Ezekiel 4 is an interesting chapter. Why did God have Ezekiel lie on his left side and then place the sins of Israel on him for 390 days? He had to lay on his side one day for every year of their sin. Then Ezekiel had to spend another 40 days for 40 years of sin that Judah committed. There is probably a lot of significant reasons God did this and without further study I don't have the immediate answer. However, from purely a New Testament perspective, this certainly points to Jesus and the atonement for our sins.
But there is much more here than just that. God ties him up and he puts him on a rather meager diet. He pleads with the Lord over a defilement issue of using human dung vs. cow dung and the Lord hears his request and grants it.
Bottom line is this, sin hurts. The nations had defiled themselves by turning their backs on God. Sin requires some kind of payment. There must be an atonement for sin. The symbolism is obvious to me. The reality of the suffering for sin is difficult for any one.
So what is the practical lesson for you and me. Love God! Love Him with all of our heart and do not turn from Him. The consequences of turning away from our God are significant and they hurt.
JOY
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Ezekial Was Appointed a Watchman
What is the job description for a watchman? What's the purpose of a watchman? God set the description and the purpose statement for Ezekial in chapter 3 and verse 16-21. Basically it was Exekial's job to warn the people of God's word and God's judgment. ""Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel, Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately." (NLT) Failure to heed the message was costly for those who would not listen. Failure to deliver the message was just as costly. This was serious stuff!
Verse 20 sets the tone, "If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavoir and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in thier sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths." (NLT) How would you like that job? Talk about accountability and responsiblity!!!!
I have just a couple of thoughts, 1) There is a righteous standard to live by and 2) Failure to adhere to that righteous standard is costly.
Here's the problem in our world today 'who determines the standard of righteousness?'
The short answer is God. The longer response is that God already has set the standard before us and it is recorded in His Word. He uses his prophets and preachers to proclaim that message. It's not to be taken lightly by the messengers due to the high level of responsiblity if we don't do it. People die without hearing the word. Flipant response on trivial issues within a system of a denomination can get in the way of delivering the message. So much so that we can be off message. It's not my job to judge any preahcer or prophet. My job is to be faithful to the great commission of Jesus Christ. We need to stay on message. Each local church has a huge responsiblity to stay on message, "make new disciples".
Pray that God will loose our tongues with words of righteousness. We must speak the truth in love and compassion, but none the less we must speak the truth. Our sin is a failure to proclaim the truth of God as he has revealed himself through Jesus Christ and through his Holy Spirit. We must stand boldly before the world and proclaim the message of Christ.
Verse 20 sets the tone, "If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavoir and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in thier sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths." (NLT) How would you like that job? Talk about accountability and responsiblity!!!!
I have just a couple of thoughts, 1) There is a righteous standard to live by and 2) Failure to adhere to that righteous standard is costly.
Here's the problem in our world today 'who determines the standard of righteousness?'
The short answer is God. The longer response is that God already has set the standard before us and it is recorded in His Word. He uses his prophets and preachers to proclaim that message. It's not to be taken lightly by the messengers due to the high level of responsiblity if we don't do it. People die without hearing the word. Flipant response on trivial issues within a system of a denomination can get in the way of delivering the message. So much so that we can be off message. It's not my job to judge any preahcer or prophet. My job is to be faithful to the great commission of Jesus Christ. We need to stay on message. Each local church has a huge responsiblity to stay on message, "make new disciples".
Pray that God will loose our tongues with words of righteousness. We must speak the truth in love and compassion, but none the less we must speak the truth. Our sin is a failure to proclaim the truth of God as he has revealed himself through Jesus Christ and through his Holy Spirit. We must stand boldly before the world and proclaim the message of Christ.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Trying it again!
I know I'm not much of a blogger, but I thought I would try it again for those who just might take a look now and then. I know I will be an infrequent blogger, but sometimes I just need to say a few things.
I just finised 16 weeks of classes through an online seminary. The class on Apologetics was fun and the New Testament class renewed my thinking on some of the old criticisms that I had kind of turned away from. In any event the old noggin got a few cob webs loosened up. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to take more classes on church planting. However, the work really keeps me busy and does not allow much time for anything else. I'm glad I have the summer to get some things done around the house.
I'm also preaching at my home church for a while since our pastor resigned last week. I must admit this will be a new challenge for me, but one I'm excited to be a part of.
Hopefully I will do more in the days ahead for now that's it.
I just finised 16 weeks of classes through an online seminary. The class on Apologetics was fun and the New Testament class renewed my thinking on some of the old criticisms that I had kind of turned away from. In any event the old noggin got a few cob webs loosened up. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to take more classes on church planting. However, the work really keeps me busy and does not allow much time for anything else. I'm glad I have the summer to get some things done around the house.
I'm also preaching at my home church for a while since our pastor resigned last week. I must admit this will be a new challenge for me, but one I'm excited to be a part of.
Hopefully I will do more in the days ahead for now that's it.
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