Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.

Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.
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Friday, September 2, 2011

Ezekiel 20-21

Here's a pretty cool thing:  if you have a reading schedule, we have just come to the third column...WHOO-HOOO....You know that God is so pleased with your diligence.  He will bless you for your dedication....I went to Patricia's blog today for some perspective and here is what she wrote:  (Editorial comment-remember that she is from New Jersey which is Democratic and people actually like Obama in places that are not Alabama!)

OK, do you do this? Do you look to see how long the readings is before you read it. I do most of the time.  I looked at it and thought, this is long… And then I started reading it and I hung on every word.  God retold His story(drop an s and you get History) and it was the story of His people from Beginning to Now.  I read it and all I could see was Love, Mercy, Chances, Forgiveness…over and over, and Each paragraph started with The people Rebelled….
We need to keep our focus on WHY this is all happening and WHY is God bringing down Judgment because like we talked about yesterday in comments, GOD never changes so if this is happening in 2500 years ago, this can happen TODAY.
Does your versions have in verse 29 (It is called Bamah).  Bamah means “high places”.  High Places are the fake altars and places of worship that would substitute real altars and real worship.  I put an O in front of it.    I found this to be a modern day play on words.  I am NOT knocking Obama for anything, I am mocking his followers.  He is an idol to so many people (just as many presidents and leaders are).  We worship them to save us and fix the world.  People!  What we are doing is nothing different than what they were doing!!  We are not trusting in the One and Only that can actually do it.
What are the 2 sins this book (and most of the OT) is about??
  1. Idolatry
  2. False Prophets
Did you ever think that MOST of the Bible would talk about these 2 topics?  The LORD despises them!
Definitions:
Idolatry: to worship an image, an idea (religion) or an object.
False Prophet:  Someone who claims authority in a Spiritual nature. (I have at least 100 in mind without even thinking)
So I would love for us to spend some time thinking on this today and how God through the book of Ezekiel can change our relationship with the One True God.
And of course, all chapters point to restoration.  All.
The last paragraph in 20 grabbed me.  Ezekiel was announcing immediate judgment to Jerusalem and Judah and the people were saying “Isn’t he just telling parables”.  How many people in America believe the Apocalypse could happen by the end of the day if Jesus decides to come back? Or do they think it is just a parable?  because guess what WE ARE CLOSE so you better believe it.
Chapter 21 I didn’t understand all of this  so I found a commentary to help me.  This is what I found out:  The first part of the chapter is regarding the 3 judgements that will fall on Jerusalem, the sword of the Lord, the sharpened sword and the sword of Nebuchadnezzar, but then by verse 18 we see that Ammon rebelled against Babylon the same time king Zedekiah did.  Remember when Judah was aligning themselves with foreign nations to gain strength, even though the Lord said through Jeremiah…you better not!  Well they did so Babylon besieged them both.
Going away for the Weekend with my family to the Notre Dame Game!  WHoo Hooo.  Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend but STAY IN THE WORD!!  Make it the first thing you
do when your feet get out of bed this weekend.

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