"And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them [Israel] with contempt, they will know that I am the LORD their God."
Ezekiel 28:26 (emphasis mine)
Ezekiel 28:26 (emphasis mine)
As I read today's reading I was at a loss for what to write about. The destruction of Tyre and fall of Jerusalem, especially the punishment that fell upon Zedekiah was less than inspiring. Then I brushed over a familiar phrase. As I prepared to move on still uninspired, my mind rushed back to the familiar phrase. How could I have missed it? Then I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit..."this is why I do what I do?"
"So you [they] will know that I am God." Twenty-eight times in the NLT the phrase "you will know that I am the LORD" is used. Thirty-six times in the NLT the phrase "they will know that I am the LORD" is used. (They refers to Egypt primarily but also to other enemies of Israel.)
This phrase is so simple yet full of meaning and intention, isn't it? It states all the Lord wants. All the Lord wants is to be known. He is the Creator. He is the Maker. He is.... He wants to be known, not ignored. He wants to be known, not mocked. He wants to known, not denied.
When I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit, I sensed a sadness in the whisper. My heart ached. I have a renewed urgency to make Him known, to live my life for His renown. He wants to be noticed not ignored. He wants to be exalted not mocked. He wants to accepted, not denied. Let's decide today to live so that everyone will know that He is the Lord.
This phrase is so simple yet full of meaning and intention, isn't it? It states all the Lord wants. All the Lord wants is to be known. He is the Creator. He is the Maker. He is.... He wants to be known, not ignored. He wants to be known, not mocked. He wants to known, not denied.
When I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit, I sensed a sadness in the whisper. My heart ached. I have a renewed urgency to make Him known, to live my life for His renown. He wants to be noticed not ignored. He wants to be exalted not mocked. He wants to accepted, not denied. Let's decide today to live so that everyone will know that He is the Lord.
13 Comments:
Dear Wendy,
Thank you for your nugget today. I too was feeling down and struggling to see the light in this reading. But God is consistent and He is faithful.
Even when He was telling Ezekiel to proclaim the destruction of Tyre, He put in the hymn a reflection of the beauty that once was before corruption and turning from God changed it all. The nation was like a beautiful ship built by the finest craftsmen. The sacred colors of blue and purple adorned it. The King was likewise beautiful and richly blessed:
“You were the model of perfection,
full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.
13 You were in Eden,
the garden of God.
Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone[k]—
red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone,
blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper,
blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald—
all beautifully crafted for you
and set in the finest gold.
They were given to you
on the day you were created.
14 I ordained and anointed you
as the mighty angelic guardian.
You had access to the holy mountain of God
and walked among the stones of fire.
15 “You were blameless in all you did
from the day you were created
until the day evil was found in you.
The LORD gave him these riches and this wisdom. He anointed the king as the mighty angelic guardian. Wow! What riches are we blind to? What blessings did the LORD bestow on us the day we were created? Are we still adorned, or has evil been found in us?
Lastly, the final verse struck me; Jer. 39:10
But Nebuzaradan left a few of the poorest people in Judah, and he assigned them vineyards and fields to care for.
This is the remnant that God has been speaking of. Remember Jeremiah 21:9 foretold this very thing:
9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life.
God saves the humble, the meek, the faithful, the gentle at heart.
Matthew 5:5
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Be blessed,
Karen, Basel
Wendy, I wrote on that very same phrase on Sunday, only from Ezekiel 25:5. "Then" moments. Each time it followed a list of horrific consequences for sin. Punishment for choices made as the people wandered down paths, abandoning God.
Unable to see their own godlessness, the Lord needed to get their attention. Repeated disobedience had toughened their skin making them callus to the gentle nudge of His Spirit inviting them to repent and return. Forgiveness was not appreciated. It was taken for granted. God’s grace was expected and so sin continued to abound. Pride and arrogance were a double blindfold over their mind, keeping them from understanding the error of their ways. There was no reverent fear of the Lord. They were serving the almighty. Self almighty.
Currently someone in our family has made a choice to wander from the Lord, and it frigthens me what 'then' moment the Lord will have to use to bring them back so that they will know that He is the Lord.
Today I wrote about Ezekiel 28:17, “Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor.” I shared some quotes from great minds like C. S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Solomon, and other prophets, concluding with God's view of pride. Like you said above Karen, God saves the humble.
Praying this fruit of His Spirit will continue to grow in my life.
I would appreciate your prayers today for our family. My husband went into work this morning knowing an announcement will be made, cutting 10 more Engineers from his area. We are trusting the Lord, knowing that whatever happens, the decision has been sifted through God's hand.
Surrendered to His plan,
Joy
Joy
Oh, Wendy I love the Holy Spirit whispering to you! Continually, God is drawing us to Him. Longing for us to have a desire in our heart to make Him known. After all He has done for us. I pray that He will shine out of me in all that I do.
I've noticed the past couple of days that several chapters were taken to go into detail re: the destruction of Tyre. Prior to this we read about the other 5 enemies of Judah & the promises of destruction. All kingdoms were not obeying God. All had turned to idols. Tyre was one of the richest cities of the world. "Mighty gateway to the sea...trading center of the world..." (27:1) God was angry with Tyre because this nation was happy re: the collapse of Jerusalem. Now, its competition no longer was a threat. (26:2-yesterday's reading)This smug attitude of Tyre over Jerusalem's fall is detested by God. How many times do we resent the success of our rivals? Or envious of others' positions? What are our thoughts when another child receives the position we wanted for our own child? Gal. 5:19, "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear:...selfish ambition... envy...Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."
This attitude that Tyre had should be a warming to all of us that get caught doing the very same thing. There is no doubt about it, if we are not filled with the Holy Spirit, & seeking God through His Word, we will follow the desire of our sinful nature.
God's Word is so full of wisdom. I pray that each day I know Him more through His precious Word.
Today may others' see Christ in us. May we seek His Glory in everything we do. Enjoy today dear reading buddies! Love each and everyone of you! Even those of you who are only commenting now/then. You are in my prayers too! :) Lori -AZ
Wendy, and ladies,
THANK YOU for your insights. I have been feeling SO weighed down by all the destruction in Ezekiel, yet you guys always find a glimmer of wisdom and hope. Sometimes I think my brain is just too concrete; i get focused on the verse to verse "trees" and miss the "forest" entirely.
Thanks You Lord, for your whisperings to Wendy! Thanks Karen, for the reminders of the gifts given on the day we were created.
Offline this weekend, and am so excited to see that you'll be doing the study again in 2010, Wendy. I too, joined the study late in the year and am really looking forward to starting again from the beginning.
Have a great day everyone!
Be blessed,
Allyson
Wendy, and ladies,
THANK YOU for your insights. I have been feeling SO weighed down by all the destruction in Ezekiel, yet you guys always find a glimmer of wisdom and hope. Sometimes I think my brain is just too concrete; i get focused on the verse to verse "trees" and miss the "forest" entirely.
Thanks You Lord, for your whisperings to Wendy! Thanks Karen, for the reminders of the gifts given on the day we were created.
Offline this weekend, and am so excited to see that you'll be doing the study again in 2010, Wendy. I too, joined the study late in the year and am really looking forward to starting again from the beginning.
Have a great day everyone!
Be blessed,
Allyson
Oops! Sorry for the double comment!
Thank you for sharing this. It was humbling and very encouraging.
Wendy,
Like you, I felt the "weight" of the passage was too hard to bear... oh my foolish pride! But the Bible says, "A bruised reed He will not break..." Is 42 & Matt 12. As Karen noted, "God saves the humble..."
What an attitude difference between King Solomon and King Tyre. They both amassed great wealth and widsom... but Solomon never forgot who he was - or I should say "Whose" he was. When the Lord confronted Solomon, he bowed down in humility like a bruised reed.
King Tyre, in his prideful arrogance, refused to bow down and was broken. "But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish." Is 1:28
May I always be willing to bend to His will, even when I'm "on the anvil."
Hey ladies,
Love the posts, thank you Wendy. I haven't posted much but wanted to let you know I was listening and God is good.
Diane
Hi Wendy:
That is the same phrase that keeps getting my attention. To know He is God. Oh I want to bow my heart and knee to Him, knowing He is God. I pray our hearts are humble and obedient; not prideful and stubborn. I pray we don't have to learn the painful way.
Thanks, Wendy! Always "good stuff"!
I loved this commentary. "So they will know that I am God". This is what life is all about, isn't it? To point to Him. If it takes pain and suffering for me to be part of His perfect plan, then I need to feel honored He chose to use me. I pray I can really sink my heart and mind around this idea. Lord, strengthen my faith and resolve in You.
Morgen
Great news everyone!!!! Rejoicing tonight that my husband wasn't one who lost his job in the big cut today. Thank You Lord. Praying for those who didn't go home with good news.
Thanks for your prayers,
Joy
Dear Wendy,
I so need to begin to follow your reading plan too. I have been working my way through the Proverbs this year.
As I read your comments, the song lyrics "He is the Lord, forever His truth shall reign. Heaven and earth rejoice in His Holy name. The King is exalted, forever exalted on high ..."
To make Him known is the job of every believer. My prayer today is that I do just that to His glory and honor.
Blessings,
Karrie
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