"Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make the fall into sin."
Ezekiel 14:3
"put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity"
NASB
Ezekiel 14:3
"put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity"
NASB
My Take Aways
Something Old:
The Lord finds us abandoned. He picks us up, cleans us off, and dresses us anew-in splendor (16:14). Our response is to give ourselves away to the lusts of this world and our flesh. But each time we return to God He graciously picks us up, cleans us off, and dresses us anew, in splendor.
Something New:
Ezekiel 16:63
Even after all the Israelites had done, He promises to forgive them. They first must face the shame of their sin which is painful but very necessary for freedom.
Something to Do:
Allow the Holy Spirit to examine my heart to expose the stumbling blocks I have placed right in front of my face. Surrender the desire for the stumbling block to the Lord.
Gabriel's link
Love Lincoln Brewster
14 Comments:
Good morning all!
Fall has come early to Switzerland. I am enjoying the beach scenes and the summer light on the vlog and I miss it... Though last night the clouds were a perfect reflecting surface for the setting sun, creating a beautiful evening sky!
Today I found a lot of things to ponder. I felt the whole section on the betrayal of God by Jerusalem spoke volumes to me! But before I get into that, I wanted to share a bit of what I found out about the three Godly men who would only be able to save themselves (Eze. 14:12-23); Noah, Daniel, and Job. Daniel? I thought he and Ezekiel were contemporaries, why was he mentioned?
Some say this passage does not refer to the prophet Daniel that we were only just introduced to, but to an older "honored" Daniel spoken of in ancient Ugaritic texts. However, I found another set of commentaries that dispute this explanation. Here is an excerpt from the commentary by Burton Coffman. You can read more here: http://www.studylight.org/com/bcc/view.cgi?book=eze&chapter=14&verse=14#Eze14_14
"The positive reasons that support the identification of this Daniel mentioned by Ezekiel with the author of the prophecy of Daniel are: (1) no other Daniel was known either by Ezekiel or the people who heard his prophecies. The foolish allegation that they knew all about the Ras Shamra tablets and some ancient worthy who allegedly lived in 1,400 B.C. is so unreasonable as to appear preposterous. (2) On the other hand, every Jew on earth knew all about the Daniel who was the esteemed favorite of the king of Babylon, who had survived the Lion's Den, and who had already procured countless blessings for the captive Israelites, and who was, in effect, a royal deputy of the most powerful Nebuchadnezzar. If Ezekiel had meant any other Daniel, he most certainly would have said so. (3) There's not a word about that "other Daniel" in the Old Testament, and if he had been all that famous, it is totally inexplicable how his name got left out of the Bible! (4) a number of top rank scholars have pointed out how worthless is the alleged support for the other Daniel.
There is no shadow of evidence for the view of some commentators that an older Daniel is referred to. Had there been such a person eminent enough to be classed with Noah and Job, there would have been some mention of him in the Old Testament."
And Adam Clark's commentary agrees:
"The intercession even of the holiest of men shall not avert my judgments. Noah, though a righteous man, could not by his intercession preserve the old world from being drowned. Job, though a righteous man, could not preserve his children from being killed by the fall of their house. Daniel, though a righteous man, could not prevent the captivity of his country. Daniel must have been contemporary with Ezekiel. He was taken captive in the third year of Jehoiakim, Daniel 1:1. After this Jeholakim reigned eight years, 2 Kings 23:36. And this prophecy, as appears from Ezekiel 8:1, was uttered in the sixth year of Jehoiachin's captivity, who succeeded Jehoiakim, and reigned only three months, 2 Kings 24:6,8. Therefore at this time Daniel had been fourteen years in captivity. See Newcome. Even at this time he had gained much public celebrity. From this account we may infer that Job was as real a person as Noah or Daniel; and of their identity no man has pretended to doubt. When God, as above, has determined to punish a nation, no intercession shall avail. Personal holiness alone can prevent these evils; but the holiness of any man can only avail for himself."
Thoughts to ponder. More next as this is getting long.
Karen
Hi again,
Okay, so on to Ezekiel 16:1-34; Parts of this section were so beautiful and poignant, and others were so shocking. One of the beautiful passages is Eze. 16:8 - And when I passed by again, I saw that you were old enough for love. So I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared my marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.
He loved His people, He rescued them, He bathed them, He blessed them. They were famous because of their "beauty". Eze. 16:15- 16
“But you thought your fame and beauty were your own. So you gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was theirs for the asking. You used the lovely things I gave you to make shrines for idols, where you played the prostitute. Unbelievable! How could such a thing ever happen? "
I stand convicted. I see my blessings, my strength, my gifts, all from God, sometimes as my own. I wander off confident in my own self and "prostitute" these gifts. How can such a thing happen!
Eze. 16:44 - Everyone who makes up proverbs will say of you, ‘Like mother, like daughter.’
Here is something else to ponder. I have two daughters. What will this proverb mean of me? Will they be Godly? Will they walk closely with the Lord? Or will they, who were born in the Lord, be sacrificed to "my gods"?
But the good news is it is not too late to influence this outcome. (Eze. 16:60, 62) "Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord."
He has not given us what we deserve. He has taken away our sin. Through the new covenant that He has made with us, He wipes our tears away and restores our hope.
Thank you Father, that I am on this side of the New Testament! Thank You for marking my sins PAID. Thank you for remembering Your covenant and establishing Your everlasting covenant with me.
Karen, Basel
Karen,
Thanks for the information about Daniel. I just assumed it was the lions' den one. It's interesting to know what a big deal he was at this time!
Calling people a worthless vine reminded me of this verse: Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-6 Without Him, we aren't anything. The people had become nothing because they had removed themselves from God. They thought they had value in and of themselves, but their value and beauty was truly in the eyes of the only beholder who matters - God. Without Him, they went from being a productive, growing vine to being worthless.
Do I remember where I came from? Who has gifted me? What He asks of me? To hold tightly to Him? To say 'no' to all the chocolate in front of me? ;-)
I know that I should know this, but where are modern day Sodom and Samaria??
Gotta go - have to practice getting short people up for school!
My Old:
We have to watch out for the idols that slip into our days, robbing us from the Lord’s presence. “pride, gluttony, and laziness” (Ezekiel 16:49).
My New:
Back on July 25th the people were told their purpose: “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory” (Isaiah 49:3) and “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me, I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (49:6).
But what were the Israelites doing now? Oh, they were going to church, like we do today, only they were attending the Temple, where they offered sacrifices to God, but, they were worshipping popular gods of other nations. They were not living the purpose that they were called to do. God desired a devoted people, a people who gave Him their whole heart.
My To Do: What today is replacing Christ in my heart? “but you still weren’t satisfied” (16:29). Only Christ will bring us satisfaction. Back then, it was Ezekiel, coming to the people with “another message ...from the LORD: confront Jerusalem with her detestable sins. Give her...the message from the Sovereign LORD” (1-3). But, we have it even better today, for we don’t have a man bringing us a message, reminding us that we’ve slipped up! We have the Holy Spirit inside us, guiding us and counseling us, and whispering to us, when we are not being obedient. The devil makes it easy for us to slip up – He’s the one arranging for those opportunities where we put things right before our eyes, oh, we think, just this one time…for me it always gets back to ice-cream! Smile I know it does not satisfy me – only, His Word - sweeter than honey! That is where my focus needs to be. On Him. Loving Him and experiencing Him in everything I do and see and hear.
Ya’ll –your posts yesterday were so, so, so good. You teach me so much! I may try and get back later with more comments…now, I’m taking little cone-head on a walk, a short one, but, truly he needs to see the outside world again! What a difference a day can make! Hugs, Lori
Hi Amy,
Hope those short people are up! Here is a link to a map that shows the believed location of Sodom and Gomorrah: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/biblemaps/10?sr=1
and here is the site on Google maps:
http://maps.google.com/?q=31.19655990600586,35.39648437500000%20%28Sodom%29&t=h&z=8
I hope you have a great day!
Karen
Good morning, GIGs,
Wendy, great vlog. Thank you. When does Blair (sp?) start school, and what grade?
Karen, I agree that these were some beautiful passages today.
My nugget: (Ezekiel 16:62-63)
"And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the LORD. You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!"
Wendy, the "sin in front of my face" is when I get away from immersing myself in the Word (like last week on vacation) and then I revert to old habits of thinking. I revert to not appreciating Who my blessings come from and I revert to being judgmental and wanting to control things to MY liking. Yuck!
Today as I read, I could see very clearly that what God wants of me is the same as what I want from my husband and children - to be in relationship with them, to be loved, and to be appreciated. And I need an occasional "thank you" tossed my way. That, all by itself, can keep me happy, as I am a real "words of affirmation" girl, (to quote Dr. Gary Chapman's "Five Languages of Love"). It all boils down to love , as Jesus will teach so well in the New Testament.
Have a blessed, 4:8 day, all.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
2nd time. Ouch. Hit the wrong key, wonder which one it was, so I won't do that again.
After loosing my beloved and still in the briar patch of greiving, I yelled out to the Lord, OK, my husband is with you now, I am not sorry about that, but I am left behind and I need a husband, so LORD that will be you. Did Not remember that I could claim Isaih 54:5. "For your Maker is your husband, the LORD Almighty is His name the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, He is called the God of all the earth". Gigs, I could not ask for more. How much better could I ask for. I tell you that to come to today's reading. When God is telling about this baby, that to be old enough for love. I took this personally. If God could do this for one person, I then could be that person. I thought I had it good with my beloved, GOD'S BLESSINGS ARE THE BEST, JUST THE BEST. I have the memories of the wonderful time with my beloved, and the assurance of a Maker that gave me more than I can ever picture and endure. I mansion waiting for me, takes complete care of me while on this planet before moving to the mansion. sidebar - sure am glad I don't have to get on the floor to lay prostate before Him, I can just sit in a chair and lay on my desk. ANd the best part of that is no one has to come over and get me up off the floor. LOL
Karen, thank you for quoting Adam Clark about Daniel. And Karen, I prayed your prayer with you. Very sweet.
Amy, I too don't quite get the vine not being "good for wood". Yet Christ pictures Himself as the vine. Some one else could comment on that.
Donna - TX
This past week, the vlogs you have done Wendy and the sharing by the GIG have been so very powerful. Thank you for your sharing.
Chapter 14 illustrates how our salvation is our own. We cannot depend on others for it. Also, just because we live righteous lives does not mean disaster will not come (hello.. is there a better example than Job?)
The vine in chapter 15 is dead; it is no longer producing fruit, thus is only good for burning, like wood..
How short people's memories are (yep, mine, too). God had taken a nothing group of people, Israel, lavished His love on them, provided for them, made them into a great nation, but when they became great, when they prospered, they turned their head and became like the wife turned prostitute. God was forgotten. Lord, please remind me when my memory seems short of all you have done and are doing for me.
Have a great day all!
Dixie, I love the invitation and have saved that to share with others. Praying for you.
Gaylene
Hi friends! I had a busy day yesterday moving 2 kids to college...I am glad to be back into the Word and reading your words too!
Donna...Jesus wasn't there yet, so the vine referred to in the reading wasn't the True Vine? Just a thought.
I have to watch the vlog tonite on my home computer...cannot see it at work...but the verse that spoke to me was:
Ezekiel 16:20.."Then you took your sons and daughters-the children you had borne to me-and sacrificed them to your gods"....I thought "how are we sacrificing our children today?"...we don't literally kill them and burn them in a fire to a false god (maybe a few sickos out there do)...but do I sacrifice my time with my children to the god of TV? By working outside of the home and leaving my babies for all of those precious years to the god of money? (ouch) To the god of me...do I ignore their pleas to play a board game or kick a ball? I felt very convicted with this one verse ladies.
I had a high school friend tell me not long ago that she doesn't put stock in the Bible because it is outdated...it was for the people way back then.....boy is she WRONG. We are the same as all people from the beginning of time. Thank You Dear Jesus for Your sacrifice for me. I never have or never will deserve it. May my life glorify You. Amen.
Blessed Thursday, my sisters!
Morgen
Karen,
Thank you for that well researched background info. I have to read it again to digest it all.
Jacque,
Praising God for the work He is doing in Michael's life! It warmed this mama's heart reading about it yesterday so I'm sure yours is full to the brim, too. May he continue going up the right path.
Ezekiel 14:16 "As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters." This caught my attention because it emphasizes that each person is responsible for their own salvation. I cannot assure that my sons will go to heaven just because I believe and trust Jesus as my Lord and Savior. They have to have that relationship with Him themselves. And that is my constant prayer.
Parting words from Jon Courson re the sin of pride:How can a country or an individual fall prey to the sin of pride? By prayerlessness. Pride is the reason people stop praying. Pride is identified most perfectly by its middle letter: "I can do it. I can get through this day successfully. I can raise my family. I can handle my occupation. I don't need God." If you and I are not praying it is the essence of pride because we think we can make it through life on our own power.
Ouch.
Have a blessed day dear ones!
Hi
Jennifer from Iowa - I am heading out of town tonight but I will try and get in touch with you next week.
Thanks for your message/email addy.
Jodie from Ottawa
Day 231 yall.
Wendy I loved the song you posted today.
I'm like you I don't listen to another type of music except Christian and Gospel music unless I'm with a family member and they're listening to the radio in their car or house. What's a woman of God going to do? I love being with my family. I don't cringe too much but the sad thing is I remember many of the songs they listen to on satellite radio and many of them I liked. Lord help me! Most of the books I read now are by Christian authors. Some are fiction and some are, for lack of the right words, self-help books like Beth Moore and you all from P. 31. Can any of you "word nerds" help me out with the right word for these types of Christian books that aren't Christian fiction? I do read non-Christian but they would have to be what I would call wholesome books. I skip the romance books and books with descriptions for a book that says it has strong language and descriptions of sex. I can't believe that I just wrote that. I cringe if I come across a word like that in a book I might be reading. I've set standards for myself especially when I know what my weaknesses are.
Thanks for the link to Gabriel's caring bridg page.
Wendy... Great lesson. Praise God... we do tend to be a stubborn bunch, don't we? Thanks for the reminder LORD! Thank You for for using Wendy to show me the way in this area. In Jesus' name, amen.
Jen Ren, the bookstores around here call the non-fiction Christian you are referring to as "Christian Inspirational". Very appropriate title, I think. My reading habits of late are the same as yours. And I used to like Country music, but during the few times I've tuned in to it lately, before long I'm cringing at lyrics about inappropriate behavior, and then I push the buttons back to Christian talk radio, which I love. That's where I do most of my Dr. Stanley, Focus on the Family, Through the Bible and that sort of listening.
I'm savoring these last few weeks of summer vacation in New England. Today was a glorious day, praise the Creator {smile}. Prayers for all of you coping with getting back into the fall school schedule. Heavenly Father, I pray in Jesus' name that you will provide all my busy GIGs the strength and ability to stay connected to You, Lord, care for their husbands and children, fulfill their job responsibilities, AND participate in this Bible study,in that order, Amen!
Have a blessed evening, all. Good luck filling out all those back-to-school forms! And put on some Christian music while you do it {smile}!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Post a Comment
Home