Ezekiel 32-34 These chapters deal again with the destruction that awaits those who refuse to repent and for those who mocked God’s people.  The lament passage about Pharaoh has some prophetic language in it…when God brings this Pharaoh to account, the moon will not give its light.  Sounds similar to other prophesies I’ve read in the New Testament.  There is also a lengthy description of the nations who will go down  “in the pit.” Yet through it all, the Lord pleads for people to turn back to him. 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign … Continue reading Turn

Ezekiel 28-31 The messages in these chapters were for the neighboring nations and cities that scorned Israel: Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. Apparently the king of Tyre thought he was a god…or at least he acted like one.  But from there the message shifts to one that sounds a lot like Satan’s beginnings…he’s a beautiful, wise and power angelic guardian at the mountain of God who becomes too proud and begins seeing himself as a god.  So the Lord threw him to the ground and banished him from the mountain. I’ve heard the story before, but today a verse jumped out … Continue reading On splendor

Ezekiel 24-27 I am struck with sadness at Ezekiel’s fate.  He was faithful to the Lord, yet he suffered more than just his voice.  He also lost his wife…and God would not allow him to grieve for her publicly.  He was to be silent about it as an example for everyone else who were about to lose their families to the invaders. I just can’t imagine that happening and not being allowed to grieve!  But this does serve as a reminder that we do not know the ways in which the Lord will use us and our lives for His … Continue reading An example

Ezekiel 22-23 I was so sad to read the long list of sins the people of Israel committed against the Lord because I see some of the same sins running rampant in our own time and in our own place.  Does this sound familiar? 7 Fathers and mothers are treated with contempt. Foreigners are forced to pay for protection. Orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed among you. 8 You despise my holy things and violate my Sabbath days of rest. 9 People accuse others falsely and send them to their death. You are filled with idol worshipers and people who do … Continue reading Leftover reality

Ezekiel 20-21 A revelation about the Sabbath day is tucked in chapter 20 of Ezekiel.  Whereas my impression of God’s purpose for the Sabbath day has been for designating a day of rest (because the Lord knows we need rest from our work), there is a different reason: “12 And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy.” So celebrating the Sabbath day sets us apart to be holy.  Being set apart means that we … Continue reading Sabbath contemplations