staff of reed

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1862Ezekiel 29-30

Egypt had proven to be an unreliable ally for Judah, and the LORD punished them by breaking their arms, so that they could not take up the sword against Babylon.  He strengthened the arms of Babylon, and placed his sword in his hands, to slaughter and scatter Egypt.  Egypt would be laid to waste for 40 years, and then their fortunes would be restored, but they would never again be the mighty empire that tempted God’s people to rely upon them, instead of their maker.

LORD, forgive us for relying upon the mighty empire, the staff of reed.

Posted in confidence, dependence upon God, Ezekiel, judgment, loyalty | Tagged , | Leave a comment

rescued for holiness

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1859Ezekiel 28

Descriptions of the downfall of Tyre and Sidon serve as the settings for a precious promise.  While all her neighbors will suffer disaster and destruction, God’s people will be gathered from them and brought to a place of peace.  There, they will experience neither a brier to prick nor a thorn to hurt.  But there’s more.  The LORD intends to manifest his holiness in Israel in the sight of those neighbor nations.  That is what he wanted all along.

LORD, rescue us, and manifest your holiness in us.

Posted in deliverance, discipleship, Ezekiel, holiness | Tagged | Leave a comment

Titanic

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1857Ezekiel 27

Once known for her majesty and glory, the mighty ship Titanic is now known for the disaster which happened to her on the sea.  The same is true of Tyre.  She was a masterpiece of international trade.  But now she is a shipwreck, with all goods and all hands lost.  Her disappearance in the depths serves as a sign for all those who try to be something without God.  If all you want out of life is to leave a legacy of greatness, be warned that it can all go down in a moment. 

LORD, forgive us for trusting in our trade, instead of seeking you.

Posted in confidence, Ezekiel, glory, judgment | Tagged | Leave a comment

many nations

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1833Ezekiel 26

Tyre assumed that Jerusalem’s bad fortune would give them breathing room, so they would prosper.  A remote neighbor to the north, they thought they could survive and thrive by ignoring Judah’s calamity.  Not so.  The LORD promised to inflict judgment upon Tyre with many nations.  That is what happened.  Numerous nations joined Nebuchadnezzar in attacking Tyre, and many other nations joined Alexander the Great, and later rulers in destroying it.  Although it was rebuilt many times, the small city of Tyre today is not located on the ruins of the old Tyre.  The nations joined together to bring the old Tyre to nothing.

LORD, forgive us for assuming that other people’s misfortune is not our business.

Posted in Ezekiel, judgment, prophecy | Tagged | Leave a comment

partners in crime

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1829Ezekiel 25

Judah has taken the brunt of God’s judgment oracles from Ezekiel, but now it’s time for her partners in crime (her neighbor nations) to get theirs.  Each prediction of disaster is followed by something like “then they will know that I am the LORD.”  Emboldened by Judah’s attempt to be like all the other nations, they fanned the flames of her idolatry, violence and greed.  They will not escape.

LORD, by our actions, we are proclaiming to our neighbors who you are.  May we follow you in truth, and show them the truth. 

Posted in discipleship, Ezekiel, genuineness, Judah, judgment | Tagged | Leave a comment

the delight of your eyes

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1834Ezekiel 24

A corroded pot defiles everything in it, and bits are taken out indiscriminately, symbolizing those who die in the siege. Then, Ezekiel faces his greatest challenge.  The LORD tells him his wife will die, and he is not to show mourning!  What?  LORD, how can you require any such thing of your servant?  But wait, the LORD is suffering the same pain.  The delight of his eyes is suffering and dying before him. Yet he must remain aloof.

LORD, forgive us for questioning the sufferings faced by your servants.  We know that nothing we feel compare to what you feel.

Posted in Ezekiel, marriage, servanthood, suffering | Tagged | Leave a comment

your sister’s cup

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1837Ezekiel 23

This is another one of those PG passages in Scripture.  It describes the judgment upon Jerusalem and the reason for it. Jerusalem lusted after the young studs of Babylon like her sister Samaria had lusted after the young studs of Assyria.  She had allowed herself to be used until that was all she was.  Like Samaria, it was now Jerusalem’s time to bear the penalty for her sinful idolatry. 

LORD, may our desire be for you and your word.  Purge from us the lust for other things. 

Posted in Ezekiel, idolatry, judgment, purity | Tagged | Leave a comment

all dross

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1833Ezekiel 22

The LORD looked for some shining example of moral purity and obedience to the covenant.  He found no silver – it was all dross.  They were all murderers, idolaters, inconsiderate, defiled,  lewd and greedy.  Therefore, the LORD will scatter them among the nations, getting rid of the dross.

LORD, help us to be the examples of moral purity that bring honor to your name.

Posted in Ezekiel, faithfulness, genuineness, judgment | Tagged | Leave a comment

marked off in the map

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1829Ezekiel 21

One of the prophecies here depicts Nebuchadnezzar using several means of divination to decide where to attack next.  He decides to follow the sign, and attack Jerusalem.  In doing so, he is following a path marked off in a map by the prophet.  What God determines to do, the nations will perform.  When God has set his face toward destroying his own people, their enemies will perform the deed.

LORD, our destiny is in your hands.  We ask that you allow us to bring glory to your name.

Posted in Ezekiel, future, glory, judgment, prophecy | Tagged | Leave a comment

intervention failed

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1826Ezekiel 20

A group of elders make an appointment with Ezekiel in order to consult with him.  They hope that their obvious display of solidarity and authority will take this errant prophet off guard and that he will come to his senses and stop betraying his people with his prophecies.  The LORD speaks out against them and the nation they represent.  He says that they have been idolaters even in Egypt, and he cannot take it anymore.  He will purge his people by sending them back to exile.  When they return, Jerusalem will be different. It will display God’s glory.

LORD, forgive us for trying to gang up on you.  Yours is the only authority we want to recognize.  Your will is the only law we want to follow.

Posted in Ezekiel, idolatry, prophecy | Tagged | Leave a comment