Ezekiel 32-33

When we see mighty men fall, it should cause us all to tremble.  "I will trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring about your destruction" (32:9).

Chapter 33 has the memorable imagery of Ezekiel being a "watchman for the people of Israel."  How should that look for us today?

"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his ways and live.  Repent, repent of your evil ways!  Why will you die, house of Israel?" (33:11).

Read it here.

Ezekiel 29-31

There was a day when the whole world shook before the tyranny of Egypt.  Even the seas were ruled by her.  Her kings' images were carved into stone and their bones were buried under the mighty pyramids.  If you had been an Egyptian in her days of glory you would have thought your nation to be impregnable...maybe even omnipotent!

Guess not.  Maybe there is a lesson here.

Read it here.

Ezekiel 27-28

"Your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god'."

The most proud and secure and god-like of people are often the ones to fall the hardest.  Does ch. 28 describe Lucifer?  Perhaps.  It also speaks to all who sit proudly and autonomously.  There is a God in heaven!

Read it here.

Ezekiel 24-26

What happens when God takes away "the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your heart?"  The people of Israel loved their Temple more than the One who indwelled the Temple.  That magnificent building - built to worship God - became a god to the people.  And it had to go.

Read it here.

Ezekiel 21-23

"This is what the Lord says: I am against you!"(21:3).  In our world of political correctness and religious sentimentalism, the Lord breaks through and let's us know that we can land ourselves on the wrong side of Him.

"YOU have brought your judgment days near." (22:4).  What?  Personal responsibility??  We will be held accountable for our sins?

Ezekiel describes their sin vividly...shockingly.  God hates sin.

Read it here.

Ezekiel 18-20

"Throw off all your transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." (18:31).  God seems to always throw out the lifeline.  Let's grab for it!

Sometimes God let's us go and chase the idols that we think will satisfy.  Then when we've been burned and come humbly back to Him, we loather ourselves for all the evil we chose over God (20:43).  That is when we cry out our praise to the One who did not spare us because of our righteous acts, but because of His great name (20:44).

The gospel is woven throughout this whole book!

Read it here.

Ezekiel 16-17

"You slaughtered my children and gave them up..."

After God did so much for His people, rescuing them from certain destruction, they responded by raging in their sin!  And the helpless children they bore were senselessly murdered.

Helpless children were rescued only to murder their own helpless children.

And we wonder why God judges the earth!

Read it here.