TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 33-36

 

OVERVIEW:

The responsibility of the watchman and the fall ofJerusalem(chapter thirty-three); Wicked shepherds and God’s Shepherd (chapter thirty-four); Judgment againstEdom(chapter thirty-five); Restoration of Israel (chapter thirty-six).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter 33 begins with God’s admonition to Ezekiel concerning his responsibility as a watchman forIsrael.  Once again, God emphasizes that it is not Ezekiel’s responsibility to change the heart of the people.  However, it is his responsibility to proclaim God’s truth. 

 

Because of Ezekiel’s warning, the children ofIsraelconsidered their situation hopeless (33:10).  However, within God’s admonition we also find God’s mercy.  Oftentimes when reading the prophets of the Old Testament one might feel that God takes pleasure in inflicting judgment on His people.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  God reminds Ezekiel that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires that the wicked would repent and live (33:11). 

 

Our responsibility to our lost friends and neighbors is no different than Ezekiel’s responsibility to his kinsman.  We are to warn those who one day will be the recipients of God’s wrath, to turn from their sin and to walk in the statutes of life and live (33:11-16).  Who have you warned this week?  With whom have you shared the story of God’s mercy?  We are the watchman.  We are seated on the wall of a city, knowing full well God’s judgment is imminent.  Those asleep in the city might be our family, friends and neighbors.  God forbid we would be silent. 

 

This chapter also reveals the depth of man’s pride.  Rather than repent, the children ofIsraelwere questioning God’s fairness in judgment (33:17-20).  Oftentimes that is man’s response to reproof.  Questions such as, “Would a loving God send people to hell?” and statements such as, “I’m no worse than anyone else” are nothing more than man’s attempt to not take responsibility for his own sin.  However, God says he will judge every man after his own ways (33:20).  

 

For years Ezekiel had warned thatJerusalemwould eventually fall toBabylon.  One who had escaped notified Ezekiel thatJerusalemhad fallen (33:21). Jerusalemwas destroyed in 586 BC (II Chron. 36:19).  Ezekiel further warns those who were spared in the destruction ofJerusalemand scattered in the land that they are still in danger of God’s judgment (33:27-28). 

 

Ezekiel knows thatJerusalemhas fallen before the messenger even arrives.  Ezekiel 33:22 states that the hand of the LORD was upon him in the evening before the one who had escaped comes to him.  Verse 23 says the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel.  Ezekiel 33:23-39:29 records God’s word to Ezekiel the night before the messenger comes.  Chapters 40-48 are dated more than twelve years after the destruction ofJerusalem. 

 

The end of the chapter contains a short commentary on many of God’s people in every generation.  Even those in exile with Ezekiel were talking against him (33:30).  How sad that one of the enemies greatest tactics is to deceive God’s people into talking against God’s leaders.  They still came and sat before Ezekiel as you would expect God’s people to do, and listened to Ezekiel as you would expect God’s children to do, and even enjoyed Ezekiel’s words as you would expect God’s children to do, but they just wouldn’t do what Ezekiel said!  God says that when His judgment is come, His people will know that a prophet had been among them (33:31-33). 

 

Chapter 34 contains Ezekiel’s condemnation ofIsrael’s leaders.  Instead of protecting and providing for God’s people, they had only served themselves.  They had failed to care for God’s people and to seek after God’s people (34:2-6).  Because of the failure ofIsrael’s leadership, the children ofIsraelhad been scattered (34:5-6).  God says that He will personally seek out His lost sheep and save them (34:11-16).  This is what Jesus spoke of in Matthew 9:36.  There is still a future restoration for the children ofIsrael. 

 

God then promises that He will set up “one shepherd,” even my servant David (34:23-24).  This is a reference to the Shepherd who would come from David’s line, the Lord Jesus Christ (John10:11).  Doctrinally, the passage is speaking of Christ’s millennial reign. 

 

Chapter thirty-five contains a prophecy againstEdom, which is called Seir (Genesis 32:3). MountSeircovers the mountainous area settled by the Edomites.  This prophecy has been literally fulfilled. Edomwas defeated byBabylon, then by Medo-Persia, and then in 126 B.C. by John Hyrcanus the Hasmonean, who compelled them to become Jews.  There is no trace of the Edomites now.

 

Chapter thirty-six speaks to the restoration ofIsrael.  Even in the midst of their exile and judgment, God asks creation to remember His promise toIsrael(36:1). Israelhas been scattered, but they will be restored!  God specifically says in Ezekiel 36:24 that He will gather the children ofIsraelout of all countries and bring them again into their own land.  This was fulfilled in 1948 when the Jews returned to their homeland after World War II.  Ezekiel 36:25-38 speaks to the restoration ofIsraelin the millennium.  We are living in the “space” between verses 24 and 25!  There has never been a nation in history that has been brought together again asIsraelhas.  The restoration ofIsraelis one of the greatest proofs that the Bible is God’s Word.  Prior to 1948, many scholars scoffed at those who believed thatIsraelwould be physically gathered together again as stated in Ezekiel 36:24.  However, after 1948 it isn’t hard to see at all.  Blessed are those who don’t have to see to believe!

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE SHEPHERD – Ezek.  34:23-24 (I Peter 5:4)

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 28-32

 

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment on the prince/king of Tyrus (chapter twenty-eight); God’s judgment upon Pharaoh (chapter twenty-nine); God’s judgment uponEgypt(chapter thirty); The fall ofAssyria(chapter thirty-one); A lamentation for Pharoah/Egypt (chapter thirty-two)

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter twenty-eight concludes God’s judgment againstTyre. This passage has been dated shortly before the siege ofTyreby Nebuchadnezzar (585-573 BC).  The prince in view in verse two was Ithobal II who reigned during this siege.  His arrogance is demonstrated by the fact that he considered himself a god (28:2).  Princes ofTyrebelieved they were descendents of the gods.  The precision of the imagery and the verbiage in this passage reveals this judgment not only speaks to the historical ruler ofTyre, but to another being as well.

 

Ezekiel mentions that this prince is wiser than Daniel, which indicates that Daniel was well-known throughout the world by this time.  At the time that Ezekiel made this statement, Daniel would have served in Nebuchadnezzar’s court for an estimated twenty-five years. 

 

While Ezekiel states that this prince has been successful in accumulating wealth, it is the prince’s pride that brings about God’s judgment (28:6).  The demise of the prince is prophesied in 28:10.  The invasion ofTyrebyBabylonwas also prophesied in Jer. 27:1-7. 

 

Verse eleven of chapter twenty-eight brings a transition. The word “moreover” emphasizes that Ezekiel is about to go further in his condemnation of the ruler.  The careful reader will observe that the ruler is referred to as “the king” (28:12) rather than the prince (28:2).  While it is true that the terms king and prince are often used interchangeably in Scripture, it is also true that secular history does not record a king ofTyre, only a prince.  Why the distinction?  Why did Ezekiel change terms? 

 

The answer lies in the identity of this king.  This king is said to be “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.”  While the case may be made that this description could refer to a mortal man in some sense, the next phrase cannot.  This king has been inEdenthegardenofGod.  Some scholars say that Ezekiel was referring to a garden that was so beautiful it could be compared toEden.  However, this is not what the text says.  This ruler has literally been inEden.  It is apparent that Ezekiel is no longer referring to the ruler ofTyre, but is speaking to the spirit behind that ruler.  The pride that the ruler ofTyrepossesses comes from a being that actually said at one time, “I will be like the most high” (Isa.14:12-14; Eze. 28:16-17).  Ezekiel is speaking to someone who had been inEdenover 3,000 years prior to this prophecy.  This is none other than Satan himself. 

 

It is not uncommon for the Word of God to speak to Satan through a man (Matt.16:23).  Here Ezekiel provides a description of Lucifer before his fall.  He was covered in precious stones with musical instruments inside of him.  He is called the “anointed” cherub.  He was created perfect until the day iniquity was found in him (Isa.14:12-24). 

 

The ruler ofTyrepictures not only Lucifer, but the coming anti-Christ.  Within this chapter we find this ruler described as

1. A man – vs. 2
2. A prophet – vs. 3
3. A king – vs. 2
4. A priest – vs. 13 (as symbolized by the precious stones which were also worn by priests in the OT)

 

This ruler represents the presence of Satan (who was once inEden) personified through a man who will seek to counterfeit the offices of a prophet, priest, and king.  The judgment upon this man is also revealed (28:17-19).  God will one day bring fire from within this adversary (anti-Christ) to devour him.  He will be reduced to ashes and scattered for the world to see, and “never shalt thou be anymore.”   A man who is the rightful prophet, priest, and king – who is the very presence of God – will defeat him!  This chapter ends with a promise toIsraelconcerning the millennial reign of this man – Christ (28:25-26). 

 

Chapters twenty-nine through thirty-two record God’s judgment against the nation ofEgypt. Israelhad turned toEgyptfor help againstBabyloncontrary to God’s instruction (Jer. 42:14-22, 43:7-11). Egypthad been successful in causing the Babylonians to lift the siege againstJerusalem(Jer. 37:5-7).  However, in time,Egyptreturned to their homeland andJerusalemwas eventually invaded and burned. 

 

NowEgyptis falling under the condemnation of God.  Once again God is using Nebuchadnezzar to accomplish His will (29:17-20).  From a historical perspective Nebuchadnezzar was running out of resources as he continued to wage war againstTyre(29:18).  He ended up spoilingEgyptand paying his army to continue to fight. Verse 18 says he had no wages, nor his army.  God’s gift of thelandofEgyptbecame their wages.  Chapter Twenty-nine ends with a prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus Christ describing Him as the horn (Christ) of the house ofIsraelto bud forth. 

 

In chapter thirty-one Satan is once again addressed through a man – Pharaoh (31:1-9).  Satan is likened to a tree inEden.  The trees ofEdenenvied him (31:8-9), but he stood above the rest of the trees (31:5). During this same time period, Daniel, who is also in exile, uses the metaphor of a tree to describe Nebuchadnezzar, who is a type of the anti-Christ (Dan.4:10). 

 

Why does God use the Gentile leaders of these nations to picture the anti-Christ (Tyre,Babylon,Egypt)?  The anti-Christ’s kingdom will be a culmination of Gentile kingdoms that will unite in an effort to destroyIsraeland to rule this world.  We have to remember that God had promised that a man would be born that would eventually crush Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15).  God had revealed that this man would come from the nation ofIsrael.  Throughout history, Satan has risen up, and will continue to rise up, Gentile nations to destroyIsrael.  The tribulation is Satan’s last attempt to organize these nations in an effort to destroyIsrael. 

 

Speaking to Satan through these Gentile leaders, God continually reminds him that one day both he and his kingdom will be destroyed.  Then, as a preview of what the future holds in store for them, God does what He says He will do and destroys each one of these Gentile nations.  No doubt about it, God gets in Satan’s face.  The conflict is a personal one.  This is about a war for a kingdom and God continues to remind Satan just how the story is going to end!

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the HORN OF THE HOUSE OFISRAEL– Eze. 29:21.

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 24-27

 

OVERVIEW:

God’s purging ofJerusalem(chapter twenty-four); God’s judgment against Gentile nations (chapter twenty-five); God’s judgment againstTyre(chapter twenty-six through chapter twenty-seven).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter Twenty-four contains an image ofJerusalemas a bloody city.  This accusation is mentioned numerous times in the book of Ezekiel.  Ezekiel is instructed to tell a parable about a bloody stew that representsJerusalem.  Numerous times in the Word of God the shedding of “innocent blood” is mentioned as a cause for God’s vengeance (Deut.19:10; I Sam. 19:5; I Kings2:31).  The shedding of blood in the Old Testament looked forward to THE innocent blood that would be shed one day atCalvary(Matthew 27:4).  It is true that the innocent blood of our Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us from sin, but it is also true that those who do not accept God’s gift of grace will be held accountable for the death of God’s only beloved Son and will suffer the wrath of God’s vengeance.  God hates the shedding of innocent blood.  How God must love us to have allowed His Son to shed His innocent blood!

 

Ezekiel is also instructed not to mourn when his wife dies (24:15-18).  In this, Ezekiel is picturing the fact that there will be no time to mourn when God’s judgment comes onJerusalem.  This foreshadows the coming Day of the Lord when judgment will be swift and extensive.  However, even in judgment there is mercy.  Ezekiel speaks specifically to certain Jews who will escape the judgment ofJerusalemand come toBabylon(24:25-27).  This is fulfilled in Ezekiel 33:21.  This foreshadows those who will be saved out of the tribulation. 

 

Chapter twenty-five contains Ezekiel’s prophecies against Gentile nations.  These nations are judged because they rejoiced whenIsraelwas chastened by God (25:3, 6, 8) and have taken vengeance onIsraelwhen she was weak (25:12, 15).  The doctrinal principle is clear.  Don’t rejoice whenIsraelis chastened!  Much of this world rejoices when bad news aboutIsraelis broadcast.  There are many who look forward to the dayIsraelwill suffer during the tribulation.  Those nations who bring judgment againstIsraelare a pawn in the hand of God to execute His sovereign plan.  However, after God has used them He will judge them!  On a more devotional note, the lesson is clear.  We should never rejoice when we see God’s chastening on others. 

 

Chapters twenty-six and twenty-seven begin a three-chapter judgment againstTyre.  The eleventh year in verse one refers to the eleventh year of Jehoiachin’s reign.  In 586 BC, the 11th year of Jehoiachin’s captivity, on the tenth day of the month,Jerusalemwas captured. 

 

It is Nebuchadrezzar that God will use to bring judgment onTyre.  It is interesting that Nebuchadrezzar is called “a king of kings” (26:7), making him a type of the anti-Christ.  Just as Nebuchadrezzar ruled the kings of the world, the coming anti-Christ will also stand in authority until the true King of kings arrives!

 

Tyre, an ancient city of the Phoenicians, appears for the first time in the Bible in the Old Testament in Joshua 19:29.   In Old Testament times,Tyrewas a great commercial city.  During the reign of David and Solomon,Tyreexercised great influence on the commercial, political, and even religious life ofIsrael.  Hiram, king ofTyre, was a devoted friend of David (II Samuel5:11) who helped both David and Solomon in their building operations (I Kings 5:1-12; I Chron. 14:1; II Chron. 2:3, 11).  ThoughTyreandIsraelwere friendly in the days of David and Solomon, they later drifted apart.  The Tyrians then later sold Jews as slaves to the Greeks and to the Edomites (Joel 3:4-8; Amos 1:9-10).  This entire chapter is a lamentation describingTyreas a very glorious and great trade ship destroyed by the high seas. 

 

The prophecies set forth in chapters twenty-six through twenty-eight were fulfilled literally with unmistakable clarity (Isaiah 23; Jer. 47:4).  Oftentimes we can forget that many of these prophecies have been fulfilled historically.  This only confirms the accuracy of God’s Word. 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the One who shall “set glory in the land of the living” during the Millennium (Ezekiel 26:20). 

 

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 21-23

 

OVERVIEW:

Judgment pronounced againstJerusalem(chapter twenty-one);Jerusalem’s sin (chapter twenty-two);Jerusalem’s seduction (chapter twenty-three)

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter twenty-one contains instruction from God for Ezekiel to sigh in the midst of the people.  When asked by the people the reason for his bitterness and groaning, he is instructed to again remindIsraelthat God’s judgment is imminent.  God uses the visual image of a sword to picture His judgment in this chapter.  In the historical context the sword represents the king ofBabylon(21:19).   This sword foreshadows the day Christ will come in judgment upon this earth with a sword (the Word of God – Revelation19:15). 

 

Ezekiel is also instructed to make a map and to trace on it two routes for the king ofBabylonto follow.  One route goes toJerusalem, while the other route will take him to Rabbath of the Ammonites.  Ammon had conspired withJudahin 593 BC to rebel againstBabylon.  The question was whether the king ofBabylonwould decide to attack Rabbath orJerusalem.  Ezekiel is instructed to illustrate how the king ofBabylonwould call upon his gods to decide which path to take and which city to attack.  To determine his course, the king ofBabylonwould use three types of magic.  The first type of magic was the use of arrows.  The arrows would be marked with a name, put in a quiver, and whirled about.   The first one to fall out would reflect the decision of the god.  The next form of magic was the use of “images” or teraphims (this was a statue much like Mary today).  These images were mummified children’s heads.  The third, and most common, form of magic was the liver.  It involved distinguishing judgment based upon the color of a sacrificed lamb’s liver.  Upon hearing from his gods, the king ofBabylonwould choose to attackJerusalem. 

 

The Jews were skeptical of Ezekiel’s continual prophecies againstJudahandJerusalem.  They doubted that the magic of the king ofBabylonwould result in his choosingJerusalemas a target, and further doubted his ability to take the city (21:23).  Although the king ofBabylonwas using magic, his heart was in the hand of God (Proverbs 21:1).  God would use the king’s magic to bring judgment against His people.  God instructsIsraelto remove the diadem (worn by the priests) and the crown (worn by the kings).  Neither of these offices would be restored after the captivity.  The historical “wicked prince ofIsrael” is Zedekiah (21:25-27).  In this context, Zedekiah typifies the coming anti-Christ.  The fact that God uses the term “overturn” three times expresses the severest judgment against these offices.  These offices will be no more until Christ comes, who has a right to both offices.  At that time God will give Him both offices.

 

Ezekiel chroniclesJerusalem’s sins in chapter twenty-two.  Once again God begins by judging the leadership.  He specifically mentions the prophets, priests and princes (22:25-28).  The specific sin of the priests was their violation of the law by not distinguishing between that which was holy and that which was profane (22:26).  The sin of the princes was their desire to make money at the expense of people (22:27).  The sin of the prophets was lying about what God had said (Ezekiel22:28). 

 

God looked for a man among the leadership to stand in the gap.  He found none.  Even Ezekiel and Jeremiah were unable to turn the heart of the children ofIsraelto repentance.  However, there was a man who would come 400 years later who would stand in the gap for all mankind! 

 

Chapter twenty-three serves as one of the most vivid illustrations of the seduction of sin.  This process can be summed up in three steps:  1) Desired    2) Delivered   3) Destroyed.

 

Israelwas theNorthern KingdomandJerusalemthe Southern Kingdom. These cities were their capitals. Samaria(Northern Kingdom) andJerusalem(Southern Kingdom) are likened to two women who are seduced into adultery by “lovers.” Samariawas seduced byAssyria(this historical alliance is recorded in Isaiah 7:1-2, 10:5-11) andJudahwas seduced byEgypt. Israelwas repeatedly warned in the Bible not to go toEgyptfor help.  However,Israelcontinually disobeyed God’s instruction.  This culminated in Zedekiah’s formation of an alliance withEgyptagainstBabylon(17:15).  The process goes as follows.  We start by beginning to desire what we shouldn’t (23:5-7, James1:14).  Eventually, we will be delivered to our own lusts (23:9, James1:15).  After we have been delivered to what we have desired, our sin will destroy us (23:10, James1:15).  BothSamariaandJerusalemgot what they wanted, and it ended up destroying them both. 

 

There are some other principles contained in this chapter.

• Lust for what we see will eventually lead to actions (23:14-16).
• What we see can destroy our mind (23:17).
• Those who seduce us in the name of “love” will eventually hate us (23:22, 28).

 

What a warning against the consequences of viewing pornography.  What a warning to those who covet wrong relationships! 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the One who has the “right” to be both Priest and King ruling over Israel – Eze.21:27

 

As the One who will stand in the gap – Eze.22:30

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 17-20

 

OVERVIEW:

The parable of the eagles (chapter seventeen); Man’s responsibility for sin (chapter eighteen); God’s lamentation forIsrael’s captivity (chapter nineteen); God refuses inquisition (chapter twenty).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

God instructs Ezekiel to speak a parable to the house ofIsrael(17:1-10).  The first eagle represents Nebuchadnezzar.  He came toJerusalemand took away the kings seed (the twigs) and planted them again inBabylon.  The highest branch of the cedar represents king Jehoiachin, the king ofJudahwho was exiled in 597 B.C. 

 

When Nebuchadnezzar removed Jehoiachin, he replaced him with a native Judean prince, Zedekiah, instead of a foreign ruler.  With the help of Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah was surrounded by favorable conditions and prospered in his reign. The hope of Nebuchadnezzar was that thekingdomofJudahwould stay dependent on him. 

 

However, this state of affairs did not continue.  The second eagle representsEgypt, specifically Pharaoh-hophra, to whom Zedekiah looked for help.  The prophet Jeremiah had warned Zedekiah not to make an alliance withEgypt(Jeremiah 37:5-7, 44:30), but Zedekiah ignored the counsel of Jeremiah and made an alliance with them (17:15).  AlthoughEgyptoffered temporary relief from the oppression of Nebuchadnezzar, in the endBabylondefeatedEgyptand put Zedekiah to death.  If Zedekiah had only listened to the prophet Jeremiah he would have been safe.  Oftentimes we find ourselves in trials and temptations.  It is then imperative that we make haste to listen to the voice of God.  God did not want Zedekiah to escape the adversity by making an alliance withEgypt.  If Zedekiah had obeyed Jeremiah he would have been fine.  People often want to escape adversity by refusing to submit to the authority that God allows in their life.  Men will leave churches and quit jobs, wives will!  leave husbands, and children will rebel against parents, all the while justifying their actions by pointing out the ungodliness in the authority that God has allowed in their life. 

 

Ezekiel 17:22-24 records a messianic prophecy.  “One of the highest branches” refers to Christ, who unlike Zedekiah, will overshadow a mighty kingdom.  It is interesting that God says, “I the Lord have spoken and have done it,” referring to the future as history.  God’s Word is certain, whether He is talking about the past or the future. 

 

Chapter eighteen begins with a proverb that serves as a warning to those who want to blame others for their problems.  The children ofIsraelwere blaming their forefathers (who they say had eaten the sour grapes) for the exile (“teeth are set on edge” = bitterness) they were experiencing.  God rejects their blame shifting and evasion of responsibility.  The rest of chapter eighteen teaches a fundamental principle found in Scripture.  Judgment is according to individual faith and obedience.  We each must take responsibility for our own actions and choices.  It is true we can’t always control our circumstances, but we can always control our choices.  The Children of Israel had been offered mercy if they would have repented.  Instead they committed the same sins as their forefathers.  The chapter ends with God remindingIsraelthat His true heart’s desire is always for repentance (18:32). 

 

In chapter nineteen, Ezekiel records a lamentation for the princes ofIsrael.  Lamentation means a “loud cry.”  It is poetic song (usually three beats followed by two beats) that expresses deep emotion.  This lamentation is for king Jehoahaz, who languished in an Egyptian prison (II Kings23:31-33) and king Jehoiakim, who was taken captive and deported toBabylon(II Kings 24:1-12).  They are depicted as lion’s whelps (19:2, 5).  The lamentation ends with a summary ofIsrael’s current state (19:10-14).  Her exile is pictured as a plant in a dry and thirsty ground.  The last verse states thatIsraelhas no scepter to rule.  It is also interesting that Ezekiel’s lamentation “shall be for a lamentation” (29:14). Israelstill has a future lamentation, the great tribulation. However, with that tribulation will come a scepter to rule!  Christ!

 

Chapter twenty begins with the leadership ofIsraelcoming to Ezekiel to enquire of the Lord.  God instructs Ezekiel to tell the leadership that He will not be enquired of by them.  He goes on to remind the leadership ofIsrael’s past disobedience and current disobedience.  The chapter ends with a vivid and descriptive picture of God’s judgment with fire (20:45-49).  The leaders ofIsraelreply by “spiritualizing” Ezekiel’s message instead of taking it literally.  They accuse Ezekiel of speaking in parables, when it is clear that this chapter is not a parable.  This is the same thing that many lost people do when confronted with the reality of hell.  They will believe anything except the fact that Hell is a literal place of God’s judgment. 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the “TENDER ONE” planted upon a high mountain – Ezek. 17:22. 

 

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 12-16

 

OVERVIEW:

Ezekiel’s actions typify the exile (chapter twelve); God warns the false prophets (chapter thirteen); God warns Israel that judgment is inevitable (chapters fourteen and fifteen); God reminds Israel of His grace in saving them and their decision to forsake Him (chapter sixteen).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

God continually asks Ezekiel to picture His truth about the exile through his actions.  Leaving with his “stuff” through the wall (12:1-16) typifies the captivity of Israel’s current king, Zedekiah (II Kings 25:1-10).  Ezekiel’s trembling (12:17-20) illustrates the desolation that Israel will experience during the exile.  God wants Ezekiel to speak through his actions as well as his words.  What a lesson for the Christian to learn.  Do our actions speak truth as much as our speech?  Do our actions compliment the message we are proclaiming?  Ezekiel’s message was one of eminent judgment.  Our message is Christ.  Does our life demonstrate Christ? 

 

Even though Ezekiel warns Israel, there are those who still believe that God is not serious.  Ezekiel’s audience has adopted a proverb (12:22) that says (paraphrase), “With the passing of time every warning of Ezekiel is proven false.”  God has enough of this attitude and tells Ezekiel to giveIsraela new proverb…“The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.”   God is saying, “Judgment starts now!”  Man lives believing that there will never be consequences for his sin.  However, sin eventually has a payday.  It has been said that sin takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs you more than you want to pay.  Do not confuse God’s longsuffering with apathy towards sin. 

 

The prophets who foretell peace and safety (Ezekiel 13, 14:9) are further demonstrating Israel’s arrogance.  What a foreshadowing of the Anti-Christ, who will come to power at the beginning of the tribulation by proclaiming peace, when in truth it is God’s vengeance and wrath that will be unleashed on the earth (Daniel 8:25).  Just as God’s judgment was inevitable during the ministry of Ezekiel, so His judgment will be inevitable during the coming tribulation. 

 

Chapter sixteen serves as one of the most brutally descriptive images of our original sin condition and God’s grace.  This chapter is so clear and indicting that some of the ancient rabbis did not allow it to be read in public.

 

God likens Israel to an abandoned child (16:4-5), born of a wrong family (16:3), left for dead in a field.  God sees Israel lying in her own blood.  God says, “Live.” (16:6). God then blesses Israel with beauty (holiness), clothing (righteousness), and jewels/crown (rewards).  He anoints Israel with oil (type of the Holy Spirit) and makes her His bride (16:7-14).  But Israel prostitutes herself to other nations and other gods.  She commits adultery over and over again (16:15-59). 

 

Ezekiel 16:60 contains one of the most powerful words in the entire Bible — “Nevertheless.”  Despite Israel’s broken promises, God still remembers His covenant, and promises an everlasting covenant.  What a beautiful, yet solemn picture, of the reality of our life.  It is not because of our goodness or obedience that God keeps His word to us.  It is because of God’s grace.  We continually forsake our God…nevertheless. 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the BRIDEGROOM in chapter sixteen. 

 

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 6-11

 

OVERVIEW:

God judges Israel for their idolatry (Chapter Six); The severity of God’s judgment (Chapter Seven); Vision of Jerusalem’s sin (Chapter Eight); Vision of God’s judgment on Jerusalem (Chapter Nine); Vision of the cherubim and God’s glory (Chapter Ten); Israel is warned about the false security of Jerusalem (Chapter Eleven).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The Book of Ezekiel contains an important “title” and a prominent reoccurring phrase.  The title “Son of Man” is attributed to Ezekiel ninety-three times.  This title appears a total of one hundred ninety-three times in the Bible.  The prophet Daniel attributes the title to the coming Messiah in Daniel 7:13.  The title appears eighty-four times in the New Testament in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ.  As seen in their reaction to the title in the Gospel of Luke, the Jews understood that this title has messianic implications. 

 

“And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.” –  Luke 22:66-71

 

Ezekiel, a prophet and priest, will prove to be a type of the Lord Jesus Christ in that he will minister to the nation of Israel during the time of exile, just as Jesus Christ will minister to Israel during the tribulation.  It is also true that the period of judgment and restoration pictured in Ezekiel foreshadows the judgment and restoration of Israel during the tribulation and the millennial reign of Christ. 

 

The phrase, “know that I am the LORD” appears seventy-seven times in the Bible.  The phrase appears sixty-three times in the Book of Ezekiel and appears first in Ezekiel 6:7.  Israel had forgotten who God was.  Israel had continually turned to idolatry (6:4, 8:5-16) and had replaced God with man-made images.  Israel had also been trusting in their wealth (7:19) and in the walls of Jerusalem (11:3) for security.  Through their exile, judgment, and eventual restoration, God’s purpose is to remind Israel that He is the Lord.  What a reminder to us that our security should not rest in our material resources or self-made “walls.”  Our true security must be in the only One who can really keep us safe – God!

 

Ezekiel’s visions of God’s judgment are precise and severe.  Israel’s idolatry had begun at God’s Temple causing God to remove His presence (8:6).  It is at God’s Temple where judgment will begin (9:6).  This is a reminder to the believer of where the war for worship will take place.  Throughout the entire Old Testament, Satan desired to destroy the place where God’s glory dwelt.  Satan was successful during the exile when Babylon, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, burns the Temple in 586 BC.  The temple is later rebuilt only to be destroyed again by Rome in 70 AD.  This serves as a warning that our enemy wants to destroy the place where God currently dwells – us!  The enemy desires that we would turn to other gods (idolatry) through covetousness.  The enemy desires that we would turn away from God in an effort to find security and safety in temporal riches and wrong relationships.  Just as God instructed that judgment begin at His sanctuary (9:6), we must evaluate our temple (our heart) to see if we have forgotten who God is. 

 

God appears to Ezekiel for the third time at the beginning of chapter 10 (1:4, 3:23, 10:1).  It is during this encounter that God reveals to Ezekiel that Israel would one day be restored (11:17-20).  This final restoration will usher in the millennial reign of Christ.  Even in the midst of tribulation, God promises deliverance. 

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

7:7 – “The day of trouble is near.”

7:10 – “Behold the day.”

7:12 – “The day draweth near.”

7:19 – “The day of wrath of the LORD.”

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE MAN CLOTHED WITH LINEN – Ezek. 9:2 (Rev. 1:13).

 

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL                

 

Ezekiel, whose name means strengthened by God, is called upon by God, along with Daniel and Jeremiah, to prophecy againstIsraelduring the time of exile (Ezekiel 1:1-2).  The first two verses of Chapter One give us the historical context of the book.  To understand the tone and message of Ezekiel’s message it is essential to understand how Ezekiel fits into the story of the Old Testament. 

 

The Old Testament breaks down into six natural chronological divisions.

 

1. Genesis (The time of Genesis begins with the creation of the world and ends with Jacob’s sons inEgypt.) 2. Exodus (The time of Exodus begins with Jacob’s sons inEgyptand ends with Joshua leading the nation ofIsraelin to possess the Promised Land.) 3. Judges (The time of Judges covers the period inIsrael’s history when a variety of judges ruled.) 4. Kings (During the time of Kings, different kings ruledIsrael.  Division intoNorthern Kingdom(Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah) came afterIsraelhad been united under the reign of Saul, David, and Solomon.  TheNorthern Kingdomwas then defeated byAssyriaand carried away captive in 722 BC.  The Southern Kingdom was defeated byBabylonand carried away captive in 606 BC.) 5. Exile (The time of Exile covers the nation ofIsrael’s seventy years of exile.) 6. Return (The time of The Return covers the time ofIsrael’s return to their homeland and the time when both the temple andJerusalemwere rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. 

 

The exile had been prophesied as far back as Moses (Deuteronomy 28) and as recently as the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12). Israel’s disobedience culminated in the fact they had failed to keep the Sabbath for the land (II Chronicles 36:21).  God had kept track ofIsrael’s failure to let the land rest and had decided to exileIsraelfor seventy years in order that the land finally might have its rest.  This is a chilling reminder of the consequences of sin.  There is no doubt thatIsraelhad grown accustomed to ignoring the Sabbath for the land.  However, God had kept track.  God will not ignore sin. 

 

Israelhad temporarily turned to God under the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC).  After Josiah was killed by the Egyptian armyIsrael(southern kingdom) plunged back into sin under their four remaining kings).

 

1. Jehoahaz (609 BC)
2. Jehoiakim (609-598 BC)  – Daniel taken captive during his reign
3. Jehoiachin (598-597 BC) – Ezekiel taken captive during his reign
4. Zedekiah (597-586 BC) – more of a puppet king under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar

 

The exile had begun in 606 BC and ended in 536 BC.  During those seventy years, both Daniel and Ezekiel were taken captive toBabylon. EventuallyBabylon, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, would burn the temple and destroyedJerusalem.

 

722 BC Northern ten tribes are defeated byAssyria  

 

606 BC though 536 BC Southern tribes ofJudahare defeated byBabylon.  Three separate conquests lead to deportation of many Jews along with the final destruction ofJerusalem.  

 

605 BC –  (Daniel taken captive)

597 BC –  (Ezekiel taken captive)

586 BC –  (Jerusalemdestroyed)

 

539 BCPersiainvades and defeatsBabylon

 

Ezekiel and his wife are among 10,000 Jews taken into captivity along with king Jehoiachin in 597 BC (II Kings 24:11-18).  He is 25 years old when he is taken toBabylon.  He is thirty years old when his ministry begins; 592 BC (Ezekiel 1:1).  He ministers for twenty-two years (570 BC).  Ezekiel and his 10,000 fellow countrymen were more of colonist than captives, being permitted to farm tracts of land under somewhat favorable conditions.  Ezekiel even had his own house. 

 

It is important to remember that Ezekiel is already in captivity when he is prophesying to the Jews who have not been taken captive.

 

TODAY’S READING: EZEKIEL 1-5

 

OVERVIEW:

Ezekiel receives a vision of God’s glory; Ezekiel receives his commission; Ezekiel is instructed to physically typify the siege and judgment ofJerusalem. 

 

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Ezekiel chapter 1 records one of the most incredible visions in the Word of God.  The vision includes four living creatures flying through the air like a flash of lightning, a crystal sea, creatures with multiple eyes and faces ushering in a throne, and an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ.  Ezekiel is ushered into the presence of the Lord and sees a glimpse of the Second Advent.  Just like Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-8) and the Apostle John (Rev. 4-5), Ezekiel is overwhelmed by the revelation of Christ in all of His glory.  Ezekiel’s response will be the response of every person when they see Christ in all of His glory. He falls on his face!  What a contrast to the nonchalant way much of Christianity approaches the Lord Jesus Christ!  There is no room for pride or selfishness in the presence of God Almighty.  One day every knee will bow to the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom.14:11). 

 

Chapters two through three record God’s commission for Ezekiel.  He is to prophesy to the nation ofIsraelduring the seventy year exile.  Ezekiel paints a picture for every Christian of what it really means to be a witness for Christ.  The picture begins with an encounter with Christ.  In chapter one, Ezekiel comes face to face with Christ (1:28).  However, the encounter didn’t just involve what Ezekiel saw, but also what Ezekiel heard.  Speaking in the first person, Ezekiel says, “and I heard a voice of one that spake.”  Our effectiveness as a witness for Christ must begin with a daily encounter with Christ.  How can we encounter Christ if He doesn’t (and won’t) appear to us in a vision like Ezekiel’s?  We encounter Christ by listening to His Word.  It is God’s written revelation that gives us a glimpse of Christ in all of His glory!

 

However, it isn’t enough just to hear God’s words.  We must also receive that word in our heart.  God instructed Ezekiel, “all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart” (3:10).  We must receive God’s words into our heart in such a way that they change the way we think, behave, and live.  It is interesting that God tells Ezekiel to receive “all” His words.  Over the course of this prophecy, God is going to give Ezekiel some very difficult things to do and say.  When it comes to God’s written revelation, we can’t be choosey.  Sometimes the Word will be sweet.  Sometimes it will be bitter.  Sometimes it will comfort and sometimes it will sting.  We must receive it all regardless.  This also serves as a warning to those who would tamper with the Word of God, and preachers who would fail to teach “all the counsel of God” (Acts20:27).

 

God then instructs Ezekiel to speak His words (2:7,3:23-27).  Ezekiel spoke as a prophet of God when he uttered the phrase, “Thus saith the LORD GOD.”  Our counsel to others should not be conclusions based on our own life experiences and opinions.  We must share what we have received in our heart — God’s words.  It is interesting to note that Ezekiel’s actions mirrored his spoken words.  God continually asks Ezekiel to demonstrate His truth toIsraelby the way He lives (as seen in the sign of the tile, shaving, burning hair, lying on each side, and imprisonment).  Our life must reflect the truth of God.  Our actions will speak louder than our words! 

 

You would think that Ezekiel was ready to so speak.  However, God gives a couple of other instructions.  Ezekiel was to go and identify with the people (3:15).  How can we share the love of Christ with people with whom we aren’t willing to identify?  Before Ezekiel spoke, he sat quietly with those who would be the recipients of his/God’s message.  We must be willing to spend time with people and to listen.  Ezekiel waited for God’s direction before he spoke.  The cliché is true — “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

 

Finally, God gives Ezekiel a warning.  Ezekiel will be held accountable.  He isn’t accountable for the response of the people, but He is accountable to hear, receive, and speak the words of God (3:15-21).  God doesn’t ask us to change the hearts of men, but He does require that we hear the Word of Christ, receive the Word of Christ, and share the Word of Christ (Col. 3:16; I Tim. 4:16). 

 

Are you encountering Christ daily by meeting with Him in His word?  Are you listening to His words and receiving them in your heart?  Are you identifying with those around you and speaking God’s Word to them, both audibly, and in the way you live? 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the APPEARANCE OF A MAN UPON THE THRONE – Ezek.1:26(Rev. 1:13-17).

 

TODAY’S READING: LAMENTATIONS 1-5

 

OVERVIEW:

Jeremiah’s lamentation overJerusalem’s destruction (1:1-22); God’s justifiable wrath (2:1-22); God’s incredible mercy (3:1-66); God’s anger againstJerusalem(4:1-22); a plea for restoration (5:1-22).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

“The Lamentations of Jeremiah” as the title states, is the expression of Jeremiah’s incredible sorrow over the sins of God’s people that had resulted in the destruction of theTempleinJerusalem, and the entirekingdomofJudah.  These five chapters are kind of like a postscript to the Book of Jeremiah.  They are obviously a separate Book in our English Bible, but are contained in the third section (called “the Writings”) in the Hebrew Bible.  Like we saw in Psalm 119, this Book employs acrostic poetry.  In chapters 1, 2, and 4, each succeeding verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Chapter 3 actually has three acrostic poems.

 

From an historical standpoint, the Book deals with the fall ofJerusalemin 586 B.C. From a doctrinal (or prophetic) standpoint, the Book deals with the events during and surrounding the Tribulation Period.

 

In chapter one, Jeremiah likens the city ofJerusalemto a grieving widow.  She once was a “princess,” but now has become a slave (“tributary” – 1:1).  At one time she was surrounded by “friends” (1:2) and “lovers” (1:2), but now everyone has forsaken her, leaving her to grieve and weep alone.  In verse 4 of chapter 1, Jeremiah even gives human attributes to the roads leading toJerusalem, saying, “the ways ofZiondo mourn.”  Whereas at one time, they had been filled with incoming worshippers, now they are totally desolate. The picture Jeremiah describes in this chapter is heartbreaking and pitiful.  Having to actually put the reality ofJerusalem’s condition into words becomes more than Jeremiah can handle by the time he gets to verse 16: “For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water.”  Oh, that our hearts would break and our eyes would leak as did Jeremiah’s for the condition of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Laodicean church period (Rev. 3:14-22).

 

When God called His son,Israel, out ofEgypt(Hosea 11:1), He led them with the cloud of His glory.  Chapter 2 begins by explaining that at this point in their history, the Lord likewise covered them with a cloud.  Sadly, however, it was the “cloud of his anger.”  Whereas in times past, the Lord fought on Israel’s behalf against their enemies, now the Lord, Himself fought against Israel like one of their enemies (2:2-5). Again, Jeremiah “laments” as he is forced to describeIsrael’s awful condition: “Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people” (2:11).  Jeremiah recognized, however, that they had gotten exactly what they deserved (2:19), because they listened to their false prophets (2:14), and stubbornly refused to repent of their idolatry. Verse 15 is perhaps the saddest of all the tremendously sad verses in this Book: “All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag!  their head at the daughter ofJerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?” While Christians all over our country are “whooping it up” about all of the so-called “wonderful” and “spiritual” things that are taking place in the world, does the world not look at Christianity and say, “Is this the glorious church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the beautiful, chaste virgin Bride that is without spot or blemish or any such thing?” (Eph. 5:27; II Cor. 11:2)  God give us Jeremiahs inLaodiceawho will lament our grievous condition.

 

After two and a half chapters of simply focusing on the pitiful condition of the land, in the middle of chapter 3, Jeremiah lifts his eyes to the Lord.  In the midst of sorrow and ruin, he is reminded of the mercy and compassion of the Lord, and the incredible fact that “His compassions fail not” (3:22), and “they are new every morning” (3:23).  It brings Jeremiah to declare “Great is Thy faithfulness”!  In other words, “We have certainly failed Him, but He will not fail us!” Praise the Lord for His marvelous, infinite matchless mercy and grace!

 

In the remainder of chapter 3, Jeremiah calls upon the people to stop their whining, to search their hearts, confess their sin, and get right with God!  He then calls upon God to bring punishment upon those He used as the instrument of His wrath againstJerusalem.

 

Chapter 4 lets us know just how horrendous the situation inJerusalemactually had gotten. Children were being mistreated and abused by their parents, and believe it or not, some mothers were actually eating their own children!  God says that His punishment against this city would even be greater than His punishment ofSodom!

 

Chapter 5 continues the description of the deplorable situation inZion, and ends with Jeremiah crying out to God, “Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old” (5:21). The good news is, in the very near future, God is going to answer Jeremiah’s prayer!

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

2:1 – “In the day of his anger.”

2:22– “In the day of the LORD’s anger.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through JEREMIAH’S SORROW OVERJERUSALEM– Lam. 1:12-22 (Matt.23:37; Luke13:34)

 

As the MERCIFUL SAVIOUR – Lam.3:22(Jude1:21)

TODAY’S READING: JEREMIAH 50-52

 

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment uponBabylon(50:1-51:64); the fall ofJerusalemand Zedekiah’s torment (52:1-11); the Babylonians destroy theTemple(52:12-23); the people are exiled (52:24-30); God has not forgotten and will not forsake David’s descendants (52:31-34).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

To this point,Babylonhas been the tool God used to mete out His judgment upon the many nations we read about in chapters 44-49.  In chapter 50, Jeremiah prophesies God’s judgment uponBabylonand her many gods. 

 

OnceBabylonwould be defeated, the chosen people of God would once again be gathered and returned to their homeland.  This was partially fulfilled in 538 B.C. when Cyrus made a decree permitting the Jews to go back toJerusalem.  The context, however, points to the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jews during the Great Tribulation (notice in 50:4 – “in those days”; 50:15 – “it is the vengeance of the LORD”; 50:20 – “in those days”; 50:28 – “the vengeance of the LORD our God”; and 50:30 – “in that day.”)

 

That “last days” fulfillment continues in chapter 51.  As well as detailingBabylon’s judgment in like fashion as does Revelation 17 and 18, God also points toIsrael’s restoration.  Despite all ofIsrael’s defiance against God, He still lovesIsrael, and has every intention of blessing them.  Though the conflict(s!) in theMiddle Eastrages today, Jeremiah (and John in Revelation, not to mention Isaiah, etc., etc.) points to the fact that in the very near future, the conflict will be over, andIsraelwill be sitting on top. That certainly is not to say that everythingIsraeldoes and is doing today is right, but don’t ever forget to factor into your equation the EVERLASTING (!!!) Abrahamic Covenant: “And I will bless them that bless thee (Abraham, orIsrael), and curse him that curseth thee” (Gen. 12:3).  Non-Christians think that is a fatalistic viewpoint.  Fatalistic it may be, it won’t change the outcome!  Anyway you slice it, folks,Israel’s going to end up on top, and her King and Messiah (and ours, hallelujah!!!), will rule the entire world from His throne inJerusalem! Americahas made some incredibly sinful and stupid decisions in the last half a century (or more!).  Perhaps the only reason God has not unleashed His judgment upon us is our faithfulness to blessIsrael.  When/If we curse them, Katie bar the door!  I’m afraid we will have sealed our own doom!

 

In 51:59-64, one last time God wants Jeremiah to give His message via an object lesson.  Jeremiah wrote “all the evil that should come uponBabylon” and then told Seraiah to take it and read it inBabylon.  After reading it, he was to take the scroll, tie it to a rock, and cast it into theEuphrates, explaining to the people that that’s exactly what God was going to do to them!

 

The Book of Jeremiah concludes in chapter 52 with a somewhat lengthy explanation about the fall ofJerusalem.  It is almost word for word with II Kings 18-25, 30, and very similar to what was detailed in Jer. 39:1-18.  It recounts the city’s fall, Zedekiah’s attempt to escape, his capture, the murder of his sons “before his eyes” (52:10), just before he lost his physical sight.

 

Back in I Kings 9:1-9 after Solomon built the Temple, God promised to keep His name there as long as they served only Him, “But,” He said, “if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a by word among all people” (I Kings 9:6-7). The people did not live up to their end of the bargain, but as you might imagine, God did live up to His. Jeremiah 52:12-30 is the fulfillment of God’s warning toIsraelin I Kings 9:6-7.

 

The Book of Jeremiah does end, however, with just a flicker of hope.  After 37 years of being exiled inBabylon, Jehoiachin king ofJudah, is shown preferential treatment.  It is a reminder that God has not forgotten the Davidic Covenant, and just as Jeremiah 30-33 made clear, God would ultimately fulfill His promises to blessIsrael.

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

51:2 – “In the day of trouble.”

51:6 –“The time of the LORD’s vengeance.”

51:11 – “It is the vengeance of the LORD.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the REDEEMER WHO PLEADS OUR CAUSE – Jer. 50:34 (Luke 1:68; Rom.8:34)

 

As the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE – Jer. 51:15 (Col. 1:16)