Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (Day Three)
“Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings, and I will live among them forever.” The words of the prophet Ezekiel join the writing of John in Revelation as brimming with the most hope in all of scripture. John writes: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.’” To live among us—this is what God intends. It is the future of the human race—those of that race who count on Christ. How will you live today—what will you think about, where will you go, what will you give your time to—knowing that God will make his home among us?
Month: May 2014
Many Waters
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day two).
And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. (Ezekiel 43:2 ESV) Last week we read how the Lord breathed the breath of life into the dry bones. The Spirit of God moved among them and filled them with life by the sweet life-giving breath. Now he speaks with a different voice. Have you stood on the beach and heard the mighty roar of the ocean before? Unrelenting, powerful, unequalled. He still speaks, but which voice will get our attention?
Ichabod
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day one)
“And she called the boy Ichabod, saying, ‘the glory has departed from Israel.’ ” (1 Samuel 4:21) Old story. The daughter-in-law of Eli, upon hearing the news of a great defeat and the enemy capture of the Ark of the Covenant, kneels down and gives birth and dies. (On how many levels can sin be tragic?) Before death comes, she names the boy Ichabod, which means “the glory of God has departed.” Years later, it happens again. Not the birth, but the departure of God’s glory, God’s protection/power. Ezekiel sees it in a vision. “The glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple.” (10:18) Then later, “the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood over the mountain which is east of the city.” (11:23) Graphic. Sobering. It is what David dreaded, “Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11)
Visionary
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day seven)
“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley.” (v 1) Eyes that see the invisible are a gift from God. ( 2 Corinthians 4:18) One of the promised outcomes of the Spirit’s presence and fullness is “your young men shall see visions” (Acts 2) Ezekiel is not unique in this experience. Isaiah. Daniel. Ananias (Acts 9, the conversion of Saul). Peter (Acts 10). Paul (2 Corinthians 12). All of these people give testimony to a Spirit-assisted perception of invisible reality. Vision! Stands to reason, doesn’t it? The Spirit came to “guide us into ALL truth.” (John 16:13) If so, then invisible truth, truth only seen with Spiritual eyes must be included on the list. May the church be glad for such grace. “Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me, Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.”–Clara Scott.
Life after death?
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day six)
“He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.’ ” (v 3) Is there life after death? “Yes” is the unwavering answer of the Christian faith. Dead people, dead marriages, dead churches can be resurrected by the Spirit of God. Ezekiel is less certain. He knows God CAN. He is somewhat reluctant to declare that God WILL. Those of us who live on this side of the empty tomb are more confident. “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. . .(after Him) those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end. . .(and) the last enemy to be abolished is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23-24) Christian, are you confident in the reality of life after death? Does this confidence change the way you live and make decisions and face challenges? He is Risen! Do you believe we all will be?
Dead is Dead
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day five)
We see 2 pictures of spiritual death in Ezekiel’s vision. One is visually and physically evident. It’s crystal clear. The dry bones are a visual picture of an extended period of rebellion, hopelessness, and utter ruin. The need and the problem are obvious.
The second picture is a little more complicated if just merely observing. Bones rejoined, muscles, tendons, and flesh back in place. Recognizable form is now added to the bodies and corpses. Things are taking shape and progress is being made. Wonder if there was excitement and joy at this point? Wonder if a celebration was about to ensue? To interrupt a premature conclusion, God makes Ezekiel aware of their condition. Still, they are corpses. Still, they are without life. Still, they are… dead. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy breath (Spirit) to fill these bodies. Once filled from within with the Spirit (breath) they are made alive and ready to be used by God (an army). Sound familiar? (John 3:3-5)
Hope for the Impossible
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day four) Ezekiel had a vision…God caused him to see all over the valley. There were bones everywhere. Verse 2 says “they were very dry”. God wanted Ezekiel to that there was no hope for the resurrection of these people…at least, in his power. It was inconceivable to Ezekiel that there was any hope for life, but he knew that he was dealing with the Creator of the Universe. In verse 3, God said to Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” and Ezekiel wisely answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Only the omnipotence of God could restore life to these very dry bones. There are times and events in our lives when it looks absolutely impossible. We cannot see any way out of our despair or predicament…the world seems too strong for us to survive, much less overcome. Read Matthew 19:26. We can have hope just like Ezekiel prophesied for Israel.
Over
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day three)
“I have done it, declares the Lord.” We assume the finality of things. We think we have no choice. We believe that the best days are behind us. We tell ourselves a story of defeat based on our own limited understanding. But it’s not over until the Lord says it’s over. Even when you yourself have brought about your painful circumstances, you can find your way to the future. You’ll have to take your cues from the Lord’s wisdom, but you can do it. The road ahead will be hard, and the losses painful, but your life is not over, nor are the days to come destined to condemn you to the “second best”. The Lord is not called our Redeemer for nothing.
Now Hear the Word of the Lord!
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day two)
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stoop up on their feet. Ezekiel 37:10
Is there a better description of salvation than this passage? The imagery throughout is vivid and tangible. Everyone of us has seen a skeleton and we all recognize that it is about as far from life as you can be. How different is that from our own lives before God breathes into us His Spirit? We are wasting away with no true life in us. All of us are a shell waiting to be filled, and canvas with no paint. Then a miracle happens, God by his own design and mercy breathes life into us, and we can then stand and have substance where there was none before. Aren’t you thankful for Ezekiel obedience to prophesy to skeletons? As you look out into the world consider how very similar it is to that valley of bones. But there is a breath of life waiting to give us all flesh.
Dry bones
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day one)
It is a terrible scene, month (years?) after a bloody battle with so many casualties that no one even bothered to bury the dead. Dry bones are everywhere. In a vision, Ezekiel is transported to see it. An unexpected question is posed by God. “Son of man, can these bones live?” (v 3) “Only you know the answer to that question,” the prophet says to “the God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). Three lessons are taught from this strange moment. The valley of dry bones symbolizes the resurrection at the end of time. Read John 11:24. The valley of dry bones symbolizes the resurrection of the nation of Israel. The valley of dry bones symbolizes the new life of believer who has been reborn–from death to life by the Spirit of God through the medium of the preached word. Can people and nations live again after a terrible defeat and years of spiritual deadness? Yes! Hallelujah!