Ezekial 40

⁴ The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see.”


So shortly after this sentence the author shares paragraph after paragraph of detailed measurements.  I must admit after the first one I was not paying attention to everything that was being revealed.  By the end I was skimming not picking up any specific detail just generalities of descriptions like now we are onto the north then south gate, etc.

So I'm sure this is not the message of this chapter but it occurs to me that God has given us his Word in the bible. I should be paying attention to everything he shows me in his Word.  I should then be sharing what he has revealed to me with all those I know and interact with in my life.

My thoughts took a twist I didn't expect after skimming this chapter.  I need to avoid skimming, dig deep, understand the details then share them.

knut

Ezekial 39

²⁷ When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations. ²⁸ Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind.


This is why I really don't worry about some of the craziness in the world too much, I know in the end God will take care of business.  Imagine how those on the wrong side of the fence will feel as they see the tables turn and God restoring his people against the will of those who are trying to destroy them.  How long before this happens only Giod knows, but I trust that he will do what he says he's going to do. 

knut

Ezekial 38

¹⁸ This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord.


In 1948 the nation of Israel became an independent state again, I think this is a start to fulfiling prophesy about Israel and Jews returning from being scattered.  The bible talks about an attack from the North.  I know during the cold war people thought maybe Russia was the nation from the north that would attack.  I don't know who it is, but I'm comforted by his promise that it will be unsuccessful. 

The middle east is constantly a wreck, probably during all periods of times people could connect the dots to possible end times.  I have never really worried about it, figuring it is inevitable because it is part of God's plan.  But I still find it fascinating to try to pick up the clues of how todays society may or may not be fitting in with the prophecies of thousands of years ago.

no real take, just some rambling.  have a good weekend.
knut

Ezekiel 37

This one may be a stretch...but, hear me out.  I know this isn't the intent of the chapter, but I did feel nudged today, and here's my prophecy...hahaha.

So many times in life, we find ourselves in a storm.  Or in a tough situation, or even in a spot that we think we can't get out of.  It doesn't even need to be something big.  Just a situation where we feel trapped.  But, God is so much bigger than that.  In this chapter he takes the most literal interpretation of a bad situation, being the dried out, bleached bones.  There's probably no worse condition that a person could be in right?.......and he breathes life back into them, and completely changes their situation.  He does it through Ezekiel in this case, but really the important thing is that he can do it.  He can do anything.  He saw those bones.  He knew the story.  He was there.  He was waiting for his plan to be fulfilled. (just like Israel, which the bones are the metaphor for)

My lesson for the day.  Don't underestimate the power of God, or his involvement in my situation.  Whatever that may be.  Nothing is too big, or too small for God to work in.

tp

Ezekial 36

¹¹ I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

I know we will not know when the end times are coming, it will be a surprise.  But he did provide us prophesy for some reason and it is interesting to see words written thousands of years ago about a fate that probably seemed impossible at the time come true.  Maybe there will be some people who recognize the end times?  Maybe it is more of a collective statement to say that society won't know its coming.  it seems like if someone is studying closely they will be able to discern the fulfillment from prophesy from mere similarities to actual fulfillment of prophesy.  Either way it is fascinating to read the old words and see how some of it has unfolded already.

I'm not sure if this link is accurate, but it is interesting.   See #3
http://www.therefinersfire.org/recent_prophecy.htm

knut

Ezekial 35

⁵ “‘Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax, ⁶ therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you.


So you reap what you sow is my take.  I read in some research how the prophesies in this chapter played out over the next 100-500 years.  Edom is now desolate.  His word is true.

I'm in a rut again with these chapters, I find them interesting historically but they all have a similar flavor so pulling out new nuggets or lessons to take away is challenging.  maybe you have spotted something more inciteful?

knut

Ezekial 34

¹¹ “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them....³¹ You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

I believe he just gave the promise that God himself would come to earth to save his lost sheep---us.  Then hundreds of years later he did it when Jesus was born.  I started off this morning speed reading and I think I almost blew by this major prophesy listening more literally to the words than recognizing his message in it.  By the end he makes it really clear we are his sheep and I am thankful.

What a great promise he gave and has fulfilled.  I really love this chapter. 

have a great weekend!
knut

Ezekial 33

⁷ “Son of man, I have made yoy a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. ⁸ When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for^[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.


Though Jesus has come and we are now saved through him, it seems this responsibility that is presented in the Old Testament must carry some weight yet today.  We have a responsibility to share that Jesus is the only way to eternal life.  I'm not sure of the consequences for not sharing but given this passage and the consistency of God I would think our silence would not go unnoticed.

knut

Ezekial 32

First of all Happy Birthday brother!  Hope you have a great day!

Today was a Tom day as I was coming up empty.  He always sees things that blow right by me--
knut

https://tomvanderwell.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/light-in-multiple-messages-layered-metaphors/

Ezekial 31

¹⁰ “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because the great cedar towered over the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height, ¹¹ I gave it into the hands of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside,


The versus immediately before this talk of the majestic tree and the statement that I, God, made it.  I see this as another reminder to be humble.  There is nothing we have that is from our own doing.  He gave us every capability we have and he wants us to use those gifts to give him glory not give ourselves glory.  Pride is dangerous.

knut

Ezekial 30

Nothing specific to take away.  But I did do a little research and found the attached site below that lists examples of how the phophesy has been fulfilled and a couple that are yet to come.  Its an easy read but an interesting and positive perspective.

As I mentioned yesterday I wish I had time to research on my own rather than relying on others and I don't like to get spoon fed opinions of others pro or con to the bible.  I am always fascinated by the linkages of the bible from past to present and the perfect harmony that I hear when I do have time to dig in and connect the dots on my own.

side note, I saw a brief glimpse of a video with you meeting Kid Rock.  Thats cool and really like the things I've seen on the Camaro.  I'd love to hear more about what is going on that you can share.  We have to find a way to get the familys together.  its so hard with schedules these days, man how I miss our long Labor Day weekend together---what a great time and a great recharge that is missing from my annual habit now.


knut

Ezekial 29

⁹ Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
“‘Because you said, “The Nile is mine; I made it,” ¹⁰ therefore I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt a ruin and a desolate waste from Migdol to Aswan, as far as the border of Cush.


As we have talked about before, there is a danger in pride.  Thinking the things we have or the positions we have attained in society, work, etc. are our own doing.  To the extent we get a little too high on ourselves we may find The Maker of the universe against us like the pharaohs. 

I wish I had more time to study the history that goes along with the timing of these prophecies by Ezekial.  I imagine there is a lot to dig into.  I did a little research but you get many aetheist trying to disprove the bible.  I'm not afraid of challenge but I also don't want to feed my head with their doubts without and equally educated and opposing view from a theologian that has also studied history in depth.

knut

Ezekial 28

²⁵ “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob.


I know we will not know when the end times are here, but reading chapters like this makes it seem like we should have some pretty clear clues.  I wonder what it will look like when the nations are gathered back in Israel.  What will the turn of events be, or am I missing it and it has already happened?  The next verse talks of their living in saftey which watching the news does not seem to be their life today.

I am struggling with finding nuggets from these chapters to apply to my life.  I guess in today's chapter the early part I can relate to thinking I'm in control and that the gifts in my life are of my own doing not from God.  I think I do get that, though I'm sure my actions do not always illustrate to God that I know he is the source of all my blessings.

rambling.
knut

Ezekial 27

²⁶ Your oarsmen take you
out to the high seas.
But the east wind will break you to pieces
far out at sea.

I don't have much, living the 'good life' from a material perspective and forgetting where all material possession comes from is a temporary way of life.  A country and a personal life built on material things ultimately ends no matter how great it was in its time.

knut