TWO WOMEN
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 23
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Located at the Parliament of Greece is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The bronze shields on the walls commemorate military victories since the Greek War of Independence (1821). The monument was unveiled on 25 March 1932 (Greek Independence Day). It is guarded 24 hours a day by two members of the Presidential Guard, an elite, specially chosen unit of the Greek Army. The army of the Kingdom of Greece under the personal leadership of their king, Alexander the Great, criss-crossed the lands of Israel 200 years after Ezekiel’s time, defeating the Persians and the armies of the countries beyond Persia (Iran) as far as India.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 23:35
Therefore, thus says the Lord God:
“Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back,
Therefore, you shall bear the penalty
Of your lewdness and your harlotry.”
In yesterday’s blog we were challenged to think of reasons why God would bother to give prophecies to prophets He had called into this unusual ministry. Please feel free to put your thoughts on this “Make You Think” challenge on the response pages. Here are some of my thoughts…
(1) We can be sure He didn’t do this in order to provide work for modern “Prophecy” teachers (Dr. Hal Lindsay is a favourite. He sold over 30,000,000 copies of “The Late Great Planet Earth” book. It’s an important work. Moira Brown, who was a successful secular TV and radio personality, came to faith, to a large extent, through this book). Click here for a short bio of Moira, and here for info on Hal Lindsay.
(2) We can also be sure that He didn’t give true prophecy just to satisfy people’s curiosity about the future. As God is outside “time,” He sees the entirety of time (a human concept) from creation to the time when it is prophesied that “the elements will burn with fervent heat,” and our planet will literally “dissolve” (read 2 Peter 3:8-12). Included in Peter’s prophecy is this statement, “A day with the Lord is as a thousand years.” Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and Modern Quantum Physics give some insight as to how the Great Creator, as our First Nations refer to God, must, of necessity, be outside of “time.”
(This blog is already too long, but please stick with me)
(3) Prophecy, as in the testimony of Moira Brown, proves the fact that only God could describe events before they happened and share these predictions with His prophets in amazing detail. If these things are true (and they are), then it follows that the rest of the Bible is also trustworthy in its revelation of God’s love and His plan for our eternal salvation and Heaven.
(4) Prophecy also serves, when spoken or written by a human person, to invite God into the realm of man’s “dominion.” God gave rulership over the earth to us, and we’ve surely messed up badly. The spoken word by a representative of the human family gives authority back to God for His intervention. There are plenty of prophetic words in the Bible (one third of its content) for God to do all He knows is needed. Of course the greatest intervention of God which, as prophesied over and over again, is all about the “Son of God.” All the events of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection were prophesied in great detail (Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 53).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You gave me “dominion” (dominus…lord), and every day I give this responsibility and authority back to You! You may trust me with some decisions today, and I pray fervently that I’ll make the right ones. I believe in You Lord, and I thank You for believing in me. I pray for lots and lots of grace so as not to let You down, and so as not to disappoint You. I pray this in the Name of the One Who, as “Son of Man,” never disappointed You, Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I have not commented on the content of today’s reading. The “two women” provide Ezekiel powerful examples of the unfaithfulness of Israel, both the Northern Tribes and Judah in the south. Rather than concentrating on them, I’d like to refer to two other women, my wife, Norma-Jean, and my daughter Elaine Stacey, who visited us for a few days. Here is a picture of Norma-Jean at a beautiful flowering tree, and then I gave my wife the iPhone and she took one of Elaine and me (photos below). The trees and shrubs are beautiful here and I appreciate the glorious creations of the flowers, but nothing here on Earth can match the beauty I see in these two women! What a contrast to the women that Ezekiel describes.
Yours for the “Beauty of Jesus to be seen in us!” (click here for a Korean choir singing a medley of “Oh How He Loves You and Me” and “Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In Me”),
David
Reading today’s scripture Ezekiel 23 ( March 5), I am brought to relate the two women to Canada and USA, two nations with strong Christians roots, which have moved so far from the guidance of God’s Holy word. How we need a contintental revival, yes starting with myself. Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit over the lands.
oh yes! I pray the Holy Spirit will enter the hearts of those in Canada and United States and that all Christians will pray around the clock, every day, all the time, and may the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be poured out on all peoples in all the countries in the world!
Yes, for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in us, David! The photos are beautiful! Thank you Ger, Irene, Eleanor, and all the beautiful saints who prayed for Pastor Reynolds. This is for you, Irene!
I Love You Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iprSm9oyVpM
Thank you Beverlee…Bless you!!!
I’m not sure I am understanding the “thinking” of why God would speak through prophets. The people of that time did not have the “Comforter, Holy Spirit Teacher”. They would not have had a great deal of written word of God, I think. So what better way to communicate with people? The prophets speak what God tells them to and the people can SEE God’s communication when the events come to pass. I think it is a great way to hear from God. Unfortunately, the people don’t seem to pay attention. They go their own way. I am so very grateful that we have the Word of God AND the Holy Spirit as our Teacher. What do you think? Scripture more and more these days seems to be showing us some of the final events before Jesus’ return. Looking forward to another book and out of Ezekiel! Beautiful pictures of the ladies!
I think you are on the right track Doreen. I am so thankful I have the Holy Spiirit living in me to guide and direct. However, I need to listen to what He says to me and not go ahead of Him.
Thank you Beverlee for that beautiful song. Blessings to all, hope you have a safe and happy day. Eleanor M.
Both of you are right on, Doreen and Eleanor. Amen to your comments!
Giving prophecies to His prophets is one of God’s ways to be involved with His creation on earth and using us, Amen? He certainly goes to great lengths and illustrations to warn His people of His judgment of sin and tries to get them to turn around, unfortunately they did not listen like today. Since prophecy is one third of the content of the Bible it is very important and God is not willing that any should perish. I believe we should also warn our loved ones and world of the judgment that is coming. So many people do not read the Bible themselves and think it is irrelevant. Sounds like you are back in Florida David. Love the photos!
Yes, amen, Ger!
Speaking of Prophecy…..and standing up for what is Good and Godly and Right and Truth………http://go.clarionproject.org/numbers-full-film/
Disturbing.
Yes, disturbing!
Thank you Pastor David for this morning’s block, for your thoughts and explanations, the link, the Powerful prayer shared from your heart, the pictures. What more can I say, but thank, and may God continue to bless and strengthen you for His Glory and purpose. Amen!!!
Thank you all you bloggers and David for all your comments it is
so helpful to our understanding of the scriptures , I know for a
fact when the Holy Spirit speaks to my spirit that God is
communicating to me , what some say is that still small voice
and I must listen and obey Amen…..R…..
Touched Me · 1972
today for me is a day of remembering, the day before my oldest child was born! I was so mixed up, so ill with a mental illness that no one seemed to understand, a taxi driver in Edmonton saved my life more times than i can count, I was alone, I was found climbing one of the 2 bridges in Edmonton, it was the High level bridge, I was daring, I was so ill, I was abused by men, homeless, but this taxi driver would always find me! He fed me! He listened to me, finally the baby was born March 6, and I soared to a deep, deep depression, my uncle & aunt took my little girl, and I was sent to the Mental Hospital (finally) anad after 6 months, no one could tell me what I had! Then I moved to British Columbia and, the illness began again! To make a long story short, I was finally diagnosed at 47 years of age, it was simple, I am bi polar! Why did it take so long? I do not know! But I do believe God sent that taxi driver to rescue me every time I tried to take my life! We did not have cell phones or any of today’s gadgets BUT he always knew where I was! Thank you Lord,
Elvis Presley – How Great Thou Art – YouTube
I still can’t get it right! Anyone can Google Elvis Presley and hear his music!
In regards to this world I like the Lord’s Prayer, it covers all aspects of loving God and others, it is pretty clear on what we can do to honour God!
Amen, Sah!
Amen, too Sah!Xo
I wrote this poem with the Einsteinian concept of time in mind,attempting to give it in a Christian light,however inadequate.God needed a ‘platform’ whereby He could see and act outside ‘time’ but His subjects were bound by it,thus,they could not undo what they did by their free choice.The space (distance) between two objects is inversely proportional to the time it takes (for light) to cross that distance between them:
Time
Time is a dream where everyone partakes,
Like a bubble on the circle of eternity,
Where God can reach out as He makes
Each one of us ready to find infinity.
Time is artificial,providing a start and finish,
Where eternity had never known such,
So that He could measure without anguish
Every deed we do and each heart we touch.
Time is the first miracle that hides our lives
In the darkness of a future yet unknown,
For this darkness has treasure that gives
Light unto those who’s truth he’s shown.
Time is a gift where we can show The Master,
That we freely choose to love fellow man,
Or the greed of selfishness’ finite disaster,
Where some may reject His holy plan.
Time will end at Heaven’s gates where His love
Will welcome His holy Lamb and His sheep,
Beginning new work in His Kingdom above
And finding the reward that each shall reap.
G W (Bill) Marshall / 06 July, 2013