power politics

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1819Ezekiel 19

Ezekiel describes what the ESV Study Bible calls Zedekiah’s last attempts at “power politics”  which end in “disaster.”  Showing one’s strength only works if there is something that goes beyond the strength.  Judah had depleted its spiritual reserves, and then sought to make up for it by violence and intimidation.  The result was utter humiliation. 

LORD, since it has been made clear that we are in no spiritual condition to overcome our problems, at least give us the wisdom not to bear our teeth before them.  Remind us of Ezekiel’s words, and give us repentance.

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restoring souls

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1817Ezekiel 18

Some take this passage as a philosophical bashing of collectivist cultures, among whom were the Israelites.  But the key to understanding the LORD’s complaint is that his people were blaming God for their sin.  They were saying that God was already judging them for the fathers’ sins, so repentance would not make a difference.  The LORD said that repentance will keep souls from dying.  It does make a difference.  No matter where you are, or what you have inherited from your past, God is asking you to turn to him.  No, your soul is not immortal.  Sin can kill it, but repentance can bring life.

LORD, we want life.  Forgive us for our unrighteousness, and restore our souls.

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first resort

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1813Ezekiel 17

All is not fair in war.  After Judah’s defeat and exile in Babylon, the king broke his agreement with Nebuchadnezzar by seeking help from Egypt.  The LORD held this against Judah.  To break a covenant with the nation he sent to punish is to break the covenant with the LORD himself.  When you are in a difficult situation because of rebellion against the LORD, your first resort should not be to try to get out of your trouble.  It should be restoring your relationship with the LORD.

LORD, may our first resort be to turn back to you.

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abandoned and restored

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1803Ezekiel 16

Through this long allegory, the LORD explains his relationship with his people.  It was an act of grace by which the LORD rescued Israel as an abandoned infant, and brought her up, removing her shame.  He brought her up, and married her, and gave her more glory than all the others around her.  She responded to this love by being unfaithful, committing adultery – idolatry with all of the nations around her.  So, the LORD removes his protection from her, and she will once again become an object of reproach, bearing the penalty of her lewdness and her abominations. 

But there is hope.  The LORD will remember his covenant he had made with his wife.  He will establish another covenant, an everlasting one.  He will take his unfaithful wife back – but on new terms.  Even Hittites and Amorites will be part of this new covenant.

LORD, thank you for including us in your new covenant, bought with the blood of Christ.

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big three

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1796Ezekiel 14-15

In both of these chapters the LORD responds to those of his people who think they are something.  He is warning them that even the big three (Noah, Daniel & Job) would not cause God 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 faithful 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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false visions and divination

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1793Ezekiel 13

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 whitewashed walls were lies as well.  Just smearing a wall with whitewash does not protect it from attack.   The LORD is the protection of his people.  Looking for protection elsewhere is grievous sin.

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

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times far off

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1746Ezekiel 12

One of the excuses the Israelites used to remain in their sin was that Ezekiel’s prophecies were all for times far off, that nothing was going to be fulfilled in their lifetime.  The LORD countered with the threat that there would be no more delay, but the word that he speaks will be performed.  We put ourselves in a dangerous situation by assuming that trouble will not come.  Even in peaceful times, we must fear God, and remain faithful to him.

LORD, forgive us for presuming upon your protection while we ignore your commands.

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hearts of stone

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1730Ezekiel 11:14-25

The glory of the LORD is departing Jerusalem, but with a promise to return when the exiles return, with a new heart and spirit of obedience and authenticity.  They will have hearts of flesh instead of stone. He is leaving in judgment, which will allow the atrocities of the judgment to take place.  They have profaned his sanctuary, so now the sanctuary goes with him, while the buildings in the physical sanctuary are ruined.  The remnant have found sanctuary in him.  That is the way of the new covenant.

LORD, gather us, and free us from our hearts of stone.

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you have feared the sword

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1724Ezekiel 10-11:13

In the process of watching a vision depicting the ever-increasing judgment on Jerusalem, Ezekiel sees 25 of the princes of the people.  They had been influential and had given wicked council.  One of them, Pelatiah ben Benaiah, soon died.  Ezekiel was overcome, and asked the LORD whether he was going to make a full end of the remnant.  These leaders had succumbed to fear of man, and preached compromise for the purpose of survival.  Jesus teaches that we should not fear those around us, because the most they can do is kill us.  We should fear God, who has the ability to both kill and destroy soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28).  Leadership goes wrong when it passes on fear of man instead of faith (and fear) of God.

LORD, may we be wise enough to lead by passing on trust and respect for you.

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mark us

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1723Ezekiel 9

The LORD sends seven angels into the temple. Six are to commence the slaughtering of idolaters.  One is to mark the foreheads of those who will be spared.  Just as in the Passover, the mark preserves those who will be rescued by grace.  The judgment angels are told to spare no one who does not have the mark.  The first to go were the elders, those community leaders who thought it expedient to forsake their responsibility to protect their people from idolatry, since everybody else was doing it.

LORD, mark us by your saving grace.  For those of us in leadership, help us to lead our people away from your judgment, not toward it.

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