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 in Florida. 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
That scripture was a little too much to stomach, this morning. But thankful for the meaning of prophecy and grateful for cheerful photos to remind us of David (in heaven) with his family. Happier times for them, together, but never apart because Christ lives in them and they will be reunited in glory in heaven, some day. Be still today, is what the Lord has been whispering, this morning. May His loving peace and radiant light shine upon you, fellow saints in the Lord.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 10:45 NIV
In The Quiet… Vol. 1 A Chilled Peaceful Worship Mix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GedohUsgBA
I agree with you Beverlee, this morning’s scripture is difficult.
You are an insightful writer and I always look forward to your comments.
You were asking our opinion on the coronavirus, I so appreciated Doreen’s reminder of Psalm 91, we are indeed sheltered by our Heavenly Father. Also makes me realize again how important it is to keep on praying for our world!
But is our world any different today than in Ezekiel’s time?
Lewdness and harlotry are terrible and strong words..but that is what is prevalent in our world today.
I sometimes think that we here in North America are so spoiled and self centred… we have this sense of entitlement… forbid that we should have to suffer and have difficult times, while much of the world is suffering terribly, look at pictures of Syria or Christians in China.
It breaks my heart to see some of the pictures of starving children in Africa.
I know that I am generalizing here, that many perhaps have suffered here as well, but most of us have warm homes and beds and are not fleeing for our lives.
I do wonder if this virus is a result of humanity’s refusal to acknowledge God as creator and king.
Amen to your comment, Anne. Very discerning and enlightening. God bless you.
Beautiful pictures. Spring is just around the corner – looking forward to the beautiful blossoms. Such a contrast after reading today’s scripture, to see the pictures of two righteous ladies! Enjoying the sun this morning in Hamilton, ON. Blessings all.
Dear Lord God, we need You so much. You are True and righteous and good. You see all the evil in and around us, yet You keep calling us back to You. You are truly the Good Shepherd who cares about and protects even Your feeblest sheep.
Yet there are enemies; we are in a war with an enemy who seeks our destruction. Help people to hear Your voice, calling them to turn to You and be saved, and help all Your people to be part of the chorus echoing that call. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen, Rob.
Amen, Amen
Amen!
My best analogy is that time is like a circle with no end or beginning,like a hoola-hoop.With God standing in the centre,he can touch any spot on that circle but we,our universe,occupy only a small portion of that circle.
I believe God’s prophecy serves other purposes (individually) but the one that is constant is ” that you will know that I AM God”.It shows Who is in control.”The Oracle” by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn Makes this easier to see.
Oh,King Of Kings
Oh,King of kings make haste I pray,
That your return will set us free,
Then take us Home with You to stay
In love’s vast ocean of eternity.
You have been the truest of friends,
A mentor to my searching soul,
Now is the time that Heaven lends,
To reap the garden Satan stole.
With open arms Your bride awaits,
To be no more of sin’s dark lie,
As the demon burns with his mates,
We’re safely Home above the sky.
G W (Bill) Marshall / Sept 06, 2013
It’s strange I did not think of this poem about time,in the same file as the one above:
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 ready to find infinity.
Time is made with a start and a finish,
Where eternity had never known such,
So He could measure without anguish
Every deed we do and each heart we touch.
Time is a miracle that hides our lives
Where darkness is a future yet unknown,
For this darkness has treasure that gives
Light unto the many who’s truth he’s shown.
Time is a gift that will show The Master,
That we freely choose to love fellow man,
Or we fall in selfish disaster,
Where some choose to reject His holy plan.
Time will end at Heaven’s gates where His love
Will welcome His holy Lamb and His sheep,
With new work in His Kingdom above
To find the reward that each one shall reap.
G W (Bill) Marshall / 06 July, 2013
Thank you all for your prayers from yesterday.I pray your back is much better,Beverlee.May yall be blessed
Aahh, you are very welcome, Bill and thank you for your prayers. I know our God receives them and hears them in heaven. Taking it one day at a time.
Amen Beverlee, Doreen, Rob and William. Beautiful photos of Norma Jean, David and Elaine. Looking out at the white billowy clouds and sunny day! Makes one’s heart glad!! Trust all is well and still knowing He is God!
Praying for the young man (14 years old) who was abducted yesterday morning in Toronto. May he be returned safely to his family.
Regarding the Corona virus, I don’t know quite what to think. There are different angles to look at this. One thing is for sure, God wants to get our attention. He tries in various ways, as He’s done through the centuries. Some will call upon Him for help, but, sad to say, most will not. Those of us who are His children, are in His care. While we should be wise and take precautions, we should not be living in fear for nothing happens to us without His knowledge.
May God come to your aid when you call upon Him!
I have been thinking the same thing, Luisa, that we need to put that boy on this blog and pray for his return. The reason he was abducted is disturbing; they have found the burned out vehicle now. Lord God, the use of this boy in retaliation for his step brother’s unpaid drug debt is disturbing. We pray for a clue to be given to the police of someone who knows these abductors and their location and for Shammah Jolayemi’s safe return. Please Angels, be with him and keep him safe from being harmed in anyway. God, move mountains, please, for his rescue by police and and give comfort and reassurance to his parents. In Jesus’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Praying that the a Lord will lead the police to where he is. May God protect him and bring him safely home.