Last week we read about God’s purposes in judgment, which also show us more of His character. In the second part of chapter 21, God described His sword of judgment and its role in disciplining His children. Read Ezekiel 21:8-12. God told Ezekiel, “Son of man,” to prophesy regarding Israel….
This week we resume reading at the end of Ezekiel 20, since chapter breaks are human, not necessarily divine. Ezekiel proclaimed a prophecy toward Israel’s south, identified by Baker as the general region of the Negev. We’ve seen in previous readings how God used multiple words to express similar concepts…
The Sovereign Lord is also a God of restoration and reconciliation. He calls His people back to Himself over and over again. He does all this for His glory, to uphold the power and essence of His holy Name. We observed in Ezekiel 19 how God remained true to His…
This week God, through Ezekiel, discussed a common theme: Israel’s rebellion and unfaithful living toward Him. God said the people blasphemed Him by forsaking Him. They defied His Lordship in their lives by verbally abusing God and abandoning Him. Strong actions on their part—no wonder the Lord judged them! Read…
A glance back at chapter 18 helps us understand the Lord speaks these words and Ezekiel simply records them. Every print version (single- or double-column) of Ezekiel 19 I have read formats this chapter in verse instead of prose. The lament contains allegorical imagery to describe Israel’s demise and destruction…
We’re still within one week of Valentine’s Day, so this photo seems appropriate. Especially when we consider God’s offer of relationship with Him, every day. Last week we learned about the choice God gives every person to walk with Him, regardless of our family history. The second half of chapter…
I enjoyed watching snow fall as I wrote this, a nice change of pace from cold rain. The weather portrayed a visual picture of God’s message to Ezekiel. Rain, then snow, then gray damp again. In the second half of chapter 18 (next week), we’ll read God’s description of a…
The Lord said Israel’s king broke God’s covenant. Ezekiel faithfully recorded God’s Words regarding judgment and a new relationship with the Lord. God added a piece to the overall theme in Ezekiel’s message: I the Lord have spoken. Israel needed to pay attention to God’s Word as well as His…
We find quite a study in literature forms in Ezekiel. Visions, narrative, drama, proverbs, and here in chapter 17, allegory and parable. God is a God of story, and He delights in “happy endings” for His beloved; this chapter includes more treasure from God’s Word. The word of the Lord…
What a cheery way to start the new year—we’ve slogged through Israel’s sin, spiritual adultery, and depravity through Ezekiel’s descriptions. God compared unfaithful Jerusalem to her pagan neighbors, declaring the city more depraved than surrounding nations. The Lord even destroyed Sodom for its inhabitants’ sins. Through Ezekiel’s message, God continued…