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