Tag: Ezekiel

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God’s Majestic Power

Ezekiel 43 Here in Dallas, there is an Arboretum with a manmade waterfall with a ledge behind it. You can walk behind the waterfall and experience the sounds and feel the spray of water. It is magical! Imagine being Ezekiel experiencing the sounds of a mighty rushing water, like a massive waterfall, as God re-enters the Temple, and the earth radiated with His glory. As before, when Ezekiel experienced God, he fell prostrate at his feet. Is this how we respond to God’s very presence as we sit before Him in our quiet time? Do we experience His power and His presence?

God called Ezekiel, empowered, and placed him where he could witness God’s return to the Temple. Ezekiel described God’s voice as that of a “sound like that of rushing water.” Previously, Ezekiel was present when God chose to leave the temple due to the sin of men. [Ezek 10:18] Now, he is given the vision of God’s presence returning. Then God hovered as He left the Temple, but here God returns quickly and with the addition of the sound of many waters or the sound of a majestic waterfall.

When God entered your life with the power of the Holy Spirit, did you then, and do you now fall prostrate and worship Him? 

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“How’s that working for you?”

Repent and Believe

Ezekiel 12-14 God had Ezekiel pantomime the end of Jerusalem to the captive elders in Babylon. Instead of watching and learning, the hardhearted exiles asked: “What are you doing?” God chose Ezekiel as an object lesson for them about their king, Jerusalem, and their Temple. The elders didn’t want to hear any of this, so they blocked their eyes, ears, and heart. Instead of listening, they charged him with lying because they only wanted to have their ears tickled. They talked amongst themselves; who should we believe? Did not the prophet Hananiah say this would be over in two years? [Jer 28:3] Ezekiel reminded them that Hananiah lied and died. How are his words working for you now?

How does this relate to us today? God sent Jesus as his object lesson with parables, miracles, and sermonettes with one choice: Jesus is the Way, The Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to God except by Him. [Jn 14:6] Yet, People refuse the life-giving message of salvation with many excuses. God made it clear: we are all sinners; none is righteous, no, not one. [Rom 3:10]

God sent His Son because He doesn’t tickle our ears with false prophecy. There is a judgment coming. Have you chosen Him as Savior, Lord, King, Priest, and Prophet?       

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“El Roi – the Almighty Sees!”

God is El Roi

Ezekiel 8 to 11 Have you ever wondered if God sees all that is happening in this world? The prophet Ezekiel was far from Jerusalem but still held “Bible Studies” in his new home along the banks of the Chebar Canal in Babylon. One day he experienced another vivid vision of a glorious figure lifting him up and taking him to Jerusalem’s Temple. He saw his religious leaders worshiping idols. God had explicitly said; you shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything I have created. [Ex 20:4] But, when men want to do Christianity ‘their’ way, God will give them over to a depraved mind to do that which is not proper. Just as Paul wrote, these religious leaders knew “about” God but did “know” God. Professing to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the immortal glory of God for an image resembling His creation. [Rom 1:25]

 These religious leaders were driving God far from His sanctuary and, worse, were leading others to follow them. They thought and even said: “The Lord does not see me.” [Ezek 8:12] What a difference from Hagar’s words. She called God “El-Roi,” the God who sees me! [Gen 16:13]

Yet, as Ezekiel listened in and saw all of this depravity, he also saw God’s grace. As in Revelation, the righteous were sealed with a mark on their forehead, lest the executioner mistakes them. Yes, God does see! Yes, God knows who are His. 

God sees all those who are His and those who are not. What does He see when He looks at you?

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Perspective Matters

How do you see your world?

Ezekiel 19-21 The way we see things may be different than other people’s perspectives. We may see our situation as challenging but manageable, but others living near us see this COVID-19 as challenging but unmanageable. The exiles in Babylon were living in isolation just as we are today. They wanted answers; they wanted to “go home.” The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, and he shared two more parables.

The two young lions represented the young kings who had no training for a king’s role. They became despots, and the people hated them. The vine represented the city of Jerusalem that was fruitful at one time, but because of the people’s disregard for God and His Law, the city has been destroyed.

The exiles rehearsed the past and wallowed in their hopelessness. Coming to Ezekiel they hoped to hear good news.  Instead, Ezekiel again reminded them that God had placed them in a fruitful land, but they did not honor Him. What mattered now was their perspective of today, not yesterday. They could dwell on what could have been, or they could do as Jeremiah said, build houses, have families, and honor the new leader. 

Today we have a choice. We can rehearse the past or look to God’s work now and look forward to what He will do in the future. Paul penned these words about how to think: think about what is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, and your perspective will change.

It is up to you.   

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Ezekiel the Prophet Watchman

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 1 to 3 Imagine being in captivity on your birthday. You have traveled over 900 miles with this group of captives. He knew their behavior, their attitude, and their grumbling. As he stood by the river in this strange land, he wondered what life would be like in this strange barren land. Behind him stands the city of Babylon with impenetrable walls. Jerusalem and God’s Temple is now thousands of miles away. This year would be like no other and Ezekiel would not celebrate with cake and presents. Instead, his gift is a dramatic encounter or vision of God Himself. It was so majestic that he fell on his face in adoration.

Was it a mirage or was it real? Twice God opened heaven and shared his throne room with Ezekiel. He saw something extraordinary and its beauty was beyond that of the Temple he remembers. As he stood by the riverbank, Ezekiel remembers it as the day God called him to be a watchman for these captives who are rebellious, hardheaded and hardhearted whether they listened or not. He knows these people and he knows their language. He would be God’s prophet so that they would be without excuse.

You may be like the captives away from familiar sights and sounds but God wants you to know that He remembers you wherever you are.

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There is a fountain….

ezek 47 deep and wide.2a

Ezekiel 47 “Deep and Wide”

As a young child in Sunday School, we were taught a little song complete with hand motions simply titled “Deep and Wide.”  It begins: Deep and Wide; Deep and Wide; there is a fountain flowing deep and wide. It is a picture of the believer’s faith.

Ezekiel saw a trickling stream flowing from under the new Temple’s threshold. It began as a trickle and then it grew until it was a mighty river. It was a river with healing powers and provided nourishment for the trees along its bank. Truly it was a fountain flowing deep and wide and along the river bank were trees with healing powers! In Psalm 1 the author likens a man to a tree planted by a flowing stream. Because of its healing power, the tree is able to produce fruit and healing leaves much like the ones Ezekiel saw. The gospel message heals and adds to the present trickling stream until it becomes a river; a river of men and women healed by its message.

When the Holy Spirit indwells us, our faith starts as a little trickle but then it expands and seeks to heal those waiting to hear the gospel message of healing. We can stop at the threshold of the Temple or we can let our love overflow and heal the “Dead Sea” filled with dead men with the gospel message.

Is your fountain deep and wide or still just a trickle?

 

 

 

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Who is Lord of your life?

Ezekiel 22 – 24 “Who is Lord of your life?”

ezekiel 22 servant 2a

People are waiting for the movie Downton Abbey to be released. People already have purchased tickets and are counting down the days. Why are people drawn to this fictitious story? One reason may be that one character, the stuffy butler, captures our heart. Like in feudal times the butler understood his role as servant and he obeyed.  In the NT Peter has a vision in which he is told to rise up and kill but he responded: “Surely not, Lord!”  How often are we like Peter and not like the butler when we say “but Lord?” or “why me Lord.” Could it be that we don’t understand our role as a servant?

The Lord prepared Ezekiel for the death of his wife. He told him:

“I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a jolt, but you must not mourn or weep or shed tears.”

And it happened just as the Lord had said; in the evening his wife died and Ezekiel did just as the Lord commanded. Ezekiel did not question:  “but why Lord?” or as Peter said, “Surely not, Lord!” Ezekiel, like the stuffy butler, obeyed without question because he knew his position as servant and he trusted the Lord to take care of the details.

How about us? Do we trust God enough to be obedient even when we don’t understand the reasons behind his request?

Who is Lord of your life?

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Why Me Lord?

Ezekiel 1 – 3 Ezekiel found himself celebrating his 30th birthday in Babylon having been recruited by Nebuchadnezzar’s squad of thugs. So goes the birthday! No more being a priest because there is no more temple, no more Jerusalem. Just when life couldn’t get any lower, God steps in and says I am calling you to be my prophet/watchman to your people. God revealed His glory and Ezekiel fell on his face in adoration. Yet when God laid out his plan, filled him with His Spirit, fed him the Word, like Moses, Ezekiel says “why me?”

ezekiel 1 to 3 why me

We fall into the same pattern. God reveals His glory and we are in awe. But then reality steps in and God says I want you to “go and make disciples”–beginning at home.  You know the people, you know the language. After traveling over 900 miles with this crew, Ezekiel knew their behavior, attitude, and grumbling. No wonder Ezekiel said, “why me?” No wonder Moses said, “why me?” No wonder we say the exact same words because familiarity breeds contempt. We know their shortcomings. We know their attitudes. We know that they didn’t listen before so why would they listen now?

Do you say “why me?” when God calls you to a ministry? If God fills you with His Spirit, feeds you with His Word, you are ready. Welcome to the Watchman on the Wall Club.

Picture:  © Marek Uliasz – Dreamstime.com

 

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Letter From Home

Jeremiah 29 112a

Jeremiah 29  Mail call has to be the very best time in a college student or a service man’s life. It is sweet to get that snail mail that has been lovingly sent with thoughts of news of home and family. Parents and friends want us to remember that whether life is good or bad, these two important principles must be on your mind always:   “don’t forget who you are and don’t forget whose you are.” Don’t bring shame upon the family name and on the name of Jehovah. Remain faithful to both.

Jeremiah was trying to instill those principles in the lives of the Judahites in Jerusalem but his words fell on deaf ears. Even hundreds of miles away the exiles were hearing—don’t worry, it will end soon. Our wealth will be returned to the Temple and our kings will rise again. Instead, life dragged on day after day after day. Lovingly, God sent them Ezekiel to explain it all and then out of the blue, the exiles received this love letter from Jeremiah.

Dear Exiles,

The news here is the same; King Zedekiah is stubborn. But you can know this; you are loved. So, don’t listen to the false reports of this ending! They are not from me! I want you to remain faithful. and live as if you were in Jerusalem. The Lord told me that He has “plans to prosper you, not to harm you. [He has] plans to give you a future filled with hope.” God will take care of you each day.

Loving you, Jeremiah.

PS  don’t forget to pray for the Babylonians.

PPS:   Don’t forget who you are; you are an Isaac, or a Joshua or a Rahab.

Don’t forget whose you are, you are a child of the Most High God.

What would you do with that letter; save it or toss it?

 

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