Ezekiel 8-11

God’s Wrath or God’s Plan

Ezekiel is with the exiles in Babylon. They have been taken from Jerusalem where the temple was located. To them the temple was their connection to God. They were apparently feeling like God had rejected them since they were singled out for exile while those who remained in Jerusalem were saying that God had given them Jerusalem as their possession. Ezekiel 11:15

Actually, just the opposite was true.

God took Ezekiel in a vision to Jerusalem. There he saw firsthand the idolatry that was taking place and the wickedness that was hidden in the heart of the religious rulers. God also showed Ezekiel that judgment was about to take place but first God had to put a mark on the forehead of those who are grieving over the sins the people are committing. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NASB

When the third invasion of Nebuchadnezzar came and the city and temple were destroyed, the people with the mark were spared from the wrath even though destruction was all around them. Jeremiah was one of those who were spared.

As we progress through these chapters we realize that the spiritual condition of the nation is where the judgment begins. With the religious rulers following the ways of the nations around them the glory of the Lord departed the Most Holy place of the temple and stopped at the threshold of the temple. From there the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold to the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house. Finally the glory of the Lord left the city and stood over the mountain east of the city. As the glory of the Lord departed the city so did His hand of protection. The people have not noticed that God has left them to their own devices. Since they have turned to idolatry they will have to rely on their idols to save them.

As we saw in an earlier study there was the belief that Jerusalem would be safe from invasion because the Temple of the Lord was located there. To the exiles in Babylon they felt like they had lost their connection and protection from God because they were not close to the temple. God was showing Ezekiel that the temple was just a building. God desires the relationship that results from honoring and valuing the covenant made between the people and God. Simply stated, the covenant was that God would be their God and they would be His people. There is no place for idolatry in this covenant, even when the temple is treated as an idol. Those who wander from that covenant also wander from God’s protection

Ezekiel is worried about who will survive. God declares to him that from the people who are with him in exile He will bring out a remnant to be His people. From what God has shown him, Ezekiel needed to understand that the exiles are his ministry. Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed but God has a plan and Ezekiel has a major role in God’s plan. God is calling Ezekiel into service. Ezekiel thought that he would be a priest but God has a different plan for him.

God has a plan and like Ezekiel, the Church has a major role in His plan.  God’s wisdom is far greater than our wisdom. His ways are much higher than our ways. God is God and we the Church, are God’s servants. We need to develop eyes to see what God is doing and ears to hear His direction. Our ministry may not look like anything we had planned.  I know. The last thing I thought I would ever be doing is what I am doing to serve God today. God called and I fought that call for a year until I finally surrendered and let God have His way. I had a lot to learn but God is faithful. Truly, Paul was right when he said God can do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine. God will take us as far as we will let Him take us. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God has a plan for each of His children. Stick close to God and you will never regret that decision.

Keep your relationship with God strong and healthy.

Pastor Dave

Ezekiel 4-7

God’s Wrath

In these chapters of Ezekiel we read of God’s wrath toward those who remain in Jerusalem who, because of sin, have rejected God even though they made a covenant with Him to be His people. Ezekiel is among the exiles taken from Jerusalem and relocated in Babylon. Although they have been removed from their homeland and are mourning their loss, the exiles seem to be in relative safety compared to those who remain in Jerusalem, God is using Ezekiel to prophesy the coming destruction of the city as God pours out His wrath. It will be a terrible time for those who remain in the city.

In the future God will raise up a remnant from those who have been taken captive to Babylon, but it was their rejection of the covenant with God that got them where they are. The exile has gotten their attention and they are starting to be willing to listen now. God is sending a message to them through Ezekiel and He means what He says. The destruction of Jerusalem really happened just as God said to serve as a warning to us and others. You don’t want to experience the wrath of God.

Presently we are experiencing the deception and then the wrath of the devil. First he deceives people to the point where they become trapped and enslaved in their actions that follow their beliefs. This is the devil’s wrath, however, the devil’s wrath is nothing compared to the wrath of God that will one day come upon the whole earth.  The book of Revelation describes God’s wrath in detail. The world as we know it will be destroyed.  After God’s wrath has accomplished its purpose we are promised that God is going to make everything new. There is only one way that we can avoid the wrath of God. That way is to put our faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NKJ

When Jesus was crucified on the cross he died a lawbreaker’s death, though He broke no laws. He died a sinners death, though He committed no sin. In the events leading up to the cross Jesus experienced the wrath of the devil, but on the cross, the wrath of God was placed on Him for the sins of the world.  Jesus took the wrath of God for our sin and the sins of the whole world. To all who will believe in Him and receive His sacrifice for their sin, Jesus offers forgiveness of their sin which is the only way we can escape the wrath of God.

The Bible declares that we do not know the day or the hour of the coming judgment and wrath of God. Things will be going along as always, but all of a sudden, like a flash flood, His judgment and wrath will come upon the world.  I have had people tell me that they are not worried about the wrath of God or Hell.  They say to me that when they are in Hell they will be with their friends playing cards and all, and that they will be having a good time. Well, I just read Chapters 4 through 7 and did not see any mention of card games or anyone having a good time. I wonder if they think it is wise to place a bet on a casual hope they have made up in their minds, rather than on the eternal hope God offers in his Bible which has withstood the test of time?

While there is still time, why not call out to the Lord and ask that you might escape the coming wrath of God and accept the new life and new hope Jesus offers?

“For He says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

May God Grant Mercy

Pastor Dave