God is there – Be Still…

Ezekiel 48:1-35 – God is There

Read Ezekiel 48:1-35

Ezekiel’s vision concludes with more details about the Holy City and the surrounding lands. This city was to be called “Yahweh Shammah” which is Hebrew for “the LORD is there.” God’s chosen people are again singled out as the twelve tribes made up of Jacob’s sons. After all that has taken place, the wars, the idol worship, the exile, God still envisions he will be with his people.

While there are many specifics set forth in this vision, this prophecy remains unfulfilled. I wonder why the land wasn’t restored as Ezekiel was shown when the returnees were freed from exile. Ezra and Nehemiah led the way and yet the details of this vision were not used in their reconstruction projects of the temple and wall of protection. Why? Continue reading “Ezekiel 48:1-35 – God is There”

Lamentation 5:1-22 – Don’t Forget Us, Lord!

Read Lamentations 5:1-22

Our final lament appears to be from the viewpoint of the people who were not taken. Those left behind watched as their beloved city changed before their eyes. Living in that crumbled reality, they mourned the loss of a happy, content life.

Gone were the parties and fancy clothes. Now the people faced violence and famine with their enemies in power. God had allowed all of this to happen. The people felt forgotten, finally realizing that they were paying the penalty for sin, their own and their ancestors.

Ezra 10 – A Fresh Start

Read Ezra 10

The book of Ezra closes with a plan of cleansing agreed to by the people. Our last reading identified the problem, and we saw Ezra’s response was to earnestly pray. Today’s reading picks up right there with many other people joining Ezra in his lament.

Were you surprised at how easily the people agreed with Ezra? The plan was put in place to remove the pagan spouses from the land to cleanse the land of foreigners who would not share in the devotion to the LORD, respecting his laws and decrees. The purpose of this cleansing was to remove the “poison” of unbelief from spreading.