Ezekiel – Page 14 – Be Still…

Ezekiel 11:14-21 – A Glimmer of Hope

Read Ezekiel 11:14-21

Ezekiel is given a message for those in exile to bring them hope. It sounds like the people left in Israel believe that they have free reign to do what they want now that the first wave of people has been taken away into exile. The people still in Jerusalem made an incorrect assumption that what had been left behind now belonged to them. Did they think they had immunity and were safe from God’s wrath?

On the contrary, God promises to be a sanctuary for those already in exile. Faithful people like Ezekiel would be rewarded for staying true to God despite the “popular” way which led to sin and death. Ezekiel was told to tell them, “I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.” Continue reading “Ezekiel 11:14-21 – A Glimmer of Hope”

Ezekiel 11:1-13 – Misguided Beliefs

Read Ezekiel 11:1-13

Ezekiel’s temple vision continues as he is shown what will come of twenty-five prominent citizens of Jerusalem. Apparently, these men were not part of the first wave of those leaders and officials taken away to Babylon. Instead, they were the ones left behind, making evil choices in Jerusalem leading the people astray.

You can imagine how angry God was with them. God’s plans were to destroy them, but first Ezekiel would prophesy to them about their impending doom. Why did God want to do that? Continue reading “Ezekiel 11:1-13 – Misguided Beliefs”

Ezekiel 10:1-22 – The Glory of the LORD

Read Daniel 10:1-22

In our last reading, Ezekiel spoke of the glory of the LORD being on the move when he wrote, “Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple.” At that point, the glory of the LORD had not left completely. We read those same words in this reading, but God doesn’t stop at the door.

If you recognize the descriptions given of these cherubim, you have a good memory. Ezekiel has seen these cherubim or heavenly beings before in his first vision. Their appearance is totally unforgettable. What was the most striking feature for you? Continue reading “Ezekiel 10:1-22 – The Glory of the LORD”

Ezekiel 9:1-11 – Who God Spares

Read Ezekiel 9:1-11

It’s hard to read about God calling for the slaughter of his people. On the other hand, Ezekiel tells us that some were spared by receiving a special mark. Who were those fortunate few? The faithful ones who were true to God despite all the idolatrous living going on around them.

The LORD said to the man dressed in linen, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.” Do you ever find yourself overcome with emotion because of what you see happening in the world? Would you be one of those spared because you share the heart of God? Some find it easy to look the other way and call it “tolerance.” Is that the way God wants us to be? This passage would suggest not. Continue reading “Ezekiel 9:1-11 – Who God Spares”

Ezekiel 8:1-18 – Idols Infuriate God

Read Ezekiel 8:1-18

We have a new time stamp for this reading. This new series of visions came to Ezekiel about a year after the first ones back in Chapter 1. This time, Ezekiel was in his house spending time with leaders of Judah who had also been taken into exile. Thankfully it doesn’t sound like they were in shackles or anything.

I imagine Ezekiel was quite surprised to be whisked away by the Spirit and taken back to Jerusalem. He describes it like a teleporting experience you’d see in a sci-fi thriller! Here one minute, gone the next only to appear in a different scene. Did you wonder if the leaders noticed he was gone or if this was just a mental excursion? Continue reading “Ezekiel 8:1-18 – Idols Infuriate God”