Ezekiel 22 “No Righteous Man Found”

“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them.” (vv.30-31a)

Ezekiel 22 makes plain the sins that were the reason for God’s judgment upon Israel. This condemnation is framed as a court case against the present generation, and especially its leadership. Their sins were extensive: idolatry, abuse of power, violence or bloodshed, slander, desecration of the Sabbath, sexual immorality, taking bribes, and other forms of social injustice and self–indulgence.

Leaders should serve rather than prey on others for personal gain. Priests should serve the Lord rather than leading the way to the altars of false idols. God looked for but could not find a single righteous person to “stand in the gap,” to intercede for a larger group, as when Moses prayed for the Israelites (Num. 21:4–9) or when Jesus prayed for His disciples (John 17).
Therefore, the furnace of God’s judgment would burn away these sins and purify His people (vv.18–22).

As followers of Christ should we not stand in the gap for our country in prayer? Social injustices such as racism and abortion anger the Lord, but we have the privilege and responsibility of interceding in prayer for our nation and its leaders. Please join me in that, for our country is in desperate need of it.

The Truth: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Ezekiel 21 “The Sword of the LORD Is Coming"

“As for you, son of man, groan with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan in their sight. “And when they say to you, ‘Why do you groan?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,’ declares the Lord God.” (vv.6-7)

God hates injustice in any form, and when He draws His sword of judgment we can be sure justice will be swiftly done. The sins of the people and their leaders were extensive: idolatry, abuse of power, violence or bloodshed, slander, desecration of the Sabbath, sexual immorality, taking bribes, and other forms of social injustice and self–indulgence.

God’s justice here is plain: Babylon would conquer and destroy Jerusalem. In this case, Babylon was the sword of the Lord, and His judgment would be righteous and terrible.

The Truth: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

Ezekiel 20 “God’s Challenge”

“As for you, O house of Israel,” thus says the Lord GOD: “Go, serve every one of you his idols—and hereafter—if you will not obey Me; but profane My holy name no more with your gifts and your idols.” (v.39)

Chapter 20 is a look back through Israel’s history of sin and God’s history of mercy through the prophet Ezekiel to the elders of Israel. Ezekiel, having brought the matter up to the present day and into the future, now offers God’s challenge to the nation in our text. If they wanted to serve their idols, then they might as well make up their minds and do it and become Babylonians in every respect because God did not want a divided heart. For bringing Yahweh worship from a heart also given to idols, profaned His name. In New Testament phrasing, God called Israel to be hot or cold, but no longer lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16). In others words, “make a choice,” either you are with Me or you are not. You can't have both.

We too must choose whom we will serve; light or darkness, truth or lies, God or mammon, but one cannot serve both. We cannot serve idols Monday through Saturday and worship God in spirit and in truth on Sunday, though many do. My heart grieves just as much for those who play Christian as those who reject Christianity, for both are lost. Yes, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But, the difference between the believer and the non-believer is the attitude of the heart toward sin. The former is repentant and changes his behavior, while the latter may be regretful, he does not turn from his behavior. He is enslaved by his chains of sin, until he turns to the chain breaker Jesus Christ. (see youtube Zach Williams -"Chain breaker" Live from Harding Prison)

The Truth: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

Ezekiel 19 “A Prophetic Lament”

Chapter 19 is a prophetic lament, a sad poem commemorating the day when Ezekiel’s prophecy of Jerusalem’s destruction would come true. The first part of the poem (vv.1-9) pictures the king and people as a pride of lions and lionesses that get trapped and caged. The second part (vv.10-14) imagines the nation as a tall and fruitful vine that gets uprooted, stripped, and burned. This lament is mourning the necessity of the coming judgment.

What made it necessary? During the Exodus from Egypt, the people defiled themselves through idolatry. They ignored the promises and commandments of the God who had just freed them from four centuries of slavery. He had been inclined to destroy them then, but for the sake of His name He did not do so. The same thing happened over and over. The people would ignore God’s blessings, plunge into idolatry, dishonor the covenant, and provoke the Lord to anger, but He patiently kept giving them another chance.

Though Israel’s sin invited judgment, God would redeem and purify them in spite of themselves (Ezek 20:32–38). Though they didn’t listen to these warnings (Ezek 20:45–49)—we can. We should always be alert to the meanings and applications of Scripture to our lives. In this case, may we not be rebellious against God, may we put away any idols from our eyes, and may we worship Him and Him only in spirit and in truth. Amen.

The Truth: “Jesus is “the stone” you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)

Ezekiel 18 “Repent And Live”

“Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. “Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.” (vv.30-32)

“Repent and live!” is the message at the center of God’s approach to justice and judgment. He takes no pleasure in punishing the wicked, but stands ready to forgive all who turn to Him. God’s moral law is not as hard as iron, but is tempered by the softness of His mercy. A new heart and spirit are not something we can earn, but He stands ready to give them (v. 31).

A turnaround is always possible for the sinner. This is what God was saying to Israel through the prophet Ezekiel. Because He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, He pleads with them to repent. Salvation is not turning over a new leaf, but receiving a new life.

If you’re feeling that you’ve wandered too far away from God and that He is through with you, it’s time to embrace the truth, “Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourself a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die?” Simply accept the Father’s invitation to “turn and live” today?
(see prayer to the right on this page, "Connect with God.")

The Truth: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the LORD.” (Acts 3:19)

Ezekiel 17 “The Eagles and The Cedar Tree”

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.” (vv.22-24)

In the previous chapter Ezekiel’s message was dealing with the spiritual and moral sickness of Israel. Now he is more concerned with her political folly. In today’s reading, Ezekiel gives an allegory or parable of two eagles and a seedling (vv. 1–10), followed by its interpretation (vv. 11–21). The first eagle was Nebuchadnezzar and the cedar tree represented the kingly line of David. Taking seeds from the top of the tree to a faraway land symbolized Jewish leaders, particularly King Jehoiachin, being taken to Babylon in exile.

Then another seed, King Zedekiah, became a vine which tried to rebel against Babylon by relying on an alliance with Egypt (the second eagle). The east wind blew and the vine withered, meaning that the Babylonian armies would crush the revolt. (This prophecy was given about three years before it was fulfilled, as recounted in 2 Kings 24:8–25:30.) By breaking a treaty made in God’s name and putting their trust in a human ally, Israel would once again prove that human wisdom is foolish and faithless. God expected Zedekiah to be loyal to the covenant he made to Nebuchadnezzar and would punish him for breaking the covenant. When Zedekiah broke his covenant with the king of Babylon, he also committed treason against Yahweh Himself.

Despite everything, a day would come when God Himself would restore the nation. His care and loving–kindness would ensure the growth of a new cedar tree. Birds would roost in its branches, suggesting that all the peoples of the earth will benefit (vv.22-24). Ezekiel was faithful to relay God’s message that He is governing, and there is no escape from Him.

Today, Yahweh remains sovereign over history. When his people experience calamity, His hand is in it. When foreign nations sweep down on them, they come as His agents. No nation has ever become so powerful that He cannot bring it down in a moment (which includes the US); and no people are so low that He cannot exalt them - for God is in control!

The Truth: "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish My good pleasure." (Isaiah 46:10)

Ezekiel 16 “He Looks Forward”

“Nevertheless, I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish it with you, an everlasting covenant.” (v.16)

Here in chapter 16, Israel is pictured as an adulterous wife, and the Lord speaks to Isaiah the prophet saying, “Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations” (v.2). But Israel ignored the prophet’s warnings and pursued promiscuity in worse and worse ways, so that even the godless were shocked by her depravity. 

God had been very patient, but sin earns His wrath, and so a day of judgment was coming (vv.35-43). Despite everything, the Lord never stopped loving His people and would one day atone for their sins and restore the covenant (vv.60-63).

As Christians we too can be guilty of being the adulterous wife, by letting our personal success and the pursuit of self pleasure blind and override our commitment to God. This then becomes a recipe for disaster and leads to sin, and in some cases, severe jaw dropping sin. It pulls us away from our relationship with God, and condemns us through Satan attacks to a path of guilt, and in some cases, no return.  

But, the Lord is so still faithful in His love to us. He stands on His covenant with us, rather than to our covenant with Him. He is resolved that the covenant shall not fail. God can and will restore anyone, even someone who is 100 times more wicked and sinful than the “adulterous wife.” For He has made a “new covenant” with humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross to cleanse us of our sins, to restore us, to give us life eternal.

Therefore, all we need to do is confess, turn from our wicked ways, and abide in Him.

The Truth: “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Ezekiel 15 “Trial by Fire”

“Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘As the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I set My face against them. Though they have come out of the fire, yet the fire will consume them. Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I set My face against them. ‘Thus I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,’ ” declares the Lord God. (vv.6-8)

Israel is pictured in today’s reading as a barren vine, good for nothing. It cannot be used to make even trivial items such as pegs to hang things on. It is fit only to become kindling for the fire. In the same way, the fire of God’s judgment will consume the nation because the people had been unfaithful (vv.7-8).

One day we all will stand before God to give an account of what we did here on earth. Those actions done in the flesh, in sin, with selfish motives will be like the barren vine mentioned here in our text, good for nothing. All will be consumed in the presence of the LORD. But those things we did in His name, in His service, and out of love for our heavenly Father, those shall stand the test of fire.

He that has ears to hear, let him hear, "For unto You O LORD, belongs mercy: for You render to every man according to his deeds." (Psalm 62:12)

The Truth: "For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Ezekiel 14 “Idolatrous Elders”

Then some elders of Israel came to me and sat down before me. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all?” (vv.1-3)

Here God gave Ezekiel supernatural insight into the hearts of these leaders. Like the leaders mentioned in Ezekiel 8:10-12 and 8:16, these were idol worshippers. Their idols were not evident outwardly, but in their hearts. This secret idolatry made them to stumble into iniquity.

Knowing the hidden sin in their life, God asked Ezekiel and obvious and important question. This question, with the assumed answer of “no,” showed that God had no obligation to answer the inquiry of these men who harbored such secret sin.

In Ezekiel’s day, God dealt thoroughly with this kind of secret idolatry. His throne on earth has always been in the hearts of His people. That’s why we must rid our hearts of anything that destroys our contentment with Him, before it destroys us.

The Truth: “And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.” (Mark 9:47)

Ezekiel 13 “God’s Hand Against False Prophets”

“So My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will have no place in the council of My people, nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel, that you may know that I am the Lord God.” (v.9)

We know from chapter 12 that the false prophets told people judgment wouldn’t happen. Here in chapter 13, they were described as foolish, blind, liars, and jackals, motivated by greed and mixed up with witchcraft and the occult. They spoke words made up by their prideful imaginations rather than messages revealed by God. They were so self–deceived that they actually thought their words would come true (v.6).

False prophets are those who have no divine message, but pose as though they had. They seek to find favor with those to whom they speak, that they would agree with them in their desires and policies. It gives a false sense of security to those who are in rebellion against God, in that it assures them that they are acting in accordance with the will of God. But to misrepresent the Lord is to profane His Holy name. And scripture warns, His wrath would come down on them like a terrible storm.

Better to hold your tongue than to mislead a believer through a false interpretation or revelation.

The Truth: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

Ezekiel 12 “Enough!”

“Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’” (v.28)

Here in chapter 12 Ezekiel is telling the people that God’s patience and longsuffering with them has now come to the point where He will no longer “delay” in fulfilling His words of judgment against them. The warning was taken lightly. The people did not deny that Ezekiel spoke the word of God; but they comforted themselves with the idea that it was not likely to be fulfilled for some time yet. “The vision that he saw is for many days to come.” God, on the other hand, said, “It shall be no more delayed.”

Many people today treat the return of Christ like the Israelites treated God’s warnings of judgment (Matt. 24:37–44; 2 Peter 3:3–10). They think either it can’t happen soon or it won’t happen at all. They doubt God can or will keep His promises. They scoff at the notion of judgment on sin. But Jesus said, “I will come like a thief in the night” (Matthew 24:44). Therefore, one must be prepared before hand, or it will be to late.

The Truth: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:9-10)

Ezekiel 11 "A Little Sanctuary"

“Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.” (v.16)

BANISHED does not mean removed from grace, or from God. God is to His people a place of refuge. They find sanctuary with Him from every adversary. He is our place of worship too. He is with us as He was with Jacob when he slept in the open field, and rising, said, “Surely God was in this place.”

We can find sanctuary in God wherever we are and under any circumstances. Currently we are restricted from gathering together in our churches due to COVID-19, but God is still with us. His work is not limited to a building, for where two or more are gathered together in His name, He is there. When we are alone, worshipping and praying, He is there. God's dwelling place is in our heart, and through His Spirit we find sanctuary for our souls.

In God we find the shrine of holiness and of communion. What more do we need?" - Spurgeon

O Lord, fulfill this promise and ever be to us, "a little sanctuary!" Amen.

Ezekiel 10 “The Glory Departed ”

“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.” (vv.18-19)

The gradual withdrawal of God from His house is described in chapters 9-11. In chapter 9 we read, “The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub on which it had been, to the threshold of the temple” (v.3). Then in chapter 10 Ezekiel records, “The glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim. When the cherubim departed, they lifted their wings and rose up from the earth in my sight with the wheels beside them; and they stood still at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them.” Finally in chapter 11 we read, "the glory of the LORD passed from the city" (v.23).

So it can be with us when we fall away from God. His glory gradually withdrawals from us as we move in the wrong direction from Him. Slowly our hearts can begin to backslide until His glory can no longer be seen, for it has moved out of our sight. But, just as the glory of the LORD returned to the renovated temple (Ezekiel 43:2-4), so it can return to a repentant heart, if it is genuine. Like the dawn of a new day; like the sound of many waters, it can return, if you turn from your sin.

The Truth: “If we confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Ezekiel 9 “The Mark of Protection”

And He called to the man clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case. The Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.” But to the others He said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity and do not spare.” (vv.4-5)

We find in scripture an interesting parallel to this scene in the book of Revelation, chapter 7. There, four angels are holding back the four winds, which are ready to bring destruction upon the earth. But, there is an angel that says, "Don’t release those winds until the servants of God have been marked in their forehead." And I (John) counted the number that were marked and there were a hundred forty-four thousand, that they should not be hurt by the plagues that were yet to come to pass." (Revelation 7:3-4).

“Even in the most corrupt conditions God has never been without a remnant of loyal souls. They dwell among abominations, but have no share in them. They live in perpetual grief, they vex their righteous souls from day to day, they sigh and cry for the abominations.” –(G.Campbell Morgan)

God was able to see the righteous and repentant among them. To have had this mark meant LIFE, to those who had it.  God saw what was written on their hearts.  He was able to see the Godly among the wicked.  He saw Love, Faith, and Hope. And God will always protect those who are called by His name, who humble themselves, pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways.

The Truth: “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Ezekiel 8 “Ezekiel’s Vision of Abominations in Jerusalem”

He said to me, “Do you see this, son of man? Is it too light a thing for the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they have committed here, that they have filled the land with violence and provoked Me repeatedly? For behold, they are putting the twig to their nose. “Therefore, I indeed will deal in wrath. My eye will have no pity nor will I spare; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, yet I will not listen to them.” (vv.17-18)

Like the Romans, the Jews believed that Jerusalem and the temple could never fall. They symbolized God’s presence and His covenant with His people, so surely He would never let anything happen to them, right? But they had neglected the truth that the covenant came with responsibilities. Their persistent sin presumed upon God’s patience and grace and dishonored His holiness.

Today’s reading gives us further details concerning Israel’s idolatry. In it, Ezekiel was given a vision of the evil going on in Jerusalem at that time. Chapter 9 continues the vision and depicts “six men” (guardian angels of the city), executing judgment on the wicked. Sin deserves God’s judgment. Since all of us are sinners, perfect justice means that all of us deserve death. But, thankfully, in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, God has provided a way by which we need not reap what we have sown.

The Truth: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Ezekiel 7 “An End”

“Thus says the Lord God unto the land of Israel, An end.” (v.2)

This chapter consists of a denunciation of the Kingdom of Judah, a prediction of the dissolution of the State. The words here "An end" are exclamatory. That is the message in its entirety—"An end!" The time of patience was over, there was to be no more waiting. God waits long for nations, and gives them opportunities of returning to righteousness. But, if they persist in unrighteousness, the hour will come when He says "An end!" And that’s it.

This reads like a chapter right out of the Book of Revelation. It tells of a "Coming End." And like "the Day of the LORD," there will be some survivors but many will perish. If world history has taught us anything, it teaches us that the prophecies in the Bible are true, which means the Word of God is true. It is our road map to the future. We need to read, study, meditate, live by and pray on it every day.

God has given us a way out of the destruction that is coming. He gave us His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. And until His day comes, we need to share the gospel with all who will listen so they would come to know the love of Christ and be saved as well.

The Truth: "For unto to us a child is born, Unto to isa Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Ezekiel 6 “God’s Heart Broken”

“I (God) have been hurt by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me, and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed, for all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the Lord; I have not said in vain 1that I would inflict this disaster on them.” (vv.9-10)

God is represented here as heart broken. The suggestion is daring indeed, but the most daring of human words and figures of speech are needed to convey to us the suffering His people put upon Him by rejecting His Eternal Love for their lewd and whorish practices before other gods.

Worshiping other gods was a direct violation of God’s covenant with Israel. It amounted to mocking the Lord, and justice demanded that He respond. He is the only One worthy of worship, and those who act otherwise learn the hard way of His irresistible power and absolute sovereignty. The people’s wickedness was brazen and God’s wrath would be entirely just.

God is just as heart broken today as He sees His children choosing to spend their time (hours upon hours) engaged in meaningless practices, or being consumed by their lustful desires, trapped in their secret sins that mock His LORDSHIP in their lives. O how He is broken hearted over what man has become in the secret places of his own heart.

Sadly not much has changed from Ezekiel's time to today. But, let this sound a warning trumpet for you as well—for one way or another, God is going to teach us all that He alone is Lord!

The Truth: "I Am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me." (Isaiah 45:5)

Ezekiel 5 “Judgment on Jerusalem”

“Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘Because you have more turmoil than the nations which surround you and have not walked in My statutes, nor observed My ordinances, nor observed the ordinances of the nations which surround you,’ therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I, even I, am against you, and I will execute judgments among you in the sight of the nations.” (vv.7-8)

This chapter contains the “judgments” which are to fall upon Jerusalem and the people of God because, “you are more turbulent than the nations that are round you." This city was intended to be a city of peace, resulting from righteousness; and the people a people of quiet strength, because of their relationship with God; and all this in the interest of the surrounding nations, that they might have a revelation of the perfection of the ways of God through His people. Instead, they became more polluted than surrounding cities.

This country must be careful as well, for we were founded as a Christian nation on religious freedom, and are called to be salt and light to others around us. The light that once shined so brightly has now begun to dim, and if some leaders in this nation could, they would extinguish it all together. Thank God for those leaders who still stand for righteousness, who are salt and light to those around them. I can only pray that this nation does not lose its savor and become more polluted than others.  

The Truth:  "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." (Matthew 5:13)

Ezekiel 4 “The Siege of Jerusalem Portrayed”

“Now you son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem. “Then lay siege against it, build a siege wall, raise up a ramp, pitch camps and place battering rams against it all around. “Then get yourself an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between you and the city, and set your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This is a sign to the house of Israel.” (vv.1-3)

Here we see God’s faithful prophet, Ezekiel, following God’s instructions, in performing the first of five symbolic actions (4:1–5:4), which he then interpreted (5:5–17) against Israel. In the first three verses we see, he created a model of Jerusalem and represented it as under siege in order to give warning of the city’s impending doom (fulfilled in 2 Kings 25).

Ezekiel goes on to preform four other symbolic actions depicting the coming judgment God would carryout upon the nation for violating God’s laws and their covenant with Him. This was the message (one of judgment), God gave to Ezekiel to begin his ministry.

These actions, which took over a year to complete, were mortifying for Ezekiel. He probably became something of a public spectacle, not to mention that no one likes bearers of bad news. The loss of his beard was culturally humiliating. God was mindful of such things and graciously granted the prophet’s request not to have to cook with human excrement (4:14–15).

Israel’s idolatry had made God’s name a mockery among the nations. Despite having God’s law and God’s love, the people had done worse evils than the pagan nations around them. Therefore, God’s judgments were just and would restore His good name. Yes He is loving and not willing that any should perish, but He is also holy and just. One whom we will all stand before one day.

The Truth: “And when I have spent my wrath upon them,” He said, “they will know that I the Lord have spoken in my zeal” (5:13).

Ezekiel 3 “It Will Be Performed”

“For I the Lord will speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it,” declares the Lord God.’ (v.25)

In Isaiah’s day there were two common views of prophecy; 1) Disbelief of what the prophet had said as to the coming of judgment, and that the visions were vain, that is empty or, 2) The vision that the prophet sees is for many days to come, and his prophecies are far off" (v.27). This was the view of those who did believe in prophecy, but comforted themselves by the assurance that there would be no immediate fulfillment.

Here God promised to destroy the popular saying “Every vision comes to nothing” with His word that “Every vision will be fulfilled” (vv. 22–23). Sin deserves punishment. Worship is serious business. God will not be mocked. In judgment, the people would learn that He alone is the Lord (v. 15).

Some people treat the return of Christ like the Israelites treated God’s warnings of judgment (Matt. 24:37–44; 2 Peter 3:3–10). They think either it can’t happen soon or it won’t happen at all. They doubt God can or will keep His promises. They scoff at the notion of judgment on sin. But Jesus said He would come like a thief in the night.

The Truth: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matt. 24:44).