prophecy – Page 2 – Be Still…

Ezekiel 28:1-19 – God’s Message to the King

Read Ezekiel 28:1-19

It’s helpful to be introduced to the King of Tyre as God sees him and how Ezekiel describes the king’s leadership. In earlier passages, we’ve read how this thriving town was so well respected. Did it surprise you that the leader was so full of himself, thinking he was a god? That degree of self-importance would not be pleasing to God. Yet the king must have been delighted to be in charge of such a successful city.

What must this prideful king have thought when a message came from the Sovereign LORD? Not only did the LORD call him out on his behavior, but the king was put in his place. He was simply wealthy and wise and most certainly not a god! Continue reading “Ezekiel 28:1-19 – God’s Message to the King”

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 3:16-27 – Such Great Responsibility

Read Ezekiel 3:16-27

Ezekiel surely had a lot to think about over those seven days. It would seem his assignment is all but hopeless. This reading picks up after that week of Ezekiel’s reflection. He had taken time to deal with how overwhelmed he must have felt. Notice how Ezekiel is cared for and given good instructions.

Despite the divine communication, I can almost feel the pressure Ezekiel faced in making sure he never ignored a message from God, no matter how difficult it might be. God had deemed it wise to give Ezekiel this great responsibility. Even the spirit promised to help him not say the wrong thing when provoked by the rebels. Continue reading “Ezekiel 3:16-27 – Such Great Responsibility”

Christmas ? Isaiah 7:14 – Immanuel

“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel
(which means ‘God is with us’). “ (Isaiah 7:14)

I love that the name Immanuel means “God is with us.” What a perfect name for Jesus. He came into the dark world he loved so much to be with us, to be one of us. Knowing Jesus is with us gives us hope for tomorrow and makes the world a little brighter.

It’s interesting to know the back story of this prophecy from Isaiah. Right before this, Isaiah had been speaking with King Ahaz. You may recall Ahaz was one of those wicked kings that did detestable things. (2 Kings 16) It was during his 16-year reign that Ahaz feared a takeover by Israel and it’s ally, Assyria. God’s message through Isaiah had been that no invasion would take place.

Christmas ? Luke 2:25-35 – Faith

Read Luke 2:25-35

Can you imagine having received the message Simeon had, giving him the assurance he would see the Messiah before he died? Many had been waiting for the Messiah to come rescue them. It had been hundreds of years since the prophets had foretold a Messiah would come. In Simeon’s day, the Roman oppression was so great the people were anxiously awaiting the day their Messiah king would powerfully come to save them.

Simeon’s faith is commendable. Amidst the struggles of life under Roman control, and the natural aging process our bodies go through, Simeon never lost hope. He had faith in God’s promise. It seems as if his faith was the fuel that sustained Simeon through each day of waiting.