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Ezekiel 24:15-25:17; Jeremiah 34:1-22; Jeremiah 21:1-14; Ezekiel 29:1-16; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18<\/strong><\/span> An important note from our readings in Ezekiel chapter 24 today is that Ezekiel\u2019s wife dies on the exact same day the Temple is Jerusalem was burned!\u00a0 August 14, 586 B.C.\u00a0 As I read these verses about Ezekiel\u2019s wife and the Temple I am reminded of a verse in the book of Job \u2013 13:15- \u201cThough he slay me, yet will I hope in him.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Though Ezekiel\u2019s wife dies and though the Temple burned, the Lord still instructs Judah in verse 23: \u201cYou will not mourn or weep\u201d.<\/em>\u00a0 The Job situation is of course different in that Job was righteous and Judah was not at this time.\u00a0 And there is not clear hope for Judah at this time \u2013 though there ultimately is redemption for Jerusalem.\u00a0 \u00a0However, again, look at Job\u2019s faith in the midst of all he was going through: \u201cyet I will hope in him.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 When times are bad \u2013 or times are good \u2013 do you hope in Him?\u00a0 No matter what, will you hope in Him?<\/span><\/p>\n In Ezekiel chapter 25 today we begin reading God\u2019s oracles against the nations surrounding Israel.\u00a0 We\u2019ll read 7 oracles over the next few days through chapter 32.\u00a0 It\u2019s noteworthy that frequently in the Old Testament God\u2019s words of judgment against Israel through the prophets is often accompanied by oracles of judgments against the nations.\u00a0 Below is a map that shows the oracles against the nations we read about in chapters 25 & 26 today and through chapter 32 in the coming days.\u00a0 This map is helpful to see where Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon and of course Egypt are all located in comparison to Jerusalem:<\/span> Jeremiah chapter 34 is interesting with the freedom for the slaves \u2013 and then the reversal of that decision. Could this story remind us of our lives at times? Do we sometimes promise God that we\u2019ll do something he wants us to do? Maybe even start to do it? And then change our minds?\u00a0 Why are we not consistent with what we tell God we will do?\u00a0 Let us pray for consistency in our spiritual walk!<\/span><\/p>\n In Jeremiah 21 we\u2019re getting close to the point of the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. as King Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon are getting close. The prophecies Jeremiah has been preaching in the past 20 chapters are coming to fruition. A verse that encapsulates all of this is 21:10 \u2013 \u201cFor I have decided to bring disaster and not good upon this city, says the Lord. It will be captured by the king of Babylon, and he will reduce it to ashes.\u2019\u201d<\/em> Do remember that in our readings over the past few days that God does intend to bring the Israelites back to Jerusalem eventually. There is hope!\u00a0 Even though Nebuchadnezzar (pictured below) is soon to come into Jerusalem\u2026 there is still hope in the midst of the despair\u2026\u00a0 there is still redemption to come\u2026<\/span> Verse 7 in chapter 29 of Ezekiel stands out as to why God is unhappy with Egypt (in part \u2013 idols are another reason\u2026)\u00a0 \u2013 \u201cIsrael leaned on you, but like a cracked staff, you splintered and stabbed her in the armpit. When she put her weight on you, you gave way, and her back was thrown out of joint.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 God was not happy that Israel created an alliance with Egypt as we read earlier in Ezekiel \u2013 but at the same time, God was not happy with Egypt for bailing on the alliance when Babylon attacked Jerusalem.\u00a0 \u00a0Think God likes for us to keep our promises in our life?\u00a0 Do you keep your promises in your life?\u00a0 Are you careful to never make empty promises?<\/span><\/p>\n I think Ezekiel chapter 31 starts out with a trick question from God to Egypt in verse 2: \u201cSon of man, give this message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his people: \u201cTo whom would you compare your greatness?\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The proper answer to this question is probably somewhere along the humble lines of, \u201cno one \u2013 I am not great at all.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t dare compare myself to others.\u00a0 Everything I am and have comes from you God.\u201d\u00a0 Think Pharaoh would answer the question in this humble way?\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 Better yet \u2013 maybe we should ask ourselves this question today as well.\u00a0 And think about how we would answer it.\u00a0 What if someone stops you on the street tomorrow and asks you this question.\u00a0 What would be your reply?\u00a0 \u00a0Here it is.\u00a0 I ask this of you now: \u201cTo whom would you compare your greatness?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:\u00a0 <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings remind me of Josiah Queen\u2019s song \u201cThe Prodigal:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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