Ezekial 26

I found an article that I read through this morning, below is its conclusion and a link to it.  Its fairly lengthy but an interesting read if you have time.  I didn't have any specific take away from the chapter but how deep someone could dig in to find historical detail support of prophesy written ins always something I find intriguing.  I'm glad there are people that take the time to dig in, its really amazing how much can be written about a single chapter in the bible.  For me the bible is already overwhelmingly long then to expand on it through research is a monumental taks.  I'm thankful for those who do it on my behalf.

knut


CONCLUSION
So accurate were the prophecies made by Ezekiel that skeptics were forced to suggest a later date for his writings. Yet, such a later date cannot be maintained, and the admission of Ezekiel’s accuracy stands as irrefutable evidence of the prophet’s divine inspiration. With the penetrating gaze that can only be maintained by the Divine, God looked hundreds of years into the future and instructed Ezekiel precisely what to write so that in the centuries following the predictions, the fulfillment of every detail of the prophet’s words could be denied by no honest student of history. “When the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophety will be known as one whom the Lord has truly sent” (Jeremiah 28:9). Ezekiel’s accurate prophecy adds yet another piece of insurmountable evidence to the fact that “all Scripture is inspired of God” (2 Timothy 3:16).

https://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=13&article=1790

Ezekial 25

Short of doing a lot of research on each of these prophesies to see how it turned out I find it difficutl to take any insight from this passage.  If you were living in these times and you saw the phophesies fulfilled I'm sure it would have great impact on your faith.

knut

Ezekiel 24

I may not be a smart man..........

I didn't get this one at all.  The first part is another metaphor for how God is going to punish Jerusalem, with the picture of the meat in the fire.
The second part, I'm completely lost.  What does Ezekiels reaction to his wife dying have to do with God?  I'm trying to figure out what his lack of reaction would have said to the people, and how that would benefit, or point toward God?

I have no idea.

tp

EZekial 23

³⁵ “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution.”

Immoral sex takes center stage again.  In this chapter it is somewhat X rated in its details, I'm not sure why it goes into such descriptions but God shares repeatedly throughout the word the dangers and negative implications of immoral sexual behavior.  He has given us a great gift if shared between a man and woman inside the bounds of a married.  Outside of his design for it, it will destroy your world.  (see a long list of public figures and likely a long list of people you know that are no more famous than you and me).

This destructive behavior has been around virtually since the beginning.  Its probably not going away but we certainly have clear direction and repeated examples to tell us to stay away from such behavior.

knut

Ezekial 22

22 As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath on you.’”

Well I could probably just say, see your comment from yesterday...repeat.  God uses illustrations of fire and putting people through it both as a discipline action but also as an action of refinement.  Not sure the take away but maybe the heat we sometimes bring on ourselves by our actions results in an opportunity to be refined in our own beliefs and faith.

knut

Ezekial 21

 27 A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.’


He gets everyone's attention by groaning like he just lost a loved one.  He tells them they are going to pee their pants when the bad stuff starts happening.

Then if I'm not mistaken he slips in the prophesy of Jesus the messiah coming.  Maybe I've read into it too much, because it just seems to be a passing statement without any fanfare or special note by him.  Pretty big prophesy if in fact that is what he is saying.

thats all I have to say about that...

knut

Ezekial 20

49 Then I said, “Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?’”[c]

Well I didn't get much again today, but chapters like this are always good for me to hear a recount or summary of history.  I went and read Tom's posts on this chapter.  He had an interesting take on this last verse.  Tom preaches, so it may be from a preachers point of view but he notes and feels Ezekial's frustration and concern...are they hearing anything I'm saying?  Am I using the wrong words to share God's message, because they don't seem to be hitting the mark.  Well as Tom notes, we are reading them 2,500 years later so Zeke can feel a little better about it now.

knut

Ezekial 19

14 Fire spread from one of its main[c] branches
    and consumed its fruit.
No strong branch is left on it
    fit for a ruler’s scepter.’

“This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.”

I don't really have anything, it seems no matter how strong someone may appear in the end they can be stripped of everything.  

Ezekial 18

29 Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?


As i read this it made me think the way of the Israelites is no different than Americans.  It seems every year that passes culturally we move a step further away from personal accountability.  Generally speaking people feel like someone else owes them something, society or the government should provide for them.  Peoples actions and choices have consequences, but no one wants to have to live with the choices they make.

God is like, really life isn't fair?  really I gave you life and asked in return you follow a few rules, that's not fair?  He's like come on give me a break.  He doesn't want anyone to die a permanent death but he gives us the opportunity to make choices...we have the opportunity also to live by the consequences of those choices.  In the days they are reading about they needed to follow his laws and repent from their sins.  We need to choose Jesus and should also repent from our sins.  why would we think this is too much to ask?

knut

Ezekiel 17

24 All the trees of the field will recognize that I, God, made the great tree small and the small tree great, made the green tree turn dry and the dry tree sprout green branches. I, God, said it—and I did it.’”


God is in control.  Don't kid myself and use the word I too often and especially don't do things against his will in the name of creating something good for myself--especially something like having power over people. He can pound me into the sand and make me irrelevant any time he pleases.

my actions have consequences.

knut

Ezekial 16

 63 Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

In spite of the adulteress mess of a life Jerusalem has lived, in the end God will wipe away these sins.  I find it interesting He uses adultery and sexual immorality to illustrate how disobedient Jerusalem had been behaving.  It seems this kind of activity is about as despicable as anything people could do to defile their relationship with him.  I don't think this is the message of this chapter but it does show how damaging that kind of lifestyle is to a person and their relationships.  He is showing how the Jews stomped on their relationship with him in the worst way, but in the end they will benefit from his Grace.

Thank God for Grace.
knut

Ezekiel 15

⁵ If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?
This one is scary to me. 
If we allow ourselves to be "thrown into the fire", or allow ourselves to be used in a manner that isn't what God intended.....it makes it much more difficult for him to use us?  Is that what its saying?  I don't like that at all.  I mess it up everyday!
I was always under the impression that no matter your past or your circumstance, God can use it for his glory.  And no matter how charred you are, he can still use us.
Maybe what this is saying is that our "charring" limits the scope of when/where he can use us.

tp

Ezekial 14

5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’


We have a lot of stuff here in the US.  Resources abound plenty especially for a college educated individual, rising to a senior level in a large company.  I don't think by its self there is anything wrong with stuff, but it definitely comes with great risks.  

If our stuff becomes what our heart is set on that is where the problem lies.  God wants our hearts not our stuff.  As he said here he wants too recapture their hearts.  Pushing him out of our hearts with our stuff will have an eternal impact.

knut

Ezekial 13

8 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord. 

Its interesting to think back to these days and what life might have been like on a daily basis.  What gave any particular prophet his power and why did anyone list to him versus Ezekial or anyone else?  Maybe it was messages of false hope that cause people to give money to hear more---I guess we have that today too.

The one thing I did take away from this chapter was the seriousness of making false declarations on behalf of God.  He knows we are sinners and will screw up and not follow his commands and he has sent Jesus to pay for this fact.  But to actively suggest something on God's behalf that we know is not true seems to go a step farther and not only would we be disciplined but God is against anyone who does so.  Not sure my thought is on the mark but I wouldn't want God against me thats for sure.

knut

Ezekial 11-12

11:7 So I did as I was commanded. During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulders while they watched.

Chapter 10 was as Tom explained a continuation of Ch9 and while I enjoy the image I struggle to find a specific takeaway or ah ha moment.

Chapter 11 was similar as well, but the first few word her caught my attention.  He did as he was commanded.  I want to be like that as well.  I've been praying for God to show me how he wants to use me and praying that when he shows me that I am willing to do it.  My problem is I don't get to the second part because I don't ever feel (not saying he's not showing me) like I am being shown a path.  Ezekial was so clear, he says repeated 'the word of the Lord came upon me'.

I want to have an experience like that...or at least I think I do.

knut

Ezekial 10

After reading this chapter I came up with a long dissertation to share with you but then I thought I would summarize it instead of writing it all out.  It goes like this...."huh?"

So I went to Tom's blog and he knew how I, would be feeling after reading this chapter.  He came up with something slightly more insightful than me in case you are interested--

https://tomvanderwell.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/its-not-an-lsd-hallucination-really/


knut

Ezekial 8-9

8:7 He said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence and continually arouse my anger? Look at them putting the branch to their nose!

9:10 So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.”


When we live our lives without honoring God and replacing him without care or thought for our own idols we should not be surprised  by the consequences at the end of our lives here on earth.  He says he is not going to pity us, we are going to get what we deserve.  Now of course we can't earn our way out of our actions but we can repent and work our hardest not to do detestable things and most importantly seek Jesus and ask him into our hearts and to save us.

knu

Ezekiel 8-9

I read through both chapters....and I don't have any particular verse or segment that stood out, but I think this tact that God is taking is new.  I can't remember a time when God instructed the killing of his people, due to their sin.  In the message version, it reads "^7-8 He told the executioners, “Desecrate the Temple. Fill it with corpses. Then go out and continue the killing.” So they went out and struck the city." 
Can you remember this happening any other time?
It seems the people have pushed God WAY past his boiling point.  He keeps saying, you think that's bad?.....I'll show you even worse.

Again, in these chapters, the decriptions are really crazy.  The liquid metal....fire for legs, and he talks about reaching out of something that "looked like a hand"

crazy reading.

tp