February 4-7 - Ezekiel 29-32
(Download the January - June 2012 Bible Reading Plan Here.)
These chapters focus on Egypt, the nation that the Jews trusted instead of trusting the Lord (Isa. 30:1–7; 31:1–3). Ezekiel detailed four illustrations of the coming judgment of Egypt.
The capturing of a monster (29). The king of Egypt thought he was a great monster, guarding his royal river; but God said he was only a weak reed in the river (29:6–7). God would capture the monster and show Pharaoh that He owned the Nile River and could do with it what He pleased. The Babylonians would come and plunder Egypt, and Pharaoh would not be able to stop them.
The breaking of arms (30). God would break Pharaoh’s arm and not allow it to heal, but He would strengthen Nebuchadnezzar’s arms and give him victory over Egypt and her many allies. No more would God’s people turn to Egypt for help.
The cutting down of a great tree (31). This message was for Pharaoh, who thought his nation was indestructible. Assyria once had the same idea, but look what God did to her. God would rebuke Pharaoh’s pride, cut down his nation, and cast it into hell (vv. 15, 17).
The trapping of animals (32). Egypt was strong and active like a young lion, but the nation would be caught in God’s net and go down into the Pit with all the other great nations of that era.
Remember that God is the King and rules among the nations as He pleases. What He does has one grand purpose: that the nations may know He is the Lord (29:6, 9; 30:8, 19, 26). When nations and rulers start to think they are gods, God has to remind them that He alone is the God of all the earth. Nebuchadnezzar himself had to learn that lesson (Dan. 4).
February 8 - Ezekiel 33
God warns (1–11). God had ordained Ezekiel to be a watchman (3:16ff.), but now the people were to ordain their own watchmen in each territory. The three key words are sword, trumpet, and blood. When you see the sword coming, blow the trumpet and warn the people; otherwise, their blood will be on your hands (Acts 20:26–27). (See Prov. 24:10–12.)
God is fair (12–20). Review chapter 18 where Ezekiel defended God’s fairness in sending judgment to His people. This is a plea for repentance, for God wants each of us to have a broken and a contrite heart (Ps. 51:17). We should not judge God but allow Him to judge us. (See Mic. 7:18–19; Heb. 10:11–18.)
God judges (21–29). For seven years, the prophet had been silent except when delivering a message (3:26). His words about Jerusalem had been fulfilled, and he could engage in normal conversation again. But his first words had to do with the nation’s sins! How could the people call God unfair when they were so guilty before the law of God?
God sees the heart (30–33). Imagine calling a watchman’s warnings “a very lovely song”! They did not take God’s Word seriously; if they had, they would have obeyed it (James 1:21–27). Complimenting the preacher is not the same as obeying the Master. (See Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:8–9.)
February 9 - Ezekiel 34
The watchman serves the people in times of danger, but the shepherd cares for them day after day; and we need both. The civil and religious leaders were expected to shepherd the nation by feeding them, uniting them, and protecting them from enemies. But Israel’s leaders exploited the flock in order to feed themselves, scattered the flock, and failed to protect the flock from danger. See Acts 20 for Paul’s example of faithful shepherding.
One day God will seek His people and bring them back to their land, and He will be their shepherd. Note the “I will” statements in this message, and see what assurance they bring to hearts even today.
Today, Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 13:20–21), and He cares for His own. He sends “showers of blessing” on the dry land and makes it into a garden (vv. 26, 29). What a difference it makes when the Lord is in control!
February 10 - Ezekiel 35
God announced blessing for Jacob, but He pronounced judgment on Edom, the descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau (25:12–14). The Edomites were guilty of sins that are still practiced today.
Hatred (5). Their grudge went all the way back to Genesis 27, and they would not forgive and forget. How tragic that brothers could not dwell together in unity (Ps. 133)!
Anger and envy (11). When you hate others, you are envious of their blessings and angry when they succeed. The Edomites revealed their anger when they helped the Babylonians ravage Jerusalem (Obad. 10–14). Are you envious when others succeed and glad when they fail? Then you may be carrying a grudge. Beware! The judgment you want to fall on your enemy may fall on you (v. 15)!
Pride (12). The Edomites boasted of their great security in the rocks (Obad. 1–4), but God would bring them down in humiliation (Jer. 49). God still resists the proud—whether in nations or individuals—but gives grace to the humble (1 Pet. 5:5).
Grudges |
Some people nurse a grudge the way a mother nurses a child: they love it, cherish it, and cannot live without it. But they forget that the child is growing and may one day turn on them and destroy them. A grudge against an enemy is a very expensive thing, no matter how much enjoyment you may get nursing it. Ponder Matthew 5:21–26, 43–48. |
February 11 - Ezekiel 36
From this chapter on, the prophet focuses on reinhabiting the land, rebuilding the temple, and restoring the kingdom to the glory of God.
In His grace, God will bring the land from desolation to delight (vv. 33–36), and His people from dispersion to regathering (v. 24) and from defilement to cleansing (vv. 25–29). God will remove the disgrace of the people and bring great glory to His name (vv. 20–23). “I am for you!” says the Lord (v. 9); and “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
There is no future for those who persist in their sins, but those who confess and forsake their sins shall always find mercy with God (Prov. 28:13).
Confessing Sin |
There is a difference between merely admitting sin and confessing sin. When we have confessed our sins sincerely to the Lord, we despise them and forsake them; even their very memory upsets us (Ezek. 36:31; see also 6:9). If the |
February 12 - Ezekiel 37
Resurrection (1–14). The nation seemed to be hopeless, like an army of skeletons in a desert. But God can give life through His Word (vv. 4, 7) and His Spirit (v. 14; the Hebrew word for “breath” also means “Spirit”). One day, the nation of Israel will be resurrected spiritually and will know their God.
Reconciliation (15–28). Not only will the dead nation receive life, but the divided nation will be united in a covenant of peace. There will be no more “Ephraim” and “Judah,” but one nation with one king and one temple.
According to Ephesians 2, God is doing this today. He is raising lost sinners from the dead (Eph. 2:1–10) and reconciling Jews and Gentiles into one temple (Eph. 2:11–22). These spiritual miracles take place when you and I share the life-giving Word in the power of the Spirit of God.
The Breath of Life |
The breath of God was breathed into man at creation (Gen. 2:7), into the Word when it was written (2 Tim. 3:16), and upon the disciples to empower them for ministry (John 20:22). It will one day sweep over God’s chosen people and make them a new nation. Meanwhile, God longs to send the “wind of revival” to His church; and He will, if we honor His Word, pray, and depend on the Spirit of God. |