258th Week, Ezekiel Intro - Chapter 4 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Ezekiel Intro

 Ezekiel Intro

Jane Jones

June 1, 2010

THOUGHT

A computer can be programmed to respond at your command, and by conditioning a dog with rewards and punishments, you can teach it to obey. But as every parent knows, children are not so easily taught. People have wills and must choose to submit, to follow the instructions of their parents and leaders. Surely discipline is part of the process---there is a choice to be made. God’s children must learn to obey their Heavenly Father. 

Ezekiel was a man who chose to obey God. Although he was a priest, he served as a Jewish “street preacher” for 22 years. Ezekiel was a younger contemporary of Jeremiah. Ezekìel lived what he preached. He had to illustrate his messages with object lessons. One lesson was told of him lying on his side for 390 days during which he could eat only one eight-ounce meal a day cooked over manure.  

In this book, we will read the exciting record of Ezekiel fearlessly preaching the Word of God, and then we must commit ourselves to obey God, whatever, wherever, and whenever he asks.

PRAYER

Father God, as we journey into the book of Ezekiel, please speak to us through the pages. May our minds be clear to hear what You tell us.  May we listen to the object lessons of Ezekiel and be able to share them with others.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Tuesday, Ezekiel Chapter 1

Ezekiel 1

Jane Jones 

THOUGHT

Ezekiel was preparing to become a priest, but later at the age of 30, God called him to be a prophet. When Ezekiel started his prophecy, Jeremiah was preaching to the Jews still in Judah, and Daniel was serving in Nebuchadnezzar’s court.

Why was a prophet needed? God wanted Ezekiel to:

1) Help the exiles understand why they had been taken captive.

2) Dispel the false hope that the captivity was going to be short.

3) Bring a new message of hope.

4) Call the people to a new awareness of their dependence upon God.

God communicated to Ezekiel in visions. Ezekiel received his first vision in Chapter One. It was quite a sight to behold. The vision symbolizes God’s promise to preserve those who remain faithful to Him. The purpose of God’s judgment is to correct us, and ultimately, to allow perfect peace and righteousness to reign on the earth forever. It all sounds so easy and simple. Why do we fail time after time? May we be more aware of the rainbows, the visions in our lives that draw us to the truth of God in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER

We thank You tonight, Lord, for the rainbows in our lives. May we continue to seek our visions as Ezekiel did serving God as His prophet.  May we close our prayer with a thought from the book of Micah.  “...and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.   AMEN

Wednesday, Ezekiel Chapter 2

Ezekiel 2 

Verse 6

Jane Jones

Verse 6:  And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words.  Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions.  Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house.  

THOUGHT

Have you ever been afraid? I have. I can remember once when I was growing up that I thought I heard someone outside my bedroom window. That was back when there was no air-conditioner and the windows were always open to let the cool evening breezes blow in. Anyway, I got so paralyzed with fright that I could not move. I was afraid to say anything to my sister who was sleeping in the same room with me. She was sound asleep. I thought for sure it was a window peeper. Anyway, it took me forever to get to sleep. I snuggled down in the covers on this very warm night and about died of heat stroke. But the boogie man did not get me. I finally fell off into dreamland. This was a story of

fear of fright. 

What about fear of rejection from a friend or fear of ridicule from your co-workers and family?  There again it is a very dreadful feeling of being paralyzed to the point one cannot move.  I have felt it, and it is terrible.

Verse 6 tells us “do not be afraid” 3 times.  When God’s Spirit is within us, we can lay aside our fears of rejection or ridicule. God’s strength is powerful enough to help us live for Him even under the heaviest of criticism. So, Salt Shakers, we need to power up ourselves against the enemy and “do not be afraid”. Only with God’s powerful strength can this be accomplished.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, we thank You for Your powerful strength to take away the fear even in the most frightful times of our lives when we go up against the enemy. May Your strength be our shield and sword.  AMEN

Thursday, Ezekiel Chapter 3

Ezekiel 3 

Verse 27

Jane Jones

Verse 27:  We hear the Lord tell Ezekiel, ‘Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse.”

THOUGHT

Have you ever tried to teach a Sunday School class or a Bible School class where you are trying to get across an idea to 10 people, but you find that only five individuals are paying attention?

Wow! How frustrating is that! Anyway, I would think that school teachers, when summer approaches, find the kids not concentrating.  Just imagine the Lord trying to get across the idea of salvation to a world that is so preoccupied that no one is listening to Him. That is probably how Ezekiel felt. 

In the midst of your everyday life, let us pause for a moment and listen to see if the Lord has something to share with us. More than likely, He does.

PRAYER

Dear Father, as You struggle to get our attention in this busy life of ours, may we be courteous and loving to stop for a moment to listen to You. May we program our lives to start slow and taper down just like a child.  We are so busy we are not able to hear You.  May we have You as our focus.  May You be number ONE in our hearts.   In The Name of Jesus.  AMEN

Friday, Ezekiel Chapter 4

Ezekiel 4

Verse 3b

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 3b:  This will be a sign to the house of Israel.

THOUGHT

Ezekiel began his public ministry with four action sermons that declared God’s judgment against Jerusalem. First, he “played war” to demonstrate the siege of the city. The iron plate represented the barrier between God and His people. Then, he laid a boundary for part of each day, 390 days on the left side and then 40 days on the right, to show how many years both Israel and Judah had sinned. How long suffering God was during those years, and how they broke His heart. 

During those 14 months and 10 days, Ezekiel had to ration his food and water as the people in Jerusalem would do.  God asked Ezekiel to do this. He told him that “This would be a sign to the house of Israel.” I am just trying to think of what I would think if someone would do such a thing now. I realize we are not in the same times so it is close to impossible to compare but still, I believe I would consider this man an extremist. Plus God said this would be a sign.  I really could not have understood his action unless he spoke about what and why he was doing what he was doing. Greater yet, just imagine if the Lord asked us to represent Him and show our world that we live in now - a sign. 

Would we be willing to step out on a limb and do just that?  I pray that our faith would make us strong and the desire would be upon our hearts.

PRAYER

Father, may we be open to Your commands and opportunities to serve You. May we never feel that we are far above others so that we could not humble ourselves to serve. May we be big booming SIGNS for glorifying You. Keep us healthy and full of energy to do Your will in our lives.  AMEN