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Sunday, October 02, 2022

Bible Reading Reflection from Ezekiel 25-32

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

π”Όπ•«π•–π•œπ•šπ•–π• 𝟚𝟝:πŸ™πŸŸ

"I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the LORD when I lay My vengeance on them."

Maybe one day I should preach through Ezekiel reading all the verses that say, "that they will know that I am the LORD"

That will take over 30 minutes, and the remaining 10 minutes explaining its meaning, and through a few other scripture references. I think that will really make an impression on those who have ears to hear!

 

π”Όπ•«π•–π•œπ•šπ•–π• 𝟚𝟞:πŸšπŸ™

"‘I will bring terrors on you and you will be no more; though you will be sought, you will never be found again,’ declares the Lord GOD."

Another chapter of judgment. It reminds me how disobedient, arrogant, ignorant, foolish human beings are. And how resolute God is. He does not back down. If everyone is unfaithful also, He will still not change His standard!

 

π”Όπ•«π•–π•œπ•šπ•–π• 𝟚𝟟:πŸ›πŸž

"The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; You have become terrified And you will cease to be forever."

God has the habit of doing the very opposite things ungodly people don't like.

 

π”Όπ•«π•–π•œπ•šπ•–π• 𝟚𝟠:𝟚

“Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because your heart is lifted up And you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods In the heart of the seas'; Yet you are a man and not God, Although you make your heart like the heart of God—"’”

God doesn't want competitors. God doesn't want people to act like Him. God wants man to be a man. That doesn't mean we shouldn't imitate His holiness, righteousness, and goodness. It just means in simple words, Humility. Be humble. Practice Humility or you shall be humiliated!

 

π”Όπ•«π•–π•œπ•šπ•–π• 𝟚𝟑:πŸ™πŸœ-πŸ™πŸž

"I will turn the fortunes of Egypt and make them return to the land of Pathros, to the land of their origin, and there they will be a lowly kingdom.  It will be the lowest of the kingdoms, and it will never again lift itself up above the nations. And I will make them so small that they will not rule over the nations. And it will never again be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing to mind the iniquity of their having turned to Egypt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD."

Is it a wonder that Egypt is not a powerful country anymore? One of the theological reasons why God planned to do so is because of His people Israel. Indeed, everything is working together for the good of believers.

 

π”Όπ•«π•–π•œπ•šπ•–π• πŸ›πŸ˜:πŸ™πŸ™

"He and his people with him, The most ruthless of the nations, Will be brought in to destroy the land; And they will draw their swords against Egypt And fill the land with the slain."

Interesting is how God rules the world. He enthroned and dethroned kings. "The most ruthless of the nations" was raised up, chosen to punish others. And if that doesn't stupefy us, its king, Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God again!

Manasseh the most wicked king of Israel, reigning for very very long years was also given repentance. If such great sinners, like Saul of Tarsus, Manasseh, and Nebuchadnezzar were humbled, and used by God, we all can be used by God.

As Spurgeon said, indeed there are only two types of people: those who are humbled, and those who are about to be humbled!

 

π”Όπ•«π•–π•œπ•šπ•–π• πŸ›πŸ™:𝟚-πŸ›

"Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes, ‘Whom are you like in your greatness? Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon With beautiful branches and forest shade, And very high, And its top was among the clouds.’"

History must be consulted for a wise living. Old Testament narratives are written for us to be an example. Even in the days of Ezekiel, the nations must learn a lesson from other former kingdoms and empires.

It was said, like Assyria, Egypt shall fall!

 

π”Όπ•«π•–π•œπ•šπ•–π• πŸ›πŸš:πŸ›

"Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Now I will spread My net over you With a company of many peoples, And they shall lift you up in My net.’"

The metaphor of Inescapability from God for good or bad, and this time for bad—they will be judged by God.

We may think we can run away, but God will catch us by surprise like a fish caught up in a net!