Ezekiel 5 – God’s Razor Of Judgment At Work
Ezekiel 6 – Doom For The Mountains Of Israel
Ezekiel 7 – The End Has Come On The Land
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Ezekiel 5 – The parable of the hair. The Lord tells Ezekiel to shave his head and beard and use the hair as a symbol of what will happen to the people of Jerusalem: “A third of your people will die of the plague or perish by famine inside you; a third will fall by the sword outside your walls; and a third I will scatter to the winds and pursue with drawn sword” (Ezekiel 5:12). Only a few will remain, the remnant, “but take a few hairs and tuck them away in the folds of your garment” (5:3). The NIV Study Bible notes here provide an important insight: God place Jerusalem in the crossroads of many nations to become a witness for his Glory. Such a great responsibility results in the most severe discipline for their utter failure. I use the word discipline and not punishment because God still remains resolute, he will restore them eventually.
Ezekiel 6 – Doom For The Mountains Of Israel. Ezekiel prophesied against those who hid in the mountains, who worshiped idols, they will be dealt with severely, “but I will spare some, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the lands and nations…and they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them” (6:8,10).
Ezekiel 7 – The End Has Come On The Land. As I read chapter 7, I can’t help but imagine the street-corner prophet in a busy city shouting, “the end has come!” Ezekiel is indeed that prophet responding to the Lord and proclaiming to the people in a loud voice (or so it appears), “I will bring the most wicked of nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated” (7:24). Indeed we are coming to the end of the kings of Israel and Judah as they are swept away by godless rulers who are used by the Lord to punish his people. Chapter 7 doesn’t provide a hint about the remnant that will escape, some heard the words and perhaps secretly maintained their faith and allegiance to the Lord.
Lord help us to be your positive example, to shut out the worldly worship of idols we refuse to claim we seek. Give us wisdom and discernment to hear your voice and boldly lead others to your truth. I’m saddened by the many who were lost in Ezekiel’s day and my heart breaks for the many who are lost today. Help us to turn this ship around and move masses of people to you!