TURN! TURN!

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 32-33

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

A flock of sheep on a hillside in Israel. After reading of all the violence happening in Israel, Egypt, and elsewhere, it’s good to know that God has promised “green pastures” and His comforting Presence with us. For our encouragement it might be a good suggestion to read, quote or even sing Psalm 23 once again.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Ezekiel 32:11, 33:12

For thus says the Lord God: “The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you”…Therefore you, O son of man, say to the children of your people: “The righteousness of the righteous man shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness; nor shall the righteous be able to live because of his righteousness in the day that he sins.”

Ezekiel dates his prophecies after the first Jews, including Daniel, were taken to Babylon, in order to show that his prophecies are accurate (i.e. year/month/day — 12/12/1, Ezekiel 32:1; and 12/10/5, Ezekiel 33:21). The final destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and his invasion of Egypt is still three to five years away. When the people see these things come to pass, it stands to reason that the reality of God’s foreknowledge should produce faith and repentance. God expresses His deep grief over what’s about to happen when He tells Ezekiel, “Son of man, wail [a cry of grief] over the multitude of Egypt.” Our key verses point out that neither righteousness nor wickedness can change the course of events. What did change was the long-term behaviour of Israel. The Jews made a 180 degree turn. Never again after the 70 years of Babylonian captivity did Israel turn back to worshipping idols and practising gross debauchery, as had been the case before. During this time, Israel paid attention to God’s call for repentance. Ezekiel 33:14b reveals God’s heart when He urgently says, “Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel.” Satan and all those whom he rules have done their best to destroy the Jews. No people on earth have ever been subjected to the hatred of hell like the Jewish people. Israel today, the Jewish state, is thriving beyond any reasonable expectation! Amazing!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, as I read Ezekiel I think over and over, “Jesus changed everything for me!” I pray that You’ll keep on changing me, and at every crossroads in my life help me to turn, turn Your way. I ask You to make Your way my way. I pray this in the Name of the One who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” Jesus, Himself. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When I read Ezekiel 32:27, “They have laid their swords under their heads,” I thought of one of my partners in ministry for several years, Anglican priest, Rev. Al Reimers. Al is a most gentle person, and I find it hard to conceive of the fact that, as a counter-intelligence agent in the US Army in Germany following the end of WW2, Al slept with a loaded lugar pistol under his pillow. Viewers of 100 Huntley Street will remember Al from the 70s and 80s. He’s still active! The internet is an amazing way to keep informed about people who may have gone in different directions. Al moved east to Prince Edward county from Toronto, and I moved west to Burlington. I found Al in a “virtual” newspaper article where he’s making a presentation to the Minister of Health on “wait times” for hospital care (click here). Way to go my friend! You are still “salt.” Jesus taught us that if we are not salty in society, the good will be discarded.

Yours for the implementation in our lives of what we’re learning daily through 100words.ca,

David

P.S. Here’s the song I was inspired to sing while thinking about Reynold’s picture above and about our Scripture reading (click here for “The Lord is My Shepherd” hymn and sing along with the congregation of the Verdun LaSalle Baptist Church, Montreal).