THE BOILING POT

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 24-25

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

This large boiling pot of beans is at the Mully Children’s Family in Ndalani Kenya. Through the years, much support has been given by our 100 Huntley Street viewers for the thousands of children cared for by Charles and Esther Mulli. This pot represents blessing, but Ezekiel’s pot in today’s reading represents judgment.

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

Key Verse: Ezekiel 24:14

“I, the Lord, have spoken it;

It shall come to pass, and I will do it;

I will not hold back,

Nor will I spare,

Nor will I relent;

According to your ways

And according to your deeds

They will judge you,”

Says the Lord God.

Ezekiel 24 has three illustrations which provide a picture of judgment. (1) The cooking pot. (2) The loss of Ezekiel’s wife. (3) Ezekiel has not spoken for some time, and now he speaks again. The reason for all this is found in verses 24b and 27b…that “you shall know that I am the Lord God!” Ezekiel’s knowledge of the future siege of Jerusalem (24:2) constitutes a confirmation of his genuine, God given, prophetic gift. Our key verse points to the fact that judgment is “according to your ways…your deeds, they will judge you!” The Judge on the bench simply recognizes facts and passes sentence accordingly. The people are their own worst enemy, bringing judgment upon themselves. It’s not God’s fault!

Ezekiel 25 points out that Israel is not alone in the destruction they’ve brought on themselves. Neighbouring countries also suffer the consequences of their sins.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I repent of my sin, and according to Your promise You forgive me (1 John 1:5-10, Psalm 51:1-4). I pray that I will turn 180 degrees away from sin. I realize that while I’m forgiven, sin still has its consequences in my life, my family, and my community. I cry out for purity of heart, mind and deeds. I do so in the Name of the only Person who never sinned, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve just watched the movie, Son of God. The scene of Peter’s sin in denying that he even knew Jesus was so powerful. The producers may have been easy on Peter because, while the Scriptures say Peter “began to curse and swear,” I don’t think I heard the cursing and swearing (read Matthew 26:69-75). The events of Jesus’ life were there with great strength, even though the order of those events may have been changed somewhat. A movie producer must be given the leeway to cover the material as he or she (Mark Burnett and Roma Downey) see fit (for a 100 Huntley Street interview with this amazing husband and wife team, click here).

Yours in support of powerful visuals, as well as words, which, like Ezekiel’s word pictures (a boiling pot), convey “Truth!”,

David