Ezekiel 17 - 08.24.23
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 17:24
“And ALL the trees will KNOW that it is I, the LORD, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!”
OBSERVATION:
Ezekiel is a parable describing the foolishness of the Kings of Judah during a very dark chapter in Israel’s history.
The King of Babylon carried off the King of Judah which was God’s Judgement on Israel. King Zedekiah was installed by King Neduchadnezzar as the third King, but three times wasn’t a charm. Zedekiah was corrupt and doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. God sent his prophets and messengers to warn him—but for eleven years the warnings fell on deaf ears.
Finally, God had enough! God sent his wrath in the way of Babylon’s army coming against Israel in FULL force and everything and almost everyone was destroyed including the Temple that they mocked by pretending to serve God while participating in pagan rituals. The people who were spared were brought to Babylon as slaves.
APPLICATION:
Jesus is LORD!
My takeaway from this reading today is that Zedekiah somehow thought he was safe because he belonged in the lineage of God’s people. He was not living a life that reflected following God as his Lord. God is patient—and sent many warnings—but eventually the warnings ran out and God’s Judgement came.
Lately Larry and I have watched a few reality shows and I am a little taken back with these shows where people go to Church on Sundays and call themselves Christians—yet—their lives reflect nothing like being a Christ Follower…[Forgiveness, Love, Work Ethic] in fact there are brawl fights, gossip and lies, getting drunk, and getting even—which makes for Compelling television but not great Christ Followers. I’m wondering if these people genuinely believe they are following—Christ?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven… I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21,23 NIV)
But I was quickly reminded of a time when God dealt with me on this very subject. A few years into my walk--it became evident that Jesus was my Savior, but I had not made HIM my LORD. I could easily say that my life didn’t fully reflect Christ’s values if put under a microscope. It cut deep to my heart and required a season of mourning and repentance. I’m so thankful for God’s patience with me. God is SO Good! God’s Rightful Place is—LORD and Savior. Meaning--HE has the right to tell me how to live my life according to His WORD—I don’t make a plan and then try to “add” God into it.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)
We are ALL on that line moving to the right from glory-to-glory. I want to keep moving to the right.
Because the only thing we will take into heaven with us is our Character.
“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Thank YOU for Your Goodness and Mercy and Grace. Your Love that is unending. Bring me to Your Well to be filled each day. Root me deeply in Your Word that is wisdom for every situation. Root me deeply in Your Love that breaks down all barriers to show Your Love to others. Help me to serve You in ALL of my ways. Give me Your eyes to see who the one is as I go out—where is the harvest ripe. Here I am Lord, send me. In Jesus Name, Amen