Thoughts On Ezekiel 21
Everyone in the world will know that I am the Lord. My sword is in my hand, and it will not return to its sheath until its work is finished.’
Ezk 21:5 NLT
1 Peter 4:17 NLT
For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?
1Pet 4:17 NLT
In the preceding chapter to our reading today, we saw how God yet again chronicled the sins of Israel in violating His commands, decrees, and statutes when He brought them out of captivity in Egypt.
What stood out for them, which they failed to heed, was God’s consistent resolve to hold back their destruction because of His name and so that the nations around them (who have seen the wonders of God’s work on account of Israel) will not profane His name as He executes His righteous judgement upon them.
Despite God’s repeated warnings through Ezekiel the people chose to believe he was speaking in parables and seem to conclude none of those things will happen to Jerusalem, the beloved city, where God has put His name.
Unfortunately, their time was up. God had spoken and the end had been determined by God as revealed in today’s chapter.
In 2 Timothy 3:2, scoffing at sacred things is one of the behaviours that will characterize the last days. A child of God should never live under the illusion that the Day of the Lord will not come or that the series of Bible study on Escatology is an exaggeration by falsely believing that once saved, forever saved.
Israel lived under such false pretences, scoffing at any impeding judgement from God, until the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem and utterly destroyed everything, thus fulfilling every word that God has spoken through His prophets.
Implication:
No doubt the coming of the Lord is at hand, a day in the which all that we have heard, read, studied together, and have been taught of will come to pass.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, and so our lives must mirror the expectations of God for His own.
What then should our attitude be as children of God in view of judgement?
1 Peter 4:1-10
1. Be sober. Live righteously.
2. Be prayerful.
3. Love the brethren in truth
4. Be given to hospitality without murmuring.
5. Serve God and others with the gifts God has given you with the best of your ability.
6. Brace up and take courage in the face of trials (1Pet 1:13)
7. Hope to the end, for the glory that will be revealed at Christ’s appearing.
Thoughts On Ezekiel 26.
This chapter is a prophecy against the city of Tyre, prophesying its destruction and fall. The focus is on Tyre’s rejoicing over Jerusalem’s destruction and God’s punishment of Tyre for its ignorance and exploitation.
God sends many nations and specifically Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon to destroy Tyre.
Key Points
Tyre’s Sin: Tyre gloated over Jerusalem’s fall and anticipated gaining from its destruction.
God’s Judgment: God announces that He will punish Tyre for its pride and celebration of another’s downfall.
Instruments Of Destruction: Many nations will be sent against Tyre including the king of Babylon.
Complete Destruction: The city will be utterly destroyed, its wealth plundered and its foundation destroyed.
Tyre As A Terror: Tyre once a powerful and influential city will become a terror to its neighbours and a symbol of God’s judgment.
Impact On Other Nations: The destruction of Tyre will cause fear and dismay among the neighbouring nations and Islands.
A Warning!
This chapter emphasizes that Tyre’s pride and the desire to profit from other’s misfortune would lead to its own demise.
It serves as a warning against celebrating the downfall of others as God will ultimately bring justice and judgment upon those who rejoice in the destruction of others.
God has no pleasure in the death of any man. Ezekiel 18:23 and 32.
Ezekiel 27
Today, we study the Book of Ezekiel Chapter 27, where the lamentations against Tyre were recorded.
Reflection:
“The Lord Brings Low & Lifts Up”
Key Scripture:
Ezekiel 27:32
“What City is like Tyre, Destroyed in the midst of the sea?
Tyre was a powerful and influential city that offended Almighty God by rejoicing in the ruin of Jerusalem, hence DIVINE JUDGMENT was pronounced and the CITY was destroyed!
Lessons
The Lord Lifts Up
Civilisations and powers in history owe their existence and prominence ultimately to Jehovah
Indeed, “THE LORD LIFTS UP & BRINGS LOW” (1 Samuel 2:7b)
Why Do You Boast
The Apostle asked: “What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you Indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
Grace To The Humble
Surely, “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble”
Conclusion
It is unfortunate that destruction of individual career, ministries and organisations are rooted in PRIDE!
The Scriptures do not lie – PRIDE goes before DESTRUCTION, a HAUGHTY SPIRIT before a FALL”
Prayer
Father, we receive the grace for humility in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen
