Ezekiel 22:23-23:49; Hebrews 11:1-16; Proverbs 27:15-22 The contrast between a life of sin and shame and a life of faith and blessing is highlighted in the comparison between the passages in Ezekiel and Hebrews. The contrast is between living for the things we see - “She saw men ... As soon as she saw them …
Category: Ezekiel
Ezekiel
EZEKIEL 1:1-2:10 – ‘The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God… The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel’(1:1-2). The Lord opens our eyes to ‘see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 4:4). The Lord speaks to us and we must listen to Him: ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening’ …
Ezekiel 5-8
Ezekiel 5:1-6:14 - ‘Because you have defiled My sanctuary... I Myself will withdraw My favour’ (5:11). To those who despise His Word and treat the place of prayer with contempt, Jesus still speaks His Word of judgment: ‘My House will be called a House of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves’ …
Ezekiel 14-16
Ezekiel 14:1-15:8 - ‘Some of the elders of Israel came to’ Ezekiel. He spoke the Word of the Lord to them: ‘Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!’ (14:1,8). This may not have been what they wanted to hear. It was what God wanted them to hear. They did not want …
Ezekiel 17-19
Ezekiel 17:1-24 - To those who adopt a ‘rebellious’ attitude to Him, God speaks His Word of warning. They shall ‘not escape’ His judgment (12,18). To those who abandon this attitude of rebellion, there is a way of salvation. In verses 22 to 24, we have a prophecy which looks forward to the coming of …
Ezekiel 20-21
Ezekiel 20:1-26 - What great things God did for His people, Israel. He ‘brought them out of the land of Egypt’. He led them to ‘a land flowing with milk and honey’ (6). Think of what God has done for us. He has brought us out of our sin and into His salvation: ‘He called …
Ezekiel 25-28
Ezekiel 25:1-17 - We read here about God’s judgment upon sinful nations - Ammon (1-7), Moab (8-11), Edom (12-14) and Philistia (15-17). God speaks to us. He says to us, ‘You will know that I am the Lord’ (5,7,11,17). He speaks to us as our Judge. He speaks to us about ‘sin, righteousness and judgment’ …
Christ is calling us to walk with Him – in His victory.
Ezekiel 24:1-25:17; Hebrews 11:17-40; Psalm 124:1-8 There is, in these passages, the continuing conflict between the life of obedient faith (Hebrews 11) and the life of disobedience (God’s judgments in Ezekiel). The Psalmist makes it clear that the life of obedient faith is not an easy life - “If the Lord had not been on …
Continue reading Christ is calling us to walk with Him – in His victory.
It’s spreading.
"He led me through water that was ankle-deep ... 4 He led me through water that was knee-deep ... He led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 Now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in – a river that no one could …
Don’t you want to get on in the world? – Which world are you living for?
Ezekiel 30:1-31:18; Hebrews 13:1-25; Proverbs 27:23-28:6 What a contrast there is between “Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Ezekiel 31:2) and “Jesus Christ” who is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Pharaoh had the appearance of “majesty”, yet he was “brought down” (Ezekiel 31:2,18). Jesus has a glory which will never be diminished. It …
Continue reading Don’t you want to get on in the world? – Which world are you living for?
Strengthened by the Word of God and the Spirit of God
“The Spirit entered me when the Lord spoke to me” (Ezekiel 2:1). These words come to us from the prophet, Ezekiel. The name, Ezekiel, means “strengthened by God.” How was Ezekiel strengthened by God? In Ezekiel 2:1, we read about the Word of God: “the Lord spoke to me” and the Spirit of God – …
Continue reading Strengthened by the Word of God and the Spirit of God
God speaks to us – and he’s waiting for our reply.
Ezekiel 32:1-33:20; James 1:1-27; Psalm 127:1-5 God’s Word must be spoken as a Word which calls for response. The prophet is to “warn the wicked man to turn from his ways” (Ezekiel 33:9). He is to declare that “the Sovereign Lord ... takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they …
Continue reading God speaks to us – and he’s waiting for our reply.
Preach God’s Word – and pray that men and women will be brought back to the Lord.
Ezekiel 40:1-49; James 5:1-20; Psalm 130:1-8 The prophecy spoken by Ezekiel has its ultimate Source in God Himself - “the hand of the Lord was upon me” (Ezekiel 40:1). He goes on to describe “visions of God” (Ezekiel 40:2). To speak the Word of God faithfully requires patience. There is not always evidence of great …
Continue reading Preach God’s Word – and pray that men and women will be brought back to the Lord.
God wants to bless us. How much do we want to be blessed by Him?
Ezekiel 33:21-35:15; James 2:1-26; Psalm 128:1-6 The Word of God speaks clearly about sin and judgment - “See, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep” (Ezekiel 34:20), “judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” (James 2:13). God’s Word also gives to us great promises. …
Continue reading God wants to bless us. How much do we want to be blessed by Him?
Breathe on me, Breath of God.
Ezekiel 36:1-37:28; James 3:1-18; Psalm 129:1-8 The Breath of God (the Spirit of God) brings life (Ezekiel 37:9). When “the tongue ... is ... set on fire by hell” (James 3:6), the words which it breathes out will be “full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). How important it is that we keep on praying, “Breathe on …
Less pride, more humility – and more of the grace of God
Ezekiel 38:1-39:29; James 4:1-17; Proverbs 28:7-17 God’s Word speaks of His judgment upon sin (Ezekiel 39:23-24). It also speaks of His great salvation from sin (Ezekiel 39:25-29). “Scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). God’s Word speaks of the choice placed before man - obedience or disobedience, blessing or …
Continue reading Less pride, more humility – and more of the grace of God
Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Ezekiel 43:1-44:31; 1 Peter 2:4-24; Psalm 132:1-18 In Ezekiel, the priests are described in great detail. In 1 Peter 2:5, the Lord’s people are described as “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This description continues in 1 Peter 2:9 – “a royal priesthood … a people belonging to God. …
Continue reading Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Grace and peace to you.
Ezekiel 19:1-20:44; Hebrews 10:1-18; Psalm 122:1-9 God is gracious. Despite all the sin of Israel, described in great detail in these chapters of Ezekiel, God still says, “I will accept you as fragrant incense” (Ezekiel 20:41). He still says, “I deal with you for My Name’s sake and not according to your evil ways and …
They will know that I am the Lord.
Ezekiel 28:1-29:21; Hebrews 12:14-29; Psalm 126:1-6 Many times over, in these chapters of Ezekiel, the words are repeated, “They will know that I am the Lord.” We must view the events of history in relation to God. He is fulfilling His purpose. He is demonstrating that He is the Lord. The demonstration of His Lordship …
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Ezekiel 20:45-22:22; Hebrews 10:19-39; Psalm 123:1-4 Human sin and divine judgment, described in such detail in these chapters of Ezekiel - this is the backcloth against which we are called to go on with the Lord: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins …
The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ezekiel 17:1-18:32; Hebrews 9:16-28; Psalm 121:1-8 The Word of God calls us to repentance - “Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32). This repentance does not earn salvation for us. While we are called to “repent and live”, we must understand that eternal life is God’s gift, given to us on the basis of Christ’s death as …
Continue reading The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God’s Word promises blessing.
Ezekiel 32:1-33:20; James 1:1-27; Psalm 127:1-5 God’s Word must be spoken as a Word which calls for response. The prophet is to “warn the wicked man to turn from his ways” (Ezekiel 33:9). He is to declare that “the Sovereign Lord … takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they …
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life? – We thank You, Lord, that we shall overcome Satan ‘by the blood of the Lamb.’
Prayers based on Ezekiel 27 - 28 Ezekiel 27:1-36 ‘Your wealth... will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your shipwreck’ (Ezekiel 27:27). Teach us, Lord, that we will sink if we don’t ‘keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.’ Help us not to allow ourselves to get weighed down. Keep us …
The Day of the Spirit’s Power
Fourth Sunday of Easter: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23 or Ezekiel 34:7-15; Psalm 100; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 The Day of the Spirit’s Power In Acts 2, we read about the Day of Pentecost. It was a great day. The Spirit was poured out on God’s people. Christ was proclaimed to the crowds. Many were …
The centrality of worship in the life of God’s people
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; 1 Peter 4:1-19; Psalm 133:1-3 “The sanctuary will be in the centre of it … In the centre of it will be the sanctuary of the Lord … the Temple sanctuary will be in the centre of them” (Ezekiel 48:8,10,21). Here, we have the centrality of worship in the life of God’s people. …
Continue reading The centrality of worship in the life of God’s people
When the storms of life come your way
Ezekiel 26:1-27:36; Hebrews 12:1-13; Psalm 125:1-5 To Tyre, God says, “Your wealth, merchandise and wares, your mariners, seamen and shipwrights, your merchants and all your soldiers, and everyone else on board will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your shipwreck” (Ezekiel 27:27). Those who are overladen by their attachment to …
Never to be forgotten
In 1996, Willie McDonald died at the age of ninety. I had only known him for a short time. I will always remember him as a man who loved the Lord deeply. He was small of stature, but he was a man of “strength”: real, spiritual strength (Psalm 90:10). He was “strong in the Lord”, …
A river that I could not cross
“A mighty wave, a mighty wind is coming from heaven, to raise up our nation again” (Ulf Christiansson) – As I walked along the beach, feeling the wind and watching the waves, these words of faith came into my mind. God is calling us to move - from where we are right now to where …
Visions of God
Ezekiel 1:1-3:27; Hebrews 4:14-5:10; Psalm 119:153-160 “Visions of God” - This is what we have in Ezekiel. These visions are not easy to understand. Their form emphasizes that God is beyond our understanding. We see the glory of God, and we fall before Him in worship (Ezekiel 3:23). We are not, however, to content ourselves …
Let us worship God.
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; 1 Peter 4:1-19; Psalm 133:1-3 “The sanctuary will be in the centre of it ... In the centre of it will be the sanctuary of the Lord ... the Temple sanctuary will be in the centre of them” (Ezekiel 48:8,10,21). Here, we have the centrality of worship in the life of God’s people. First …
Without God’s mercy and grace, we will fall. Through His mercy and grace, we will stand.
Ezekiel 4:1-6:14; Hebrews 5:11-6:12; Proverbs 26:23-27:4 “Alas! because of all the wicked and detestable practices of the house of Israel, for they will fall by the sword, famine and plague” (Ezekiel 6:11). Alongside these words concerning Israel’s sin and fall, we place the solemn words of Hebrews 6:4-6, words which warn us of the danger …
Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.
Ezekiel 43:1-44:31; 1 Peter 2:4-24; Psalm 132:1-18 In Ezekiel, the priests are described in great detail. In 1 Peter 2:5, the Lord’s people are described as “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This description continues in 1 Peter 2:9 – “a royal priesthood … a people belonging to God. To His people, …
Walking in wisdom, enjoying salvation
Ezekiel 45:1-46:24; 1 Peter 3:1-22; Proverbs 28:18-28 In Ezekiel, we read of many sacrifices being offered to God. In the New Testament, it is emphasized that one Sacrifice is sufficient – “For Christ died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). We are called …
Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.
Ezekiel 43:1-44:31; 1 Peter 2:4-24; Psalm 132:1-18 In Ezekiel, the priests are described in great detail. In 1 Peter 2:5, the Lord’s people are described as “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This description continues in 1 Peter 2:9 - “a royal priesthood ... a people belonging to God. …
Holiness and love – we need more of both …
Ezekiel 41:1-42:20; 1 Peter 1:1-2:3; Psalm 131:1-3 Ezekiel emphasizes that the Temple was to be built according to God’s pattern. Our lives are to be lived according to God’s pattern - “Be holy in all you do”, “Love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:15,22). The instructions for the building the Temple were …
Help us, Lord, to worship You – with hearts, full of love for You.
Ezekiel 7:1-9:11; Hebrews 6:13-7:10; Psalm 119:161-168 The prophet was shown “the utterly detestable things the house of Israel is doing here (in the Temple), things that will drive Me (God) far from My sanctuary” (Ezekiel 8:6). There were, however, “those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it” (Ezekiel …
Continue reading Help us, Lord, to worship You – with hearts, full of love for You.
Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Ezekiel 43:1-44:31; 1 Peter 2:4-24; Psalm 132:1-18 In Ezekiel, the priests are described in great detail. In 1 Peter 2:5, the Lord’s people are described as “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This description continues in 1 Peter 2:9 – “a royal priesthood … a people belonging to God. To His people, God gives this …
Continue reading Declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
We need to be changed by the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45 We need to be changed by the Lord. It was ‘a valley of dry bones’ (Ezekiel 37:1-2). Then, the Lord changed everything - ‘I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live’ (Ezekiel 37:5). What a difference the Lord makes! ‘Breathe on me, Breath of …
In Your Word of warning, Lord, we hear Your Word of love – and we rejoice in Your Word.
Ezekiel 32:1-32 ‘Pride goes before destruction’ (Proverbs 16:18). ‘Pharaoh, king of Egypt’ was arrogant and ruthless: ‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas, thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams’ (Ezekiel 32:2). Soon, it would be ‘the day …
The glory of the Lord…
Ezekiel 10:1-12:28; Hebrews 7:11-28; Psalm 119:169-176 “The glory of the Lord” (Ezekiel 11:23) - This is what the visions are about. The glory of the Lord is most fully revealed in Christ. His glory is revealed in salvation, in His power “to save completely those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). As we …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (19): When the Spirit breathes upon us, we receive love, eternal love, the love of God.
Welcome to the nineteenth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: When the Spirit breathes upon us, we receive love, etenal love, the love of God. Ezekiel 37:1-14 I felt the powerful presence of the Lord, and his spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered …
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday (17): Through Christ, God looks upon us with love, eternal love, the love of God.
We come to the seventeenth stage on our journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: Through Christ, God looks on us with love, eternal love, the love of God. Ezekiel 36:24-28 24 I will take you from every nation and country and bring you back to your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you and …
In the beginning, there is love, eternal love, the love of God.
Easter Vigil: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26; Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13; Psalm 46; Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 16; Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21; Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18; Isaiah 55:1-11; Isaiah 12:2-6; Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6; Psalm 19; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Psalms 42 and 43; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 143; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Psalm 98; Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 114; Matthew 28:1-10 In …
Continue reading In the beginning, there is love, eternal love, the love of God.
When the Lord comes in power
Ezekiel 32:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45 When the Lord comes in power, everything changes. To the valley of dry bones, the Word of God is spoken: "I will put My Spirit in you, and you will live" (Ezekiel 37:14). It is only through the working of the Holy Spirit that there can be blessing among …
The Lord is there…
"The Lord is there" (Ezekiel 48:35). Where is the Lord - when his people are suffering? Is he really there? Is he with us - in our suffering? The Lord is there - these are the 'last words' of Ezekiel. What a great word of encouragement this is! The Lord is there - when we …
For such a time as this … the dry bones can live …
"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Rev George Philip preached a series of sermons on 1 Samuel 1-7, with the title, "For such a time as this." This title is taken from this verse in the book of Esther. The name of God is never mentioned …
Continue reading For such a time as this … the dry bones can live …
Praying Through God’s Word: Ezekiel
Ezekiel 1:1-2:10 ‘The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God… The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel’(Ezekiel 1:1-2). Lord, You open our eyes to ‘see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 4:4). You Lord speak to us. Help us to listen to You: ‘Speak, Lord, for …
Lord, lead us to Jesus…
Ezekiel 13:1-15:8; Hebrews 8:1-13; Psalm 120:1-7 God speaks against “those who prophesy out of their own imagination … who follow their own spirit” (Ezekiel 13:2-3). In the face of such false prophets, we must pray, “Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues” (Psalm 120:2). How does the Lord save us from …
Our Rebellion, God’s Redemption
Speaking through the prophet, God uses very colourful sexual imagery to describe Israel’s relationship with Himself and her revolt against Him. The last word, in Ezekiel 16, is not, however, a word concerning the rebellion of Israel against the Lord. It is the message of redemption - the forgiveness of sins (Ezekiel 16:63). “I am …
The promises of God
Ezekiel 16:1-63; Hebrews 9:1-15; Proverbs 27:5-14 The promises of God are given in Ezekiel 16 – “I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you … So I will establish My covenant with you, and you will know that I …
Come Home …
"If a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed ... " (Ezekiel 18:21). The "wicked person" doesn't need to remain a "wicked person." We can be changed by the grace of God. The God of love is reaching out to us. He's our loving, heavenly Father - and he's calling us …
Showers of blessing
"There shall be showers of blessing" (Ezekiel 34:26). Without the Lord's blessing, we're in a spiritual wilderness. When the Lord comes to us, with his blessing, everything changes. Saved by the Lord, our life changes direction. It is less of self - and more of Jesus. This is the way the Lord leads us - …
Visions From God … Speaking His Word In The Power Of The Spirit
“Visions from God” (Ezekiel 1:1); “The power of the Lord came over Ezekiel” (Ezekiel 1:3); “A bright light” (Ezekiel 1:27); “A rainbow in the clouds” , “The Lord’s glory”, “Bowed down”, “I heard someone speaking” (Ezekiel 1:28). In these phrases, we have some suggestion of the kind of lines we must follow, as we think …
Continue reading Visions From God … Speaking His Word In The Power Of The Spirit
Full salvation
"And they shall dwell safely therein ... and they shall know that I am the Lord their God" (Ezekiel 28:26). Our salvation comes to us from our God. He is the God of our salvation. What a joy it is to know the salvation of God. It is wonderful to know that the Lord cares …
There’s bad news – and there’s Good News!
In Ezekiel 8, we have a description of sin - “very disgusting things”, even more disgusting things” (Ezekiel 8:6,9,13,17). When we read such “bad news”, we wonder, “Is there good news?” The answer of God’s Word is “Yes”! God does not leave us in our sin. He sends His Son to be our Saviour. This …
God is working out His plan.
In Ezekiel 38:23, we read about God's purpose in history - "I will show My greatness and My holiness. I will reveal Myself to many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord." It is important that we see the divine dimension in the events which take place here on earth. There are …
Our Sin, God’s Judgment … And God’s Love
God takes sin very seriously. He sends his judgment upon sin. The unleashing of His fury turns the sinful nation into a wasteland (Ezekiel 5:13-14). When we read of such things, we wonder, “Is there any hope?” When we are reading so much about sin and judgment, we must not lose sight of the love …
We are called to look to Christ for salvation …
Ezekiel 45:1-46:24; 1 Peter 3:1-22; Proverbs 28:18-28 In Ezekiel, we read of many sacrifices being offered to God. In the New Testament, it is emphasized that one Sacrifice is sufficient – “For Christ died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18). We are called …
Continue reading We are called to look to Christ for salvation …
Lord, You show us how much we need to be saved so that we might learn to be truly thankful to You for the Good News of Your love, the Gospel of our salvation.
Prayers based on Ezekiel 25 - 26 Ezekiel 25:1-17 Lord, we read about Your judgment upon sinful nations - Ammon (Ezekiel 25:1-7), Moab (Ezekiel 25:8-11), Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14) and Philistia (Ezekiel 25:15-17). You speak to us. You say to us, ‘You will know that I am the Lord’ (Ezekiel 25:5,7,11,17). You speak to us as …
