2004 06 June

God is good and as such, desires to bless all people everywhere. However, God is also just and so cannot ignore sin and evil. If God allowed evil as we see it today forever, there would be no hope of a better world. A quick survey of human history demonstrates that fallen humanity cannot save itself. We need God, and God excludes none. Some would have us believe that God has left some to perish. He has not. The reprobation of some is the work of their own hand. If it were not, there would be no meaning to the words of verse 1, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters… We find a very similar statement in the very last portions of the book of Revelation. (Revelation 22:17) … let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Salvation is a free gift of God, whether it refers to spiritual redemption or physical deliverance. Probably both are intended here.(1)

What does it mean to come to the waters? We find the answer in verses 6,7 6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. We seek the Lord in faith and we forsake evil in repentance. We cannot seek God in faith without forsaking evil. The two are as inseparable as turning right involves turning from the left.

God's compassion on those who turn to Him (vv. 6-7) comes because His thoughts and ways are far superior to human thoughts and ways…. Having spoken of the future time of blessing (the Millennium) and the salvation which leads to it, the Lord then assured believers that His Word . . . will accomplish what He says it will. His word is like rain and snow that water the earth and help give it abundant vegetation. In the Near East dry hard ground can seemingly overnight sprout with vegetation after the first rains of the rainy season. Similarly, when God speaks His Word, it brings forth spiritual life, thus accomplishing His purpose. (2) God does not work in vain. His call assures that some will respond to eternal life, as surely as sowing seed produces new life. DW

(1) (2) The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

What a glorious chapter that speaks of God's salvation for all who will turn from their wicked ways, repent, and by faith alone, in Christ alone, truly come to truly know Him as their Savior. The Jewish people needed to hear this message in particular from the prophet Isaiah. They felt like they were the only ones that God was going to bless and bring to the kingdom and that just by being a Jew they were somehow not going to be held accountable to any wrong doing that they had done and for any disobedience that they were involved in, especially in obeying the very words of God Himself. They felt that they were going to somehow make it to heaven. Sadly, there are many people with this type of thinking today, but this never has and never will be the case with God. This type of thinking is foolishness and prideful and, in fact, it is selfish and vain human opinion at best. You instead should, Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

There are many who somehow think that they are the only ones, just like the Jews did in our text. There are many cults and man made religions that fall into or fit this category. There are many religious people who foolishly think that they can go to church on Sunday, (if it fits into their schedule) and then they are good to go, they have somehow done their part and God will just have to let them in, "won't He?" The answer, of course is a clear No! John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. The only way for any man, woman, or child to get to heaven, be they Jew or Gentile, is by repentance, by submission to Christ and through obedience to His holy Word. Say dear friend, where do you find yourself before God this day? Are you self righteous and consider yourself a good person and don't need anything else except your own opinions? If so, Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Consider the Cross of Christ! You see, True believers already know the grace of God! Would you kneel at the cross? DM

Thursday, June 3
Two Types of People, "Righteous and Unrighteous"
Isaiah 57: 1-21

"Prosperity in sin is a great barrier to conversion from sin. Those that live at ease in their sinful ways are tempted to think God favors them, and therefore they have no reason to repent." Matthew Henry

Reaching people with the Gospel in these last days is difficult, to say the least, especially when our society is so affluent, and people think they have need of nothing. We are like the church in Laodicea, they had wealth and prestige, but no desire for spirituality. Our chapter refers to two kinds or types of people, it begins with the saints and ends with the saints, but in between we see some unsaintly people. These are filled with idolatry and every sin that is imagined by man. They went after the pagan gods and part of the worship was with heathen women who practiced whoredoms in their temples of sin. To make matters worse, they sacrificed their children to the pagan god Baal. That means they burned their children to death on the cherry red, hot hands of Baal. In fact, God declared Israel to be the offspring of adulterers, prostitutes, and sorceresses! (v. 3) God had entered into a marriage covenant with Israel, but Israel was lustfully, seeking after foreign gods (vv. 4-9). Since God did not act in judgment immediately, Israel assumed she was safe, however, God warned that He would expose her "unrighteousness and works" and that neither would save His wayward people (v. 12). God says that restoration is possible. "The man who makes God his refuge," He explains, "will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain" (v. 13). God will restore and build up His people when their lifestyle and attitudes are acceptable. God always has a remnant of believers to carry on the faithful worship of Jehovah. In Elijah's time Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, I Kings 19:18. Yes, God always has a remnant. He never leaves Himself without a witness. This is consistent in both Old and New Testaments. Even in our times there is a faithful minority who are standing for the faith. Let us examine our own Christianity. Are you satisfied with your relationship with Christ? If not, today is the day to repent and turn from the sin that so easily besets us. RJS

For the kingdom of God to come to this earth there must be righteousness. As God moves to bring in righteousness, there is a call to repentance. We read in verse 1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. It ought not to surprise us that it is difficult in our culture today to call anything evil, but good. If evil is understood and identified, there is hope. The conviction of sin precedes faith and repentance. People instinctively try to hide sin. As long as sin can hide in darkness or behind such false virtues as tolerance, evil will prevail.

Here the people were seeking God's blessing apart from repentance and practical righteousness. This kind of worship was vain. The lack of God's blessing frustrated the people. They thought because they sought blessing from God, they should find it. Sadly, they were seeking blessings, but not God. If they had really sought God, they would have responded to His will. This was not faith and worship, but a shameless attempt to use God for their purpose. God would not bless this kind of self-seeking.

We need to appreciate that it is impossible to use external worship and works as a substitute for faith and love. If we seek God in faith, we come to know Him. If we come to know Him, we will love Him and seek to please Him. In seeking to please Him, our hearts will lead us to act in ways that are pleasing in His sight. This is the faith that pleases God. Their fasts did not alter their poor relationship with others. They were disregarding other peoples' needs by exploiting their employees (cf. Deut. 24:14-15; James 5:1-6) and by quarreling and fighting. Therefore, their prayers would not be heard, for their kind of fasting was not what the Lord accepted. Their hearts, not just their heads, needed to bow before the LORD. (1) It is sad how many people there are who try to buy God's favor, with money and external worship. Nothing will substitute for a heart that loves God. The heart that loves God, loves and respects others. If our relationships in life are troubled, our relationship with God is also troubled. I wonder today, do you love God? How is this love demonstrated in your life? DW
(1) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

Many times when we are caught in the midst of our sin, we feel lonely and far from God. It is true that we are far from God, but it is not God who has moved, for He is never far from us. It is not He that has moved as "The Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save", but rather it is us who have sinned. When we sin, WE block our communication with God, but He desires to have open communication with us. When we feel far from God, we need to confess our sin and we need to repent of it before the throne of His grace. "His ear is not heavy that is cannot hear." Rather, "it is our sins that have hidden His face from us so that He will not hear."

Repentant people are the ones who walk in fellowship with the Lord and they are the ones who experience satisfaction of their souls. Satisfaction does not come from material things. It is really sad when people deliberately choose to walk according to their own ways, in their own opinions, in their own thinking, according to their own feelings and lusts. It is even sadder when they delight in bringing others into their sinful habits and this is the terrible road that leads straight to the pit of Hell. God says these types of people will never know peace. The peace that passes all understanding is something that only true believers have. It is one of the spiritual fruits of repentance unto eternal life. It is the peace of God because of a repentant heart and life. God desires repentance. God does not delight in the death of the wicked. Eze 33:11 Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Repent, confess with your mouth and turn from your wicked ways. It is so sad when people will NOT turn and they continue in their own ways. They are blinded spiritually and cannot see. They are banging around in the darkest of tunnels because there is no spiritual heart for God. They continue in their evil ways, but there is a Redeemer who desires to save. There is a Redeemer who died and suffered, was buried and descended into the pits of hell, who rose again, ascended, and is now seated on the right hand of God the Father! That Redeemer is Jesus Christ, who loved you and gave Himself for you! Won't you live for Him today? Repent. DM

Verse 1, Isaiah looks down through the ages of time and focuses his prophetic telescope on the Millennium. He sees a "LIGHT" that is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah establishing His Millennial kingdom on earth and the total restoration of the Jewish nation. In v. 2, Isaiah also sees a darkness that covers the earth. That darkness is the blinded hearts of Jews and Gentiles alike, as they reject the God of their salvation and turn their allegiance and worship to the Satanic Trinity, and especially the Antichrist.

In v. 3, it seems the telescope is refocused to the church age and the Gentiles, or Church, are attracted to the light that lightens the heart and mind of all who will call upon Christ for their salvation. In v. 4, the scene is redirected to the Millennium and restoration of the Jewish nation. Their sons and daughters are gathered from the four corners of the earth to the Promised Land and Jerusalem. We don't know the number of Jews that survive the holocaust of the Great Tribulation. The Jews who are protected in the fabulous city of Petra, "The City half as old as Time," but they that survive shall walk in the light; the Light that is a brighter light than they have ever known since they became a nation under the leadership of Moses.

In v. 5, again, the telescope is on the Gentile nations and their conversion to the Messiah. The word "sea" in the Revelation refers to the nations as a sea of people; uncountable. If this is Isaiah's thought of the "sea" as mentioned, then the Gentiles will gather unto Jerusalem and worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Verses 6 and 7, tell of the world's wealth being brought to Jerusalem. This reminds us of Exodus 12:36, where the Egyptians gave the ex-slaves of their riches to be rid of them, once and for all. Solomon had riches in abundance, but his riches are as a drop in the bucket compared to the world's wealth brought to Jerusalem in the Millennium. That city is the "Apple of God's eye," and even as he has protected the Jews for four millenniums, He also protects His Holy City. RJS

Jesus read this passage in the Synagogue in the early days of His earthly ministry and applied it to Himself. It is interesting to note that as He does so, we see the Trinity. Note verse 1, 1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach… We see the Spirit of the Lord, and the LORD. We also see the Messiah as me. The Hebrew word for Messiah (maµsûéÆah\) means "the Anointed One", and Christ (christos, from chrioµ, "to anoint") is the Greek equivalent of maµsûéÆah\. (1)

When Jesus read from this passage He stopped in the middle of the sentence, after the word "favor" (Luke 4:18-19). By doing this, He was showing that His work would be divided into two advents. In His First Advent He did the things mentioned in Isaiah 61:1-2a; in His Second Advent He will do the things in verses 2b-3. When He returns He will bring judgment on unbelievers (Micah 5:15; Rev. 19:15-20); this will be the day of God's "vengeance" (cf. Isa. 34:8; 35:4; 63:4). But the Messiah will also "comfort" Israel, for she will have undergone great persecution, the Great Tribulation, in the preceding years…. (2)

The church of the present age enjoys the spiritual blessings of the kingdom. However, the day is coming when a politically and spiritually restored Israel will enjoy all the temporal blessings described here. This cannot happen until the nation as a whole receives Him. The main problems we face in the temporal order are spiritual in nature. If people would live by the right moral and spiritual principles, there would be great blessing.

It is not enough to embrace merely the outward forms of faith and worship. We must embrace important spiritual truth in our hearts. It is the dominance of sin in the majority of hearts, which keeps us from experiencing great blessing in this life. For those who embrace truth there is great blessing for the individual soul regardless of the outward circumstances. It is in this sense today that Christ's kingdom is not of this world. DW
(1)(2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
(Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

Have you ever stopped to consider, that God desires that the Lighthouse for the Gospel message be at the city of Jerusalem?! The Lord is expressing His desire and His determination to make Jerusalem this light house for the world. The Lord says in speaking of Jerusalem in Isa 58:8, "Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then in Isa 60:1-3 "Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 "For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you. 3 "Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. Then in our text in Isa 62:1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning. Even the Gentiles will see this light coming from Jerusalem. Sadly, the Jews missed the very point that God was trying to make with them. God desires to bless those who will obey Him, but He must punish those who turn away from Him and do their own things. The Jews had been given the wonderful opportunity to bring the gospel message to the world and yet, when they refused Jesus as their Messiah and killed Him instead, the Gospel was taken away from them and given to the Gentiles for a time. God always fulfills His promises though, and the Gospel message will be given back to the Jews once again during the Millennium and Jerusalem will be the Lighthouse to the world.

Can we stop for a moment and consider where we stand? What has God desired to do in your life? God desires for all men to be saved. Then God desires for all men to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. Quite simply, God desires for us to become His obedient children and yet, we too, miss the simplest of messages given to help us and guide us. We miss this simple message because of our own pride and desiring to do things our own way. God wants us to be a light house in our family and community that we live in. Are we proclaiming the Gospel message to others daily? Do we live for God as we ought? Are we living sacrificially and obediently as God desires? God help us to obey. DM

The picture of God's faithful people here is one of desperate need in the face of deeply powerful and hateful enemies. They long for God to bring justice, and yet recognize their own sin and failure at the same time. There is the greatest tendency for us to compare ourselves with those who have given way to evil. When we do so, we give way to pride and evil ourselves. God does not play favorites, but at the same time, His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. For this reason, the believing remnant, does not share their destiny. The wicked will be thrown into hell along with the nations that forget God.

The description of sin in verse 6 is powerful. We read, But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. They would confess their sin (Isa. 64:5b), spiritual uncleanness (v. 6a), weakness (v. 6b, like a shriveled leaf), and lack of prayer (v. 7). However, they would not blame God for their dreadful condition; they would know that their wasting away was because of their sins. (1)

Who does not recognize this experience in his own life? The answer is only those destined for damnation. All those who do seek God in faith for mercy find the greatest blessing. God's grace and mercy are without limit. It is not possible for sin to carry us where grace and mercy cannot reach us. The only sin which damns people, is that of rejecting the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ. The end of human history is already fixed. There will be salvation and great blessing for all who come to Jesus Christ. They will be a part of an eternal kingdom where all evil will be forever banned. This is the Lord's doing and marvelous in the eyes of all. Salvation is of the Lord, but reprobation is a work of the reprobate himself. God is not willing that any should perish, but He does not force His will on any. If we would be redeemed, at some point we simply must believe and yield ourselves to the hand of God, who is here likened to a potter. As surely as we believe, we will yield. DW
(1) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

Worship is such a powerful word that is unbelievably misused today by good, church-going, religious people. Believe it or not, Satan is out to destroy everything that even represents God. Satan, as the father of liars, blends words together so that no one knows for sure what they mean. We hear the term "Praise and Worship" used as if they were one and the same. Most people do not even know what real worship is! We see churches with "worship teams" and "worship leaders" leading the congregants in this "praise and worship" music called CCM, Contemporary "Christian" Music. We hear of churches going to the "blended" services with traditional music used for one service and CCM for the other. Folks, God have mercy on us. People everywhere are falling for the lies of Satan. Why are so many supposed good people, including churches and pastors falling for this lie? It is because of a lack of spiritual discernment as there is really no true spiritual heart for God. Our text today points out that God's desire is for people, who are of a poor and contrite spirit and for those who tremble at His Word. But we see that when God called, no one heard and no one answered. You see, God knows our attitudes and our words and our thoughts! We don't fool God. We only fool ourselves. We are the ones that are deluded. And ultimately we are the ones who will also pay the price for absolute and stubborn-hearted disobedience before the Creator if we will not obey. You see, True Worship begins in a transformed heart. Worship is all about giving! Giving to God our whole lives, as a living sacrifice! How many of us really live sacrificially? Most of us don't and that's the whole point. We really do not and are not worshipping God acceptably. Yes, we may worship, but it is a worship of self and selfish desires. It is a worship of our own ways and attitudes. We really do not live repentant and obedient lives before the Righteous and Holy God. We cannot worship God acceptably on Sundays if we have not worshipped Him throughout the week. We need to be like Isaiah and fall on our knees and cry out to God in humble repentance, Isa 6:5 …Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. O God, forgive us and cleanse us from our sinful ways. May we worship You acceptably with a repentant heart seeking You! DM

"God is the Creator. Yet what He values are people who have a humble and contrite heart and who follow His Word. In one way or another, this has been Isaiah's message throughout this book, and we could add throughout the whole Bible. God desires His people to follow the truth He has revealed to them. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, 1 Peter 5:6
Satan has been so successful in all ages, keeping God's people from reading the Bible. Without spiritual knowledge, we are weak and have little or no understanding of what God actually wants from His people.

66:11-17, Israel's return to the land will be so remarkably quick that it will be like a woman giving birth to a son. God will do for Jerusalem what He has set out to do. This then is cause for rejoicing. The people of Israel will delight in Jerusalem. Vv. 12-13 As stated many times in the Book of Isaiah, peace will come to Jerusalem and the nations' wealth will flow in the city.
"Vv.14-18 In the Millennium, they will rejoice and prosper, but on His and her enemies He will swoop down in judgment like a fire (cf. 2 Thes. 1:7-9) and a whirlwind to slay them. This judgment will be fair. When the Messiah returns, His judgment will be on all nations Rev. 19:17-18) and because of that judgment the world will see His glory.
"People outside Israel will turn to Him and worship Him, vv. 20-21.

"Vv. 22-24 Israel will be as enduring as the new heavens and the new earth. All mankind (i.e., people from all nations) will worship the LORD, bowing down before Him. As Isaiah had frequently written, these righteous ones will contrast greatly with those who rebelled against the LORD. The ungodly will suffer eternal torment (cf. Mark 9:48). The awesome way this majestic Book of Isaiah concludes, points to the need for unrepentant people to turn to the Lord, the only God, the Holy One of Israel, the Lord Jesus Christ." RJS
Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Wheaton, IL. S.P.P.I. '83, '85

As God calls Ezekiel, he tells him about His people. God describes those who profess faith as rebellious. God says, they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I wonder how God would describe His people today. Today people put great emphasis on results. If God is blessing, there will be fruit. This is what we believe, but this is not what God says here. God says to Ezekiel in effect, forget about results and be faithful to me. You see, if we take hold of this fruit and results mentality, you can be sure that we will compromise truth. The people were blind to God's work in judgment on the nation. Rather than acknowledging God's judgment and confessing their sins, the Jewish exiles viewed their time in Babylon as a temporary setback that would be alleviated by their soon return to Jerusalem. They refused to admit their sin or to believe the threat of impending judgment on their disobedient nation. (1)

It will not be easy for Ezekiel to go against the grain. Three times God told Ezekiel, Do not be afraid. He needed this encouragement because the task was difficult (briers and thorns are all around you) and even dangerous (you live among scorpions). Ezekiel learned his lesson well. Nowhere does the book hint that he cowered in fear or hesitated to proclaim God's message. (2) Ezekiel's call was that of a messenger. He was to receive a message from God and deliver it to the people. This would take courage and patience. The specific word was then revealed to Ezekiel. … God… gave Ezekiel the scroll (3:2). Many interpretations of why the scroll was written on both sides have been given, but the best explanation seems to be that God had much that He wanted Ezekiel to communicate to Israel. The message consisted of words of lament and mourning and woe. (2)

The final deportation was yet to take place, and the remnant in Babylon expected to return to Jerusalem soon. In the face of such terrible judgment, they failed to see a big problem in their own hearts. They represented the most faithful of believers, but they were blind to their own sin. Their blindness was self-inflicted. They were not blind because they could not see, they did not want to see. They were rebellious and stubborn. DW (1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

God uses leadership in unique ways to help people understand how they need to obey Him. It is called the Family picture. Think of it for a moment. Dads are to be the spiritual leaders for their families with the help of the mom. Pastors are to be the spiritual leaders for their congregants with the help of other pastors and also deacons. God puts governmental leadership in place for our benefit, safety, and general welfare. Jesus Christ, God's Son is also pictured as the Bridegroom, the leader and the cornerstone of the church, His bride.

In our text today Ezekiel was given the task of being the spiritual watchman for the nation of Israel. We need to understand that Israel was in captivity and that God was using His chosen man, the prophet Ezekiel to continue to give God's Word to the people, whether or not they would listen. Folks, if we get nothing else from this devotional today, we need to get this! God has given Dad's the spiritual responsibility for their children and families! God has given pastors the spiritual responsibility of their congregations! If we fail to teach our children and our families God's ways, we will be held responsible for their bad choices. Same thing for pastors, the people's blood will be upon their hands. BUT, if we teach our children God's ways and pastors teach and preach ALL of God's oracles and the families and the congregants choose to disobey and go against God, their blood will be upon their own heads.

There is GREAT JOY for Fathers, in teaching our children godly principles and standards and seeing them respond with obedience. There is GREAT JOY for pastors in preaching God's Word and seeing people obey the Lord! On the other hand, there is great sorrow for families who miss this message. The same thing applies to pastors; great sorrow, not only for the fathers and the pastors, but also for the families and the congregants. Wouldn't we as fathers want what is best for our children? They will become like us. They will follow in our footsteps almost always. If we have not lead them spiritually, they will be like us and even be worse. This is the curse of sin. We must choose to do it God's way. Our children and families are too precious to loose to the world. The sheep in the church are too precious to lead astray. May God help us to be the spiritual watchmen that He desires us to be! Amen! DM

15th

Tuesday, June 15
Second, Third and Fourth Visions of Ezekiel
Ezekiel 3: 1-27

It has been questioned as to whether Ezekiel actually ate the books or if he masticated them mentally. The Books were written on tanned skins, and it may be possible he physically ate them and if that were so, then we can understand why Ezekiel had acute indigestion. To digest a book mentally, means to read and meditate, and even memorize the outline or important parts of the book. God also tells Ezekiel that nothing can stop him in his prophecy, because he is under God's divine protection.

Ezekiel is caught up by the Spirit and carried to the River Chebar, where he sat among the captives for seven days causing much consternation among the people. Ezekiel is now commissioned the fourth time in this book. He was to be a watchman among his people. The watchman stood on a high hill or a watch tower and his responsibility was to warn the people of impending doom or of an enemy about to attack the nation. If they did not respond, their blood would be upon themselves, and if he did not warn them, their blood would be upon him.

Ministers, in our day are to be watchmen and warn people of the impending doom, however, a great disaster has overcome the church in the last century. First, hypercritical men began to destroy the Bible by disputing and teaching that many things recorded therein were not actually true or historical. Then "Modernism" explained away the great prophecies and restoration of Israel. Fundamentalism was born because of the modernist teaching, but it became a farce as certain men sought to become papal preachers and they alone, had the truth. Then entertainment came into vogue, and preachers tried to overcome their competition by gathering numbers and entertaining them with pious platitudes and jungle music that pleased the worshippers' ears without castigating their sins. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables, 2 Timothy 4:3-4. The church has made great strides to become the Laodicea Church and close its doors to the Lord Jesus Christ, Revelation 3:20. RJS

16th

Wednesday, June 16
The Coming Judgment on Jerusalem
Ezekiel 5

It is important to realize that God does not need to work in a supernatural way in bringing judgment though at times this is involved. God is the Creator and when we act against His created order, there are natural consequences. History shows that moral corruption weakens a nation. As nations become weak, they become vulnerable. In this chapter, God uses Ezekiel as an object lesson to the nation.

God told Ezekiel to shave his head and beard with a sharp sword. After Ezekiel shaved, he was to use a set of scales for weighing his hair in three equal piles with a few strands left over. The hair that had been set aside earlier was now put to use. Ezekiel carried a third of his hair to the middle of the city and set it on fire. The purpose of this action, explained in verse 12, was to illustrate that a third of the people would die by the plague or by famine. When Nebuchadnezzar's army finally broke through the city's walls, they found a population decimated by famine. The food shortage was so severe that the people had resorted to cannibalism (v. 10). Such horrors had been predicted by Moses (Deut. 28:52-57) and were verified by Jeremiah (Lam. 2:20; 4:10).
Those who survived the famine had to face the sword. After burning the first third of his hair, Ezekiel went through the city with the second third and chopped it up with his sword. This action meant that a third of the Jerusalemites would die by the sword (Ezek. 5:12).
The one-third of the inhabitants of Jerusalem who would survive the siege would still be in jeopardy. This was illustrated by the prophet's scattering a third of his hair to the wind. Those who survived Jerusalem's fall to Babylon would be taken away in captivity and would live in fear.5:3-4. After Ezekiel had burned, chopped, and scattered his hair, a few strands remained. God told Ezekiel to tuck them away in the folds of his garment. Hiding these few hairs represented God's preserving a remnant in the midst of judgment. (1)

It is interesting to note that Israel became more corrupt than the nations around her. The apostate is always more corrupt than the heathen. It is an especially dangerous thing to turn from truth and light. DW

(1)Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

17th

Thursday, June 17
Judgment for Idolatry
Ezekiel 6

Idolatry is something that we really think little about, especially as it relates to us in our modern day society. We read about it in times past and we watch TV documentaries about temples and idols and we drift off into complacency once more with little other thought that, in fact, this Idol could be SELF. It is true that only a repentant heart really sees Self as idolatry. All others think that it is something or someone else that has a problem. But seriously, honestly, think about what idolatry really is. It is putting something of greater importance, of greater worth, something in place of God. What could this possibly be? It could be a lot of good things. Our time for example. How much time do we allow to study, meditate and memorize God's word. Most of us would have to admit that it is just a very small part of our day. We just are too busy with other things, good as they may be. Instead of recognizing this and doing something about it, we tend to justify it and we casually continue our stroll down idolatry lane, literally unaware of the dangers that lurk and lie around the corner. Not too long ago, there was a person who got a new computer and after a time, decided to get on the Internet for the very first time. Without the proper protection of virus protecting software and updates on the windows operating software, this computer became infected immediately. The unique thing about it was that the owner never knew that there was a problem going on. The computer just got slower and slower until it was unusable, at which point drastic action was needed to revive the computer and bring it back to life. Folks, we need a wake up call. We too get caught up in a lot of good things. The sin idol and the viruses of Self catch up to us and we don't even realize it until many times it is too late. We see in our text that there is judgment for idolatry. We need to see that when God is not #1 all day, everyday, we place other things in His rightful place and we commit idolatry. It happened to Israel and it is happening to anyone who is not placing God first and foremost in their lives. The Drastic measures that we need to take are these. Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. We need to bend our knees in humbleness before God and ask Him to forgive us. We need to seek His face. We need to turn from our selfish ways and begin to live for Him. Judgment is at hand. What will be your choice? "Gracious God, forgive us and cleanse us from idolatry. Amen." DM

18th

Friday, June 18
The Idolatry of the People Avenged
Ezekiel 6:1-14

With a striking figure of speech, Ezekiel speaks to the Mountains, Hills, Rivers and Valleys in his discourse with Israel and her idolatry. When the people entered the Land under the leadership of Joshua, they were to utterly destroy all the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites and all the other Ites. Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee, Ex. 23:32-33. Unfortunately, God's people did not obey His commands and in the course of being unwilling to destroy these ungodly people as God had commanded. Israel became like them. It is always true, righteous-ness and sin cannot dwell together, if they do, sin will become the victor and drag down the righteous.

Israel fulfilled the prediction of Moses, See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 17But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess, Deut. 30:15-18. Yes, Israel forgot the commands of Moses and did exceeding evil in the sight of the Lord. Israel took all the gods of the heathen and their idols and worshipped them. When we speak of worshipping the gods, it was the zenith of immorality and unspeakable sins.

In today's society, America has turned to the heathen practices of the godless people of the world and our morality has sunk to a new low. We are in the process of removing God from every facet of our society and in the process; we are forsaking the teachings of the Scriptures and reducing ourselves to a pagan country. If we do not return to God, we too, will be destroyed as Israel was. RJS

19th

Saturday, June 19
Separation in Judgment
Ezekiel 9

This text ought to be a great blessing to all who really love God and the truth. This world can get itself in to a terrible mess at times. I think of what happened in Nazi Germany during World War II. It was a terrible time. During such times, does God provide any supernatural protection for His people? I believe that He does. I have heard witness of such myself from preachers who experienced the jackbooted Nazi's. The Psalmist also speaks of God watching over His own. We read in Psalm 91, Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

God knew those who had remained faithful to Him, and would spare them in His judgment (cf. God's marking of the 144,000 for preservation during the Tribulation, Rev. 7:3-4). Those who were righteous and whose hearts grieved over the nation's sin had received God's mark of protection. They would be spared. The unrighteous who had rejected God and embraced evil did not receive the mark of protection. They would be killed. Each person's destiny was determined by his character. (1) We would make a mistake if we think church membership, the profession of faith, baptism, and outward works are a substitute for character. They are not. As surly as God has done a work of salvation in our hearts, it will manifest itself in our character.

Begin at the sanctuary. Since the evil had spread from the temple throughout the land (Ezek. 8), the judgment would follow the same course. (2) If spiritual leaders would stand for truth, it would filter to the people. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of this judgment Ezekiel cried out, Are You going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel? God had given Israel and Judah ample time to repent of their sin, but the people had used the time to grow more perverse in their ways of bloodshed (cf. "violence," Ezek. 8:17) and injustice … (3) Sadly, the remnant was very small. If we are near the end of the age, make no mistake, the same is true today. DW(1) (2) (3) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

20th

Sunday, June 20
Deep Spiritual Corruption
Ezekiel 8

Ezekiel mentioned the date (see comments two pars. earlier) to identify when the hand of the Sovereign LORD came upon him (cf. 1:3; 3:14, 22). It was when he was in his house and the elders of Judah were sitting there with him. Ezekiel's outside ministry was still limited (cf. 3:24), so the elders of the community had to come to his house. They had probably gone to seek his advice, possibly on the fate of Jerusalem. The vision was God's answer which Ezekiel then reported to them (cf. 11:24-25). (1)

The message in effect is God's case against the nation. The nation was given over to idolatry from top to bottom. This idolatry was even in the temple of God. God's message is clear. If the idol inhabited the temple, God would leave. (1) It would seem that Ezekiel was unaware of the extent of the spiritual corruption going on in the worship of the nation. He was a prophet, but he did not know. God, who knew their hearts, explained to Ezekiel that the elders sought to justify their sin by saying The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land. The elders felt that what they did in their darkened chambers would escape God's notice. They thought He was only a petty god who had abandoned them. So they were courting other gods to protect them. These elders' attitude was soon transmitted to the people (cf. Ezek. 9:9). (2)

The people were even putting the branch to their nose. This act cannot be identified with certainty, but the general sense is clear: the gesture was a gross insult to God. (3) In other words, these leaders and the nation were mad at God and openly showing their contempt for Him because He was powerless or unwilling to bless and help them. People never abandon hope in life. For most, the hope for this life has always been in possessions and money. For most, who do not profess faith in Christ in the next life, it is that they are not as bad as others, so it would be unjust for a good God to send them to hell. In effect, their hope is in their own goodness. Anyone who really knows the sin of their own heart could not entertain such a false hope. I know that for me to have any hope of salvation, Jesus Christ must save. I have not the power or the goodness to save myself. Salvation always has, is and will be tied to faith in Christ. DW
(1) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

21st

Monday, June 21
Set a mark on the Forehead
Ezekiel 9: 4

And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. v. 4
This command reminds us of other times in Scripture when we see a mark. The first one is the mark on Cain; we do not know what the mark was, but he carried a mark that told others he was not to be put to death. Another mark was in Ex. 12:13 where the mark was on the door posts and the lintel, and all who were under the mark were safe from the death angel that flew through out all Egypt that night. The mark in our text is the last letter in the old Hebrew alphabet, "Tau" also shown as the sign "+." Many early New Testament believers used this mark on their foreheads to show that they were Christians. In Infant baptism, the clergyman makes a cross on the forehead of the baby. In Revelation 7:3, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Here again, we have a mark on the foreheads of the 144,000 Jews chosen of God and protected from all Satanic forces. Also in Rev. 13:16-17 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. The antichrist causes all who follow him to be marked for all financial transactions. It is not my conviction that this is "666" on every person, but it is a tattooed number or chip implant that will be both visible to the eye and a machine or light that reads it. Our last illustration is found in Eph. 1:13, In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. All believers are sealed unto the day of their redemption by the Holy Spirit. This seal is our visa and passport into heaven. It was purchased at the cross and can never be canceled or exchanged. This blood-bought ticket has each believers name on it and if you are not a possessor of this ticket or passport you will never see the heavenly gates. Remember, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light. RJS

22nd

Tuesday, June 22
Ichabod - God's Glory Departs
Ezekiel 10

Ichabod means, "The Glory of the Lord has departed." We need to fully understand what took place here at the temple and how it applies to us today. God's people were to worship Him at the temple and it would seem that they were not there, but in fact they were there. The people continued to come to the temple just as they always had. The difference was that they did not realize that God was withdrawing from them. God graciously did not move out and away from them all in one fell swoop. He moved away very gradually, hoping that the people would realize the error of their apathy and lack of spiritual discernment, but they did not even know that the Holy Spirit of God had even left. What a sad day.

But before we get too hard on the people of Ezekiel's time, we need to consider our own lives. This country was founded upon the very Word of God. God has richly blessed this nation as a result, but people have been slowly moving and turning away. Bible believing and Bible teaching and preaching Churches are slowly dying on the vine. There are many churches that, in fact, are growing by leaps and bounds, but God is not there. These are apostate churches and people are gathering preachers to tickle their ears with pleasant messages and songs that help them to feel good about themselves. Sadly, our nation is seeing the grace of God being withdrawn little by little. Families no longer gather together around their own dinner tables and living rooms to read God's Holy Word and to pray. The fathers are missing one of the most important details of their God given responsibility. And the results are that God's grace is being removed little by little in the families. Most churches no longer preach and teach the unadulterated Word of God and have allowed ungodly influences into the church through mans wisdom, philosophy and vain deceit. God's grace is being slowly and incrementally withdrawn and the name ICHOBOD, THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAS DEPARTED, is written above our church doors and our homes and our nation. The amazing thing is, no one has noticed. Very few people see the imminent danger and if they do, even fewer are willing to do something about it; dark days indeed. It is only by God's grace that we are not consumed. God help us to repent. That is the only answer that God will hear; Repentance, Submission, and Obedience. DM

23rd

Wednesday, June 23
Teaching Truth to Spiritual Children
Ezekiel 12

Here is an example of using something to catch the imagination in order to try to get a spiritual truth across to rebellious believers. The message is Biblical, but the method is something unusual to capture attention. The people no doubt sat back and wondered what Ezekiel would do next. God is using Ezekiel as a sign unto the house of Israel.

Here Ezekiel's sign to Israel involved two separate actions. In the first action he packed his belongings and went to another place as the exiles watched him. The people recognized the meaning of that action because six years earlier they had made similar preparations for their own deportation to Babylon. This first action in the daytime was followed by a second action in the evening. While the people watched, Ezekiel was to pretend he was being taken captive and was to dig through the wall and take his belongings (cf. v. 4) out through it, carrying them on his shoulder. As Ezekiel pantomimed before the people a furtive escape attempt he was also to cover his face so that he could not see the land. (1)

Here the Word of God is presented in terms of their experience and expanded to issue a prophetic warning. The people did not receive the message. They did not believe it. There were no real results to this attempt, but God directed Ezekiel to do this and it happened. Those in Jerusalem would ultimately realize the sovereignty of God (Ezek. 12:15-16), but that knowledge would come only after they were dispersed among the nations. And yet, as God had said, He would spare a few of them (cf. 6:8). (2) I'm not sure how much people really realize. We have the Bible, which is a record of many such experiences, and do even God's people really realize?

Lastly, and this is tragic, people worked to undermine the message of Ezekiel. They said, the days are prolonged, and every vision faileth? This amounted to a proverb in Israel because of the longsuffering grace of God. God knows this, but the results would not change regardless so it is important for God to give clear public witness to the greatness of His mercy and grace. DW
(1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

24th

Thursday, June 24
Blind Eyes, Deaf Ears and Rebellious Hearts
Ezekiel 12:1-28

Men, how often are you accused of not hearing your wife when there is no interference? We men, seem to have an inborn ability to turn off what we do not want to hear. Ezekiel tells us in this chapter that all Israel was turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to God and His prophets. Isaiah spoke of the same thing in Chapter 6. Even the Lord Jesus referred to the Jews being blind and deaf to His teachings. In Ezekiel's day it was SIN that blinded and deafened the people. Today it is the same problem! SIN keeps us from hearing a sermon or reading a passage from the Scripture and not receiving something from it. It is like sowing the seed by the way side and is carried away by the birds, Matt 14:4 and Vs. 19 where the birds are explained to be Satan.

Verses 14-15, And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries. In Hebrews, James, First and Second Peter and Jude we have a New Testament message to the dispersed Jews that never returned to Israel after the 70 years of captivity. This does not mean these books are only for the Jews, they are for all Christians, both Jew and Gentile, but the main message is to these dispersed people.

Today, as in Ezekiel's day, sin deprives sinners of the physical comforts of life. I've heard people say before a Saturday night drinking binge, "We are going out and have a good time," but Sunday a big, throbbing headache and sour stomach are the results of a good time. Many a child suffers, and homes are broken because of parents going out and having a good time. Sin deprives sinners of peace and serenity of spirit. A godly conscience is hurting when it realizes that sin has destroyed a home or family. Where there is no peace, only fighting and bickering; there is no happiness in that home. It's time to ask ourselves, are we trying to walk in the world and then putting on our "Sunday go to meeting clothes" to go to church and be pious for an hour to satiate our conscience. It is time for all Christians to be all out for the Lord, NOW! RJS

25th

Friday, June 25
Woe to Foolish Prophets
Ezekiel 13

This is an indictment against the false prophets of Israel, as they were giving a false message of hope and were not calling the people to repentance. They instead were like foxes, who are mischievous and destructive. They did nothing to shore up the spiritual defenses the people desperately needed in the face of the coming judgment. These prophets spoke spiritual words, words that sounded good, but in fact, were words that subjectively came out of their own minds all the while claiming that these were the words of the Lord. Thus a three-fold judgment was placed upon these foolish and false prophets.

Say, just think of this interesting thought. Do we have any of these false prophets with us today? The obvious answer is affirmative. We have more of these false prophets with us today than ever before. They are lulling people into false security, promising phony peace promises, all the while sin is continuing on the very brink of God's judgment. It is a way, so to speak, of erecting a defective wall and whitewashing it to make it look good, but these kind of spiritual walls are doomed to collapse when God brings in His storms such as He did in Ezekiel's day with the invading forces from Babylon. Israel had hypocritical false spirituality and folks; we too, are faced with these same sins.

Pastors of churches need to fall on their knees as never before and labor in much prayer in godly supplication and intercession for their churches and the very precious families that the church represents. Without this prayer support, these families are being left wide open to the assaults of the evil one. Pastors, too, need to begin to preach the message of the cross in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the message of the cross that brings godly repentance; nothing else will. It is the power of God unto salvation and nothing else. If these things go unattended, good people are left open to unhindered spiritual attack and the pastors will be held responsible for how they prayed and preached the Word of God. This same principle applies to Fathers in their own families. They too, are the spiritual teachers that need to be in prayer for their families and teaching them to observe the ways of the Lord, to live lives of repentance and submission unto the Lord. Gracious and Merciful God, forgive us when we fail. Guide us according to Your truth. May we be faithful. DM

26th

Saturday, June 26
The Parable of the Fruitless Vine
Ezekiel 15

In this chapter, God posed a question to Ezekiel. Son of man, how is the wood of a vine better than that of a branch on any of the trees in the forest? The obvious answer is that apart from its ability to bear fruit the wood of a tangled vine is inferior to the wood of a tree. God pressed His point by asking two additional questions. Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on? The wood of grapevines is useless as a building material. Its twisting, gnarled branches cannot even be fashioned into a stout peg for hanging objects. If the vine by itself was nearly useless, how much more so would it be after it had been through the fire? The worthlessness of a charred branch with its crooked, blackened ends is obvious. (1)

The prophet then applied this figure to the people of Jerusalem. The truth never departed from Jerusalem, but it was so distorted by error and sin that as a whole the people were of no spiritual value. In the Bible, the nation Israel is spoken of in terms of a vine and this is one example. The nation was a spiritual vine that should produce spiritual fruit. Rather than fulfill God's intended purpose, the nation was like a wild vine growing everywhere without useful fruit. The only human value of such a vine is in building fires. Therefore, the fire of God's judgment had to come on the nation. Then as they come out of the fire, there is even less value. No one collects burned and charred vines as fuel.

It is sad, but I believe it is possible for churches, and even for those who have been born of the spirit to come to the point that they are of no spiritual value to God. Whenever this happens, I believe the end is near. Without repentance, God will simply take the individual Christian to heaven. This is the sin unto death spoken of in I John, and at this point, there is no need to pray. God's sovereign purpose is set. For the church, it will be like that of Laodicea. God will leave and only open fellowship to those who come outside. Fruitlessness is a very serious spiritual problem. Is there fruit in your life? DW

(1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

27th

Sunday, June 27
The Vine, The Fig Tree and The Olive Tree
Ezekiel 15:1-8

These three trees are all symbols of Israel and today we will only look at the Vine as that is the subject of our text. The Vine is the emblem of Israel's national life in Old Testament days. Isa. 5:7 says: "The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah, His pleasant plant." Ezekiel 17 and Hosea 10:1 give us a parable of the history of Israel in three words; Israel was selected, rejected and accepted. They were selected in Abraham. They were rejected under the kings, and will be accepted under the leadership of King Jesus in the Millennium. The keeper of the vineyard is looking for fruit, he prunes the vines and cares for them, but there is no fruit, he digs up the vine and plants another. However, God is long suffering, so He leaves the root and only cuts out the unfruitful branches and grafts into the plant, new wild branches that produce fruit, i. e. the church. Remember the root is still there and God will, in the near future, allow the root to produce new branches and they will be restored Israel. A perfect picture is from Jacob's deathbed. Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grape, Gen. 49:8-12. At the last Passover, Jesus was speaking to His disciples, And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom, Matt. 26:27-29. A number of times we find the words, "That Day," repeated in the Word of God and here is one from Isaiah 27:2-3, In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. 3I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. Yes, Israel is to be restored and will be with Christ for all eternity. Will you? RJS

28th

Monday, June 28
God's Love; Our Sin; God's Eternal Promise
Ezekiel 16

What a precious chapter. We read of how God takes those who are caught in the dregs of sin and clothes them in His righteousness. Yet, many do not want to be clothed in righteousness, as they enjoy sin and depravity to much and turn away from God's loving care for them. Israel did this to God and people today, are doing the very same things. Many will miss the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ because they have chosen to walk their own paths and have turned away from and spurned the righteous clothes of Christ's Salvation that God desires for all who will turn from sin and repent. As we read further in our text we see that Israel committed harlotry and went further and committed adultery before the Lord. This is great wickedness before God. They were even taking their children and killing them in offerings to the pagan gods and then burning them as well. It is wicked to be solicited and then paid for immorality. Israel went even further. She solicited and even paid her idol consorts. So, God allowed her so-called lovers to abuse her. Anyone caught in this type of immoral behavior was to be shamefully exposed in their nakedness and then they were to be stoned to death, making them a shameful spectacle. God even says they were more wicked than Samaria and Sodom. This is really bad. By exacting the full penalty on Israel's sins in the destructions by Babylon, God's wrath was satisfied. Where is our society today? Millions of babies are being slain at the hands of abortionists. Who is to blame? We are. We have not stood against the evil atrocities of killing the unborn. What kind of behavior continues in our society? Lewdness, immorality, homosexuality and lesbianism, same sex marriages, and the list goes on and on. Will God allow this behavior to continue? Rom 2:3-7 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life! Amen. DM

29th

Tuesday, June 29
The Consequences of Sin
Ezekiel 18

In this chapter, God through the prophet talks with the people about a popular line of thinking. This thinking had crystallized into a parable. We read this parable in verse 2, the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? It is a reference to the natural consequences of sin. Our sins in life have an influence on our great grandchildren according to the Bible, however, in this chapter, God is upset because people are blaming their parents for their problems. God is going to make the message of His justice clear. He does not judicially punish the children for the sins of the fathers even though children may be influenced by their fathers; it is their sin that is the problem not that of their fathers. Regardless of their fathers, they still carry individual moral responsibility.

Individual moral responsibility is defined clearly in verses, 4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. 5But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right … 9 … he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD. If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things, 11 … shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him. 20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son … 25Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. … Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

The people were projecting their corruption on God and God was trying to reason with them in their sin. This is the calling of all those who represent God. In the end, most of God's people failed to understand, and after over 25 years of ministry, that is my experience as well. God was not threatening fathers in a punitive way even though this is what most choose to believe. 32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. God only warns people about the reality of life and truth. Do you believe His warnings? DW

(1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

30th

Wednesday, June 30
God's Divine Equity
Ezekiel 18:19-28

God's unbounded compassion is seen in His patience under all forms of human provocation, and in His repeated messages of repentance to rebellious men. There is "line upon line and precept upon precept." Every style of expostulation is used; every complaint is silenced, because His love is stronger than death, and mightier than sin. God's solemn attestation of Righteousness is God's glory in His righteousness. He deigns to make it acknowledged by men.

He comes down to our level, yet without sin, to take upon Himself our sin and in turn, make us righteous, however, sinning man always seeks self-justification. We are not sorry that we sinned, only sorry that we got caught. Man always fastens his attention on the suffering and loses sight of his secret sins. Sin is passed from father to son and mother to daughter. In other words, we are all born sinners. However, each person is responsible for his or her own sins. We cannot lay our guilt on someone other than ourselves. We often try to pass the buck and blame society or parents, but it all comes back to our own sinful nature. Christians are just as guilty as the non-believers in that we always seek to justify ourselves and even refuse to confess our sins on a daily basis. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:6-9.

The death of the body comes directly from our sinful nature. In other words, we are born to die. The natural man is cursed with the sinful nature and he can never throw it off. The born-again person is a new creation and even though we still have the old nature, we can suppress that old man and live a victorious life in Christ. Walking in the Spirit and giving the Spirit control over our old nature, the new nature can and will show through, for all to see that we are living in Christ Jesus. RJS

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