<\/p>\n
Ezekiel 20:1-22:16<\/strong><\/span> Ezekiel chapter 20 verse 12 stands out to me today: \u201cAnd I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I, the LORD, had set them apart to be holy, making them my special people.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I like learning this \u2013 the Sabbath days of rest were given as a sign between God and his people.\u00a0 How are you doing on taking a day of rest each week?\u00a0 Would taking a day of rest each week \u2013 a Sabbath day \u2013 benefit your relationship with God?\u00a0 And with others?\u00a0 Would it benefit perhaps the other 6 days of your week?\u00a0 Below is a great painting titled \u201cThe Sabbath Rest\u201d by the Jewish Polish painter Samuel Hirszenberg from the year 1894:<\/span> After verse 12 above, we read this from God in verse 13: \u201c\u201cBut the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my laws there in the wilderness. They wouldn\u2019t obey my instructions even though obedience would have given them life. And they also violated my Sabbath days. So I threatened to pour out my fury on them, and I made plans to utterly consume them in the desert.\u201d <\/em>The thing that stood out to me in this verse was \u201cthey also violated my Sabbath days.\u201d\u00a0 I don\u2019t get too caught up on which day of the week we take a Sabbath \u2013 as some may work weekends and have Mondays off, for example.\u00a0 Whatever the day is for you \u2013 do you have 1 day a week that you consider a Sabbath?\u00a0 Why might this be a smart thing to do?\u00a0 A healthy thing to do?\u00a0 A faithful thing to do?<\/span> In Ezekiel 20:40 we read: \u201cThere I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.\u201d<\/em> What are your offerings, choice gifts and holy sacrifices to the Lord?\u00a0 Your life, your thoughts, your finances?\u00a0 Do you give a percentage of your income to your local church, ministries, and nonprofits?\u00a0 Would this perhaps be a \u201choly sacrifice\u201d if you did so?\u00a0 Would this be a bold act of faith?<\/span> In Ezekiel chapter 21 today we read about the Lord\u2019s sword of judgment! Which, in this case is Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar.\u00a0 I did not realize until today that there is actually a \u201csword song\u201d in the Bible \u2013 a song that warriors may have sung and even danced to before going out to battle.\u00a0 Unfortunately, this sword song in verses 9 through 11 was being sung for Jerusalem because of her many sins\u2026 \u201cA sword, a sword is being sharpened and polished. It is sharpened for terrible slaughter and polished to flash like lightning! Now will you laugh? Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power! Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished; it is being prepared for the executioner.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Okay, so Ezekiel Chapters 21 & 22 are the types of chapters where you might you think about stereotypes of the Old Testament \u2013 a \u201cgrouchy\/mean\u201d God perhaps one might say about these two chapters\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0However! \u2013 context of course is key to keep in mind.\u00a0 We must also know the book of Jeremiah or Ezekiel prior to these chapters.\u00a0 God has been slow to anger, compassionate, asking \u2013 no, begging \u2013 people to repent.\u00a0 And they have not.\u00a0 And things just keep getting worse and worse and worse.\u00a0 Check out chapter 22 verses 1 through 16 for how bad the sins of Jerusalem have gotten\u2026\u00a0 All of this reminds me that the consequences for sin are very real.\u00a0 Let us never forget the truth of Romans 6:23 \u2013 \u201cFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:\u00a0 <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Matt Redman\u2019s \u201cBlessed Be Your Name:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n