Ezekiel – Be Still…

Ezekiel 35:1-14 – Edom’s Turn

Read Ezekiel 35:1-14

There are some nuggets in this reading for me! While it is definitely a passage of judgment against Edom, it can be an encouragement to the LORD’s people of Judah and Israel. The LORD saw all the bullying and resulting devastation because of Edom’s hand on the LORD’s people. It’s one thing for the LORD to punish his children, quite another for an outsider like Edom.

With all that is going on in the world, it’s good to get an approximation of the geographical location of the people to whom this prophecy is addressed. The Edomites, and particularly Mr. Seir, are both mentioned. As I understand it, this area would be present day Jordan and parts of northern Saudi Arabia. An internet source, the Doubting Thomas Research Group, suggests that Mt. Seir is what we know today as Mt. Sinai. That was Moses’ Mountain. Continue reading “Ezekiel 35:1-14 – Edom’s Turn”

Ezekiel 34:25-31 – Covenant of Peace

Read Ezekiel 34:25-31

This is a very hopeful message for people everywhere, not just those living during Ezekiel’s day. It clearly points to the new covenant ushered in by Jesus. Yet, it doesn’t appear this moment has fully arrived yet. God’s people, Israel, remain in bondage of one sort or another. Looking over the history of the Jewish people, never has there been a time of such peace and harmony as described here.

Perfect peace is more than just the absence of war. The peace described here is complete harmony between man and nature as well as a between all people. God is present and recognized. This promise is one we can all cling to. There will be a day when harmony like this will come to pass. Continue reading “Ezekiel 34:25-31 – Covenant of Peace”

Ezekiel 34:11-24 – The Good Shepherd

Read Ezekiel 34:11-24

As I was reading along in today’s text, I couldn’t help but notice how the 23^rd psalm that we closed our last reflection with was ringing through the word pictures. The pastures of rest sound delightful! God being the one to search for us sounded like a prophecy of Jesus. There’s just a lot in this passage to unpack and reflect upon.

Of course, one can’t forget Jesus’ teaching that aligns with these words of sorting. In Matthew 28:31-32, Jesus is explaining what will happen when he returns. Jesus says, “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” I couldn’t help but think of those words when reading Ezekiel’s message. Another connection to Scripture! Continue reading “Ezekiel 34:11-24 – The Good Shepherd”

Ezekiel 34:1-10 – Not Really Shepherds

Read Ezekiel 34:1-10

I don’t think I’ve ever met a shepherd, or one who herds sheep, in person. I’ve commonly seen goat herders and cow wranglers here in Mexico, but never a shepherd. They would have been a lot more common in Ezekiel’s day. The Bible uses the shepherd metaphor in other places as well. The 23^rd Psalm begins, “The LORD is my shepherd, I have all that I need.”

Shepherds were some of the first people to meet Jesus face to face. That tells me that God thinks highly of shepherds, perhaps because of their devotion to their flocks. God’s expectations for a shepherd’s behavior is clearly set out here. Feeding the sheep, tending to the weak, caring for the sick, and certainly searching after any sheep that get lost. Continue reading “Ezekiel 34:1-10 – Not Really Shepherds”

Ezekiel 33:21-33 – Remaining Faithful

Read Ezekiel 33:21-33

It’s an interesting experience reading through Ezekiel realizing that his time stamped prophecies are not in chronological order. If your brain works craves “order” like mine, I’ve put a post over in the “Devotions on the Go!” Facebook group that sets out the order one should read these dated texts.

The good news is that we’re now in the final section of Ezekiel’s writings which are more filled with hope. As Israel’s watchman, Ezekiel will now focus more on the restoration of God’s people. Will they at last respond favorably to God? Continue reading “Ezekiel 33:21-33 – Remaining Faithful”