we deal with Moab. which said the house of Judah is like all nations. Now Judah wanted to be like other nations, they wanted a king, they ultimately worshiped idols, and became very much like other nations. However they were still set apart by God for His purposes, so in saying they were other nations Moab was denying that God had set them apart. Again for that day, but how does it apply to us. Ever heard or said that Christians are like everyone else? In a sense we are but God has placed a call on our lives that we responded to, so we are not truly like everyone else. We face the same issues, we have the same temptations, we certainly struggle, but God has marked us. Its important to remember that God's offer is for all, He wants to mark everyone because it is His creation and he is big enough to do so.
Now Edom which saw a weakened Israel and acted against them taking vengeance. A warning to a specific people at a specific time, but saved for us. How does it apply? God was going to use His people to execute His vengeance. In the same way when people take advantage of Israel or Christians due to weakness, they are opening themselves up and will realize that one day God will have the final say through Israel and the Christians.
Philistia acted in revenge on a weakened Israel with scorn of soul and to destroy with enmity (hostility). This applied then but also now to people actively hostile to Israel and Christians. God Himself will protect them and He Himself will execute His vengeance.
All of these rebukes is God saying that He alone has the final say, and it will be His way.
Ezekiel 26
Now for the fault of a city. Tyre was looking to take advantage of Israel's misfortune. They evidently felt they would benefit from Israel's decline. They controlled sea trade, and Jerusalem controlled the caravan routes, with Jerusalem out of the way they felt their profit would increase. They were an alternative. People who are out to destroy the things of God (Jerusalem is His footstool) offer alternatives, and consider that their belief, way or whatever will strengthen as the Christian or Israel weakens. However man cannot take into account every facet of what he thinks he knows, and eventually great anger will be stirred. God will bring up many nations against Tyre, just as He will allow those with alternatives to His plans face the adversity that they will cause.
When you deny the Higher Power of God you unleash selfishness which leads to evil. Historically Tyre was destroyed and never rebuilt. It was really two cities, one part on the mainland and one part on an island. Nebuchadnezzar had the land part under siege 15 years, it was getting resupplied form the sea, and from trade. Once it did fall he destroyed it. However he couldn't destroy the Island part. When Alexander the Great conquered it, he took the rubble from the land part of the city and built a bridge to the island part, destroying it completely. So it did take many waves of people, and it was never rebuilt.
Again rejoicing over another's misfortune, or considering gain from the misfortune of others is not what God wants for us His people. He left this chapter as a warning for us. I don't know how many days or months it took Alexander to build the bridge, but the inhabitants knew their days were numbered, fear and trembling I'm sure happened, but no mention of repentance.
Ezekiel 27
A lament for Tyre. A description of a far reaching influential society that was wealthy from trade. For their time they had a global economy with a focus on goods and wealth- a lot like today. Yet God is not given credit, or even mentioned, its all about them. A great economic juggernaut will be destroyed and people will cry, God said so, it doesn't fit His plans.
Ezekiel 28
The king of Tyre thought he was god, due to his power and influence. Through wisdom and understanding this empire was built, and the accumulation of goods and things brought about an elevation in their mind and heart that they were god. Through his own wit and wisdom he forgot his place, and when facing death, will he repent and acknowledge God?
God had placed Tyre there and their leaders. He gave them their wisdom that led to their riches. God blessed them until it went to their head that they didn't need God. The abundance of trade, busyness of accomplishment, caused them to come to believe wrongly and exalt their own success. Since they didn't acknowledge God they were cast down by Him. To cease to be forever. Some of the descriptions of the king of Tyre apply to Satan, he was in Eden, an anointed cherub with access to God. Satan beauty led to pride in the same way the Tyre's success led to pride and denial of God.
Sidon, God will be glorified in Sidon's midst. In Ezek 27:8 the rowers for Tyre lived in Sidon. So the two were intertwined, the rowers did all the work and Sidon's fate was tied to Tyre's. The residents of Sidon as rowers definitely contributed to the success that led to Tyre's down fall.
All the nations surrounding Israel have been mentioned with the great world power Tyre being last. The Lord will gather His people and will manifest His holiness in His people in the sight of the nations and they will live in the land they were given. They will live securely while the Lord executes judgments on those that scorn His people. A final chance to realize and confess that Jesus is Lord.
Ezekiel 29
A prophesy against the nation of Egypt. A prideful people who claimed to have made the Nile. Completely ridiculous but pride can lead to absurdity. God will judge Egypt. Judah when faced with an invading Babylon, after the king of Judah had sworn allegiance to Babylon, made a treaty or sought protection against Babylon instead of God. So here is judgment against anything we might turn to instead of God for protection. Egypt was powerless to protect Judah against Babylon, so they are referred to a staff made of reed with no strength. In reality Egypt was overthrown, so they couldn't even protect themselves.
Desolate for forty years and then restored to a status of a lesser nation, not one that any country would have enough confidence in their military might to seek protection again.
Nebuchadnezzar had the mainland part of Tyre under siege 15 years. They held out so long because the island part could provide goods and supplies, but they also evidently evacuated anything that would be regarded as plunder. So Babylon partially destroyed Tyre, but received no plunder (or minimal). So God sends them to Egypt to overthrow it and fulfill this prophecy of Ezekiel. It also gave the army plunder or wages.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wordlisteners May 23, 2010 Ezekiel 23 and 24
There was three for Wordlisteners, but the discussion went very well.
Ezekiel 23
Now for a story comparing the actions of Judah (Jerusalem) and Israel (Samaria) as if they were sisters and humans rather than nations. God is truly and remarkably at many levels, He treats us all individually but also collectively as nations we possess somewhat human characteristics. Israel and Judah let Egypt do what they wanted by giving themselves to Egypt.
Samaria (Israel) – Assyrians became their focus not God. Assyrians invaded and became the focus rather than God. She the nation took up their idols. They seemingly attributed the Assyrian power to their idols rather than that God allowed it.
What idols do we attribute success to? College education, fitness, certain car, certain job, certain vacation. People become very passionate about their idols and often lose focus as to what is important. Idols also feed our self centeredness we think we (note the reference to self) will have a better life if we (again) have that thing. We should be pursuing education, careers in an effort not to be a burden on others, rather than what we get out of it. The only happiness in life is in a relationship with God and serving Him. Otherwise at some point there will be regret, a feeling an opportunity was missed.
God gave Samaria what they wanted, more of the Assyrians, which they focused on rather than the true God and it destroyed their country. Caused children to be murdered. Is it fair that God lets children die? Seemingly because of the actions of others. This is a hard thing to understand, but God is about justice and righteousness, and HE ALONE can make things like the death of a child fair. We cannot, and we feel powerless often getting angry, but it shows us our position- which is that we are not God. The Samarians seemingly wanted less of God so He gave them what they wanted, and look where it led. Another example in the Bible that God knows what is best for us and we really don't.
Judah watched the actions of Samaria, and didn't learn from them. We ask how this is possible, and yet how many different ways have we tried the same thing, getting an undesirable result, and yet insist this time it will be different. We are “special” we think- it will work for us but not for them- pride I'm afraid is elevating us falsely. How many of us made the same decisions (which turned out badly) that an older sibling did? How many of our kids walk down the same path that we tried all those years ago with results we aren't content with? In all this God is our father, watching yet another child make the same mistakes an older sibling did, wondering why they didn't learn, wondering how they can be so blind to reality.
Judah surpassed Samaria in turning away from God, she turned away from God with the Assyrians and the Babylonians and still wasn't satisfied. Apart from a relationship with God there is no satisfaction. Having a relationship with God (committing to it) and then turning away for relationship with someone/something else is adultery.
God wants relationship but its not demanded, there would be no relationship if He made us, He only then makes the offer. Judah rejected Him so He turned away. When God turns away from you in your life watch out. The good things are from God, if He turns, the good things go with Him.
Judah seemingly got what she wanted (God out of the picture), and it went to her head, she now thought she was God and exercised what she thought was now her privilege to do anything. When we do what we want apart from God, people will get hurt, and there doesn't seem to be an exception in the Bible. Those that Judah hurt possibly by trying to break off the relationship, came back to hurt Judah. Isn't that our natural response when we are hurt, it is to strike back (its not of God, but of the flesh). Since the countries Judah turned from God for were not Godly themselves they acted in the flesh- hurting Judah if Judah hurt them. If we live in a “Me” or “I” frame of mind very long we will get hurt by the actions of others.
God had almost reached the point of abandoning Judah, because of her wanting her way. She did what Samaria had tried and gotten the same result. Now she had to drink the consequences. Consequences from turning from God, and denying Him, and focusing on self. Ezekiel was to point out the actions of Judah and Samaria. Show them their obscenities. A turning from God, a not putting God first – considering Him Holy. They sought answers from men and not God.
When we seek answers from men we often polish our side of the information. Ever heard of a couple in a dispute, and only hearing one side? You just can't believe the other person can be “that way”. Consider you are seeing the polish, we all have our faults and shortcomings, we all have weaknesses we sometimes act upon. Going to God? We can't hide anything from Him, we can't polish the information and spin it in our favor, He knows us. He might show us our contribution to the issue and its scary to consider “innocent us” might have some responsibility. We might have to change and admit we're not better than the other person(s) involved. Are we better than others? Does God think so? If we have responsibility in the issue shouldn't we want to change and do our part to fix it? Does God think so?
Ezekiel 24
The parable of the boiling pot. Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem, all the people (who might think they are special, different or better) are all in the pot together. A pot that will be boiled (adversity). Piece by piece removed without choice. Choices were made, God's plan and ways were not followed and therefore bad things happened, and God had become wearied by the people (His people). He wants the filthiness to be melted away, trials drive people to God.
We want our own way until there is trouble, and then we run to God. God wants us to avoid the unpleasantness, and yet we reject His offer. He would cleanse us if we will let Him. Now after wearying Him His wrath must be endured - if that is possible unless He relents. He will judge and will do so fairly- none of us want that.
Ezekiel's wife died as an example of something we often set our sights on rather than God. A prime one being a relationship in the world. The temple had become a similar focus of the people, rather than a focus on God. They felt God would protect His temple and thus them, and felt secure, but it was a false sense of security. God wants our focus to be on Him. Not the things of Him, not the things He has given us, but Him alone. Over time He brings us to this point of a focus on Him alone, when we are there we will know He is God.
Ezekiel 23
Now for a story comparing the actions of Judah (Jerusalem) and Israel (Samaria) as if they were sisters and humans rather than nations. God is truly and remarkably at many levels, He treats us all individually but also collectively as nations we possess somewhat human characteristics. Israel and Judah let Egypt do what they wanted by giving themselves to Egypt.
Samaria (Israel) – Assyrians became their focus not God. Assyrians invaded and became the focus rather than God. She the nation took up their idols. They seemingly attributed the Assyrian power to their idols rather than that God allowed it.
What idols do we attribute success to? College education, fitness, certain car, certain job, certain vacation. People become very passionate about their idols and often lose focus as to what is important. Idols also feed our self centeredness we think we (note the reference to self) will have a better life if we (again) have that thing. We should be pursuing education, careers in an effort not to be a burden on others, rather than what we get out of it. The only happiness in life is in a relationship with God and serving Him. Otherwise at some point there will be regret, a feeling an opportunity was missed.
God gave Samaria what they wanted, more of the Assyrians, which they focused on rather than the true God and it destroyed their country. Caused children to be murdered. Is it fair that God lets children die? Seemingly because of the actions of others. This is a hard thing to understand, but God is about justice and righteousness, and HE ALONE can make things like the death of a child fair. We cannot, and we feel powerless often getting angry, but it shows us our position- which is that we are not God. The Samarians seemingly wanted less of God so He gave them what they wanted, and look where it led. Another example in the Bible that God knows what is best for us and we really don't.
Judah watched the actions of Samaria, and didn't learn from them. We ask how this is possible, and yet how many different ways have we tried the same thing, getting an undesirable result, and yet insist this time it will be different. We are “special” we think- it will work for us but not for them- pride I'm afraid is elevating us falsely. How many of us made the same decisions (which turned out badly) that an older sibling did? How many of our kids walk down the same path that we tried all those years ago with results we aren't content with? In all this God is our father, watching yet another child make the same mistakes an older sibling did, wondering why they didn't learn, wondering how they can be so blind to reality.
Judah surpassed Samaria in turning away from God, she turned away from God with the Assyrians and the Babylonians and still wasn't satisfied. Apart from a relationship with God there is no satisfaction. Having a relationship with God (committing to it) and then turning away for relationship with someone/something else is adultery.
God wants relationship but its not demanded, there would be no relationship if He made us, He only then makes the offer. Judah rejected Him so He turned away. When God turns away from you in your life watch out. The good things are from God, if He turns, the good things go with Him.
Judah seemingly got what she wanted (God out of the picture), and it went to her head, she now thought she was God and exercised what she thought was now her privilege to do anything. When we do what we want apart from God, people will get hurt, and there doesn't seem to be an exception in the Bible. Those that Judah hurt possibly by trying to break off the relationship, came back to hurt Judah. Isn't that our natural response when we are hurt, it is to strike back (its not of God, but of the flesh). Since the countries Judah turned from God for were not Godly themselves they acted in the flesh- hurting Judah if Judah hurt them. If we live in a “Me” or “I” frame of mind very long we will get hurt by the actions of others.
God had almost reached the point of abandoning Judah, because of her wanting her way. She did what Samaria had tried and gotten the same result. Now she had to drink the consequences. Consequences from turning from God, and denying Him, and focusing on self. Ezekiel was to point out the actions of Judah and Samaria. Show them their obscenities. A turning from God, a not putting God first – considering Him Holy. They sought answers from men and not God.
When we seek answers from men we often polish our side of the information. Ever heard of a couple in a dispute, and only hearing one side? You just can't believe the other person can be “that way”. Consider you are seeing the polish, we all have our faults and shortcomings, we all have weaknesses we sometimes act upon. Going to God? We can't hide anything from Him, we can't polish the information and spin it in our favor, He knows us. He might show us our contribution to the issue and its scary to consider “innocent us” might have some responsibility. We might have to change and admit we're not better than the other person(s) involved. Are we better than others? Does God think so? If we have responsibility in the issue shouldn't we want to change and do our part to fix it? Does God think so?
Ezekiel 24
The parable of the boiling pot. Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem, all the people (who might think they are special, different or better) are all in the pot together. A pot that will be boiled (adversity). Piece by piece removed without choice. Choices were made, God's plan and ways were not followed and therefore bad things happened, and God had become wearied by the people (His people). He wants the filthiness to be melted away, trials drive people to God.
We want our own way until there is trouble, and then we run to God. God wants us to avoid the unpleasantness, and yet we reject His offer. He would cleanse us if we will let Him. Now after wearying Him His wrath must be endured - if that is possible unless He relents. He will judge and will do so fairly- none of us want that.
Ezekiel's wife died as an example of something we often set our sights on rather than God. A prime one being a relationship in the world. The temple had become a similar focus of the people, rather than a focus on God. They felt God would protect His temple and thus them, and felt secure, but it was a false sense of security. God wants our focus to be on Him. Not the things of Him, not the things He has given us, but Him alone. Over time He brings us to this point of a focus on Him alone, when we are there we will know He is God.
Ezekiel 20-22 Notes
We did meet on April 25, and discussed chapters 20-22. The notes are below. In May there was Praise and Worship -1st Sunday, my son's graduation -second Sunday and I went camping -Third Sunday. May 23 will be our first meeting.
The notes for ch 20-22:
Ezekiel 20
Leaders come to Ezekiel to inquire of God seeking His Guidance. God will not be questioned by them. Then begins a history lesson as to the why not. When He rescued Israel from Egypt they rebelled against Him. He was going to destroy them, but acted out of who He was and not how He felt. We face similar choices, we can act in the right way because it is the right way or we can act on our feelings of hurt or desire.
He gave Israel His laws, but they continued to rebel against Him. This is now the children of those that came out of Egypt. If they obey His laws they will live in the land, if they do not they will be scattered. They chose not to obey and eventually were scattered. They desecrated the sabbath. Again He acted out of who He is and not how He felt. His laws and statues that he gave them could not produce goodness and life (v25), they were meant to alert them to their hopeless condition without God. He abandoned them to let them do their own thing. Goodness and life only come through obedience, choosing to follow God's nature rather than our feelings.
He brought them into the land and on every hill they made an idol to another god, not caring for following the true God. The message Ezekiel has from God for the leaders coming for guidance is that they are continuing in the ways of their parents. They repeat the vile practices and sacrifice their own children. Acting as such God will not be questioned by them. To seek God -repentance - turning to His ways is what He wants. Otherwise we are trying to manipulate God, and He won't have it.
Israel like the other nations wanted to have gods that they control. They wanted gods they could manipulate, but God is saying He will be King over them. He will show that He is God. He will bring them back from being scattered with a mighty show of strength, and he will judge them, culling out the rebels and traitors, they won't be brought back to Israel, then they'll realize that He is the true God.
Continue He says going your own way, but one day the entire people of Israel will worship Him on His mountain, and He'll receive them with open arms. In bringing them to Himself before the whole world he will demonstrate that He is God. He acts out of who He is and not how He feels. They will loathe their actions of old- remembering them, prior to coming and worshiping God.
For now Ezekiel is told to prophesy of a fire that God starts that cannot be put out. This places Ezekiel at the time of the great scattering in the dialogue given.
Ezekiel 21
The sword is about to be unleashed on Israel on both the wicked and the righteous. He, God, is warning them. He means business, it will be His way and not ours. They worshiped things other than the true God, so He is abandoning them to the sword.
They have avoided discipline, and now God is putting them into a position where they can't avoid it.
The sword will come until God tells it to relent.
Starting at verse 18 we see how this is going to unfold. The king of Babylon will come and "decide" whether to go to Damascus or Jerusalem. God is really in control of this outcome, The Babylonians decide to go to Jerusalem. This will mean siege of the city. The sins of the leaders will be exposed, and they will be taken captive. Zedekiah swore allegiance to Babylon, and then changed his mind. His time is up, the entire city will become ruins.
The city will be in ruins until the one comes who has a right to it. For now Ezekiel is to prophesy the destruction.
Ezekiel 22
God asks Ezekiel if he is going to judge the city. Stand there and tell them all about their outrageous obscenities. In this context judge seems to indicate “point out”. A murderous city filled with idols. Murder and idols, piling up guilt, forcing a premature end to their existence. Murder makes guilty, idolatry makes filthy. They will be an exhibit for the nations. God will use His city and His nation for that.
6- The leaders compete to do crimes, they are rude to parents- not respect, abusive-prejudiced, and oppressive to orphans and widows- pick on the most helpless. They treat Holy things with contempt -not giving Him His proper place. Although acknowledge God (although they really don't have the proper perspective of Who God is) they also worship other gods. Spread lies and spill blood – gossip and malice. Sex -personal pleasure focused, not caring about partners, too focused on “I” or “me”. Sex with anyone, not as God intended- for bonding and children.
Murder for hire- playing God and trying to impose your will. Exhortation, trying to control, trying to run things our way. God was forgotten – or an attempt was made to forget, instead of prominently in His rightful place, not part of the focus of life.
God will deal with them, when He does, will they be able to continue? He is going to put a stop to their denial of Him and scatter the nation. Once they are no longer in control they will see God. We must make God the center of our lives and keep Him there. When self takes over nudging God to the side then all the previously described sin happens. He then takes away our seeming “control” and we readily shift Him back to His rightful place.
People of Israel are like slag, because of their behavior. Self focused instead of God focused, so they become useless to God. He will melt them down and give them trials through His wrath. Our non-God centered life will become unimportant. He will get through to us.
Drought- we take rain for granted, along with what it brings. Drought comes and we compete, taking from the weaker to satisfy our wants. Definitely not loving our brother.
Priests – mixed the sacred and secular. God is to be the focus of our lives not just a part. For He cannot be equal with other parts because He is God. Whether we acknowledge Him or not He is already in the other parts. Priests tell people there is no difference between right and wrong, we hear today as truth is “personal” there are no “absolutes”, and yet God is absolute and Holy. We are either for Him or against Him.
Priests pull God to their level, they might say that God grieves over earthquake victims in Haiti just like we do. Correction – God grieves over our sin and our mistakes. He knew Haiti would happen, He wants to get our attention. God is about justice and fairness and he makes things right for all individuals – most assuredly in ways we don't always or cannot see.
Politicians kill and take what they want – they don't feel responsible nor accountable for their actions. Priests back them up by saying they have “special” visions and “revelations”. They say this is what God the master says … They have made themselves out to be more spiritual than others.
God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34, Rom 2:11 and 1Peter1:17)
So God may share a vision with one person, but it is available to all. He will give it to you as well. Otherwise God would be a respecter of persons. He certainly gives you what you need, and when you are ready for it, and when it will do Him the most good. Otherwise the babies may choke on the solid food.
There was no access to justice. God looked for someone (singular) to stand up for Him, stand in the gap so He wouldn't have to destroy the city. So He'll empty His wrath when nobody is willing to speak truly for Him. The city will be destroyed, and no innocent people are affected.
The notes for ch 20-22:
Ezekiel 20
Leaders come to Ezekiel to inquire of God seeking His Guidance. God will not be questioned by them. Then begins a history lesson as to the why not. When He rescued Israel from Egypt they rebelled against Him. He was going to destroy them, but acted out of who He was and not how He felt. We face similar choices, we can act in the right way because it is the right way or we can act on our feelings of hurt or desire.
He gave Israel His laws, but they continued to rebel against Him. This is now the children of those that came out of Egypt. If they obey His laws they will live in the land, if they do not they will be scattered. They chose not to obey and eventually were scattered. They desecrated the sabbath. Again He acted out of who He is and not how He felt. His laws and statues that he gave them could not produce goodness and life (v25), they were meant to alert them to their hopeless condition without God. He abandoned them to let them do their own thing. Goodness and life only come through obedience, choosing to follow God's nature rather than our feelings.
He brought them into the land and on every hill they made an idol to another god, not caring for following the true God. The message Ezekiel has from God for the leaders coming for guidance is that they are continuing in the ways of their parents. They repeat the vile practices and sacrifice their own children. Acting as such God will not be questioned by them. To seek God -repentance - turning to His ways is what He wants. Otherwise we are trying to manipulate God, and He won't have it.
Israel like the other nations wanted to have gods that they control. They wanted gods they could manipulate, but God is saying He will be King over them. He will show that He is God. He will bring them back from being scattered with a mighty show of strength, and he will judge them, culling out the rebels and traitors, they won't be brought back to Israel, then they'll realize that He is the true God.
Continue He says going your own way, but one day the entire people of Israel will worship Him on His mountain, and He'll receive them with open arms. In bringing them to Himself before the whole world he will demonstrate that He is God. He acts out of who He is and not how He feels. They will loathe their actions of old- remembering them, prior to coming and worshiping God.
For now Ezekiel is told to prophesy of a fire that God starts that cannot be put out. This places Ezekiel at the time of the great scattering in the dialogue given.
Ezekiel 21
The sword is about to be unleashed on Israel on both the wicked and the righteous. He, God, is warning them. He means business, it will be His way and not ours. They worshiped things other than the true God, so He is abandoning them to the sword.
They have avoided discipline, and now God is putting them into a position where they can't avoid it.
The sword will come until God tells it to relent.
Starting at verse 18 we see how this is going to unfold. The king of Babylon will come and "decide" whether to go to Damascus or Jerusalem. God is really in control of this outcome, The Babylonians decide to go to Jerusalem. This will mean siege of the city. The sins of the leaders will be exposed, and they will be taken captive. Zedekiah swore allegiance to Babylon, and then changed his mind. His time is up, the entire city will become ruins.
The city will be in ruins until the one comes who has a right to it. For now Ezekiel is to prophesy the destruction.
Ezekiel 22
God asks Ezekiel if he is going to judge the city. Stand there and tell them all about their outrageous obscenities. In this context judge seems to indicate “point out”. A murderous city filled with idols. Murder and idols, piling up guilt, forcing a premature end to their existence. Murder makes guilty, idolatry makes filthy. They will be an exhibit for the nations. God will use His city and His nation for that.
6- The leaders compete to do crimes, they are rude to parents- not respect, abusive-prejudiced, and oppressive to orphans and widows- pick on the most helpless. They treat Holy things with contempt -not giving Him His proper place. Although acknowledge God (although they really don't have the proper perspective of Who God is) they also worship other gods. Spread lies and spill blood – gossip and malice. Sex -personal pleasure focused, not caring about partners, too focused on “I” or “me”. Sex with anyone, not as God intended- for bonding and children.
Murder for hire- playing God and trying to impose your will. Exhortation, trying to control, trying to run things our way. God was forgotten – or an attempt was made to forget, instead of prominently in His rightful place, not part of the focus of life.
God will deal with them, when He does, will they be able to continue? He is going to put a stop to their denial of Him and scatter the nation. Once they are no longer in control they will see God. We must make God the center of our lives and keep Him there. When self takes over nudging God to the side then all the previously described sin happens. He then takes away our seeming “control” and we readily shift Him back to His rightful place.
People of Israel are like slag, because of their behavior. Self focused instead of God focused, so they become useless to God. He will melt them down and give them trials through His wrath. Our non-God centered life will become unimportant. He will get through to us.
Drought- we take rain for granted, along with what it brings. Drought comes and we compete, taking from the weaker to satisfy our wants. Definitely not loving our brother.
Priests – mixed the sacred and secular. God is to be the focus of our lives not just a part. For He cannot be equal with other parts because He is God. Whether we acknowledge Him or not He is already in the other parts. Priests tell people there is no difference between right and wrong, we hear today as truth is “personal” there are no “absolutes”, and yet God is absolute and Holy. We are either for Him or against Him.
Priests pull God to their level, they might say that God grieves over earthquake victims in Haiti just like we do. Correction – God grieves over our sin and our mistakes. He knew Haiti would happen, He wants to get our attention. God is about justice and fairness and he makes things right for all individuals – most assuredly in ways we don't always or cannot see.
Politicians kill and take what they want – they don't feel responsible nor accountable for their actions. Priests back them up by saying they have “special” visions and “revelations”. They say this is what God the master says … They have made themselves out to be more spiritual than others.
God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34, Rom 2:11 and 1Peter1:17)
So God may share a vision with one person, but it is available to all. He will give it to you as well. Otherwise God would be a respecter of persons. He certainly gives you what you need, and when you are ready for it, and when it will do Him the most good. Otherwise the babies may choke on the solid food.
There was no access to justice. God looked for someone (singular) to stand up for Him, stand in the gap so He wouldn't have to destroy the city. So He'll empty His wrath when nobody is willing to speak truly for Him. The city will be destroyed, and no innocent people are affected.
Ezekiel 18 and 19 notes
Here they are as promised.
Ezekiel 18
Here we have a wonderful passage of teaching in this chapter. Each person will account for his/her own sins. the people of Israel were going around saying the children are punished for the sins of their parents. Lots of wonderful messages here.
First of all the sin of parents can affect the children of those parents. There is what some people call a "generational curse" where the behavior of parents do negatively impact the lives of the children. Parents are often blamed for bad behavior by children. The fact that people were saying this maybe meant that they weren't concerned with their sin because there apparently would be no consequences on them but only their children. Now parents who willingly sin and delay the consequences until the generation of their children are being entirely too selfish.
Every soul is God's and he states that. Furthermore every soul will account for their own actions. This is illustrated by the example of a righteous generation followed by a wicked generation followed by a righteous generation. The action of the individuals are what determines their life (eternal) or not.
One thing can be inferred even though it isn't said. It is this, that a generational curse does not have any power over an individual. It is a matter of personal choice. Bad actions and choices by your parents do not necessarily mean their children will make bad choices.
The symmetry here is wonderful as well. Good actions and choices by parents do not necessarily mean a child will make good choices. It will always be an individual's choice.
Pause- reflect on what this means, wonderful circumstances do not prevent bad choices, and terrible circumstances do not make certain bad choices. I think of my shortcomings as a parent, and all parents I would hazard to say make errors. I see in my mind hungry and abused children that God loves, those in terrible family situations and yet they have hope, the best type of hope.
Conversely children in near perfect homes still have choices to make. Life determining choices.
Another interesting point, it is that our bad choices (sins) are forgotten when we turn toward righteousness and repent. In I Cor 13 we read that love doesn't keep a record of wrongs. Are we keeping records of the wrongs done to us? Neither here nor in I Cor is an exception noted. More symmetry, righteous acts are not deposited and kept in an account so we can transgress. If a person chooses to turn away from God, they will die Eze 18:24.
What it means is that people have to constantly choose to follow God. They have to continue down the righteous path they started daily. There is no plateau, there should be constant growth. Building up sin credit isn't possible. On the other hand a person who has made selfish, prideful decisions can choose a different way and his/her past is erased from God's memory (even if not from man's).
What remarkable love.
The Israelites claimed that this wasn't "fair" - was it because they were trying to build up a credit to allow transgression? Transgression being a willful act that hurts the welfare of another person. Or were they leaning on pride and the fact that they had been righteous "longer" than a person who just turned to God. Longer somehow making them better.
This means there is hope for wicked people to turn and find life, and at the same time the righteous person has an opportunity to fall. The day you accepted Christ was a turning to God, a choosing His way over your own. I hope that choosing His way is a daily activity by us all. Choose to live His way daily, hourly, by the minute, by the second, it is his desire that none should perish, and His ways are the best (by far) choices.
What remarkable love.
Ezekiel 19
This requires a history lesson from 2 Chron 36. Judah is the lioness, her cubs are kings at the end before exile. Her first cub taken to Egypt with hooks. This would be Josiah's son Jehoahaz- taken to Egypt by its king. He then appointed Jehoiakim, Jehoahaz' brother as king. Nebuchadnezzar came and laid seige to Judah and took this king to Babylon.
This shows that Judah was weak, that it was overrun by two different nations. A vine if you will, easy to break. But torn from its land, its roots, and now only fit for the fire.
After Jehoiakim was taken to Babylon, Jehoiachin his son made king, but he was later ordered to be brought to Babylon. Zedekiah (Jehoiachin's uncle- Son of Josiah??) made king, and was the king when the city was taken and destroyed.
Ezekiel 18
Here we have a wonderful passage of teaching in this chapter. Each person will account for his/her own sins. the people of Israel were going around saying the children are punished for the sins of their parents. Lots of wonderful messages here.
First of all the sin of parents can affect the children of those parents. There is what some people call a "generational curse" where the behavior of parents do negatively impact the lives of the children. Parents are often blamed for bad behavior by children. The fact that people were saying this maybe meant that they weren't concerned with their sin because there apparently would be no consequences on them but only their children. Now parents who willingly sin and delay the consequences until the generation of their children are being entirely too selfish.
Every soul is God's and he states that. Furthermore every soul will account for their own actions. This is illustrated by the example of a righteous generation followed by a wicked generation followed by a righteous generation. The action of the individuals are what determines their life (eternal) or not.
One thing can be inferred even though it isn't said. It is this, that a generational curse does not have any power over an individual. It is a matter of personal choice. Bad actions and choices by your parents do not necessarily mean their children will make bad choices.
The symmetry here is wonderful as well. Good actions and choices by parents do not necessarily mean a child will make good choices. It will always be an individual's choice.
Pause- reflect on what this means, wonderful circumstances do not prevent bad choices, and terrible circumstances do not make certain bad choices. I think of my shortcomings as a parent, and all parents I would hazard to say make errors. I see in my mind hungry and abused children that God loves, those in terrible family situations and yet they have hope, the best type of hope.
Conversely children in near perfect homes still have choices to make. Life determining choices.
Another interesting point, it is that our bad choices (sins) are forgotten when we turn toward righteousness and repent. In I Cor 13 we read that love doesn't keep a record of wrongs. Are we keeping records of the wrongs done to us? Neither here nor in I Cor is an exception noted. More symmetry, righteous acts are not deposited and kept in an account so we can transgress. If a person chooses to turn away from God, they will die Eze 18:24.
What it means is that people have to constantly choose to follow God. They have to continue down the righteous path they started daily. There is no plateau, there should be constant growth. Building up sin credit isn't possible. On the other hand a person who has made selfish, prideful decisions can choose a different way and his/her past is erased from God's memory (even if not from man's).
What remarkable love.
The Israelites claimed that this wasn't "fair" - was it because they were trying to build up a credit to allow transgression? Transgression being a willful act that hurts the welfare of another person. Or were they leaning on pride and the fact that they had been righteous "longer" than a person who just turned to God. Longer somehow making them better.
This means there is hope for wicked people to turn and find life, and at the same time the righteous person has an opportunity to fall. The day you accepted Christ was a turning to God, a choosing His way over your own. I hope that choosing His way is a daily activity by us all. Choose to live His way daily, hourly, by the minute, by the second, it is his desire that none should perish, and His ways are the best (by far) choices.
What remarkable love.
Ezekiel 19
This requires a history lesson from 2 Chron 36. Judah is the lioness, her cubs are kings at the end before exile. Her first cub taken to Egypt with hooks. This would be Josiah's son Jehoahaz- taken to Egypt by its king. He then appointed Jehoiakim, Jehoahaz' brother as king. Nebuchadnezzar came and laid seige to Judah and took this king to Babylon.
This shows that Judah was weak, that it was overrun by two different nations. A vine if you will, easy to break. But torn from its land, its roots, and now only fit for the fire.
After Jehoiakim was taken to Babylon, Jehoiachin his son made king, but he was later ordered to be brought to Babylon. Zedekiah (Jehoiachin's uncle- Son of Josiah??) made king, and was the king when the city was taken and destroyed.
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