July
04 Devotions
THEME -
Prophecy of Ezekiel
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and meditate on God's Word, you will be able to use these to help you
spiritually grow in your daily walk with the Lord
May God richly bless you this day!
These devotionals are
written by the following men:
- DW - Senior Pastor, Dan Wilkenson
- RJS - Retired Pastor, Dr. Bob Shifflett
- DM - Associate Pastor, Dave Most
Israel�s Leaders Judged
Ezekiel 19
Effective leaders must have loyal leaders
of lesser rank. Pastors need the advice and counsel of godly deacons. Our
president has his cabinet along with the House and Senate. In this chapter, Israel was no different. Here Ezekiel takes up a
lamentation for the princes in Israel, because God deals with all who sin. In Israel as today, we can see the consequences of
sin.
In Ezekiel�s
lament he recalled with fondness the lioness who had
produced the fallen lions. What a lioness was your mother among the lions! In
verses 10-14 the nation herself is the�mother�of
the kings. Therefore, the lioness/mother in this chapter is the nation Israel. The lioness, Israel, brought up one of her cubs, and he
became a strong lion (a king). This lion was Jehoahaz
who came to the throne after Josiah�s
untimely death. After a reign of only three months he was deposed by Pharaoh Neco II, who led him with hooks (probably literal hooks in
his nose attached to a rope-leash; cf. v. 9) to the land of Egypt. In Egypt Jehoahaz
died in captivity. Jehoiachin, another of Israel�s cubs who became a strong lion,
reigned for only three months before he was deposed by Nebuchadnezzar. With
lion like ferocity Jehoiachin wrought havoc� The �terror� was removed only when he was dethroned
and deported by Nebuchadnezzar. With hooks they pulled him into a cage and
brought him to the king of Babylon. In verses 10-14 Ezekiel addressed King Zedekiah
directly. He is the subject of the rest of the dirge. The mother, Israel, was like a vine. The vine forgot that God was her
source of blessing. Therefore God �uprooted�
the nation, deporting her from the land. (1) The east wind would
have conveyed a double meaning to Israel. The prevailing winds in Israel are from the west and bring
moisture-laden air from the Mediterranean Sea. The east wind�
blows on Israel from the desert in the east, bringing
severe problems. It can wither vegetation (Gen. 41:6), destroy houses (Job 1:19), and cause severe distress (Jonah 4:8).
However, Ezekiel�s east wind
referred to more than the sirocco. Babylon was also east of Israel; and when she �blew in�
from the east, the nation shriveled under the heat of her oppression.
Ultimately, Israel fell to Babylon. (2) Ezekiel prophesied that judgment was coming on these
princes. DW
(1)(2) The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton,
Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
The Rebellions of Israel
Ezekiel 20
This is the message of Israel�s past rebellion and restoration. This prophecy was given in the seventh
year, in the fifth month on the 10th day. This was August
14, 591 b.c., almost 11 months after the last date
given by Ezekiel (8:1). As in chapters 8 and 14, the message was given to
Ezekiel when some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord. They again
visited him to see if God had any new word for the nation. The elders� question is not recorded, but it must
have been inappropriate because God refused to respond: I will not let you
inquire of Me. The answer God then gave was not a
response to their question but a review of their history. To find an answer the
people only needed to look into their past. The repetition of God�s question Will you judge them? (20:4)
conveyed His impatience with the people, and it has the force of a command, �Judge these people!� Ezekiel was to confront them
regarding the detestable practices of their fathers. The court was to be opened
and the evidence presented. Ezekiel was to act as the prosecuting attorney and
present the evidence against the accused (cf. 22:2b). (1)
Why did God
trace His selection of Israel only to the time of Moses? Was Ezekiel
contradicting Genesis, which clearly indicates that God selected Israel when He made His covenant with Abraham?
No, Ezekiel was speaking of God�s
selection of Israel as a nation. In His grace God
asked the nation only to be faithful to Him, and to turn from the vile images
and idols of Egypt. The Book of Exodus did not detail Israel�s religious life before the Exodus,
but Ezekiel implied that it was a time of apostasy. But Israel refused to heed God�s
command. They did not remove the vile images . . . nor . . . forsake the idols
of Egypt. This rebellion deserved judgment, so God
was ready to pour out His wrath on them . . . in Egypt. Yet the wrath did not come; Israel was spared. Israel being spared from God�s
wrath was not because of any goodness on her part. It was only because of God�s grace and mercy: for the sake of His
name. (2) Say, why is it that God has not given any of us what we deserve? Isn�t it because of His rich Grace and
Mercy for the Gospels sake?! We have a choice and that is to obey. Dear Lord,
forgive us when we fail. Help us to obey You in
everything! DM
(The Bible Knowledge Commentary (1), (2))
Revolution and then Restoration
Ezekiel 21:27
God overturns Israel
and its institutions by repeated acts of successive invasions, not only by
Babylon, but also Assyria and Egypt. History tells us that Jerusalem has been sacked and plowed under seven
times, but it always recovers. Remember, Jerusalem is �the apple of God�s eye.� It is God
who overturns. There is a providential purpose in every event. The Divine
education of man is not a continuous, unbroken development, but with many and
various lessons. The earthquake has its mission, as well as, the April shower.
This may seem a violent action, but evil must be overthrown before restoration
can be established. Our own Revolutionary War was to overthrow tyranny and
brought a new thing to humanity �Liberty and Justice for all.�
God has not sent His sword of judgment upon America, but he expects His people
to seek and find a revival and testify against sin and in so doing to pull down
the strong walls of Satan. If my people, which are called by my name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and wi
RESTORATION: After the revolution there
must be a new order, and after repentance there must be a new life. This
restoration can only be accomplished in Christ. We cannot establish a new
social order, nor can we even stir up a better life without a change of heart.
Many have walked the aisle, prayed the prayer, gotten soaking wet in the baptistry, and talked the talk, but there was no change in
the walk. If your life did not change after you made your confession of Christ
then you only mouthed the words to make some preacher, or deacon, or Sunday
school teacher happy; but there was no happiness in your heart. The old heart
is still the same. You were not born again into the family of God. Oh, you said
all the right things you were supposed to say, but nothing happened. If that is
your present state, its time to fall on your knees and confess your sins and
repent, which means turn away from sin and put it under the blood of Christ.
Please, beloved reader, examine your heart today! If you are under conviction, don�t put off getting right with God
today! RJS
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God�s Case against Israel
Ezekiel 22
God gave Ezekiel two charges to present
against the city: shedding blood and making idols. Ezekiel mentioned blood or
bloodshed seven times in this message to drive home the city�s
sin of extreme violence (cf. �violence� in 7:23; 8:17; 12:19). These two sins opposed the Mosaic Law�s standards for Israel�s relationships with God and her
fellow Israelites (cf. Matt. 22:34-40). Rather than loving God she had
turned to idolatry; and her love for her fellow Israelites had been replaced by
treachery. Ezekiel
cited sins that specifically violated some of the Ten Commandments (cf. Ex.
20:1-17): social injustice (Ezek. 22:7), apostasy (v. 8), idolatry (v. 9),
immorality (vv. 10-11), and greed (v. 12). The list concluded with another sin,
the root problem behind the others: you have forgotten Me
(cf. 23:35). (1)
Other texts mention the sin of repeated
idolatry as the reason for the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. Since the
days of the golden calf, Israel struggled with the sin of idolatry, and
this sin lead to most of the others. If we are faithful to God, we will not
have any of these other problems. Ezekiel�s
second message stressed that Jerusalem would become a furnace of affliction�a smelting furnace of judgment that
would melt those who remained in it. Israel had become worthless to God, for she
was dross to Him� �worthless because of her sin. (2)
The prophets should have � denounced these wicked deeds; but (except for men like
Ezekiel and Jeremiah) the prophets ignored those sins and gave the people false
visions and lying divinations. Ezekiel denounced the people, the commoners who
followed their leaders� example. The
populace too was involved in extortion and . . . robbery (cf. vv. 25, 27), and
in oppression of the needy. The corruption was so complete that when God
searched for a man who could stem the tide of national destruction (build up
the wall and stand . . . in the gap), none could be found. � Jeremiah had these qualities, but he lacked the authority
to lead the nation from the brink of disaster. (3) God could do nothing but
judge destroy and start over as He did during the flood. When corruption
becomes too great, all God can do is start over. DW
(1) (2) (3) Walvoord,
John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The
Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton,
Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983,
1985.
The Judgment of Harlotry
Ezekiel 23
Ezekiel presents another parable to
illustrate Judah�s unfaithfulness
and the certainty of her punishment. Chapter 23 seems to be a restatement of
the parable in chapter 16 since both chapters deal with Judah�s
unfaithfulness to God. However, in chapter 16, Ezekiel focused on Judah�s idolatry, whereas in chapter 23, he
stressed Judah�s illicit
foreign alliances in addition to her idolatry. In chapter 16, her trust was in
other gods; in chapter 23, it was in other nations. Two sisters shared the same
moral degradation for they became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their
youth. Ezekiel�s reference to
Egypt would call to mind the origins of the
nation Israel in Egypt. The two sisters were sexually
promiscuous women. After describing their character Ezekiel gave their names
and identities. The older was named Oholah, and her
sister was Oholibah. (1)
The sin of Oholah, the older sister, was her (Samaria�s)
association with the Assyrians. Samaria�s
alliance with Assyria ultimately led to her doom. The very nation to which Samaria had turned for assistance would destroy
her. God gave all Israel, including Samaria, over to her lovers, the Assyrians,
for whom she lusted and who killed her with the sword. In 722 BC,
Samaria fell to Assyria. The judgment of the older sister Oholah (Samaria) should have been a warning to the
younger sister Oholibah (Jerusalem). Unfortunately, she failed to heed the
warning. In fact she was more depraved than her sister. Jerusalem followed the immoral course charted by
her sister: she too lusted after the Assyrians. Judah curried the favor of Assyria rather than relying on her God. (2) The
spiritual adultery of the two nations was matched only by their political
adultery. Both countries enticed foreign nations into illicit alliances.
Ezekiel painted a vivid picture of the sisters preparing themselves for lovers
(i.e., enticing other nations to help them). The harlot sisters sent . . . for
men and when they arrived the girls bathed themselves for them, painted their
eyes, and put on . . . jewelry. The enticements of the two sisters drew a
carefree crowd of Sabeans . . . from the desert and
men from the rabble. (3) Folks, many who call themselves Christians today
are caught in spiritual adultery. They are filled with the world and do not
seek after God. May God have mercy. DM
(The Bible Knowledge Commentary
(1), (2), (3))
The
Captivity of Judah and off to Babylon
Ezekiel 24:1-2
�in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the
LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of
this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day. This was the very day the army of
Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem to destroy the city. The siege began this
day and ended in the eleventh year, the fourth month, and ninth day.
The following parable (vv. 3-5) of the
boiling pot was a picture of the siege and the suffering of the people. Israel
had been warned by this Ezekiel, and other Prophets of the judgment to come,
but did nothing to prevent the total destruction of their beloved city. The
application in vv. 6-14 shows that Jerusalem is compared to the great caldron, and the fire around the pot is the enemy besieging
the city. The �bones� in the pot symbolize the inhabitants of
the city and the �choice pieces�
in the pot, refers to the leaders, both political and
religious. Bring it out �piece by piece� refers to
individuals being brought out of the city until the city was empty. This time,
the total fulfillment of the destruction was final and not likened unto the
earlier times when some were left in the city under Jehoiakim
and Jehoiachin.
Verse 21 Speak unto the house of Israel,
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my
sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the
desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth;
and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.
It is sad to say, but unless America seeks the face of God and repents, we
too, shall see these things come to pass here. �As a person sows, so shall he reap.�
�As a nation sows, so shall it reap.� We have sowed the seeds of -
disrespect toward God � the seeds of immorality � the seeds destroying the Word of God in the hearts of our
people � the seeds of calling white, �black� and black, �white.� We could mention many other ways in which we have sowed the
seeds, now we are about to reap a harvest of devastation and destruction across
our land. RJS
Wednesday, July 7
Judgment on Israel�s
Enemies
Ezekiel
25
When Nebuchadnezzar decided to attack Judah instead of Ammon
(cf. Ezek. 21:18-27), Ammon was
relieved that she had been spared. Instead of coming to Judah�s aid, she rejoiced over Judah�s misfortune, hoping
to profit territorially from Judah�s
destruction. (1)
Hatred moves people to rejoice at the suffering of another. God is love.
Therefore, God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
God�s judgment would fit Ammon�s
sin. They rejoiced over Judah�s
downfall so they would fall. (2) People today often say what goes around comes around. In the
Bible, we read that we reap what we sow. The truth is
the same. If we do evil, that evil will come back on us in the end.
Moab�s sin, Ezekiel said, was her contempt for God�s people. (3) This is another example of hatred. In
their scorn Moab and Edom were denying God�s
promises to Israel. By minimizing Judah�s position of centrality among the
nations, they were profaning the name of God who had promised Judah that position. Because Moab treated Judah with contempt, God would remove Moab�s glory by exposing
its northern flank to attack. In addition to losing her defenses Moab would also lose her freedom. (4)
Edom saw in Judah�s conflict with Babylon an opportunity to oppose her rival.
Because Edom had aided in Judah�s destruction, God said He would aid
in her destruction. (5) It is interesting to note that while all three of
these countries hated Israel, Edom acted aggressively on that hatred. God
who judged Israel also defended her. This was in accord
with God�s covenant
with Abraham. God said in effect that he would deal with others as they dealt
with His people Israel. We need to be sure to do right by others
and especially those who believe. Our affections say a lot about our heart. If
we are righteous, we will love those that God loves. Furthermore, we will hate
what God hates. Hatred for God and His people is one of the main
characteristics of the wicked. Jesus Christ Himself was plagued with wicked and
hateful enemies. The people who love us and hate us reveal a lot about who we
are. DW
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Walvoord,
John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The
Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton,
Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Thursday, July 8
Proclamation Against Tyre
Ezekiel 26
God�s judgment against Tyre fit her crime. He said,
I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves. Tyre�s pride was her seagoing prowess. She
knew the Mediterranean
Sea
better than most nations. So Ezekiel used the image of a violent ocean storm to
picture God�s punishment.
Like ocean waves, invading nations would pound against Tyre�s
defenses, smashing her walls and towers. God added that He would scrape away
her rubble and make her a bare rock. God said He would bring from the north . .
. Nebuchadnezzar. The king who destroyed Jerusalem would also attack Tyre. After defeating Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar moved his army north to Tyre in 585 b.c. and besieged the city for 13 years till all
settlements on the mainland were destroyed. (1)
Alexander the Great devastated the city in
332 b.c. when it refused to
submit to his advancing forces. Alexander destroyed the mainland city and then
built a causeway out to the island fortress which he destroyed. In doing this,
he threw stones, timber, and rubble into the sea. The final destruction of Tyre would be complete, for God predicted the
city will never be rebuilt. Though the surrounding area has been rebuilt, the
original site is a mute testimony to God�s
awesome judgment. In Tyre�s demise she
would descend into the underworld never to rise again. Ezekiel had said Tyre�s fate was like an ocean sweeping over
it (v. 3). Now again, he said the ocean depths would sweep over Tyre. The most fearful prospect facing ancient
mariners was to be caught in a storm and be �lost at sea�. Ezekiel then
changed the imagery slightly. Instead of descending into the ocean depths, Tyre would go down to the pit. �Pit� is synonymous with �sheol� or �the grave�.
In Old Testament times, death was a fearful event. Though the saints had some
idea of resurrection most viewed the grave as a place of no return. Ezekiel
expressed this thought about Tyre: she would enter the place of the
departed dead and never be able to return to the land of the living. People
would long for her, but she would never again be found. (2) Question? Where
does our spiritual house stand? Are we living for the Lord as we ought or are
we, too, going to suffer God�s judgment in
the pit, never to return? O Gracious God, have mercy. DM
(The Bible Knowledge Commentary (1), (2))
Friday,
July 9
Ezekiel Takes up a
Lamentation for Tyre
Ezekiel
27:1-36
Tyre was a seaport used by ships from many
countries around the Mediterranean Sea. They also were wealthy shipbuilders and
noted for their fine purple dyes made from sea shells. For many years, Tyre was actually two cities; one on the land and the other
an island several hundred yards off the coast. Hiram, king of Tyre, supplied Solomon with the finest cedar lumber
available, towed in large rafts and pulled by sailing ships, for the building
of Solomon�s house and
the Temple. Hiram sent his personal carpenters to form and install these huge
timbers.
1.
The stateliness of the city�s beauty.
2.
The splendor of the city�s fleets.
3.
The skill of the mariners.
4.
The valor of their armies.
5.
The vastness of their international trade.
6.
The abundance of material wealth.
7.
The glory of the city�s renowned.
8. The hollowness of their lives, all these
things, but bankrupt spiritually.
Ezekiel wanted
to show these wealthy people what they were missing, and if they did not
repent, they would be destroyed. King Nebuchad-nezzar
attacked the city and destroyed it. Some time later, he literally destroyed
every building on the shore, but left much of the island intact. In 332 bc, Alexander the Great laid siege
to the island port for 7 months and captured it. Alexander used the stones and
rubble of the destroyed city on the mainland, to build a causeway to the island
fortress.
Tyre was close to where the Syrophenician woman lived who asked for healing for her
daughter as recorded in Matthew 15:21-28. Tyre
reminds us of the great destruction that came on many of the old world cities;
all because these cities gave themselves over to every sin they could think of.
Sounds like American cities today, don�t
you think? RJS
Saturday, July 10
The Origin of Sin and Evil
Ezekiel 28
In the previous chapter, we find the
description of the pride of Tyre and the prediction of the downfall of
these people. In this chapter, there is a description of their leader�s great pride. This great leader
considered himself a god in his heart. Yet the language of this chapter goes
far beyond this evil man. We read, 13Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God �,
and 14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth� Two
cherubim sat on the Ark of the Covenant with their wings touching in the
middle. A terribly wicked spirit inspired this evil earthly monarch.
In Revelation chapter 12, this wicked
angelic spirit is likened to a dragon. In verse 4, we read that this dragon
with his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven� In verse 17, God says, I will
destroy thee, O covering cherub... This special angelic creature was the
highest in the created order and gave way to pride and a desire to be God. He
rebelled against God and took 1/3 of the angelic world with him in this
rebellion. God is holy in nature and character. In the creation, creatures had
a holy moral nature, but only those who love and choose goodness develop a
holy, moral character.
Satan is the first to take the path of
pride and self and gives way to evil. In verse 15 we read, 15Thou
wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. In the
case of the city of Tyre, This ruler � was Ethbaal
III, who ruled from 591-590 b.c. to 573-572 b.c. The underlying sin of Tyre�s king was his pride, which prompted
him to view himself as a god. Ezekiel listed nine gemstones in
describing Satan�s beauty.
These were 9 of the 12 kinds of stones worn in the breastplate of Israel�s high priest� (1) Satan and this proud Phonecian king would eventually end to the surprise of all
who knew them. In the gospel record, Satan tempts Jesus with control of the
kingdoms of this world. We read in 1 John 5:19, And we know
that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in
wickedness. The language here is such that the whole world lies in the hands of
wicked one. The Bible describes Satan as the god of this world. He is
the most wicked and powerful spirit in all creation. As such, he is the most
powerful driving force for evil in all creation.
DW
(1)Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge
Commentary,
(Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983,
1985.
This
first of seven prophecies against Egypt was given in the 10th year, in the 10th
month on the 12th day. That day, January 5, 587 b.c., was almost a year after the siege of Jerusalem
began. The Pharaoh in Egypt at that time was Hophra
who reigned from 589 to 570 b.c. His promises of
assistance prompted Judah to break with Babylon. Both Egypt and her leader were
singled out for judgment. Ezekiel compared Pharaoh to a great monster in Egypt�s streams. (1)
The
second section of this prophecy deals with Egypt�s
basic sin: she had been a staff of reeds for the house of Israel. A �staff� was used
as a cane or walking stick for support on the rough terrain in Israel. Israel
leaned on Egypt for support in her revolt against Babylon, but Egypt�s support was as fragile as the reeds
which grew abundantly on the Nile River�s
shores. When the pressure came, the reed snapped, and Israel found herself unable to stand. Possibly, Ezekiel was quoting a
proverb commonly applied to Egypt which had a reputation as an unreliable ally.
Because of Egypt�s false
promises of support to Judah, God said He would punish the Egyptians by the
sword and Egypt would become a desolate wasteland. God�s
total devastation of Egypt would last for 40 years. Judah had been destroyed
because she relied on Egypt; Egypt would suffer the same fate. God would
disperse Egypt among the nations; she would also be carried into captivity. (2)
Ezekiel�s second
prophecy against Egypt ended with a promise to Israel. The �day� (v.17)
was probably the time when God would judge Egypt through Babylon and then
restore Egypt to her land. When God finally restored the nations of Israel and
Egypt, He would make a horn grow for . . . Israel. A horn symbolized strength
and was applied in an ultimate sense to the strength of the Messiah, Christ,
who would deliver Israel. However, the �horn� probably
refers to Israel�s strength
which Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed. When Egypt was restored, Israel would also
be restored as a nation. (3) Someday soon, we too, will stand before God
and give an account as to how we have obeyed Him and to whom we have trusted
with our lives. The Eternal books will be opened and many will find their names
missing from the Lambs book of life. Does God see your name listed there? DM
(The Bible Knowledge Commentary (1), (2), (3))
Monday, July 12
The Lord�s Day in Egypt, or Destruction in Egypt
Ezekiel 30:1-19
Whether the Lord�s
Day is a day of friendship or He comes as a foe, depends on the hearts of men. Egypt�s heart was following idols rather
than God. Idolatry is not merely a system of error; it is the fountain of
immorality. It is the seedbed of moral corruption. Theories of atheism today
become habits of sensuality tomorrow. When a nation turns from God, it spreads
to other nations around it. In Egypt�s
case, God announced beforehand, who and what He would use in Egypt. God used Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.
The depravity of America in our movies, books, and wasteful living
causes other nations to either follow our pattern or hate us. America is under
the judgment of God and He is using foreign governments,
or natural disasters to alert us. Forest fires, famine, tornadoes, hurricanes
are all God�s way of
bringing a nation to its knees. Sometimes a foreign nation will invade the
land, other times the foundations will be rooted up by an earthquake. Sometimes
He uses a volcano as in Pompeii, Italy, or as thousands have been killed in China with floods.
The purpose of judgment is to let a nation
or a people know that God is Lord, and they cannot continue in their sins. In
death they shall be convinced of the truth which they refused to acknowledge in
life. Recently, I read of a growing problem in our schools. Teachers are
actually teaching death and reincarnation. This may be the reason so many
teenagers are committing suicide. Satan is the author of death and he is using
every opportunity to press death on our youth today.
We have failed to reach out to others with
a positive message of life, both now and in eternity. The church seems to have
the attitude that it will eventually go away, so we will just close our eyes
and ignore the problem. Putting your head in the sand always exposes the
back-side. We are to put on the armor of God to fight the evil one, Eph.
6:11-18. Facing the enemy, if we are properly prepared with prayer, we can win
with Christ at our side, we can defeat the enemy, but in the flesh, we can do
nothing. Let�s get prayed
up and fight for what�s right. RJS
Sunday, June 13
The Pride of Egypt
Ezekiel 31
This prophecy was given in the 11th year,
in the third month on the first day. This was June
21, 587 BC, less than two months after the prophecy
recorded in 30:20-26. Ezekiel addressed his message to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes. He ended it with
the same words (31:18). This ruler (Hophra) and his
mighty army obviously felt so secure in their military might and ability that
Ezekiel responded rhetorically, Who can be compared
with you in majesty? Obviously Egypt thought she was in a class by herself.
(1)
The prophet calls on the Egyptians to
consider Assyria. We find Assyria described as a cedar tree cut down. David
tells of this same experience in his life. We read in Psalm 37:35, 36 35 I
have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay
tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but
he could not be found. Fallen humanity seeks security in things and power.
Yet, even when they achieve their purpose, they do not find security. It is as
God taught Nebuchadnezzar. After 7 years eating grass, he realized that (Daniel
4:35) � all the inhabitants of the earth are
reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven,
and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto
him, what doest thou?
Egypt is not safe. God will use Nebuchadnezzar
to bring down the Egyptians as he brought down Assyria. The time of their great power and wealth
was at an end. What God gave, He now took away. If we understood this, we would
follow the path of Job who loved and honored God continually. The words of the
Psalmist would have been very instructive for these proud Egyptians. In Psalm
75:5-7 we read, 5 Lift not up your horn on high:
speak not with a stiff neck. 6 For promotion cometh neither
from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is
the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. All the blessings we find in this
life come to us by way of the mercy and grace of God. We would be very wise to
realize this. DW
(1)
Walvoord, John F., and Zuck,
Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary,
(Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983,
1985.
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Wednesday, July 14
Lamentation for Pharaoh and Egypt
Ezekiel 32
Ezekiel�s sixth prophecy against Egypt was given in the 12th year, in the
12th month on the first day. That was March 3, 585 BC�two months after the news of Jerusalem�s fall reached the captives in Babylon. The fall of Egypt was now so certain that Ezekiel was told
to take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt. A lament, or funeral dirge, was usually
delivered when one was buried. Ezekiel said Pharaoh (Hophra),
in his fierce power, was like a lion among the nations and a monster in the
seas. Pharaoh�s actions were
disturbing the international scene as he tried to blunt Babylon�s
power. (1)
Ezekiel then spoke of Pharaoh�s
judgment. If Pharaoh were a crocodile, God would lead Pharaoh�s
enemies on a �crocodile hunt.�
With a great throng of people I will cast My net over you, and they will haul
you up in My net. Pharaoh would be trapped by his enemies and removed from his
sphere of power. This was an amazing statement, for in Egypt the Pharaoh supposedly could defeat a
crocodile! God would drag Pharaoh from his place of power and throw him on the
land and hurl him on the open field. Pharaoh�s
power would be broken and his people scattered. The destruction of Pharaoh and Egypt was couched in terms that conjured up
images of Egypt�s judgment at
the time of the Exodus. God said He would drench the land with Egypt�s flowing blood (Ezek. 32:6). This
recalled the first plague on Egypt in which the water turned to blood (Ex. 7:20-24), but this time, the blood would come
from the slain in Egypt. God also said He would darken the stars
. . . sun, and moon, bringing darkness over the land (Ezek. 32:7-8). Though
these cataclysmic signs are similar to those that will accompany the day of the
Lord, it seems Ezekiel was alluding here to the darkness of the ninth plague.
In response to Egypt�s fall the
surrounding nations would be appalled and their kings would shudder with
horror. God revealing His holy character through Egypt�s
judgment would have a profound effect on other nations. If mighty Egypt could be destroyed, so could they. (2)
If Egypt as a mighty nation could be
destroyed, what do you think of what God can do with our country and our own
families if we choose not to obey Him?! DM
(The Bible Knowledge Commentary (1), (2))
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Thursday, July 15
The Secret of Popular Preaching and
The Failure of Popular Preaching
Ezekiel 33:30-33
The secret of popular preaching is:
(a) Having a good voice,
(b) A graceful manner,
(c) A rhythmic utterance,
(d) Imaginativeness,
(e) Fervor,
(f) Truth,
(g) Inspiration.
(A) Making oneself heard; it was said that
Demosthenes spent time with several pebbles in his mouth and practiced talking
to improve his articulation, and his enunciation sharp.
(B) The audience likes to hear pleasant
speaking.
(C) There should be a smooth rhythm; the listeners don�t
like rude words that shock their prejudices.
(D) Using good illustrations, the concrete
is more interesting than the abstract.
(E) Ezekiel put his heart into his words
and was a preacher of earnestness and sincerity.
(F) Ezekiel spoke the truth under Divine
influence.
(G) The good preacher must drink from the
Divine well if he would give forth words of power. In other words, have something
to say, and say it well.
Now, the failure of popular preachers,
(1) Popularity is no proof of success. If
the preacher is only preaching for the applause of the people � he has failed. There may be emo
