For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Ezek. 24
I think committing our lives to God is not an easy thing. There is hardship and suffering in it. This chapter talks about both removing corrosion from inside the copper pot and tearing down strongholds. I am certain both of these things are necessary for us to come to God. He must make us pure, and He must be our only pride and joy. As hard as that process is, though, it is so much harder to resist it. The thing is, everybody will eventually go through God’s refining fire and God will eventually tear down every stronghold. Far better for those who willingly subject themselves to it now. Though it is hard, God’s mercy is great. He will see us safely through the process.
Ezek. 25-26
I was thinking the other day about what it might really mean to bless or curse Israel. I can see that God judged all the nations listed here because of their response to Israel’s’ downfall. Thus, I would say that they cursed Israel. As a result, God also cursed them, according to His promise. One judgement in particular, though, sparked a thought as to what the blessing and cursing might mean.
God judged the Moabites because they said, “Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations.” (Ezek. 25:8b). My thought, then, is that blessing or cursing Israel is about understanding Israel’s position and purpose in God’s plan. She is not like any other nation. God set her apart to both show and bring us His truth. They didn’t ask for that hard road, but their faithful remnant holds a special place because of it. As Paul put it, they are the native branches on God’s olive tree (see Rom. 11).
As for the rest of us, we need to learn from their example, as I noted from yesterday’s reading. Because of Israel we know that God is the LORD and we have a path to reconcile with Him. When we acknowledge and surrender to that truth, we bless Israel and God blesses us. When we don’t, however, we suffer the same fate as her faithless. Because just as God’s salvation is for the Jews first and then for the Gentiles, so, too, is His judgment.
Ezek. 27
Tyre seems to me to have been some kind of false god. She was a stronghold and it sounds like every nation of the world sought out her provision through trade. She was a proud, powerful, wealthy, and desirable city; the best of all humanity has to offer. Thus, she was a pinnacle of human pride. Contrary to human thought, however, such pride is not a reason for honor but, rather, for lament. Why? Because, like Tyre, it is destined to fall with a mighty crash and exist no more. There is no God but the LORD.