Quote for Saturday 31 May 2025   ^#1154

Part 40 of this series. The timing of this is after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Many believe it was the eleventh year of Ezekiel's captivity and probably after the fifth month. The reason for their judgment was how they responded to the fall of Jerusalem. The Babylonians conquered Moab and Ammon at the same time, after they defeated Jerusalem. Afterwards they left and the men of the East moved in, taking it for their flocks. Josephus tells us about 5 years after the taking of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar turned on Ammon and Moab, and upon his return to Babylon the nomadic tribes came and took the land. Next is Moab. There were times there was a reasonably good relationship between Israel and Moab. Ruth, in Christ's lineage, was from Moab. When David was being hunted he sent his parents to Moab for protection. But now to the Moabites the fall of Jerusalem proved to them that the Jews are like anyone else, not something special to God. Edom were the descendants of Esau and long-standing enemies of the Jews. They did everything they could to harrass, annoy, and frustrate them. They not only approved, but helped Nebuchadnezzar to attack them.

Part 39 in this series.

Verses 1-14 are the parable of the boiling pot:

• 1-2 message
• 3-14 detail
  • 3-9 seige of Jerusalem
  • 10-14 destruction of Jerusalem

Verses 15 to 27 are the main focus of this morning's study: the sign of the bereaved prophet, the unmourned wife.

We have been told throughout the book that Ezekiel is not only giving a message from God, but at times is himself a sign to the nation.

It's good to respond to God's ministry to bring restoration. When the Lord brings a message to a church, if they continue without listening, the Lord says, "I will remove thy lampstand". The city meant to be set on a hill, a light to the Gentiles, had gone astray from their mission.

Obedience is costly.

Part 38 of this series. We are in a section that we commenced last week wherein are four oracles concerning judgment that God is bringing on Judah as a result of her not learning the lessons from Samaria, and doing her sins in greater abundance, rejecting the greater light that she had. One of the great lessons of this chapter is failing to learn the lessons of the past. It is a picture of madness and utter despair. The ultimate purpose was to reveal God in his judgment and gracious restoration. God is holy, he hates sin, he must deal with it, but he is also gracious. As we begin chapter 24 the promised judgment is about to occur, and it begins with the siege of Jerusalem.

Part 37 of this series. This is a difficult chapter. There is language that seems very coarse, but there is a reason for it. The two whores are Samaria and Jerusalem. Their defection began in Egypt. Patterns that are established early in life can be hard to break. They were drawn to the youthful look of the Assyrians, their strength, position, self-gratification, wealth. It is the same today: People dote over these things. Our culture idolizes youth. People try to look younger. Assyria humiliated Israel, took her sons and daughters, slew her with the sword. Judah witnessed it all. Did she learn a lesson? After going after all these other lovers, they are back with the Egyptians. Those who had previously come to make love now come to make war. A hundred years passed since Samaria fell to the invading Assyrian army; now Judah would suffer the same fate. Oholibah had rejected the temple, and now must face divine judgment.

Part 36 in this series.

Refining is a common theme in the word of God, most often a positive one. In this case it is the opposite. These people are no longer God's special treasure.

From verses 25-29 we see that the prophets, priests, princes, and people are all guilty. The prophets told the people everything is fine. The priests were to teach the word of God, but they did not instruct the people, instead violating God's law in service and in the temple. The politicians were corrupt, preying on the people rather than guarding them. The people, being treated badly, pass it on and treat others badly.

God's judgment is not capricious, but due recompense for the sin of the nation. With the entire nation given over to every displeasing act, judgment was inevitable.

Chapter 23 begins a difficult section we caption Two Sister Whores. All Scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable, but not all is pleasant. This is one that we might avoid because it is very unpleasant with shocking and coarse language.

The sisters are Judah and Samaria, the northern and southern kingdoms. Judah followed the sinful steps of Israel. We will see Israel and her terrible adultery, and rather than learning to avoid it, Judah immitated and became worse.

We skipped verses 13-17; these will be covered next time.

Lessons about persistence, steadfastness, making a stand in awkward places. What a great honour to be in such a list, but greater still is the honour to be found listd in the Lamb's Book of Life.

There is the invisible and the visible church. We see the visibility of the church when Peter preached a sermon and three thousand were added to it.

Reading Mark 11:1-26

Paul admits that prayer is difficult. Who of us cannot also say that? Prayer must fill the whole life of the believer, yet we know not what to pray for as we ought.

It is wonderful to think that this ability to pray is coming from the Holy Spirit, his regenerating and operating in us.

As we face this difficulty we are called to plead with God for this infirmity. Ask and it shall be given. This help of the Spirit is not eloquence of speech, but the help within us. Not a specific tone of the voice, as we may become accustomed to praying, or repeating certin Bible passages, or a certain posture of the body although it may be good to pray kneeling or standing or sitting. But this is the inward work of the Holy Spirit. It is a pleading and a deep inward yearning of the soul for God, for the Father in Heaven to give the needed help and provide what is lacking.

Prayer is a vital, daily exercise and spiritual experience.

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