Ezekiel 37:1-39:29; Ezekiel 32:1-16
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Ezekiel chapter 37 starts with a fascinating vision! This vision of the valley of dry bones is an allusion to the exiled Israelites. As God brings life and breath into the bones, he will do the same for the exiles, and bring them back to their home land. In a sense, bring them back to life!
Verse 14 sums up the purpose of this vision nicely – “I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” Again, we hear the words, as we have so often in Ezekiel – “then you will know that I am the Lord.” Today in our lives, do we know that the Lord is the Lord? (please forgive this picture below… when I saw it I couldn’t help posting it up… sometimes you just have to put all kinds of different facts & info out there for people who pull into your parking lot. 🙂
Verses 15-23 are great – discussing the reunification of the two kingdoms of Israel since the time of Solomon. Israel will become one kingdom again. And verses 24 through 28 point toward the coming Messiah, Jesus. Verse 26 stands out – “And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant.” Have you entered into this covenant of peace with God? The everlasting covenant? Have you opened the door to Jesus in your heart? Do you hear him knocking? Maybe late at night, do you hear Jesus knocking? Offering you an everlasting covenant of peace? Will you open the door of your heart?
Ezekiel chapter 38 is very interesting, with a prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog. It will help you to know that Gog is mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 verses 7 & 8 as follows – “When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth–Gog and Magog–to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.” This can help give some context for this chapter. This may be an end-times type of prophecy from Ezekiel. Verse 22 tells us – “I will punish you and your hordes with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!” And, again, we close this chapter with some familiar powerful words from God – “Thus will I show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the LORD!”
Ezekiel chapter 39 continues the destruction of Gog! See yesterday’s posting below for more details on who and what Gog may be. Verse 25 stands out to me in today’s readings: “So now the Sovereign LORD says: I will end the captivity of my people; I will have mercy on Israel, for I am jealous for my holy reputation!” We see that the exile is coming near to an end. Ezekiel and Jeremiah have been two pretty heavy books with prophecies against Israel. This chapter continues to show the redemption and return of the exiles from Babylon to Israel is soon coming. It is interesting that God is jealous for his holy reputation in the verse above… are we ourselves also jealous for God’s holy reputation? Should we be?
Worship Video: Ezekiel 39:25 reminded me of the fantastic song “Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman! Here’s Peter Furler performing a great live version of this song:
Do you know our God of blessing? Click here and praise his name!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
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