April 12-16, 2010

And now it is planted

in the wilderness,

in a dry and thirsty land.

Ezekiel 19:13

This week we continue our journey with Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Words that have been spoken over and over are now beginning to come to pass. One can only shudder at the imagery God sets before the people. God has told them He will take them from being lush and fruitful, to being totally barren and completely dry. He has stated clearly that He withhold rain in His time of judgment. When you live in a place like New Zealand or Michigan, it is nearly impossible to understand the severity of the judgment God is bringing on Judah. But if you have ever been to the wilderness of Israel you are aware of the total devastation that lies ahead for them. Land as dry and parched as the wilderness of Israel is incapable of soaking in the waters when they do come. It’s like pouring liquid over concrete!!!

Although we continue to hear the message that Judah and Jerusalem will fall into the hands of the Babylonians, there are several points of interest that I think would be beneficial for us to stop and look at. We have already seen that Jeremiah is speaking to those who still remain in Jerusalem and the two remaining fortified cities in Judah, while Ezekiel is God’s voice to the exiles in Babylon. There is something unique in their calculation of the dates God speaks to them. It would be easy for me to tell you what it is, but I think you would get more enjoyment from it if you discovered it yourself. Jeremiah is as consistent in his declaration of the dates as Ezekiel is his. Once you make the discovery, what thoughts do you have regarding it? What does it say to us spiritually speaking?

We have heard much about God’s anger with the sins of the people and their propensity to chase after the gods of the nations that surround them. We have heard God voice His displeasure with the kings and leaders of the people. He has made His point very clear that His heart is set against the false prophets who continually lead the people astray by proclaim their own desires as the word of the Lord. This week we hear God speak of another issue He has with the priests:

Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Ezekiel 22:6

Sometime I wonder if God would not also find us as guilty? There is nothing more beautiful than to see a Bible falling apart because of constant use. But its sad to see it destroyed because of abuse! There is no regard for the preciousness of its content. It is thrown in the category of the common, carelessly tossed in the back seat of cars or couches, on floors or stuffed in drawers. I’ve watch children be allowed to leaf through the pages as though it’s a children’s book. I’ve watch them tear pages or scrunch them up while adults calmly looked on. One of the things my father taught me from childhood is the honor of God’s word. My father would neatly underline passages God had made real to him. He carefully wrote things in the margins of his Bible, dating verses God had spoken to him personally. Today I have his Bible in my library. I have sat down and gone through its pages, enjoying looking at the sections of worn pages that he frequented more often than others. I’ve been blessed as I looked at the Scriptures and dates he’d marked that gave me a glimpse of his journey through this life. But Dad’s Bible was always sacred. On rare occasions as a child I was allowed to look at his Bible and because of the love he had for God’s Word, I was aware that what I held was to be treated with the utmost respect.

In today’s Christian culture we face the danger of falling into the same pattern as those Ezekiel addresses. There are times communion is treated as an after thought that has lost its true significance. Passover has been relegated to an ancient custom that only belongs to history or in the world of the Jews. Jesus’ words, “As often as you do THIS, do it in remembrance of Me,” are often not even linked to Passover, and therefore it’s practice is lost to a vast number of believers. Pentecost will come and go in many churches without notice, or barely get an honorable mention. Perhaps you can think of some issues or events that are worth sharing!

This week we also meet two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah. We are clearly told that Oholah is also called Samaria, while Oholibah is known as Jerusalem. Why these two cities? Because Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom Israel, and Jerusalem was the capital of Judah. What can you find out about the names Oholah and Oholibah? Why does God use these two names?

We learn later on in the week that sometimes it is very dangerous to be a prophet’s wife!!! What amazing men these prophets of old were. Even through the most heartbreaking ordeals, they still remain faithful to God and His word. What examples of obedience!!! Their obedience was as extreme as the disobedience of the people. Obviously, the times called for extreme measures! I have a feeling that we are about to see and hear God speak to this world once again in the extremes.

God’s words of judgment are spoken to the neighbors surrounding Judah. Some are chastised and will be broken because of their pride, others will come under judgment because of their cruelty. But each one will find themselves under the fist of God. The message to Egypt which seals their doom is quite intriguing. Egypt is likened to Assyria and is told that they will be judged as such. I believe there is a deeper message in the words that are spoken. Do you see the hidden picture? Who else is God addressing in this passage?

May God continue to open our eyes as we journey through these solemn pages. May we not just hear the message in our heads, but may our hearts be opened to receive God’s words and warnings.