Bible Reading Reflection from Ezekiel 13-24

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (PTS), a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟛:𝟚

"Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy 𝔽𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕆𝕨𝕟 𝕀𝕟𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, ‘Listen to the word of the LORD!’"

Let's preach the word of God. Let the Scriptures be the influence in choosing the text, not every circumstance going around.

May we think deeply to get the meaning of the text with humility in prayer. May we examine our understanding against the understanding of godly men gone before.

May we not preach just because it seems good to us.

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟜:𝟚𝟘

“‘Even though Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘they could not deliver either their son or their daughter. They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.’”

This verse is talking about the inevitability of judgment, however, the mention of these 3 saints of the Old Testament reminds us of the influence of a godly man upon his family and society.

If we love our family, society, and church member, let's love God all the more.

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟝:𝟞

"Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem’"

Wow! What an astonishing illustration. Of course, God is the master of communication! May we observe the creation of God delightfully and make use of them in communicating the truths of the Bible to people.

The book of James is full of an analogy of natural things. Jesus likewise did. Spurgeon was very brilliant as well! We don't need to illustrate from movies or books all the time.

Nature is plain, simple, understandable, and readily available to all of us!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟞:𝟙-𝟚

“Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations.’”

Wow! What a task a man of God has! It's to tell people they are bad and God has a wrathful plan for them if they will not change their ways.

This chapter has 63 verses, and Ezekiel began by telling how God had been good to them, how they had responded to God, and then the condemnation, and he ended with words of hope of sure salvation. A model for an evangelistic message.

We don't necessarily need the Gospel of Jesus to convict a sinner. We can use the law of Moses. We don't even need that, or the Bible to condemn a sinner.

Apostle Paul appealed to creation and nature, to condemn a man in Romans 1. Actually, it's because of that we need the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is not condemnation but salvation.

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟟:𝟚𝟜

"All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will perform it."

This has to be a metaphor as it was before. It proclaims how great is the Lord. Bringing down and Exalting comes from God. He whose eyes are fixed on God is blessed!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟠:𝟚

"What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, 'The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children's teeth are set on edge'?"

This year, I have been reading multiple books of the Bible in a day. And one of the strong impressions that I have found is God wants people to take Him seriously.

God hates to be misunderstood. He wants to be revered by people. He wants to be treated as unique. He doesn't want to be on the tongue of a simple, careless, and foolish person.

Even in this verse, God doesn't want people to ridicule Him. He would do the opposite thing they expect, say, or ask. God often does that!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟡:𝟙

"As for you, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel."

This chapter begins and ends with a verse telling this chapter is a lamentation.

Instead of complaining, lament it.

Instead of accusing all the time, lament it.

Lamentation is an art, we've got to develop it, and make use of it. Great preachers are good at lamenting.

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟚𝟘:𝟡

"But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt."

Everyone wants to have a good reputation. God certainly wants. He does everything for the honor of His name. Even in anger, He doesn't profane. Sometimes in our wrath, we shout, "I don't care"

Not God. Honoring God is a must always. There's no exception!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟚𝟙:𝟟

"And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,' declares the Lord GOD."

Every preacher, I suppose, wants to preach an encouraging sermon. Well, Ezekiel was told to preach a discouraging, fearful, weak, trembling sermon.

Today is Sunday. As we often hear, a sermon is a double-edged sword: to comfort the troubled soul, and to trouble the comfortable soul.

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟚𝟚:𝟚

"And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations."

Indeed, it's good to know why we suffer. It's the goodness of God to tell them why they will suffer at least in three ways:

1. Suffering will be easier to endure knowing how why it happens

2. They can repent and be delivered

3. They can stop sinning and avoid the coming punishment.

It serves as strength to endure, a means to overcome, and a warning to avoid!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟚𝟛:𝟚𝟚

"Therefore, O Oholibah, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold I will arouse your lovers against you, from whom you were alienated, and I will bring them against you from every side"

God has an interesting way of teaching a lesson—in an ironic way! Lovers turning into enemies. And to those who put their trust in Him, to those who obey Him, the opposite—turning enemies into friends.

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟚𝟜:𝟙𝟞, 𝟚𝟙

"Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come."

"Speak to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am about to profane My sanctuary, the pride of your power, the desire of your eyes and the delight of your soul; and your sons and your daughters whom you have left behind will fall by the sword.’”"

God killed Ezekiel's wife. People believe that we, pastors, Christian leaders are favoured by God that we are somehow immune to troubles, sufferings, and misunderstanding. Sometimes, even we, ourselves, believe it.

And if God allowed His house to be profaned, let's not be sinfully angry when people persecute us and our church. When an unthinkable situation happens to us, we may do very well to submit to God's will in trust and much prayer than ask "Why?" and be grumbling against God.

That's what the latest episode of the MacArthur Centre for Expository Preaching podcast is also saying [Season 1]. I commend that podcast heartily btw!👍