Read Ezekiel 21:18-32
Interesting that God allowed the King of Babylon the choice between Rabbah and Jerusalem. God intended doom on both rebellious nations of people! The Babylonian king simply chose Jerusalem, just as the prophets had been saying he would for years.
But we learn that the Ammonites would be doomed to a similar downfall as well. They had family ties to Israel, but they had chosen to be on adversarial terms much of the time. The LORD would be protective of Israel or at least controlling Israel’s destiny. Israel had made their choice to remain a rebellious nation, and the Ammonites continue to bring strife to Israel, even after the return of the exile before God finishes them off using Judas Maccabeus in the 2nd Century B.C.
This is an interesting prophecy then. We see how God can use anything to make his way take place. He even let the Babylonian king think that the omen pointing to Jerusalem was indeed an omen. Couldn’t this “omen” have been God disguising himself into something the king would relate to—an omen (remember he’s a pagan king). God’s revelation is not usually thought of in terms of “omens,” which I usually couple with witchcraft and spells. I prefer to think of them as “signs” from God.
You can’t help but feel sorry for the believers in either of these two nations. Especially those who either hadn’t heard about the coming destruction and death or hadn’t been able to escape to a safer sanctuary with other believers. There would have had to have been a safe place to flee if you did hear and want to follow God.
We have our safe place with God any time we take a moment to open his word and spend time with Him. Those are cherished times we should always make a priority. In our busy lives, it can be hard to balance it all. Have you ever asked God to help you with that balancing act?
It’s my prayer for you and those loved ones and friends to feel that abundance in your life when you spend time with God. I don’t know how crazy my day has been going, but when I sit down to have my time with God, reflect, and then write, those are one of the richest parts of my day. I am re-energized to get so much more accomplished. Going through the day having cleansed in God’s presence is ideal, almost like breathing. Take as much time as you can to just sit quietly in God’s presence right now.
Let’s pray. LORD, it is so refreshing to spend time with you. Reflecting on times when you had such fury for you people can be hard. Thank you for all the messages, beyond the obvious God’s wrath theme to Ezekiel’s prophecies. Thank you for revealing yourself and your heart to me when we spend time together. I treasure each second. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
