Ezekiel 32

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Pharaoh, king of Egypt, considered himself “a lion of the nations.” Instead he was more like “a dragon in the seas,” muddying the water wherever he trampled with his feet. Like the serpent of old who offered Jesus the kingdoms of this earth if the Son of God would only worship him, Pharaoh had fouled the world with his arrogance.

God would soon put an end to Pharaoh's days under the sun. “I will throw my net over you.” The Lord promised that on the day of Pharaoh's demise, there would be visible indications in the heavens confirming that it was the Almighty who had brought the tyrant's reign to an end. As with the plagues upon the nation of Egypt so many centuries earlier, God would “put darkness on your land.”

The events of Pharaoh's destruction would be a divine message not only for Egyptians but also for many other distant people groups. They would hear the story of the fall of Egypt, and they would “tremble every moment, every one for his own life.” God would “bring to ruin the pride of Egypt.” This account of international history was so important that the Lord said it would be known and even “chanted” by “the daughters of the nations.”

God would send Pharaoh and many Egyptians “down to the pit.” Sheol, the society of the dead, was more than just a physical grave. It was the realm beyond this mortal life where souls from various lands would take notice of the fall of Egypt.

Many who had once been high and lofty now lived in Sheol in their defeated condition. Assyria, Elam, Meshech-Tubal, Edom, and the Sidonians were mentioned by the Lord. These had spread terror during their years in “the land of the living.” Egypt would soon join them below, and bear “shame with those who” were no longer alive.

All these varied ancient people groups were noted as “the uncircumcised.” They did not have the Old Testament mark of covenant relationship with Jehovah on their flesh. The ultimate indication of God's ownership of His beloved servants would be more than that which was outwardly visible. Jeremiah 9:26 gives the fuller story: “Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert… are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.” Ezekiel 44:7 mentions both the visible and invisible with the words “uncircumcised in heart and flesh.”

We need to be touched by God with an anointing from above. We also must not neglect the outwardly visible New Testament sacrament of water baptism in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Baptism alone as administered by the church is ultimately insufficient to defeat the guilt and shame that comes from giving in to the outrage of ungovernable pride. We need Jesus and the work of the Spirit of God. Only Christ's humble life and His sacrifice on the cross can taken away our punishment. By the proclamation of His resurrection we have found a safe resting place for our faith in the Lord of Life.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Great King of the Nations, You do not fear powerful men. Though they rail against You and persecute Your children, You can capture them and destroy them in a moment. You have a plan for every tribe on earth and great blessing for Your church. The Lord Jesus Christ is the King and Head of Your people. He is alive forever. When everything seems to be lost, You are still God. You will certainly accomplish all of Your holy will. What will it be like when the Day of Judgment comes? What will happen to those who have spread their terror everywhere? Father, we pray for the salvation of people from every nation. Bring the message of hope to the remotest ends of the earth. The trouble ahead for those who will go down to the pit will be beyond anything that we can imagine. Grant many people ears to hear the truth of Christ.

Ezekiel 31

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God used Ezekiel to expose the pride of rulers who had become dangerously impressed with their own achievements. One of these great kings was Pharaoh, the supreme leader of the Egyptian empire. While Ezekiel 31 is directly addressed to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, most of the chapter described the Assyrians who had already been defeated by the Babylonians. Perhaps Pharaoh might learn something from another arrogant tyrant whose imperial reign had abruptly come to an end.

The Lord made the comparison between the head of Egypt and the once supreme Assyrian powers. “Whom are you like in your greatness?” God described Assyria as a grand “cedar in Lebanon.” Because of its “towering shade,” much life had come to other “trees” and “birds,” meaning other weaker people groups, that could never have survived without the favor of the Assyrians who had until recently been the highest of “all the trees of the field.”

God said that the grandeur of the Assyrian “cedar” had even been above the trees in Eden, the ancient “garden of God.” Yet the king of the Assyrians had forgotten that the Almighty was the source of all the gifts that he enjoyed. God said, “I made” the tree of the Assyrian empire “beautiful in the mass of its branches.” But what had been the result of the nation's rapid ascent? “Its heart was proud of its height.” Therefore the Lord determined to humble the Assyrian kingdom. “I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations.” Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon would be God's instrument to bring low those who were glorying in their own prosperity.

What was the point of the Lord's extended parable about the final days of Assyria? God intended now to humble Egypt in the same way. Though He had described the recent history of the Assyrians, He concluded His message with these words: “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude.”

What benefit can come to the church today from considering the destruction of two ancient rulers who placed their confidence in their own superiority? Whether we are easily ignored by others or very influential in this passing world, it is our privilege to daily repent of our sins and to believe in Jesus. He alone is the God's fruitful tree planted by the heavenly waterside. His kingdom, though it had such a humble beginning, will provide an eternal place of secure deliverance for all who trust in Him. His resurrection world began like “the smallest of all seeds,” but when it is fully grown it will be “larger than all the garden plants.” It will be an everlasting tree where the “birds of the air” will come and “make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:32)

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Our Father, there is an adversary who is spiritual and powerful. As we consider the impressive kings of evil empires from days gone by, we know that even the most powerful man returns to dust. Like a towering tree of the field, though he seems to rule forever, the day of his death will come. More frightening still is the angelic enemy, seeking whom he may devour. Yet we are told that if we resist him, he will flee. How could we have that kind of power except by Your decree? One day the worst of our foes will be cast into a place of punishment forever. We flee to You again for safety. We remember Your Son, His cross, and His resurrection.

Ezekiel 30

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God called Ezekiel to be a “son of man” who would speak “the Word of the Lord” as His ambassador. The Lord's message was a further indictment against Egypt and her allies. He warned them that the “Day of the Lord” was near. “A sword shall come against Egypt.”

The judgment of God first came into the world in Genesis 3. Since the time of Adam's sin, the Lord's wrath has always been imminent. In the days of Ezekiel the curse of the Almighty would come upon the nation of Egypt through the agency of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Eventually a much larger time of reckoning would be poured out upon the entire earth. Peter wrote about that final moment of divine justice in 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand.” Only foolish scoffers would dismiss the seriousness of God's anger against sin.

Jehovah's actions concerning ancient Egypt would produce collateral damage for all those nations who were united behind her leadership. When God eventually “set fire to Egypt,” all her “helpers” would also be “broken.” The Lord would “put an end to the wealth of Egypt,” and every group in league with that empire would feel the pain.

It was a serious miscalculation to form an alliance with a powerful and evil nation that defied the living God. The Lord would “dry up the Nile,” and the “idols” and “images” of Egyptian worship would be demolished. In addition to the spiritual verdict that would come down against the entire corrupt culture, “young men” would surely “fall by the sword,” and the women would be taken away “into captivity.” This is how God would treat the once great land of Egypt and her supreme leader. “Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

We have no desire to have common cause with the powers of this world. Their destruction is swiftly approaching. All who trust in them will have profound regret concerning their close connections with the devil and his host. Not only will the powers of death be eternally decimated, so will all who have refused the merciful entreaties of the Lord of Life (Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 20:15). It is the joy of the elect that we are forever related to the Commander of a perfect and permanent kingdom of holiness.

Pharaoh had a sword of military power in his day, but it would soon “fall from his hand.” The sword of Jesus is His eternal Word, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

O Lord God Almighty, when will the Day of the Lord come? We know that we are to consider it near. We have been told that we shall not know the day or the hour. Help us to be ready for that Day. Our only hope is in Your Son. When anguish comes upon all the people of the world, we shall rejoice in Jesus Christ forever. Desolation is coming against the earth, but we will be rescued. What will it be like when there is no more sin in us or among us? What will it feel like when we are with You and with each other in resurrection life forever? You will put every foe far away from us. No longer will we be harassed by an unseen enemy bringing turmoil upon our souls. On that great Day, we will surely know that You are the Lord.

Ezekiel 29

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In the previous chapter the proud “prince” of Tyre was suggestive of a grander spiritual adversary who was once cast out from heaven “as a profane thing from the mountain of God.” In Ezekiel 29 the prophet's readers were introduced to “Pharaoh king of Egypt,” but they were led again to consider a “great dragon” of old who dared to exalt himself above his appointed station. As Pharaoh and the Egyptians were judged in a gruesome scene of carnage (compare Revelation 19:18), the church cannot help but consider the ultimate end of “that ancient serpent” as recorded for us in Revelation 20:1-10. “The devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur.”

Pharaoh believed the ridiculous. He imagined that the river that was a great blessing to the land of Egypt was his own creation and his permanent possession. “My Nile is my own; I made it for myself.” God would judge him for his hubris and for Egypt's uselessness in Israel's time of need. Egypt had been “a staff of reed to the house of Israel,” and the result was very injurious to the Lord's covenant people.

God's censure for Egypt was that her best days were now over. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon would subdue the once lofty empire, and it would be “a lowly kingdom” under the authority of other nations.

Meanwhile the Lord had a glorious plan for the special oracles of Jehovah's prophets and for the resurrection world that would be established by the Messiah. “I will cause a horn to spring up for the house of Israel.” Ezekiel himself would be an authoritative ambassador in the midst of the Jews, but beyond this great prophet, the Lord would raise up a far more impressive Messenger for all the nations of the world.

Jesus has come in person as the perfect divine Word. His life and His teaching are very worthy of our emulation. His humiliation and exaltation have become our eternal rescue. He has revealed to us the will of God.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Great God of Heaven and Earth, there is much trouble all around us. Proud enemies have confidence in their strength. They are frightening in their power and hate. How will we survive? Surely we will be rescued by You. If You were not watching over us even now, we would not last for a moment. Our enemies come against us, but You can stop them as they seek to do us harm. We marvel at the extent of Your great decrees. You know where nations come from and where they are going. At just the right time You sent Your Son to be an atoning sacrifice for Your people. If You gave Your Son for us, will You not freely give us all things? Will You not protect us from every danger? We trust You.

Ezekiel 28

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God had a message against “the prince of Tyre.” In the pride of his heart he imagined that he was divine. The leader of this prosperous city meditated upon his own wisdom and wealth. He did not view these as gifts from the Almighty but as perfectly good reasons why others should worship him.

The Lord had a different plan. He was going to “bring foreigners” to Tyre who would put the prince to death. The Lord posed a pointed question to this arrogant leader: “Will you still say, 'I am a god,' in the presence of those who kill you?” The ruler over this prosperous trade center would “die the death of the uncircumcised.” The simplest faithful Israelite with the Old Testament sign of God's covenant on his body would be able to face the end of his days on this earth with more peace than one of the richest men among the Gentiles.

The Lord used the story of this one covetous man to talk about a spiritual leader who would one day suffer an even bigger humiliation. One particular fallen angel “on the holy mountain of God” had once been “an anointed guardian cherub,” yet he sinned against the Almighty. The Lord's verdict against that rebellious spirit: “I cast you as a profane thing” from the courts of heaven.

How did such a worthy creature go so far from the pathway of submissive obedience? “Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.” Satan believed that something was being withheld from him that he wanted very much. He longed to say with all the worst tyrants of the world, “I am a god.” He would not be content to be a “ministering spirit” to human beings. (Hebrews 1:14)

The devil will one day face his own eternal punishment along with those despots who suppose that they should be enthroned above Jesus (Revelation 19:20, 20:10). His destruction, together with all the oppressive princes of the empires of the world, is necessary for the new resurrection kingdom to be the realm of holy joy that the Lord has promised to bring to His servants. Like the hostile nations that surrounded the Promised Land back in the days of Ezekiel, the Lord will “execute judgments” upon them all. What about the household of faith? They will “dwell securely” in a world without sin or death.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, keep us from self-destructive pride. We have wealth and intelligence. You have given us many other good gifts. Yet are we so foolish as to think that we are superior gods? Our lives are in Your hands. We were created by You. You have cared for us throughout our years. You brought us to faith in Your Son. You have rescued us out of many dangers. You have watched over us and helped us in every trouble. You have even selected trials for our good. Will we then act as if we are somehow above You? Do we really want to contend with You? Surely Your church must not be full of pride like some rich nation. Though Your Son was equal with You in essence, He willingly humbled Himself before You. Is it too much for us to be lowly? Please restore us again to the sweetness of fellowship with You. Forgive our sins, and grant to us a more righteous frame of mind.

Ezekiel 27

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Tyre, the impressive international trading power of the ancient Near East, had this assessment of herself: “I am perfect in beauty.” Despite her outstanding ability to profit from others, she would face ruin in the near future.

Ezekiel presented Tyre as a ship with its components purchased from all her commercial partners out of many lands. Her mast, deck, oars, sails, and even most of the labor required to power and defend the great boat had come from afar. She had “exchanged human beings and vessels of bronze” for her merchandise. Only the ship's “pilots” were citizens of Tyre.

Though this sizable cargo carrier “heavily laden” with all of her possessions may have seemed unstoppable, an “east wind” would bring about her destruction. The Babylonians would soon bring great trouble upon the prosperous nation.

Tyre's admirers who had appreciated her success would be amazed by the news of her fatal end. All of her goods, together with “all your men of war who are in you with all your crew” would suddenly be lost. Because of this shocking defeat many people groups would wail “with bitter mourning.” In their lament they would acknowledge how far the city had fallen. “Who is like Tyre, like one destroyed in the midst of the sea?” They also expressed the disappointment that would be felt by powerful people who had participated in her triumphs. “You enriched the kings of the earth. Now you are wrecked by the seas.”

It is a heady privilege to be an international superstar nation. Tyre would be replaced by the Babylonians who would be a symbol forever of the arrogance of economic power (Revelation 18). Worldwide commercial giants are not able to retain their leading positions forever. Babylon would give way in just a few years to the Medes and the Persians. The Greeks would then have their own victory march, but they would eventually be replaced by the Romans. And so it has continued throughout the centuries.

In the days when Rome seemed to rule over the nations, the only eternal King came in person. His humble beginnings as the child of a poor woman and His suffering at the hands of Jewish and Roman authorities culminated in His death on a cross. Such a destiny would hardly seem to be a sign of victory, yet Jesus will reign long after all the great powers of the earth have been forgotten.

Any remaining artifacts from Tyre are owned by museums of ancient history or wealthy collectors who have a special interest in archaic objects. Meanwhile millions of faithful Christians all over the earth treasure the living Christ in their hearts and are always ready to give a reason for the hope that inspires them to live out their beliefs with sacrificial love. (1 Peter 3:15)

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

O Lord, the world has been engaged in dedication to wealth accumulation for many centuries. Surely we cannot pretend that greed and covetousness are just another reasonable lifestyle choice? There is a dangerous love for riches that leads so many astray. Will we walk that road and still pretend that You are Lord? How can we serve both You and unrighteous gain? We are happy to see prosperity around us, but not the love of riches. Teach us how to relate to the world with the mercy of Christ and to proclaim Your truth with uncompromising integrity.

Ezekiel 26

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The city of Tyre was very much like the four nations that the Lord addressed in the previous chapter, rejoicing in the troubles of Jerusalem in her time of subjugation. Tyre was different in the prominence of her desire to profit economically from Judah's misfortune. When Tyre saw a demolished gate leading into the city she concluded “it has swung open to me.” Her intention was clear: “I shall be replenished” now that Jerusalem “is laid waste.”

The Lord was not pleased with these greedy plans. “Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.” The Babylonians would soon inflict great damage upon this renowned trading power of the ancient world, and eventually the Greeks would lead a coalition of people groups to destroy Tyre.

Ezekiel called Nebuchadnezzar a “king of kings.” His life would soon be nearly forgotten and Alexander the Great would be the impressive ruler over many lands to the east. Beyond even the greatest empire on earth, however, is the eternal kingdom of our Almighty God.

When the true Lord of Hosts first came to save us, He was not impressive among the courts of worldly power, yet when He returns, “every knee shall bow.” (Philippians 2:10)

The Babylonians and the Greeks would break down the walls of Tyre “and destroy your pleasant houses,” but God alone would one day execute a far more sweeping judgment against the worldly powers who would persecute His people. As He said to this once prosperous city, “I will make you a bare rock” until “great waves cover you.”

The true King of kings has a far better plan for those who follow Him as the Lord of life: “I will set beauty in the land of the living.” The end of the present earth will surely come. God will be victorious on that day, and all who have called upon the Name of the Lord will walk with Him in a realm of endless life.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father God, help us to continue in Your Word. We will not pretend that falsehood is truth, nor will we forget Your standards of righteousness. We mourn over the bad condition of Your church. Thank You for the love of the cross. Grant us wisdom to know how to serve others with whom we disagree. Teach us to wait for the day of Your deliverance.

Ezekiel 25

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The God of the Jews is also the Lord of heaven and earth. He alone has the right to pronounce ultimate judgment according to His Law and His perfect determinations of His holy vengeance. One of the ways that the Lord communicated this great truth in the Old Testament was by calling upon men like Ezekiel to speak His Word against those nations that were not His chosen people.

In Ezekiel 25 and the chapters that followed, the Lord spoke important messages first to the nations that lived closest to Israel and then to more distant worldly powers. God began with the Ammonites to the northeast and then moved south to Moab, continuing in a circle around Israel which included Edom to the south and the Philistines on the west.

Each of these nations had a separate heritage that we learn about in the Bible. The Ammonites and the Moabites were the descendants of Abraham's nephew Lot and his two daughters during a time of great distress. The Edomites came from Jacob's brother Esau and his descendants combining with the people of Seir. The Philistines apparently migrated through the Mediterranean Sea, settling on the western coast of Canaan. All of these people shared a common hatred of Israel, celebrating in her disasters and presuming the divine right upon themselves to have vengeance against her in moments of trial. All of them are now lost to history.

There are many benefits to our current consideration of these oracles of divine wrath. First, Jesus, who is Jehovah in the flesh and the God/Man King of the Jews, has the right to bring His righteous penalty for sin against all the people groups of the earth. Second, it is also within His authority as the Almighty to set His merciful affections upon a chosen people, a fact that the world has always found most offensive. Finally, this same Lord of the universe has clearly revealed that He is coming again to judge the living and the dead at a time of His own choosing. We all would do well to find our safety in His own sacrifice for His people on the cross. There is no other way for us to evade the Lord's holy anger against us for our sin.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord of the nations, even our enemies can have no other God but You. Though the world rails against You and brings much trouble upon Your church, is there any other hope but You? There is no other god. If they worship demons, can fallen angels save them? Could an idol have love for men? Is there any good that comes from hateful spirits? Surely even our enemies should turn to You now! Why would any of us add to the weight of our sin? There is a way out of the overwhelming burden of Your judgment in the marvelous wonder of Your love.

Ezekiel 24

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At the very beginning of the Babylonian siege against Jerusalem, the Lord spoke to His exiles about the horrible fate that would soon befall the holy city. God revealed the very bad spiritual condition of His people with a parable about cooking food. A stew was simmering in God's city that would not be edible. The pot that was boiling away was simply not usable any longer. “Its abundant corrosion does not go out of it” despite the Lord's considerable work to “cleanse” it over many centuries.

What was it that made Jerusalem so unworthy? It was their “unclean lewdness” including their spiritual unfaithfulness to the Lord. There was no remaining hope of any quick fix. “You shall not be cleansed anymore till I have satisfied My fury upon you.” God's Word through Ezekiel was absolutely sure. “I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged.”

Those who survived the destruction of the city would not even know how to voice their sadness. Ezekiel modeled their future emotional trauma by facing an immediate personal crisis. The Almighty suddenly took his wife away and he had to restrain the normal expressions of his grief. The Lord's ambassador would be a living prophecy of the eventual fate of the exiles. They would hear about the loss of the Lord's sanctuary on Mt. Zion, but they would scarcely be able to react.

“You shall not mourn or weep, but you shall rot away in your iniquities and groan to one another.” Ezekiel's wife died on the very evening when God gave this message through her husband. The prophet's strange quietness at the loss of his beloved companion was “a sign” of what would happen to the exiles when an unnamed fugitive from Jerusalem would bring them the sad report of what had become of their beloved place of worship. Living under the authority of their captors in a foreign land, they would be forced to restrain their feelings.

The sad destruction of the capital city of the Promised Land will one day be dwarfed by the arrival of a worldwide Day of Judgment. As we wait for the return of the Lord we mourn the corruptions that we see in the church. When so many have rejected historic Christian fellowship, ethics, and doctrine, it is right for the faithful to feel deep sadness. Yet we are assured that God is in charge of the fulfillment of His kingdom promises.

Jesus shall reign over a renewed heaven and earth. All of the elect of God shall be with Him. We who have faith in Christ shall live forever without any remaining corruptions. We do not know when our time here in this world of sorrow will be over. Until the coming of our victorious King we must strengthen our hearts with this memorable instruction: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Almighty God, You are the Lord of the church and the Lord of our lives. Your Word has come to us. Each day has a special purpose according to Your eternal plan. Nothing is without some good cause and some holy intention. You will purify Your church. This is what we seek, but who can bear the trials that are so near to us? You will cleanse us from our uncleanness. You are utterly committed to what is right. O Lord, thank You for the blessings of marriage and family. How will we stand if we lose those we love? Even so, You are the everlasting God. Father, we cling to Your promises, though we do mourn in the depths of our hearts. There is surely a better day coming.

Ezekiel 23

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God spoke a parable about “two women” to further reveal the deplorable condition of both Samaria and Jerusalem. “They played the whore” from the beginning of Israel's many years under Egyptian domination, and they continued in their unfaithfulness during the numerous centuries since they had entered the Promised Land.

In Ezekiel's parable the Lord called Samaria and the northern tribes “Oholah” which means “her tent.” Jerusalem and the tribe of Judah had the name “Oholibah” or “my tent is in her.” The Hebrew word for “tent” is most frequently used in the Old Testament to refer to the tabernacle that God commanded Moses to construct as a place where they could have communion with Him according to His Law. The rulers of northern Israel had never followed the Lord's command that they should bring their sacrifices only to the place that He chose in Jerusalem. Oholah had “her tent” in many places in the north, but none of them were ever approved by the Almighty. While the Lord had His authorized place of meeting in His chosen city, the people of Jerusalem worshiped other gods using all the sacred gifts that Jehovah had given to them. Like her sister to the north, “she lusted after the Assyrians” and then later sought out the Babylonians as “her lovers.”

Impressive imperial powers had often captured the admiration of the Lord's chosen people. Kings in the line of David not only sought to win the favor of these large empires (see 2 Kings 20:12-19), they also were attracted to many foreign religious systems. God's account of this spiritual disaster highlighted the violence and the filth of these dangerous pagan cults. Because Judah loved what the Lord prohibited, Jehovah declared to His people, “I will direct my jealousy against you.” God would force His children to “drink a cup of horror and desolation.”

The Lord had called His people to a life of holiness. In particular they were to regard His tabernacle (and later His temple) as a most holy place where He alone would meet with those who would worship Him. Yet both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern territory of Judah had defiled the Promised Land. How vile were their practices? “When they had slaughtered their children in sacrifice to their idols, on the same day they came into My sanctuary to profane it.”

How would the Lord's worshipers ever be cleansed from all their guilt? Jesus, the Son of God, would have to dwell in our midst with His own singular blessedness. According to John 1:14, our Redeemer “tented” among us. When His flesh was pierced for our transgressions, a “curtain” that stood between God and His elect was torn, granting us a new way of safe access to our glorious God. Through the blood of Christ our evil consciences have now been cleansed (Hebrews 10:19-25), for our Redeemer has made a full atonement for all our uncleanness. We are no better than Oholah and Oholibah according to our sin nature, but by the blood of the Lamb of God we will forever be the temple of the Holy Spirit and the spotless bride of the King of Heaven.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

O God, we have heard the Word that You have spoken. For generations Your people have ignored the true call to holiness. We lust after the world and display no spiritual wisdom. We have touched things that should be far from us, and have followed enticing adulteries. What possible godly reason could we have for our defiling affections? We are too easily impressed with the example of the world. We want what the powers of this evil age seem to offer, and we have little appreciation for the cross of Christ. Your Son will surely lead us out of our current disgrace. We turn away from the worldliness that is attacking Your church. Move us forward in the love of Christ. We thank You for Your abundant mercy and Your Son’s amazing grace.

Ezekiel 22

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The Lord asked Ezekiel a question concerning the prophet's own faithfulness to continue with the difficult task that he had been given. “And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city?” Would Ezekiel declare to Jerusalem “all her abominations?”

Jehovah went on to list a great variety of sins covering all of the breadth of the Ten Commandments. Concerning their relationship with God and with fellow human beings, the Lord said, “You have become guilty by the blood that you have shed, and defiled by the idols that you have made.” They would suffer great difficulties and would soon be “a mockery to all the countries” where they would be scattered.

God had a purpose in the events that would take place over the many years that would follow. “I will consume your uncleanness out of you.” The people of the Almighty were in great need of spiritual refinement. Prophets and kings had not been faithful to the Word of the Lord. Elders had behaved like “wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.” Those who should have had the discernment to bring the Lord's lawsuit against the people of the covenant were unwilling to do their job. “Her prophets have smeared whitewash” for the rich and powerful, pretending that a new coat of paint could cover over all the sins of those who were “princes” in the Promised Land.

God “sought for a man among them who should build up the wall” around the holy city and aid the righteous in living in a way that would be different from their wicked neighbors. The Lord looked in vain for one man who would “stand in the breach before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it.” Was there anyone who could bear the awful load of guilt that was upon the people? God's conclusion: “I found none.”

We who live after the death and resurrection of our righteous Savior can greatly rejoice that one qualified Son of David stood “in the breach” between God and His chosen ones. It is now our privilege to rejoice in the Lord and to obey God's perfect Word by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, how are we to judge? There are abominations all around us, and trouble is very near. You must cast out the filth that is in us, so that we can speak for you with boldness. Surely we will always need the mercy that You have shown us. We have pursued all kinds of uncleanness. We are at the forefront of a great company of sinners. If we have any strength left, it must be from You. You are the Lord. Purify us, O God. Your Son went through the furnace of Your judgment for us. Teach us to love Your true Word, and to stop our ears against false prophets.

Ezekiel 21

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God's judgment was coming upon His beloved city, Jerusalem. Ezekiel was to groan “with breaking heart and bitter grief” before the eyes of his countrymen until they asked him about his sadness. In this way the Lord would bring very important news to His people. They would soon face the “sword” of the Almighty coming against them.

The people had not paid attention to earlier episodes of divine correction. Like difficult children they had “despised the rod.” What could God do to get their attention and to turn them from their dangerous rebellion? He would use the Babylonians to discipline His chosen nation and her king.

Idol worshipers from the east would employ “divination” to make their final choices regarding plans for conquest. The king of Babylon would look for pagan signs in order to determine where he would lead his armies. Every foolish test would point to an assault against Jerusalem rather than an immediate attack against “Rabbah of the Ammonites.” Yet it would be the Lord God who would rule over every detail in the created order. His assessment of His chosen ones was very plain. “In all your deeds your sins appear.”

The king in the line of David would have to “take off the crown.” For an appointed time the Jews would be without a successor to Zedekiah. The city of the Lord's holy sanctuary would experience a great disaster. “A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it.”

Only God Himself could bring His wrath to the best fulfillment, and He would do so one day in the future when He would raise up a chosen leader from among the descendants of David. The Lord Jesus came at just the right time to take the sword of the Lord upon Himself for the sake of His elect. He will come again in glory to judge all the nations of the earth.

The very best plan for all who look for the return of our Messiah would be to receive His training today with a submissive heart. We must not resist the Word that Jesus speaks. He who died for us now lives forever to intercede for all who put their trust in Him.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Merciful Lord, we cannot face Your sword of judgment. Will all Your people be destroyed? We groan because of Your wrath and because of the sins of Your church. Trouble is coming against us. Pagan armies do what they think to be the directives of their gods. Yet You work out every detail of Your will. Surely You will help us. We are weak, and we need You even now.