Ezekiel 24-26
Ezekiel 24
This is probably one of the grimmest chapters in the book.
Vs. 1-2 Although Ezekiel is hundreds of miles away, He is told of the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. This would last for about two years.
Vs. 3-14 This is another parable of the total cleansing the people needed. In an earlier chapter the people had called the city a pot. Here, God says the pot is totally corrupt and needs to be melted down.
Vs. 15-18 The death of Ezekiel's wife and his lack of mourning would be a sign to the people. I'm not sure what the message was that he brought the people that morning. I don't think the message was that his wife would die. It might have been the message in 3-14, of the siege of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel was only 34 when this happened, meaning that his wife was young too. All of this would have been a shock for the community.
When we say, "Take my life," we mean, "And do something cool with it." We have the idea that the men in the Bible must have had great lives, especially if they had a book named after them. Not so. Lots of younger people die, but you'd have thought that God would have gone easy on Ezekiel and spared his wife. Yet if she was a follower too, she had yielded her life to God. Jesus said to his followers to "take up their cross daily." The cross meant death. Once again we come to the place of asking what we really understand about discipleship and following Christ on this planet. What is this, down here, really all about?
This is why I like the RSV translation of Romans 8:28, "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." The "with" gives the sense of God using us, for His good in His purpose, but not necessarily for the comfort and longevity of our life on earth. This life isn't about us and happiness on earth. This also fits well with Romans 8:36, "As it is written, 'For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.'" For the sake of God, for the good purpose He is working in the world to see Christ exalted and the lost saved, sometimes it is better that we die young or suffer misforture.
This was the life of many of the prophets and great men of the Bible. Having a book of the Bible named after you almost certainly meant you suffered. They were used by God for the good and they are now at rest with God enjoying the benefits of where they put their treasure. As disciples, we give our lives to Christ, as He gave His life to His Father.
Vs. 19-24 The community was appalled at her death and even more at Ezekiel's behavior. That she was "the delight" of Ezekiel's eyes, means that this was a very loving relationship and it would have been a deep loss for Ezekiel. For Ezekiel not to mourn publicly was not human. God got their attention.
Vs. 25-27 This would happen two years later. Notice that Ezekiel was mute and that that muteness would be taken away. I wonder how he had communicated with his wife.
Ezekiel 25
This is pretty straight-forward. These prophetic judgments were for the events surrounding the taking of Jerusalem, and the joy the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites and Philistines would take in the destruction of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 26
This pronouncement against Tyre and Sidon will actually go through chapter 28, and there will be one of those descriptions of the pride and downfall of Satan in this message.
This chapter is the destruction of the city. Just as a short summary of events, Tyre rejoiced over the destruction of Jerusalem, but Nebuchadnezzar returned to assault them too. There were settlements on the coast, but the city of Tyre was an island. Nebuchadnezzar went after the city for 18 years and finally took it by surrender. Later, this proud city defied Alexander the Great too. He actually filled in part of the Mediterranean Sea, making a road out to the city on the island, and then destroyed it.
Hebrews 11:1-16
So, if we understand the hard times these believers were facing, we can understand why the writer now turns them to the "hall of faith." Following Christ by faith is the only answer for them, but it will mean hardship and persecution. In the next chapter, the example of suffering faith will be Jesus. Here, the author is showing that following in faith has never been easy.
Vs. 1-3 Notice that all of these aspects of faith are built upon us having valid information. This faith, this assurance, conviction, commendation and understanding come from the Word and the revealed character of God. Faith is not irrational belief and pie-in-the-sky.
Vs. 4-6 The lives of Abel and Enoch are summarized by verse six. Notice that one of these guys was murdered and one of them never died, but both pleased God and were used by God for good.
Notice that part of faith is based in knowing God, and part of it is seen in seeking Him.
V. 12 Just as trivia, "as good as dead" is used by Paul talking about Abraham's faith in Romans 4. We've read about the life of Abraham. Anyone who thinks the lives of Abraham and Sarah were easy, didn't read closely.
Vs. 13-16 This is very important, both for the people in Hebrews and for us. Nothing erodes our faith like wanting heaven and comfort on earth. Jesus said that the seed that didn't bear mature fruit, wanted peace on earth. Jesus said He didn't come to bring peace on earth, but instead people would be divided, based on a person's response to Him and His sacrifice to save mankind.
Psalm 110
I have to think that this very messianic psalm was written sometime after David was promised that his offspring would continue on the throne and sometime before his actions with Bathsheba.
Think through every verse. Some of these clearly apply to the Lord's coming at the end of the tribulation.
You recognize verse four, right?
Proverbs 27:14
I think the thought here is to greet people according to who they are. Or, as we see elsewhere, to rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn. A positive attitude doesn't always win the day if it is poorly expressed.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
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