I am 2/3 of the way through the Bible! I am not as excited at this milestone as I was with others, maybe because I’m just trying to keep on going right now, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot recommend more to read your Bible in it’s entirety. It is so eyeopening to see connections throughout and between as I read through all of the books of the Bible, each with their own authors, themes and content. I can only hope that you are getting a similar experience out of reading the Bible in its entirety in 90 days.
Nobody gets to mess with God’s people. Chapters 25-36 of Ezekiel mostly covers the prophecy against the nations that have come against Israel/Judah. Egypt enslaved the Israelites, Ammon rejoiced with malice towards Israel, and Edom was revengeful just to name a few. I have a picture of a mama bear God: “I can discipline my children, but heaven help the one who dares to hurt my children”. As He sends out prophecies through Ezekiel, He repeatedly says that I am doing this so that they know I am the Lord. He is proclaiming His glory for all of the nations to see, like a banner waving in the wind.
I am glad that God is on our side. He loves us and wants the best for us. He’s promised to rescue his sheep, to give them a place where they can dwell securely, safely. God is our discipliner and our protector and I can think of nothing better.
Passage:
Ezekiel 25-36
Discovered:
- Prophecy against Ammon: Because you rejoice with malice against Israel I will hand you over to the East and destroy you.
- To Moab: I will do as I do to Ammon – execute judgement.
- To Edom: because of acting revengefully to Judah, I will make you desolate and fall by the sword.
- Philista – I will execute great judgement against them.
- Tyre: will be destroyed. I will bring Nebuchadnezzer against you.
- A lament over Tyre: you had riches, a great army, and trade, including with Judah, but all your treasures, men, ships have sunk into the sea.
- i will send foreigners against the prince of Tyre because of his pride.
- A lament over along of Tyre: you were wooden and full of beauty but your heart was proud.
- Sidon: I will send pestilence and sword against you.
- When I gather Israel after being scattered, they will live securely in the land.
- Against Egypt: I will bring the sword against you via Nebuchadnezzer. For 40 years, I will scatter Egypt and then I will restore them, but they will never exalt themselves over other nations again.
- Lament for Egypt: A sword will come upon Egypt, Cush, Put, Lud & Arabia, I will dry up the Nile and destroy their idols.
- Egypt will fall: I will weaken and scatter Egypt while strengthening Babylon.
- Pharaoh and his multitude will fall just like Edom will.
- A lament over Pharaoh and Egypt: You think you are a lion (strong) of the nations, but I will throw my net over you and scatter your flesh across the land. The sword of Babylon will destroy you.
- If a watchman warns the people of the coming sword and one doesn’t heed the warning, his blood will be on his own head.
- If a watchman does not warn the people of the coming sword, any blood spilled is on the watchman’s head.
- God made Elijah the watchman over Israel.
- Israel: with our sins, how can we live?
- Answer: those who do what is just and right will live.
- The Lord will judge each of you according to your own way.
- Elijah received word that Jerusalem was struck down and his mouth was opened.
- Israel – you cannot possess the land if you are going to defile it with your actions.
- Prophecy for Israel’s shepherds: you only care for yourselves, you don’t take care of my sheep.
- I, the Lord, will search for my sheep, rescue them: feed, heal and strengthen them.
- I will make a covenant of peace so my sheep can dwell securely. I will deliver them from their enslavers.
- Prophecy against Mount Seir: I will make them a desolation because of their hatred for Israel when they were already facing judgement.
- Prophecy to Mountains of Israel: you have been left in ruin by other nations and they will face judgement, but you will produce fruit for my people, they will return home soon.
- I will bring you back not because you deserve it, but because I want to show you how holy I am.
Help me to remember:
that You love me as a parent loves a child, a discipliner and a protector.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I see Your holiness around me, that I know that You are the Lord God.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
for who you are. You are the Lord, the I AM.
