Bible Reading Reflection from Ezekiel 6-12

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

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟞:𝟟

"The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD."

It's God who gives life and takes life. Atheists don't care about God. Some Christians would like to believe that it's God who gives life, but they don't want to believe it's God who takes life as well. When people die, we ought to remember God. We ought to remember the consequence of sin. We ought to remember the Gospel. And we ought to rejoice that death is not the end. Death will die.

Covid death, cancer death, flood death, war death, murder, every death is of God. Everyone is immortal until God decides to take us away.

Death actually testifies to the glory of God that He punishes sins. Hell, the second death is for God's glory. Ezekiel testified that when desolation visits the people; mountains and hills; ravines and valleys, they will know that there's really a God in heaven!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟟:𝟡

"And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the LORD, who strikes."

This is repeated 3 times as a refrain in this chapter, v4, 9, 27. God really wants to be known by all means. He created heavens and earth, declaring His Glory. He sent Jesus Christ that He may be known. Prophets and Apostles wrote the Scriptures that God may be known.

And God would use even violence to let Himself be known. It's not difficult to understand that because even we would like to be known. We want to be popular, famous recognized. We want from others praise, applause, adoration, glory. If we, wicked people want glory for ourselves, is it not appropriate that glory is given to a righteous God?

And if God would do to that negative extent to let Him be known, shouldn't we be zealous to declare Him positively, the Gospel? We are commissioned to do that!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟠:𝟜

"And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the valley."

The Israelites were putting up idols when actually the glory of God was shining. This passage reminds me of an episode in The Pilgrim's Progress, where Christiana saw a man with a muck-rake who could only look downward, ignoring the celestial crown for muckraking.

Perhaps, John Bunyan learned from Ezekiel 8

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟡:𝟠

"As they were striking the people and I alone was left, I fell on my face and cried out saying, "Alas, Lord GOD! Are You destroying the whole remnant of Israel by pouring out Your wrath on Jerusalem?"

"I alone was left" Hmmm! Elijah, too, felt like that. Actually, God always has many faithful people. However, we really need to strive to live as the holiest man, the most righteous, faithful, diligent man on the face of the earth. Jonathan Edwards strove to be such a man.

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟘:𝟙𝟠

"Then the glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim."

The phrase that impresses upon my heart from this chapter this morning is "the glory of the LORD." It is repeated again and again. It's that important. And when it is departed, it is indeed a tragedy!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟙:𝟠

“‘You have feared a sword; so I will bring a sword upon you,’ the Lord GOD declares.”

God has a habit of doing an ironic thing! Be instructed, be wise!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙𝟚:𝟞

"Load the baggage on your shoulder in their sight and carry it out in the dark. You shall cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have set you as a sign to the house of Israel."

If Ezekiel lives in our time, I would find it hard to believe him because of his lifestyle. Maybe, the police will put him in a mental hospital!

But Ezekiel lived in a time and place where people believed in prophets and prophecies. God required Ezekiel to live like that, yea even if it seems to us (even to the original audience) like a lunatic.

We all want to be somebody. We all want to make a difference. We all want to have an influence. We all want to be an example. We all want to be a model for others. Ezekiel's life is a sign, example, model, and object lesson for the people.

Like David, the psalmist, we like to be an example of the prosperity that others will bless the name of God. However, sometimes, it may be Ezekiel is in us.

In a way of reflection, God may be using you to teach some people a lesson positively or negatively. And Ezekiel submitted to God, whether he liked it or not. Indeed, we live for God's pleasure, not as however we please ourselves!

Bible Reading Reflection from Ezekiel 1-5

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

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟙:𝟚𝟠

"As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking."

Which verse anyone would choose to reflect upon for a WhatsApp post than v28 in this chapter? 🙂 The line "I fell on my face" is not hard to understand. It's the obvious thing. I can't even look at the sun, I have to cover my eyes. When I am ashamed, I can't look up, my face is downward. When I see someone much smarter and better than me, I praise him like anything. I admired him. That's why we even have the words idol, model, and hero-worship.

And when Ezekiel saw the glory of God, why won't he? In fact, he should be dropped dead, not just fainted, but God protected him. And now, there are some people who claimed to have deep experience with God but didn't exhibit such obvious expression. They have to be liars.

And BTW, whoever has seen the glory of God changes drastically. Some see the greater glory of God than others such as Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, John, James, Paul, etc.

I have seen the glory of God in the Scripture and in Jesus Christ, and it's that glory (revealed by God, not achieved by my efforts) that has fixed my attention on Him for my present and eternal life. Or else, I would never be even typing these things!

Like Moses, we need to see the greater glory of God.

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟚:𝟝-𝟞

"As for them, whether they listen or not--for they are a rebellious ℍ𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖--𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕂𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝔸 ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕥 ℍ𝕒𝕤 𝔹𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕞. And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be 𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕞𝕒𝕪𝕖𝕕 at their presence, for they are a rebellious house."

Ezekiel was commissioned a task that no normal man in his right mind would want. But God wants His people to be different, not normal.

If the people would remain disobedient and rebellious, what's the hope of the ministry? The answer is himself, Ezekiel.

He must be different from them (commanded in v8). He must work in his sanctification. His ministry was thus his life itself. And people will know that he had been different, that there had been at least one godly man when all others were compromising. After all, you can choose to be different even in the worst scenario. After all, even dried bones can live.

So, Ezekiel was commanded to be not dismayed by the sins of people. Jeremiah, too was given that commandment btw. How tempting to get discouraged looking at the sins of others! How tempting to think, "Everyone, even the mature Christian leaders seem to be doing it and there's no retribution, maybe there's no point of persevering, maybe I can do like them"

Be different. Be not dismayed. They will know a godly man lived among them. Will they be saved by this knowledge? This chapter didn't answer that so far.

Fellow pastors, maybe, your greatest ministry is yourself not your flock.

Evangelist, maybe your greatest ministry is yourself, not those heathens. In fact, you cannot bring a soul to the kingdom, only God can. But you can work on your sanctification because the Spirit already lives in you.

So, God's ministers can actually live in peace even if there are no fruits on the vines, the fig trees do not blossom, and there be no herd in the stall, we can take joy in the Salvation of our Master!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟛:𝟟

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me."

We pastors are watchmen. We watch over the souls of the flock to give an account to God. Pastors must not be intimidated. We must speak up.

Pastors must be listened to. Christian, listen to us! Or go join the herd of goats outside the camp where there is gnashing of teeth!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟜:𝟝

"For I assign to you a number of days, 390 days, equal to the number of the years of their punishment. So long shall you bear the punishment of the house of Israel."

We assign the difficult job to those we trust, or else, careless people will just create more trouble. God asks difficult things from those He loves. Look at Ezekiel! What life is this? He told Jeremiah to not get married. He asked Jesus to dwell among sinners and die for them. He took away the children and wife of William Carey. He took away the children of Jonathan Edwards. On and on.

If you are suffering when you have set your heart to follow after God, be not discouraged. God asks His men to set a lesson, an example for others.

Jesus was, Ezekiel was. Peter was, Paul was. Paul even asked Timothy to join him in death! Carey and Edward were. We remember them these people till today!

 

𝔼𝕫𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝟝:𝟙

"As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword; take and use it as a barber's razor on your head and beard. Then take scales for weighing and divide the hair."

Ezekiel is a mad man. A crazy prophet. Perhaps the most eccentric prophet of the Bible. But God told him to do so. Perhaps God too is a crazy God. Well, His people made Him crazy, angry, grievous.

Ezekiel is a life lesson to Israelites. If he is crazy, at least it's only his action; the crazy ones are actually the people who think he is crazy because Ezekiel is demonstrating what is happening and is about to happen to them.

In fact, all sinners are crazy. "Sinners didn't think straight," said a pastor from Pune (Chris Williams). Sinners are wayward, missing the mark, always crazy people.

Ezekiel was acting crazy, but when we disobey, we are crazy for real, not just acting.

Sermon Tips from the text of 1 Peter 4:1-6

 Sermon Tips for Expository Preachers, Listeners, and Students

 

Bible Reading Reflection from Lamentations 1-5

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

𝕃𝔸𝕄𝔼ℕ𝕋𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ𝕊 𝟙:𝟚

"She weeps bitterly in the night And her tears are on her cheeks; She has none to comfort her Among all her lovers. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies."

An irresponsible person may read this and think that it's written about a woman or may even send this verse to one. Well, it's about Jerusalem personified as a hapless woman. Terrible is the judgment against her. But how merciful it is that she doesn't perish but is given enough time and perfect circumstances to think through her ways! That's our God. Though He judges He gives us enough time and a perfect environment to reconsider our ways.

But the hardened sinners like in the book of Revelation shall keep on cursing God and never repent before God! Blessed is the one who is hurt, humbled, and comes to God in contrite spirit.

 

𝕃𝔸𝕄𝔼ℕ𝕋𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ𝕊 𝟚:𝟚𝟘

"See, O LORD, and look! With whom have You dealt thus? Should women eat their offspring, The little ones who were born healthy? Should priest and prophet be slain In the sanctuary of the Lord?"

If God brought such things to His people Israel, would not He be more severe to the godless people?

We haven't seen such a scale of depravity in our generation or few before. But it shouldn't surprise us if such thing happens again. Our world is always ripe for judgment. God somehow chooses to delay His judgment so that many would repent and not go through it.

 

𝕃𝔸𝕄𝔼ℕ𝕋𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ𝕊 𝟛:𝟚𝟙-𝟚𝟛

"This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

I guess most Christians remember Lamentations for this passage. Indeed, a passage of hope in the Lamentations. It shines brightest in the middle of Lamentations.

It's not by complaining our sorrows are dispersed, it's by contemplating the compassion of God.

God has always been merciful, graceful, and good to us. Yes, always. We deserve nothing but the wrath of God. Yet God has given us air, water, and food; sunshine and rain; the gift of life, marriage, and family; and above all the gift of eternal life!

Great is God's faithfulness towards us, the faithless, unfaithful people!

 

𝕃𝔸𝕄𝔼ℕ𝕋𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ𝕊 𝟜:𝟚𝟙-𝟚𝟚

"Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, Who dwells in the land of Uz; But the cup will come around to you as well, You will become drunk and make yourself naked. The punishment of your iniquity has been completed, O daughter of Zion; He will exile you no longer. But He will punish your iniquity, O daughter of Edom; He will expose your sins!"

There's indeed a time for everything. Punishment and Restoration.

Disobedience will always lead to punishment and punishment will ultimately lead to repentance to obedience which in turn will lead to restoration. God is great. Everything is in His control.

However, the sarcasm used against Edom is funny and serious indeed! Prophets love sarcasm.

 

𝕃𝔸𝕄𝔼ℕ𝕋𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ𝕊 𝟝:𝟚𝟙-𝟚𝟚

"Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old, Unless You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly angry with us."

Jeremiah ended his lamentation with a prayer for restoration. He prayed so because he knew God would not leave unfinished what He started. God is not a man to give up. Nothing is too difficult for Him.

Bible Reading Reflection from Jeremiah 46-52

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

𝕁𝔼ℝ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟜𝟞:𝟚𝟠

“‘O Jacob My servant, do not fear,’ declares the LORD, ‘For I am with you. For I will make a full end of all the nations Where I have driven you, Yet I will not make a full end of you; But I will correct you properly And by no means leave you unpunished.’”

God punishes every disobedient people, including His people, but He will not utterly destroy His people because He has a plan to restore them. All other nations shall perish but not Israel. The Scripture assures this again and again. And so, we see Israel still remaining while other ancient nations and their people are no longer extant.

It's foolish for people to ignore or neglect the veracity of Biblical predictions and warnings. There will be no excuse for ignorance, only damnation. God drowned the entire world once; He will do it again. He plunged the whole world into damnation just because a naive couple ate a fruit. What makes people think God will understand them for their ignorance. Hell beneath is excited to meet them, Isaiah said!

 

𝕁𝔼ℝ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟜𝟟:𝟜

"On account of the day that is coming To destroy all the Philistines, To cut off from Tyre and Sidon Every ally that is left; For the LORD is going to destroy the Philistines, The remnant of the coastland of Caphtor."

If the Lord punished His people, why would not He punish the wicked nation? If the Lord chastises the redeemed for their sins, why wouldn't He pour out His wrath on those who defy Him? If the Lord allows bad things to happen to God's people, why won't evil things happen to the godless? If the saints of God aren't living a perfect life, why would anyone think sinners are enjoying a great life? The worst life of a believer is better than the best life of an unbeliever.

In fact, Jesus said it would have been better if the stumblers were not born. If they are born, still it's better to get drowned in the bed of an ocean. Hmm! Even the life of an aborted fetus is better than the best successful life of an unbelieving billionaire!

So, stop envying those millionaires and billionaires, and your neighbors next door!

 

𝕁𝔼ℝ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟜𝟠:𝟙𝟘

"Cursed be the one who does the LORD'S work negligently, And cursed be the one who restrains his sword from blood."

Wow! This curse is upon those who don't do the work of God diligently.

And what work of God is Jeremiah talking about? It's to kill, to destroy, to burn down the cities.

The kings and soldiers must not hesitate to kill the Moabites. They should not have a second thought to stab pregnant women to death. They should not show mercy to the crying child, nor to the elderly citizens. They must strike them to death. They must set their houses, homes, fields on fire.

Or else God will curse them. Wow! BTW, that’s exactly how wars were fought in ancient times. David, the man after God's own heart had slaughtered ten thousand people. Samuel the prophet hacked King Agag into pieces!

God drowned everyone in the flood of Noah! He rained sulfuric acid upon Sodom and Gomorrah! And God didn't spare His Own Son when He bore the sins of His people; He damned Him at the Cross!

Sins lead to death. Even Jesus, though not a sinner, but a sin-bearer had to bleed and die.

To love God is to hate what God hates

 

𝕁𝔼ℝ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟜𝟡:𝟛𝟡

"But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam, declares the LORD."

The repeated refrain is this in the latter days God will restore those whom He would destroy. God seeks repentance unto Him. God does everything for our own good. Indeed, He doesn't take pleasure in the death of the wicked!

 

𝕁𝔼ℝ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟝𝟘:𝟚𝟡

"Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel."

So, God will repay each one according to their works. Indeed, the Lord's saying, "Do unto others what you want them to do unto you" is applicable even in bad, evil things!

God will make sure it happens!

 

𝕁𝔼ℝ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟝𝟙:𝟝

"For neither Israel nor Judah has been forsaken By his God, the LORD of hosts, Although their land is full of guilt Before the Holy One of Israel."

If the Lord does not spare His people, why would He spare others?

Actually, God's hand against His people is a chastisement like a good father disciplining his disobedient child. God never will leave them. He cannot because He can make them obedient and righteous again.

But how terrible is the fate of those who defy God! 🥶

 

𝕁𝔼ℝ𝔼𝕄𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟝𝟚:𝟚𝟜

"Then the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest, with the three officers of the temple."

If the temple of God was destroyed mercilessly, and if the priests of God were taken into exiles, it will not be unprecedented to see Churches being burnt down and Christians being persecuted by the government!

It's a mercy of God that hasn't reached us still!