Daily Bible Devotionals

“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.  Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” Ezekiel 33:7-9 (HCSB)

I love action movies, particularly those James Bond/Mission Impossible/Bourne Identity types of thrillers. I’m always fascinated with those scenes where the characters get past high-tech security to accomplish their missions. We have come a long way since the wild-west bank robbing days, when a cowboy would pull his bandana over his nose and run into a bank with guns drawn, yelling, “Stick ‘em up!”

As in the wild-west days, ancient cities were extremely vulnerable to attack at almost any moment. In the days of Ezekiel, no surveillance cameras, radar, or infrared detection devices existed. There was just the Watchman. Occupying a suitable vantage point from which he could survey the surrounding countryside, the Watchman would blow a trumpet to warn any approaching parties, whether they be friendly or not. The amount of time a city would have to get its villagers safely within its city walls and ready for defensive action largely depended on the swift actions of its Watchman. The lives of the people were dependent on the Watchman’s vigilance.

The “Watchman” in today’s chapter is a spiritual one. The focus falls on both the Watchman's duty and the people's response. The Watchman had two responsibilities: 1) Watch for danger and 2) Warn of approaching danger. But the people were likewise responsible: 1) Listen to the Watchman, and 2) React accordingly. Having given adequate warning, the Watchman could not be held accountable if the people ignored him. If the people failed to run into the city, they had only themselves to blame if they fell under the sword of the invading army.

Ezekiel has been Israel’s spiritual Watchman. He has sounded the notes of warning concerning God’s judgment. Israel should have been fully aware that their sin had placed them smack in the middle of Babylon’s warpath. Being a Watchman is also the commission of every follower of Jesus. It is the responsibility of each of us to give a full warning (to both the believer and non-believer) of the consequences of rebellion against God and of having rejected His offer of salvation. We are the Lord’s representatives:

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)

We are accountable for warning the lost, and they are accountable for their response.

“Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: ‘Because you (Pharaoh, King of Egypt) are so tall, because he has lifted his head above the leafy boughs, because he has grown so arrogant about his height, I am handing him over to the mightiest of the nations, who will certainly deal with him as his wickedness deserves; I reject him.” Ezekiel 31:10-11 (CJB)

In today’s chapter, the Lord of history reveals Himself to be in charge of momentous international affairs. In a day when believers in Jesus conveniently confine God to purely personal issues, we need to regain the cosmic perspective of the prophets, as they spoke of the Lord of the universe, intimately involved in the international issues of their day. There is not an item of news that the Lord is not involved in.

Some of my fondest memories involve spending time at my grandparents’ home in Arkansas. Built on a 2-acre lot, their estate contained a fair amount of old-growth trees. Once, a tree trimmer was giving an estimate to my grandfather. As he patted the tree trunk in question, the expert stated, “You know, this tree is about 100 years old!”  “It’s older than that,” my grandfather shot back, “Because I am 100 years old, and it was this big when I showed up!” There is something proud about a majestic old tree, but as you have undoubtedly heard, pride comes before a fall!

This fifth prophecy against Egypt, dated 53 days after the preceding one, is in the style of the funeral dirge. Its subject: Egypt’s past glories. It takes the form of a poem likening Egypt to a “Lebanon cedar.” Generally, these massive trees are impressive, but the cedar Egypt is compared to is a great tree, fallen by the lumberjacks. Just as Assyria had fallen a century earlier at the battle of Carchemish, Egypt’s power will be destroyed.

The poem describes the greatness of the tree, even esteeming it above any tree to be found in Eden. The image portrayed is, of course, Egypt’s self-appraisal, not God’s honest appraisal. Like Assyria before her, all the conquering nations, since the pride of Egypt’s nationalism, knew no bounds. The lesson: their pride precedes their fall.

Babylon, the “ruler of the nations,” will cut Egypt down to size with its massive battle-ax, but the actual cause of Egypt’s fall is her wickedness. In a somber passage, Egypt is depicted as Sheol (the grave), lying alongside other trees (nations) who have died because of their prideful opposition to God. The point of the allegory is comparative: If Egypt were to fall, what chance did the tiny nations that depended on her for their survival have?

The doom of those who live in habitual sin is to “lie among the uncircumcised” (31:18; 28:10). Un-circumcision is a word used by the prophets to depict uncleanness, defilement, and unworthiness. In short, it is the symbolic distinction between the believer and unbeliever, the Remnant and the fallen, the saved and unsaved. The sad truth is the two extremes are separated not by education, wealth, nationality, or DNA; the object of their faith separates them. The only “tree” we should associate with is Messiah Jesus's cross.

“The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy and say, “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Wail, “Woe to the day!” For the day is near, Even the day of the Lord is near; It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.’” Ezekiel 30:1-3 (NKJV)

For the first time in Ezekiel’s book, we read the phrase “the day of the Lord.”  While the “day of the Lord” can sometimes refer to an event in the near future, it usually describes the consummation, the end of time, when God will come to judge the World.  

In today’s passage, we find Ezekiel is describing an event that is not in the too-distant future: the ransacking of North Africa by the Babylonians. But we must understand that all these passages are forecasts and foretastes of the judgment of what will most definitely come upon the World at the END of time.  

For centuries, Israel had entertained the thought that the “day of the Lord” would bring nothing but blessings for them. But that was a naïve view. Isaiah had warned Israel before its collapse to the Assyrians:

“The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) …the arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:12, 17 (NIV)

Ezekiel, like Amos, warns that the “day of the Lord” will be “dark” (30:18; Amos 5:18, 20; 8:9) And Zephaniah spoke of it as”

“…a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness” Zephaniah 1:15 (NIV)

Four particular features of the “Day of the Lord” are worth noting. 1) It is a day of distress, 2) The “day” is imminent, 3) It is a day of judgment, and 4) No one (apart from the atonement of Messiah) can escape the effects of this day.

As mentioned before, the error of Israel has been that they believe the Day of the Lord will be a day of judgment against the Gentiles and the vindication of the Jewish people. But upon closer observation, while today’s chapter deals with Gentile nations, a day was appointed by the Lord when Israel was judged and routed by the Babylonians, along with all the other nations. So, the judgment is against apostasy, regardless of nationality.

Ultimately, not ALL Israel was delivered during the “day of the Lord.”  On the contrary, only the Remnant - those who faithfully followed the Lord and believed in His Word – were delivered amid His judgment. Likewise, on the coming Day of the Lord, it will be the Remnant of Israel (those who trust in Jesus alone) who will be saved, along with Gentile believers.  (Acts 4:12; Romans 9:6)

“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, for they have been a staff made of reed to the house of Israel. When Israel grasped you by the hand, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you shattered and made all their hips unsteady.” Ezekiel 29:6-7 (HCSB)

Throughout the Bible, the observant reader will notice the image of the “staff” recurring. Moses had a miracle staff, but only after God changed it to be so. (Ex 4:2) The night before he was to be reunited with his brother Esau, that “heel-catching” deceiver, Jacob, said, “I have crossed-over with my staff and behold: I have become two camps” (Genesis 32:1-2). Judah gave his staff as a down payment for having sex with his daughter-in-law-feigned prostitute, Tamar. (Genesis 38:1-26) Many people remember David’s slingshot, but how many recall that he also took his staff to fight Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:40)  

So, what is a staff, and what does it represent in Scripture? The “staff” symbolizes what a person relies on to get through life. It is important to recognize that the culture of ancient Bible times was mostly nomadic, and the Middle East was very rocky and dangerous. Recall how, for 40 years, the entire nation of Israel wandered throughout such wilderness. In short, the staff is the support system for the journey.

Even people on a short hike know the importance of a good walking stick. The staff is something to lean on if you are tired; it is a means of defense in times of trouble; when secured to a tarp of canvas, it helps provide simple shelter; and, of course, depending on the craftsmanship & detailing, it can be a symbol of status. Again, the “staff” is emblematic of how one “does life.” Perhaps this insight helps us better appreciate the familiar passage:

“Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

If there was ever a time for Israel to reflect on Psalm 23, it was when they were deciding whether to trust in the “perceived” glory & power of Egypt instead of faithfully seeking the “actual” power & glory of the Invisible God. (Colossians 1:10-17)  Sadly, trusting God would not be Israel’s choice. Egypt was to go down hard by the hand of the Babylonians, and Israel was soon to follow. All for choosing the wrong “staff.”

Some believe our present national woes will be solved politically, financially, or militarily. But the Bible clearly points out that our only hope is living God’s way. And that means adopting His ways, choosing His “staff.”  If we would simply separate ourselves from our ways, God will reveal those ways to be sin. He did this for Moses. Moses’ staff became the symbol of sin, the snake. You may think God’s ways will bite you like a snake! Moses did, but when he faithfully humbled himself, bending down to lift up God’s staff, the Lord began using him in a mighty way.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God” Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, lament for the king of Tyre and say to him: This is what the Lord God says: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold; they were prepared on the day you were created. You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you.’” Ezekiel 28:11-15 (HCSB)

Behind the description of the fall of the King of Tyre lies the shadow of Satan. Many commentators have believed that behind this passage (and a similar one of the fall of the King of Babylon in Isaiah 14:12-14) lies a traditional account of the fall of Satan, whose image these arrogant monarchs bore. But other commentators believe Ezekiel’s description also bears a striking resemblance to Adam.

Commentators may be correct in both instances because, in essence, Ezekiel is poetically portraying the idea of a great fall from a “perfect” existence (28:12). The king seemed to have everything: he is decked out in high-class “bling” – and falls! Adam had everything – and fell! And with Adam, we, too, fell!

Satan had everything – and fell, as well! Ezekiel compares the King of Tyre to a guardian “cherub” on the “holy mountain of God” (28:14). This expression was a common way of alluding to the “place” where God was thought to dwell. Thus, the King of Tyre, who claimed to be a god, resides in the “mountain of God” but falls: unrighteousness is found in him (28:15). And the cause of his unrighteousness? Greed and self-aggrandizement, set up in a single, self-condemning sentence: Your heart became proud. (28:17)

It has been suggested that these were the elements that Adam found so alluring that pride was the essence of Adam’s sin in Eden because pride is the essence of sin in general. The King of Tyre’s fall, spectacular and shocking as it was, symbolizes what sin can expect, no matter where it is found. Adam was banished from Eden, and the fault lay entirely within himself. Regardless of the number of angles & attempts temptation takes in pursuit of our worship, it is impossible to con an honest man. As any sea-faring man knows (and surely the King of Tyre was the Sea-Farer of all seafarers), all the water in the World cannot sink even the smallest boat unless it finds a way inside!

And now another warning for America…are we not guilty of the same pride and position as Tyre? Have we not boasted of being the World’s “provider & protector”? Yes, American Christians sponsor the bulk of ministry and give more to charity than any other people group…yet wasn’t it Tyre who provided all the supplies for the building of Solomon’s temple? Our “island” is overwhelmed by the moral & financial tsunami we have created. Jesus is the only “ark” into which we must run to be saved! (Acts 4:12)

“Your wealth, merchandise, and goods, your sailors and captains, those who repair your leaks, those who barter for your goods, and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall. The countryside shakes at the sound of your sailors’ cries. All those who handle an oar disembark from their ships. The sailors and all the captains of the sea stand on the shore. They raise their voices over you and cry out bitterly. They throw dust on their heads; they roll in ashes. They shave their heads because of you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They weep over you with deep anguish and bitter mourning. In their wailing they lament for you, mourning over you: Who was like Tyre, silenced in the middle of the sea? When your merchandise was unloaded from the seas, you satisfied many peoples. You enriched the kings of the earth with your abundant wealth and goods. Now you are shattered by the sea in the depths of the waters; your goods and the people within you have gone down. All the inhabitants of the coasts and islands are appalled at you. Their kings shudder with fear; their faces are contorted. Those who trade among the peoples mock you; you have become an object of horror and will never exist again.”  Ezekiel 27:27-36 (HCSB)

Today’s passage is eerily repeated in Revelation 18 over a future kingdom (the kingdom of the Great Whore, Babylon) that will seduce the nations with her goods & wares. Lest we simply shake our heads in shame at ancient Tyre, perhaps we should look at how we have imitated her idolatry so that we might avoid her judgment!

“The kings of the earth who have committed sexual immorality and lived luxuriously with her will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off in fear of her torment, saying: Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the mighty city! For in a single hour, your judgment has come. The merchants of the earth will also weep and mourn over her because no one buys their merchandise any longer - merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine fabrics of linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; all kinds of fragrant wood products; objects of ivory; objects of expensive wood, brass, iron, and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine wheat flour, and grain; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and slaves and human lives. The fruit you craved has left you. All your splendid and glamorous things are gone; they will never find them again. The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand far off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, saying: Woe, woe, the great city, dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, for in a single hour such fabulous wealth was destroyed! And every shipmaster, seafarer, the sailors, and all who do business by sea, stood far off as they watched the smoke from her burning and kept crying out: “Who is like the great city?” They threw dust on their heads and kept crying out, weeping, and mourning: Woe, woe, the great city, where all those who have ships on the sea became rich from her wealth, for in a single hour she, was destroyed. Rejoice over her, heaven, and you saints, apostles, and prophets, because God has executed your judgment on her!” Revelation 18:9-20 (HCSB)

“For thus says the Lord God: ‘When I make you (Tyre) a desolate city, like cities that are not inhabited, when I bring the deep upon you, and great waters cover you, then I will bring you down with those who descend into the Pit, to the people of old, and I will make you dwell in the lowest part of the earth, in places desolate from antiquity, with those who go down to the Pit, so that you may never be inhabited; and I shall establish glory in the land of the living. I will make you a terror, and you shall be no more; though you are sought for, you will never be found again,’ says the Lord God.”  Ezekiel 26:19-21 (NKJV)

Fraud and greed have become so commonplace in our culture that our conditioned response is typically a yawn instead of outrage. As long as there are financial sections of newspapers, their headlines will mostly read of scandal in the marketplace. Tyre was the commercial center of the ancient Middle East. In the following three chapters, she comes under the scrutiny of the divine Accountant and judge. The previous chapter dealt mainly with the violence of the nations to the east of Judah, and the following three chapters will focus largely on the commercial life of the nations to the northwest.

Tyre was the capital of Phoenicia, which included Gebal and Sidon. These were all Mediterranean ports, and (together with the Philistines) the Phoenicians were great merchant traders of the ancient Near East, hence, The gate of the nations. (26:2)

During the reigns of David & Solomon, Tyre established good relations with Israel; there is no record of any war between Israel and these Mediterranean coastal states.   In fact, they are mostly known for their cooperation: King Hiram 1st of Tyre provided wood and artisans for Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 5:1-18) and sailors for his commercial fleet (1 Kings 9:27). But there had been moments of tension over economic matters. Extra-biblical historical accounts reveal that the Phoenicians had taken advantage of Judah’s battle with the Babylonians by plundering them from the northwest and exploiting them with high trade tariffs and over-inflated prices on essential goods.

Tyre’s primary offense, though, was its arrogance. Their greatest idol was the one they saw looking back as they stared into the mirror! As the major shipping giant, Tyre was unstoppable at sea, and since they were strategically located partly on the mainland and partly on an adjacent island, they were virtually impenetrable. Of course, in the words of Ezekiel, one tsunami could cure the excessive pride of any island empire. Indeed, Tyre was about to face a tsunami in the likes of a Babylonian wave, which destroyed the inland portion of Tyre’s empire. A later “tsunami wave,” named Alexander the Great, would take the rubble of Babylon’s inland destruction and build a bridge with it. In that bridge of rubble, Alexander marched to the island and defeated Tyre once & for all.

So, how did Tyre’s self-worship display itself in such a way to anger God to the extent that He would have her virtually destroyed? 1. Tyre depended on her physical resources. (26:4, 7, 9-11) 2. Tyre put her trust in her leaders. (26:16) 3. Tyre was materialistic. (26:12) 4. Tyre was in love with the “good life.” (26:13) Sadly, these traits describe America perfectly. When you feel the urge to brace for impact, pray for Revival!

“Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.’ So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded.” Ezekiel 24:15-18 (NKJV)

Covenant-breakers can expect the curses of the covenant upon them. That is what happened to God’s people in Ezekiel’s day. In a day of compromise by false ecumenism, secularism, and ritual formality, it is a lesson that today’s Church-at-large needs to hear. It is not a popular message and anyone who proclaims it will be as despised as any of the ancient prophets were. But we need to be as faithful as Ezekiel was. His testimony, his willingness to subject his most sensitive feelings in submission to the Lord’s overall purpose, is a singular mark of his discipleship.  

During the time of today’s chapter is an incident that is undoubtedly one of the saddest in Scripture. Ezekiel’s wife dies, and the Lord commands the prophet to use her death (by his response) as an illustration to the exiles of how they are to respond to what is going to take place in Jerusalem. Ezekiel was to hide his grief and show no mourning.

Many readers have considered Ezekiel weak or inhumane for not mourning. But on the contrary, Ezekiel’s strength allowed him to willingly comply with the Lord’s request. At no point does Ezekiel give way to his feelings, as Jeremiah does time and again. We can identify with Jeremiah’s sense of frustration, but because our present generation dislikes authority and absolutes, Ezekiel comes off as aloof and bland. Yet, the greatness of Ezekiel’s testimony lies in the fact that, for God’s Word to be magnified, Ezekiel himself must hide behind it entirely.

Our generation seems preoccupied with not offending people. In many Christian circles, the self-imposed prerequisite that we are sensitive to the feelings of others and “politically correct” completely neutralizes the restorative message of God’s Word. Ezekiel was commanded to divorce himself from emotions, even toward his beloved wife. And therein lies the real gravity of Chapter 24: God’s holiness is paramount, and His empathy toward His “bride” is completely in accordance with that holiness.

When we attach the 1st half of chapter 24 with the 2nd, we clearly see that God’s “burning-away” of the “dross” within His people must be accomplished without His personal or emotional attachment. Otherwise, judgment will be compromised, and what comes forth from the fire will be less than perfect gold.

Have you ever wondered why God allows difficult times to fall upon “good” people, even His own children? Perhaps it is because we only judge one another as “good” from a human perspective, while God, in His Mercy, shows us the “dross” in our lives by turning up the heat.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, therefore you shall bear the penalty of your lewdness and your harlotry.’” Ezekiel 23:35 (NKJV)

In today’s chapter, God refers to Israel as “Ohoah” (tent) and Jerusalem as “Ohlivah” (My tent is in her). The image of the tent most likely refers to the Tent of Meeting, the Tabernacle. Long since abandoned in exchange for the Temple in Jerusalem, the Tabernacle was still symbolic of spiritual intimacy, which was supposed to distinguish Israel’s relationship to God from all the other nations’ relationships with their false gods.

Of course, we all know the intimate activities of a man & wife in their “tent,” and that is exactly the point God is making to Israel. They had a “marriage” relationship, and the worship relationship between God and His people should be the most significant and intimate thing on earth. Yet Israel had “whored” herself to the non-gods of the nations.

Let’s put this in somewhat graphic yet contemporary terms. Suppose a man & woman get married, and one day, the man comes home early and sees an unfamiliar car in his driveway. When he enters his home, the husband sees a strange gentleman sitting at his kitchen table. When the husband asks who the man is, the wife says he is just a friend.  

Several days go by, and every day, when the husband comes home, the stranger is there; he is eating at the husband’s table, playing with his children, and joking with his wife. Then, one day, the husband comes home to find the stranger abusing his wife. When the husband rushes in, yelling for the man to stop, the wife turns to the husband and says, “I would rather be abused by him than loved by you.”

I apologize for describing such a horrible scenario, and you may believe I have overstepped my bounds by publishing it, but that is precisely what we tell God when we choose to be abused by the World and give ourselves over to its “idols” allowing them to control and exploit us. In essence, we tell God, “We would rather be abused by the world, our flesh, and the devil than loved by You.”

I will continue to say that Ezekiel is a wake-up call for the Church, especially here in America. When will we return from our “lovers” to the Lord? And what will be the catalyst for true hope and real change? It’s when we return to a personal relationship with God through a saving relationship with Messiah Jesus and spending time with God in His Word.  

There will be no return to America’s prominence until there is a spiritual revival, which goes for any country. And there is no revival without a hardcore return to God’s Word, to the point where it saturates the souls of the individual believer so that they begin acting faithfully toward God, as a husband/wife relationship was created to operate.

“‘So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,’ says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 22:30-31 (NKJV)

When I read Ezekiel, my heart breaks for the United States because I know what is in store if she does not repent. My heart also breaks for Israel because I read what happened to her when she did not repent. And when I read the Revelation, my heart breaks for those who refuse the gospel and remain in the World; I know what is in store for them because they will refuse to repent.

The 16th-century Scottish protestant preacher John Knox was known for advocating violent responses to Catholic atrocities of his day. He was eventually imprisoned, yet, in the final two days of his life, Knox informed his friends that he had spent the last two days “battling on behalf of the Church.”  He ended his days doing the work of an intercessor. Intercessory prayer has been practiced by all the best of God’s leaders.

Think of Abraham, the “father of the faithful,” praying for his son Ishmael: “If only Ishmael might live under Your blessing!” (Genesis 17:18) Abraham also pleaded for Sodom. (Genesis 18:16-33) Think of the many times Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the Lord, standing between God & Israel. Think about Paul pleading for Messiah followers, too, that they might be strengthened with power. (Ephesians 3:14-19)

In Ezekiel’s day, no intercessors could be found for Jerusalem. That was a shame because God indicates (in today’s passage) that Jerusalem’s ultimate fall came expressly because no intercessor was prepared to stand between the city’s sin and God’s wrath.  

Take a moment and ask yourself an honest question: In leu of our present cultural tensions, have you focused your prayers more on your personal escape than on God’s relenting from judging our nation as a whole? Have you sought how He might use you to stand in the gap for others? The reason I ask is that we must have intercessors’ hearts. Prayer works! And there have been times when the entire course of history has been changed by the prayers of God’s intercessors…or the lack thereof.

Some believers hold that God is unmovable, and our worship/prayer does not sway His plans in any way. It is, to them, as if God set history into motion, wound up a clock at the beginning of time, and He is patiently waiting for the buzzer to go off, signaling time’s end. I am sad for those people because nothing could be farther from the truth. Don’t take my word for it; take God’s! He searched for an intercessor for Jerusalem (as there had been in days past) but to no avail.

Let’s take today’s chapter as a challenge to recommit ourselves to the Lord, seek Him with all that is within us and pray on behalf of those who are yet to believe! Perhaps God will respond, as in the days of Judah’s King Josiah. (2 Chronicles 34:26-28)

“It will seem like false divination in the eyes of those who have sworn an oath to the Babylonians, but it will draw attention to their guilt so that they will be captured. Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: Because you have drawn attention to your guilt, exposing your transgressions, so that your sins are revealed in all your actions, since you have done this, you will be captured by them.” Ezekiel 21:23-24 (HCSB)

Pretending to be the King of Babylon, Ezekiel – standing at some imaginary crossroads – decides whether to take his army eastward and attack Rabbah of the Ammonites or go westward and attack Jerusalem. In his typical “performance art” manner, Ezekiel marked the two routes by drawing a simple map on the ground. Then, using an elaborate method of divination – something on which the Babylonians relied extensively – Ezekiel portrays the King of Babylon casting lots (dice), shooting arrows, and consulting idols to indicate the possible course of action. The lot falls upon Jerusalem.

Verse 22 outlines the battle plans, including “battering rams” to break down the city walls, a “ramp” to scale the city wall, and “siege works” – wooden or stone structures that the enemy would use to gain cover from attack. Those who remained in Judah simply would not believe Ezekiel’s message, partly because those left behind after the siege of 598 B.C. made an oath with King Nebuchadnezzar to be loyal to him. Interesting, God knows our rebellion before we do! And yet, He chooses to love us, not only despite the sin we have committed but also despite the sin we have yet to commit. And how has God chosen to love us?

“But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Another reason Israel refused to believe Ezekiel’s message was that they simply chose to believe the lies of the false prophets instead of trusting in God’s Word. Whenever people follow a false prophet, it is always because they are void of an intimate knowledge of God’s Word. Had they known God’s Word, they would have been able to distinguish the false prophecies because of their inconsistencies with God’s Heart.

Lest we fall into the same delusion as apostate Judah and believe such a blatant ignorance of God’s Word (among His people) is only a thing of the past, perhaps we should be reminded of what is prophesied for the Church-at-large’s future:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:3-6 (NKJV)

“’You will know that I am Yahweh, house of Israel, when I have dealt with you because of My Name rather than according to your evil ways and corrupt acts.’ This is the declaration of the Lord God.”  Ezekiel 20:44 (HCSB)

Salvation is by Grace through Faith: “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift - not from works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 Lest we entertain the idea that salvation by Grace through Faith (and not through the works of the Law) is a New Testament idea, Ezekiel lets us know that this has ALWAYS been God’s standard. If we were weighed by our deeds, without the gracious leniency of the Lord, we could never enter into a saving relationship with Him, whereby He would consider us co-inheritors with the Messiah. To be clear, the Grace of God is not that He gives us the faith to believe. God’s Grace is that He considers our faith (the faith of imperfect and unrighteous people) as if it were righteousness. How can this be? We can be counted as righteous because the OBJECT of our faith (Messiah Jesus) is perfect and righteous. It is not our works of the Law, but rather His atoning work on our behalf that the Father accepts as righteousness.

Getting back to Ezekiel, religion in Israel had become so corrupt that idolatry was mixed with YHWH worship. Worship was polluted and became worthless in God’s eyes. Salvation (God’s favor) was not determined by simply being Jewish and “going through the religious motions.”  Just pursuing the culture of worship (while ignoring the ongoing pursuit of God’s Word) was dangerous because so many pagan ideologies & practices had been added, and they steered both the practice and philosophy of worship. So, God had to step in. He brought trauma to the kingdom and allowed the people who merely bore His Name in a national sense to be conquered and deported. Why would He do that? Because He is a just God. Also, He was separating the people who merely bore His Name NATIONALLY from those who would choose to bear His Name PERSONALLY. By God’s Grace, through the faith of the individual who chose to repent and follow Him as He prescribed, He (one by one) rebuilt His people, a Chosen People who had chosen Him.  Have you chosen to follow God, Who has chosen you to be saved through your faith in Messiah Jesus?

“‘I will bring you from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you were scattered, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath. I will lead you into the wilderness of the peoples and enter into judgment with you face to face. Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you.’ This is the declaration of the Lord God. ‘I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant. And I will also purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land where they live as foreign residents, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am YHWH. As for you, house of Israel, this is what the Lord God says: Go and serve your idols, each of you. But afterward you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy Name with your gifts and idols.’”  Ezekiel 20:34-39 (HCSB)

“‘Your mother was like a vine in your bloodline, planted by the waters, fruitful and full of branches because of many waters. She had strong branches for scepters of rulers. She towered in stature above the thick branches, and was seen in her height amid the dense foliage. But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried her fruit. Her strong branches were broken and withered; the fire consumed them. And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land. Fire has come out from a rod of her branches and devoured her fruit, so that she has no strong branch—a scepter for ruling.’” Ezekiel 19:10-14 (NKJV)

Today’s passage is the 2nd half of a lament. The first half used the imagery of a lioness and her cubs to depict the false hopes of Israel to raise up a leader to deliver her. Deliverance comes not from man’s efforts but God’s design. It is not Judah’s “lions” but the Lion of Judah who will deliver these people from their bondage.

Moving beyond the lion imagery, Ezekiel chooses a different image: that of a vine and its branches. We should note that the theme is altogether different from the allegory of chapter 17 and the transplanted vine.)  The mother of the last kings of Israel, Hamutal, was like a vine planted “by the water.”  Her family grew abundantly, sprawled out, and bore the fruit of success. Her branches represent twenty-two kings that appeared from David’s day to Zedekiah’s day. But this vine had been pulled up, left lying on the ground, its roots exposed and dried by the east wind, and burnt. She reminds me of a “lost dog” poster I once saw: Blind, three legs, no tail, goes by the name of “Lucky.”  

Apart from their fruit, grapevines aren’t useful for much more than fire fuel. Even Jesus alluded to Israel’s past as He warned of the consequences of apostasy.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:5-6 (HCSB)

What happened next to this vine seems impossible; it was planted in a dry and thirsty land. This is in Babylon. Even assuming that such a thing might be possible, any vestige of hope is removed at a stroke; the vine catches fire, consuming its fruit. Zedekiah’s rebellion against Babylon brought the collapse of Judah; the nation was defeated. Ezekiel gave a glimpse of what lay ahead of Judah in the not-too-distant future. Judah fell in a few short years, and this dirge was her song of lament.

At first glance, it appears cruel to tell these Judean exiles that Judah will be destroyed in a few short years. We tend to want to assure people that some hope remains, no matter how dark the circumstances might be. But Judah’s problem lay in the object of her hope: herself! What saves us from our sin is not ourselves or the combined resources of other sinners! Our “Yeshua” (Salvation) comes from the power of the Messiah alone!

“Thus says the Lord God: ‘I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell. And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the Lord, have spoken and have done it.’” Ezekiel 17:22-24 (NKJV)

In chapters 15-17, three allegories have been presented: a vine, a wayward woman, and two eagles. In all three, the rebellious nature of Judah has been portrayed, together with their consequent judgments by the Babylonians. What Ezekiel has presented here was less than five years away. The wrath of God was imminent. What was the cause of this? God’s people had “nullified” the covenant blessings and ran headlong into its curses.

Israel had chosen worldly and selfish lifestyles. In doing so, they had turned their backs on God and would face the consequences. It is difficult for me to read these accounts and not compare where America is heading. Founded by Christians who desired a place to worship the Lord freely, America has become little more than a secular society, which seeks hard after its idolatry and denies the Lord whose guidance allowed its founders to establish such a nation. And if a similar scenario exists, an inevitable end is sure to follow. Just ask Ezekiel.

All is not lost, though. Throughout the impending judgments, Ezekiel has spoken of a remnant, according to God’s grace, who will be brought back to Jerusalem. Further into the future, still, Ezekiel sees the coming of Messiah Himself and the Kingdom of God flourishing as the result of His coming.  

And that is, perhaps, the important thing to remember: God is not concerned with building a secular city or nation. He is about the establishment of His Kingdom. It is a kingdom where, if people could be described as “birds,” it would contain every “kind” of bird. (Luke 13:18-19) The requirement of citizenship in His Kingdom has nothing to do with national or ethnic heritage or a certain quota of good deeds; it has everything to do with the kind of faith that would compel a person to turn from “idolatry” and commit to following the Messiah described by the Bible.

Suppose Ezekiel’s words can be taken as a warning for the apostate Messianic community (aka “the Church-at-large”). In that case, he also assures his listeners that the true Messianic community has a beautiful and secure future. The future is as bright as the promise of God to those who live according to His Word!

Let’s keep seeking that Word daily!

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will set My face against them. They will go out from one fire, but another fire shall devour them. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I set My face against them. Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have persisted in unfaithfulness,’ says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 15:6-8 (HCSB)

Every Bible teacher knows the value of a good illustration. The Bible uses several kinds of illustrations, including allegories – stories in which the meaning of something is symbolically portrayed. Between chapters 15-23, a variety of allegories are used. They begin with the grapevine, an image that will reappear in Jesus’ teaching.

A gigantic golden vine decorated the temple gates and had grape clusters over six feet long. It was a reminder that Israel was the vine God had taken out of Egypt and planted in a chosen land. Five Parables of Jesus relate to the figure of a vine: the fig tree in the vineyard (Luke 13:6-9); the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16); New wine in old wineskins (Matthew 9:17); the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32); and the wicked tenants (Mathew 21:33-41; Mark 12:28-32; Luke 20:9-18).  

Of even greater significance is Jesus’ own allusion to Himself as the “true vine” in John 15:1-7. Despite the cultivation Israel had received as God’s chosen vine branch, they produced bitter fruit and were now fit, only to be cut down and burned. (John 15:6) Ezekiel puts it more bluntly. Instead of comparing Israel to the grapes themselves, he points out the vine's wood. Apart from producing fruit, the vine branch itself has no value except for firewood, and even then, its value is limited.

Following the devastation of the Assyrian invasion of Israel in 722 B.C. and the Babylonian invasions of Judah in 605 and 598 B.C., the Northern kingdom (aka “Israel”) was already a piece of charred wood. If the wood of a vine is too pliable even to make a peg to hang a pot on, half a part of the burnt vine had no use at all! Soon, the fire would rekindle, Babylon would siege a third time, and Jerusalem - the rest of the “wood” in Ezekiel’s allegory - would burn to the ground. (2 Chronicles 36:19)

“I am the vine; you are the branches” John 15:5 (NKJV)

Jesus’ words, set against the backdrop of Israel’s dubious past, would have been a message of hope and comfort for those who heard Him. A truth had now developed within the New Covenant: Messiah, together with His people (those who choose to confess He is Lord and believe in their hearts that God has raised Him from the dead), comprise the “vine” from which the fruit of the Holy Spirit should emerge – 9 attributes that distinguish followers of Messiah Jesus as “Messiah-like.” (Galatians 5:22)

But, lest the Church get haughty, we must remember the point of Ezekiel’s message: God will punish His own!! As my Messianic Jewish friend says to his Gentile Christian counterparts,  “If rebuke happened to us (Jews), it could happen to YOU (Christians)!”

“For this is what the Lord God says: I will deal with you according to what you have done, since you have despised the oath by breaking the covenant. But I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your older and younger sisters. I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of your covenant. I will establish My covenant with you, and you will know that I am Yahweh, so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth again because of your disgrace.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.” Ezekiel 16:59-63 (HCSB)

Today’s chapter makes use of blunt words to convey Israel’s spiritual prostitution. Charles Spurgeon, who preached in Victorian England, felt that Ezekiel 16 was so graphic that “A minister could scarcely read it in public.”

Though the chapter comprises a single unit, Ezekiel is actually speaking of Israel – referred to by its capital city, Jerusalem – in three dimensions: Past, present, and future. It is the future that I wanted to focus on in today’s passage.

The secret to a good marriage is good communication and the willingness to extend an unlimited amount of grace! But some kinds of behavior in a marriage cannot be overlooked. And such behavior goes against the very essence of a marriage relationship. Of course, I am speaking of infidelity, and that was precisely the case with the “marriage” of God and His people. Divorce courts are full of such relationships; one party chooses to be unfaithful, and the other simply cannot live in such conditions.  

But the rare couple is one where infidelity has taken place, some level of separation or divorce takes place, true repentance occurs on the part of the unfaithful spouse, and in response, the offended spouse agrees to re-enter the marriage covenant. Instead of focusing on the “true Hollywood stories” aspect of today’s chapter, I chose to spotlight the hope that unfaithful followers of God have once they repent.

The Church-at-large may become so corrupt that it no longer deserves to be called “Christian”; nevertheless, there will always be a group of believers to worship God as He prescribes. That is something to bear in mind as we read this chapter. Also, we can’t think of ourselves above the level of judgment that God levied on Jerusalem. Jesus said:

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21 (NKJV)

Jesus did not say we are “saved” by keeping His commands. Instead, He was saying that those who are truly “saved” desire to obey Him.  What if believers disobey?

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

“For thus says the Lord God: “How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem—the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence—to cut off man and beast from it? Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it,” says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 14:21-23 (NKJV)

Once again, Ezekiel receives a visit from some of the exiled elders in Babylon. We might assume that these elders would be in better shape than their counterparts in war-torn Jerusalem, but that would be a false assumption. They, too, worshipped their idols, even though it was in secret, “in their hearts.” No doubt, living in Babylon brought its own sources of temptation to idolatry. One thing is sure: Idolatry cannot be hidden from God. He sees into our hearts and reads us like the proverbial “open book.”

Idolatry is a covenant violation, and as such, it is cursed. Idolaters are guilty of separating themselves from God, the opposite of what it meant to be “covenanted.” Since the idolaters had cut themselves off from God (all the while attempting to have the “best of both worlds” by hiding their idolatry), God cut his covenant with them. He literally released them from the covenant to fend for themselves, now with God’s face against them.

What if a true prophet is enticed into accepting a bribe that the idolater offers? He, too, is cut off. The lure of money could entice even true prophets. Many Christian workers’ usefulness has been curtailed by the love of the “idol’s bribe.” No wonder Paul addressed Timothy:

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

God purifies believers so that His true people might emerge bearing the covenant relationship of fellowship with Him: “They will be My people, and I will be their God.” Undoubtedly, this whole process must have deeply hurt Ezekiel personally because God concludes today’s chapter with a Word of encouragement - there will be a Remnant!

Even if Ezekiel’s listeners were initially skeptical about the fairness of God’s actions toward Judah, when the second wave of exiles came among them, they would see that God's punishments had been right for the prevailing ungodliness of these people. They would be consoled regarding the disaster, and they would testify to the rightness of God’s actions. Will the same be said of us whenever God is finished “sifting” America? More importantly, will Americans say that the Lord was right in allowing our country to suffer to expose our idolatry?

“The Word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the Word of the Lord! This is what the Lord God says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it might stand in battle on the day of the Lord. They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘This is the Lord’s declaration,’ when the Lord did not send them, yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.’” Ezekiel 13:1-6 (HCSB)

I have met my fair share of know-it-alls in my life, but I have met very few folks who actually know it all! Perhaps the worst kind of know-it-all is the person who claims to be an expert on the Bible and speaks on the authority of God yet puts forth (as truth) things the Bible clearly opposes. That is what the Bible calls a “false prophet.”

Before we dig deeper into today’s passage of Scripture, it is important to understand what Biblical prophecy is in our generation. The apostle Paul said we should desire prophecy above all spiritual gifts.

“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 (HCSB)

So, what is this prophecy Paul is saying we should pursue? First, it does not predict new future Biblical events, per se. It is also not the process of writing new books of the Bible. Modern-day prophecy for believers is simply the Spirit-enabled ability to read and understand God’s Word. Upon salvation, every new follower of Jesus is given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the truth of God’s Word. Paul exhorted the Messianic community in Corinth to seek God’s revelation through His Word. This is precisely what Spirit-filled believers do when they read God’s Word, and He allows them to understand it, contextualize it within the times in which we live, apply it to our lives, and share that revelation with others.

So, what is a false prophet? A false prophet is anyone who, apart from the Spirit’s revelation of God’s perfect Word, claims to speak on behalf of God. What is so dangerous about that? It gets well-meaning Believers to hope in things God never promised!

“Delayed hope makes the heart sick, but fulfilled desire is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 (HCSB)

The danger of false hope is that we genuinely believe the Lord has spoken through the (unbeknownst to us) false prophet. When the prophecy is not fulfilled, we blame God! Our trust in Him is strained. That is why WE must read the Word for ourselves, as the Holy Spirit, to reveal its truth and live according to its revelation.

“Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim. And the cherubim lifted their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight. When they went out, the wheels were beside them; and they stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.” Ezekiel 10:18-19 (NKJV)

At one time, I lived in a neighborhood where the homes were built in the 1950s, so I know that termites eventually make their way into every residence. One morning, on my way to a coffeehouse where I studied my Bible, I noticed a house in my neighborhood had been “tented” by an exterminating company. When termites are discovered, the worst-case scenario is that the owners must evacuate the structure for a weekend while exterminators cover the home with a tent and fill the house with potent gaseous pesticides. After the smoke clears (literally), the occupants may return home.

This is a good picture of what today’s chapter is communicating. Because of the nagging destructive presence of sin in His house, God is leaving home for a God-sized weekend while His “exterminators” get to work. What needs to be grasped is that this is worse than any of God’s judgments thus far. The presence of a God who judges, however terrible His rebuke, is indeed preferable to the absence of God and His mercy!!

God’s presence is His most treasured gift. It is at the heart of His promises, i.e., He “covenants” to His people. “You are with me,” David says in Psalm 23:4, and we get the sense that it was the truth that David cherished most. Other Bible writers echoed that thought: God is with us (Matthew 28:20), around us (Psalm 34:7; 139:5), in us (John 14:7), in the midst of us (Psalm 46:5), underneath us (Deuteronomy 33:27), near us (Psalm 148:14) and before us (John 10:4).  

Most importantly, He promises never to leave or forsake His faithful children:  

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

In essence, because God is everywhere, He can never really leave. Even so, some aspects of God’s presence may well be withdrawn, even from God’s people. He may remove all perception of visibility so that we may not feel it even though He is present. He may decide to withdraw His help – as Samson discovered with Delilah. But what happens here in Ezekiel 10 is of a different order. Here, God is withdrawing from His “Temple,” the place where the people went for comfort.

Today’s chapter gives us better insight as to the seriousness of God’s warnings in Revelation 3:12-17, where God threatens to fight against the Pergamum church because of their moral and spiritual deviances, and in Revelation 3:14-22, where He threatens to “spit” the Laodicean church out of His mouth. Not all who say, “Lord! Lord!” follow Him as He requires regarding salvation. (Matthew 7:21) God clearly distinguishes between His true Church and the “synagogues of Satan” (Revelation 2:9; 3:9). In such cases, where the congregation ceases to be “His” in their practices, Ichabod, God departs.

“Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, “The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.” Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed anymore, but the word which I speak will be done,” says the Lord God.’” Ezekiel 12:26-28 (NKJV)

Warnings about the future often go unheeded. At least, that’s what happens when I promise to discipline my kids if they don’t clean their rooms! For many years, we have become familiar with forecasts of doom for planet Earth unless mankind curbs its wastefulness. Al Gore once considered himself the World’s prophetic spokesman concerning global warming. In response to his message, millions of Americans decided to go “green,” trying to do their part to try and stave off a fiery climate-driven apocalypse. Yet, notice how many people would rather go “green” than humble themselves to receive salvation and escape the coming Day of the Lord.

Isaiah cried out, “Who has believed our message?” (Isaiah 53:1). Things were no different in Ezekiel’s day.

In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “Men display great ingenuity in making excuses for rejecting the message of God’s love. They display marvelous skill, not in seeking salvation, but in fashioning reasons for refusing it; they are dexterous in avoiding grace and in securing their own ruin. They hold up first the sword and then the shield to ward off the gracious arrows of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which are only meant to slay the deadly sins which lurk in their bosoms.” This was precisely Ezekiel’s experience.

One section of Ezekiel’s culture derided his message, while the other postponed acting on it urgently, passing its curses on to another generation. Perhaps the biggest lie of the enemy is not that there is no God or Heaven but that there is no urgency for people to choose to follow Jesus now. In short, the Devil’s biggest lie is that men have more time to determine whether they will follow God’s Word. This was the message of Jerusalem’s false prophets in today’s passage, those men who claimed to speak on God’s behalf. They said, “Ezekiel’s words are true, but not for our generation. The destruction he prophesies is far off.”

The same lie is alive and well in our culture. Sadly, similar destruction is awaiting those who refuse to trust in the Messiah Jesus. Some people reject the Gospel as foolishness, while others intend to follow Jesus at a more convenient time. I get it. I grew up around the Church and heard people saying, “Jesus is coming!” And I would answer, “When is He coming? Probably not today.” But, by God’s grace, I heard the gospel one night and felt my heart respond, “I believe!” And I have committed my life to follow Him and share the Gospel, repeating Ezekiel’s message: ‘Repent! For the Day of the Lord is coming…”

“So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left alone; and I fell on my face and cried out, and said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?’ Then He said to me, ‘The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see!’ And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head.’ Just then, the man clothed with linen, who had the inkhorn at his side, reported back and said, ‘I have done as You commanded me.’” Ezekiel 9:8-11 (NKJV)

When a newspaper wrongly published in advance an obituary of Mark Twain, he wrote in the paper the next day, “News of my death had been greatly exaggerated.” In contrast, Judah’s obituary was no exaggeration. The fall of Israel in the 8th century B.C. and that of Judah in the sixth century B.C. are foretastes of the coming of another day, the Day of the Lord.  John saw this day and warned of it.

“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15 (NASB)

Ezekiel has been taken from the banks of the Kebar River in Babylon to the Temple in Jerusalem. There, he showed how far the Israelites had fallen from their true faith. Their worship had become thoroughly idolatrous. God’s patience had run out. Executioners had done their work. First to fall were the elders and then the city itself. The destroyers showed no pity. The Day of Judgment had arrived…and what a day it was. Ezekiel prophesied the death of Jerusalem. This had been Judah’s obituary – in advance!

Every follower of Jesus should have the burden of lost souls that Ezekiel had. The certainty of judgment should make us all fall on our knees and plead that souls be gathered into God’s Kingdom. Ezekiel laid hold, not of God’s reluctance, but His willingness and promise to save.

The return of the seventh angel, having accomplished what he had been asked to perform, indicates that the wrath is tempered with mercy. It is a further incentive for us to pray, knowing that, unlike the prayers of the unbeliever, God hears the prayers of His children.

“Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.” Ezekiel 8:18 (NKJV)

By “children,” of course, the Bible talks of those who follow the Lord, as He requires, through faith in the Messiah and obedience to His Word.

“Jesus answered, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’” John 14:23 (HCSB)

“He asked me, ‘Human being, have you seen this? Does the house of Judah consider it a casual matter that they commit the disgusting practices they are committing here, thus filling the land with violence, provoking Me still more? Look! They are even putting the branch to their nose! Therefore, I will act in fury, My eye will not spare; I will have no pity. Even if they cry loudly right in My ears, I will not listen to them.’” Ezekiel 8:17-18 (CJB)

Show me a man who sees his wife in the arms of another man, and he doesn’t get jealous, and I’ll show you a man who doesn’t love his wife. God has found His “wife,” the Jewish people, in the arms of foreign gods. And He is extremely jealous!

God asks Ezekiel, “Does the house of Judah consider it a casual matter…?”  With God, there is no such thing as “casual sex,” so to speak. But to many in Israel, it seemed trivial to go after foreign gods—no big deal.

In our generation, the idea of Biblical idols/deities seems strange. But what if we substitute ancient idols with sports mascots, a flag, or an automobile insignia? On their own, these things may mean nothing. But, collectively, they represent a set of beliefs about life itself. Yes, we also ascribe power to inanimate objects, which belong solely to God. We are not far removed from Ezekiel’s vision.

Consider Darwinian evolution and how it is worshipped in most classrooms as the origin of all that exists; it is, in essence, worship of nature’s powers. “Evolution” differs very little from what the women wailed about beside the north gate of the temple in Jerusalem. Have you checked your horoscope lately? Astrology is nothing short of worship of the (supposed) powers of the stars. And, of course, secular humanism is the worship of the accomplishments of contemporary man.

Whatever the idol, God finds it “detestable.” Idols are a stench in His nose. Consequently, the Lord promises swift punishment. Though God’s people may cry out in prayer under their penalty, God declares that He will not hear them:

“Therefore, I will act in fury, My eye will not spare; I will have no pity. Even if they cry out loudly right in My ears, I will not listen to them.” Ezekiel 8:18 (CJB)

God has been provoked to anger; His jealousy aroused. God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Yet, He does not leave the guilty unpunished. (Exodus 34:6-7) God’s anger is not a fit of irrational temper, and His judgment is not ruthless and mechanical fate. Nevertheless, His anger & judgment are real, and to prove it, there comes the point where He says, “Enough!”  

There will come a day when God’s patience will run out with this world. The sad fact is that while salvation comes exclusively through Jesus and is offered to anyone who would accept it, many will refuse to repent and receive it. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, that He might lift you up and spare you from that terrible day.

“Those who survive will escape and be on the mountains Like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, Each for his iniquity. Every hand will be feeble, and every knee will be as weak as water. They will also be girded with sackcloth; Horror will cover them; Shame will be on every face, Baldness on all their heads. ‘They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be like refuse; Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord; They will not satisfy their souls, Nor fill their stomachs, Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity.” Ezekiel 7:16-19 (NKJV)

Chapters 6 and 7 have focused principally on the reality and nature of God’s wrath. God is angry with Israel because of their sin, particularly their idolatry. There can be no truce between God and sin. When He sees lawlessness and Godlessness, He must react with holy anger. It is His very nature to honor holiness and punish sin. Were God to be without anger toward sin, the World would have no meaning.  

But all is not doomed in these chapters. God had an unavoidable purpose, which nothing can destroy – not even the unfaithfulness of Israel! What emerges from today’s chapter of judgment is a theology of Grace…and we must not lose sight of it.  

A remnant will be saved despite their spiritual adultery. So, what explains that God perseveres with the constant, unrelenting grumblers of Moses’ day or the thankless apostate people of the seventh and eighth century BC...or us for that matter? It can only be His promise of Grace! As I often say, two things confound a fool: How slow God is to judge sin and how quickly He shows up. Even up to the siege of Jerusalem, the people simply would not believe God would allow His people to fall.

How could this be so? Because the people had abandoned God’s Word and followed after idols. Sure, the Temple was still standing, and many of the forms of worship seemed to follow the methods prescribed by Moses, but they had abandoned their God. Whenever we depart from God’s Word, even the slightest, Satan gets his foot into the doorway of your theology. To not trust in God is only to trust in Satan. Step away from God’s Word, and even if you follow a God-themed religion, you have departed from the real thing.

We are wrong if we simply see the God of the Tanakh (Old Testament) as a God of judgment. His judgment is swift and decisive, but only after His gracious patience, kindness, and longsuffering. Even when every Israelite and Judean was worthy of destruction, God allowed a remnant to survive for the sake of His name and His merciful promise.

Though these chapters are tough and unrelenting, the message of Grace shines in the remnant. It is a remnant that God, and God alone, rescues. This is not just the story that Ezekiel tells; it is the gospel itself that threads its way from Genesis to Revelation.

“The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am YHWH. Yet I will leave a remnant when you are scattered among the nations, for throughout the countries there will be some of you who will escape the sword. Then your survivors will remember Me among the nations where they are taken captive, how I was crushed by their promiscuous hearts that turned away from Me and by their eyes that lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves because of the evil things they did, their detestable practices of every kind. And they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten to bring this disaster on them without a reason.” Ezekiel 6:7-10 (HCSB)

In recent years, there has been a movement among parenting circles not to spank children. I say “recent years” because when I was growing up, I remember getting spanked all the time, in public, whenever necessary. I remember people patting my parents on the back and applauding them for disciplining my siblings and me. But, if a parent were to spank a child in public these days, there is a high probability that someone would call the police, and the child would be taken into protective custody. An investigation would be conducted on whether they were fit to raise children.  

I am not advocating abusing children. It’s just that there are times when harsh discipline is necessary for the healthy long-term development of children so they transition into law-abiding adults. If you do not believe in the potential necessity of harsh discipline (with the ultimate goodwill of the one undergoing harsh discipline in mind), you will not understand what God is doing to Israel. And you will not understand how a massive reckoning is in store for our generation. Why would God allow Israel and Judah to be defeated and driven from their land? Because they had abandoned His Word. And not just the average Jew. From the pulpit, the whole community was corrupted as God’s Word had been compromised.

“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is making profit dishonestly. From prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have treated My people’s brokenness superficially, claiming, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:13-14 (HCSB)

The message of the false prophets was simple: God is only a God of GRACE and not of JUDGMENT. “Peace, peace!” had replaced God’s standard of personal holiness and His hatred of sin. They preached a false hope, assuming that God is a pushover Who is not concerned with the faithfulness of His people. Paul warned the early Messianic community about a coming day that would be just like the days of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. And we see that day quickly approaching!

“About the times and the seasons: Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘Peace and security,’ then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (HCSB)