Know God - Day 24

Pastor is starting the prophets with Ezekial because Ezekial shows the three general phases of many prophetic writings.

A Warning to God's People

Ezekial 16

In my bible this is titled "An Allegory of Unfaithful Jerusalem"

God is describing his relationship between himself and Israel.  He entered into a covenant with Israel - like a bride and groom.  Then the bride goes off and prostitutes herself, melts her gold and silver into idols, defiling herself.  

But

God wants her to return to him.  He wants her to turn from her sins and return to him.  The prophets are who God uses to call the people to return to him.  And warning them of what will happen if they don't obey.  (getting conquered, cast into exile, etc)

What kind of bride - covenant partner - are we in relationship with God?  

I am stubborn. hard headed. not so loving at times. demanding.  questioning.  But slowly learning to be loving, accepting, comforted... Not the best partner, but one who is trying none-the-less.  

A Warning to Other Nations

Ezekial 25

In Romans god tells us 1:19-20 that "what may be known about God is plain to [all peoples], because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

The foreign nations should have known God, but they worshiped gods made with human hands rather than their own creator.  AND they attacked, oppressed and persecuted God's chosen people.  In chapters 25-32, God is speaking through Ezekial - warning of judgments that were coming.  God is still standing up for his bride. still defending her - despite all the mistakes and sin.  

Pastor sees this as a call to evangelism (this makes me cringe - but I don't think he is talking about the go door to door, stop complete strangers on the street type of evangelism that makes me cringe.)  Who do we know who stands angry and opposed to the gospel?  I have a very good friend who is Jewish.  She isn't angry or opposed to the gospel. She just doesn't believe in it.  Then a family member can not standing talking to pastors.  This person has had some rough experiences and forgiveness isn't something they do easily.  

Our job is not to judge these people.  Instead we need to love them. pray for them. begin to ponder what exactly is their stumbling block...

A Comfort to Those in Exile

Ezekial 37

Oops. They didn't listen (of course not, when have they listened so far??)  Pastor defines in over simplified terms what happened to the Jews in exile:

• 1/4 died in Babylon's conquest
• 1/4 were captured into slavery
• 1/4 were scattered throughout the kingdom in small enough numbers so as to not cause trouble
• 1/4 remained as a remnant in Jerusalem and Judah, but not enough to cause trouble.  

God spoke judgement. The people got discouraged. felt great despair. God spoke HOPE.  I like how Pastor puts it,

"God was saying, you're not much more than lifeless bones scattered throughout the Middle East ... but I love you, and I will draw these lifeless bones back together.  I will stitch them together with muscle and sinews. I will breathe the breath of life, and you shall live."

Have you ever been in exile?  I have felt like it.  But was it self imposed? Are we guilty of creating our own exiles and then blaming God for it? Either way - one solid truth remains.  HE LOVES US!!!

God want to speak to us. he wants to tell us exactly what we need to hear [nevermind that we may not want to hear it!]  Our pride may make us more resistant to it.  But we should be thankful that he is willing to speak a message of judgement anyway.  When fear envelopes us, God speaks hope to us - often through his scriptures. 

What do we need to hear right now?  Pastor asks that we pray that God will speak to us in our pride, need, whatever lies between us and God. 

I need to continue hearing words of comfort. hope. healing.  Words to firmly entrench what I know in my head.  words that speak to my heart.  words of peace and rest and love.