given to the fire

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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given to the fire

Ezekiel 15:1-8 (JDV)

Ezekiel 15:1 Then the word of Yahveh happened to me:
Ezekiel 15:2 “Son of Adam, how does the wood of the vine, that branch among the trees of the forest, compare to any other wood?
Ezekiel 15:3 Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can anyone make a peg from it to hang things on?
Ezekiel 15:4 Notice that it is put into the fire as fuel. The fire devours both of its ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything?
Ezekiel 15:5 Notice that when it was whole it could not be made into a useful object. How much less can it ever be made into anything useful when the fire has devoured it and it is charred!”
Ezekiel 15:6 Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahveh says, “Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire as fuel, so I will give up the residents of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 15:7 I will turn against them. They may have escaped from the fire, but it will still consume them. And you will know that I am Yahveh when I turn against them.
Ezekiel 15:8 I will make the land desolate because they have acted unfaithfully.” This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.

given to the fire

The inhabitants of Jerusalem had thought of themselves as the best of the best. Now that they were under God’s judgment, he views them as wood that is given to the fire — because that is the only thing it is useful for.

I have known the joy of serving the LORD in a number of different functions. It would break my heart if I were ever told the bad news that Ezekiel had to tell the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

LORD, make us into wood for your use — whether glorious or ordinary. May we never get to the point where we are only useful for the fire.

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a survivor generation

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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a survivor generation

Ezekiel 14:19-23 (JDV)

Ezekiel 14:19 “Or suppose I send an epidemic into that land and pour out my wrath on it with bloodshed to wipe out both man and animal from it.
Ezekiel 14:20 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live” – the declaration of the Lord Yahveh – “they could not rescue their son or daughter. They would rescue only their throats by their righteousness.
Ezekiel 14:21 “For this is what the Lord Yahveh says: How much worse will it be when I send my four devastating judgments against Jerusalem – sword, famine, dangerous animals, and epidemic – in order to wipe out both man and animal from it!
Ezekiel 14:22 Even so, notice there will be survivors left in it, sons and daughters who will be brought out. Indeed, they will come out to you, and you will observe their conduct and actions. Then you will be consoled about the devastation I have brought on Jerusalem, about all I have brought on it.
Ezekiel 14:23 They will bring you consolation when you see their conduct and actions, and you will know that it was not without cause that I have done what I did to it.” This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.

a survivor generation

A survivor generation will emerge from the judgments and the exile which will prove that God’s actions against his own were not without cause.

God is allowing many of the things mentioned in this passage today. Could it be that he is also going to bring about a survivor generation who walk in holiness out of this generation’s ashes? May it be so.

LORD, we ask you for a future generation willing to stand for your truth, your righteousness, and against this generation’s idols.

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no other Way

Posted on August 21, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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no other Way

Ezekiel 14:15-18 (JDV)

Ezekiel 14:15 “Suppose I allow dangerous animals to pass through the land and depopulate it so that it becomes a sinister desolation, with no one passing through it for fear of the animals.
Ezekiel 14:16 Even if these three men were in it, as I live” – the declaration of the Lord Yahveh – “they could not rescue their sons or daughters. They alone would be rescued, but the land would be a sinister desolation.
Ezekiel 14:17 “Or suppose I bring a sword against that land and say, ‘Let a sword pass through it,’ so that I wipe out both man and animal from it.
Ezekiel 14:18 Even if these three men were in it, as I live” – the declaration of the Lord Yahveh – “they could not rescue their sons or daughters, but they alone would be rescued.

no other Way

This text reminds us that we are all personally responsible to seek God. Even though we do our best to protect our loved ones, in the end, they must come to faith and obedience just as we did. No one inherits the kingdom from his or her parents. We each enter it through faith in the blood of Christ.

Are you trying to sneak into the sheepfold in some way other than through the door? It will not work.

LORD, your wrath is coming, but you have made a way for us to avoid it. Jesus is that Way. Thank you for your grace.

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a few strong believers

Posted on August 20, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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a few strong believers

Ezekiel 14:12-14 (JDV)

Ezekiel 14:12 The word of Yahveh happened to me:
Ezekiel 14:13 “Son of Adam, suppose a land fails me by acting faithlessly, and I stick out my hand against it to cut off its supply of bread, to send a famine through it, and to wipe out both man and animal from it.
Ezekiel 14:14 Even if these three men – Noah, Daniel, and Job – were in it, they would rescue only their throats by their righteousness.” This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.

a few strong believers

In lots of communities, there are a few strong believers. Perhaps the majority of rebellious or nominal draw some comfort from their presence — thinking that they would prevent anything really bad from happening in the community.

Here God is warning that even the big three (Noah, Daniel & Job) would not cause him to change his mind about bringing judgment and destruction. There has been too much unfaithfulness for a few heroes of the faith to turn the tide. The LORD will get glory not through victory, but through the repentant ones who respond to his judgment.

LORD, forgive us for thinking that the presence of a few strong believers will keep us from experiencing your just judgment.

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beware official investigations

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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beware official investigations

Ezekiel 14:6-11 (JDV)

Ezekiel 14:6 “Therefore, say to the household of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your repulsive things.
Ezekiel 14:7 You see, when anyone from the house of Israel or from the aliens who reside in Israel separates himself from me, setting up idols in his heart and putting his violating stumbling block in front of himself, and then comes to the prophet to investigate me, I, Yahveh, will answer him myself.
Ezekiel 14:8 I will turn against that one and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among my people. Then you will know that I am Yahveh.
Ezekiel 14:9 ” ‘But if the prophet is deceived and speaks a message, it was I, Yahveh, who deceived that prophet. I will stick out my hand against him and exterminate him from among my people Israel.
Ezekiel 14:10 They will bear their punishment – the punishment of the one who inquires will be the same as that of the prophet –
Ezekiel 14:11 in order that the household of Israel may no longer stray from following me and no longer defile themselves with all their rebellions. Then they will be my people and I will be their God. This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.'”

beware official investigations

Ezekiel was responding to an official investigation by a group of influential elders. On such occasions, the prophet who was being investigated would be tempted to speak softly and avoid controversy. But the LORD did not want that. These elders were influential in Israel, but they also had compromised God’s truth and were themselves, idolaters. God’s message to them was not to be conciliatory. The message was a command to repent and turn away from idols.

If we speak up for God’s truth, we invite such official investigations — and many unofficial ones. God is watching to see if we mean in public what we say in private.

LORD, give us integrity — the courage to hold to our convictions no matter who questions them.

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strangers to him

Posted on August 18, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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strangers to him

Ezekiel 14:1-5 (JDV)

Ezekiel 14:1 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me.
Ezekiel 14:2 Then the word of Yahveh happened to me:
Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of Adam, these men have set up idols in their hearts and have put their violating stumbling blocks in front of themselves. Should I actually let them investigate me?
Ezekiel 14:4 “Therefore, speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: When anyone from the house of Israel sets up idols in his heart and puts his violating stumbling block in front of himself, and then comes to the prophet, I, Yahveh, will answer him appropriately. I will answer him according to his many idols,
Ezekiel 14:5 so that I may take hold of the household of Israel by their hearts. They are all strangers to me because of their idols.’

strangers to him

An official delegation of the elders of Israel came for a summit talk with Ezekiel. Maybe this was at first a cause of happiness for the prophet. Maybe he thought that now that the leaders are consulting with him, it would result in forgiveness and restoration. But God tells Ezekiel that these elders are strangers to him because of the idolatry that keeps them from being sincere.

Brothers and sisters, setting up idols in our hearts is a temptation for us today. We need not think that God is any more willing to consult with us if we do so. He must be our only master.

LORD, we want to meet with you. Purge us of our idols.

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building spiritual barriers

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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building spiritual barriers

Ezekiel 13:20-23

Ezekiel 13:20 ” ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahveh says: Notice I am against your magic bands with which you ensnare throats like birds, and I will tear them from your arms. I will free the throats you have ensnared like birds.
Ezekiel 13:21 I will also tear off your veils and rescue my people from your hands, so that they will no longer be prey in your hands. Then you will know that I am Yahveh.
Ezekiel 13:22 Because you have disheartened the righteous person with lies (when I intended no distress), and because you have supported the guilty person so that he does not turn from his evil way to save his life,
Ezekiel 13:23 therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will rescue my people from your hands. Then you will know that I am Yahveh.'”

building spiritual barriers

The female prophets to whom Ezekiel is addressing this prediction are utilizing animistic cult practices to recieve messages from the unseen realm. In response to their false prophecies, God promises to remove their ability to receive those messages. Because they used their influence to dishearten the righteous and support the guilty, God was going to put a barrier between them and the unclean spirits who had been empowering them. God has power over all things. He can most certainly do that.

One of the prayers we should be praying in our regular spiritual warfare is that the LORD put barriers between the animistic practitioners who are at work among us. They are not on the LORD’s side, and he wants to take away their influence. But are we asking him to do that? I think that many of us have fallen for the secularism that chooses to ignore the spirit realm. When we do so, we risk becoming their victims.

LORD, build barriers between us and the unclean spirits who want to destroy us.

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equal wrongs

Posted on August 16, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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equal wrongs

Ezekiel 13:17-19

Ezekiel 13:17 “Now you, son of Adam, face the women among your people who prophesy out of their own imagination, and prophesy against them.
Ezekiel 13:18 Say, ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Tragedy to the women who sew magic bands on the wrist of every hand and who make veils for the heads of people of every size in order to ensnare throats. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own?
Ezekiel 13:19 You profane me among my people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread; you put throats to death who should not die and spare throats who should not live, when you lie to my people, who listen to lies.

equal wrongs

Having condemned the false prophets who were men, Ezekiel is now instructed to condemn the false prophets who were women. Rather than being condemned because they were usurping their role in being prophets, these women were condemned for the same reason their male counterparts were: they were pronouncing false prophecies in the name of Yahveh.

God does not limit the role of prophecy to men, but he holds women who prophesy to the same standard as he does the men. The Holy Spirit is an equal opportunity inspirer. But with equal rights, come equal responsibility.

LORD, keep our lady prophets from engaging in equal wrongs. Give them integrity in their ministries.

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a flimsy wall is being built

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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a flimsy wall is being built

Ezekiel 13:8-16 (JDV)

Ezekiel 13:8 ” ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahveh says: You have spoken falsely and had lying visions; that’s why you notice that I am against you. This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.
Ezekiel 13:9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying lots. They will not be present in the council of my people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, and they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahveh.
Ezekiel 13:10 ” ‘Since they have led my people astray by saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and since when a flimsy wall is being built, notice they plaster it with whitewash,
Ezekiel 13:11 therefore, tell those plastering it with whitewash that it will fall. Torrential rain will come, and I will send hailstones plunging down, and a storm wind will be released.
Ezekiel 13:12 Notice when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, “Where’s the whitewash you plastered on it?”
Ezekiel 13:13 ” ‘So this is what the Lord Yahveh says: I will release a storm wind in my wrath. Torrential rain will come in my anger, and hailstones will fall in destructive fury.
Ezekiel 13:14 I will demolish the wall you plastered with whitewash and knock it to the ground so that its foundation is exposed. The city will fall, and you will be destroyed within it. Then you will know that I am Yahveh.
Ezekiel 13:15 After I exhaust my wrath against the wall and against those who plaster it with whitewash, I will say to you, “The wall is no more and neither are those who plastered it–
Ezekiel 13:16 those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw a vision of peace for her when there was no peace.” This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.’

a flimsy wall is being built

That flimsy wall was a symbol of a people who were trying to fix what only God can fix. they were not doing a very good job of it, and it masked a rebellion that was too blatant for God to ignore.

Oh, believer, don’t let your commitment to God be a flimsy wall. It will not hold up. It will only bring judgment upon yourself and lead others to go astray.

LORD, draw us into a deep relationship with you that is not propped up by our own attempts at getting by. Instead, may we yearn for a holiness that reflects you, as we trust in your grace.

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folk religion among the people of God

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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folk religion among the people of God

Ezekiel 13:1-7

Ezekiel 13:1 The word of Yahveh happened to me:
Ezekiel 13:2 “Son of Adam, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination, ‘Hear the word of Yahveh!
Ezekiel 13:3 This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Tragedy to the foolish prophets who follow their own breath and have seen nothing.
Ezekiel 13:4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins.
Ezekiel 13:5 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 Yahveh.
Ezekiel 13:6 They saw false visions and their lots were a lie. They claimed, “This is Yahveh’s declaration,” when Yahveh did not send them, yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.
Ezekiel 13:7 Didn’t you see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you proclaimed, “This is Yahveh’s declaration,” even though I had not spoken?

folk religion among the people of God

Where did these false visions come from? The problem was more than simply people saying what they wanted to say. Ezekiel was addressing full-blown animism – folk religion among the people of God. The false visions came from unclean spirits, and the magic bands were a form of divination that purported to enhance hunting skills. It was actually hunting the souls of the hunters. It was all lies – coming from Satan’s realm. The LORD is the protection of his people. Looking for protection elsewhere is a grievous sin.

LORD, forgive us for looking for spiritual protection and power in the wrong places.

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