September 2: Ezekiel 20-21

September 2, Ezekiel 20-21

Ezekiel continued…

Ezekiel 20 Generations after generations of idol worship against God. Again, some of the elders of Israel came to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord, sitting before him. God was not about to have them inquire of Him. God, through Ezekiel, takes a trip down memory lane… The abomination of their fathers in Egypt. God made Himself known to them and promised to bring them out of that land into their own amazing land. What was the problem? They started out disobedient and couldn't keep their eyes off of detestable things and they destroyed themselves. None of them got rid of the filth in their lives, nor their idols. God wanted back then, when they were in Egypt, to destroy them - but didn't for His name sake (remember Moses pleading with God? Exodus 32, Deuteronomy 9). Instead, God brought them out of Egypt and gave them His statutes promising life and the gift of Sabbath as a sign between them & God. But they profaned God and His Sabbath. He then wanted to destroy them again in the Wilderness, but did not for His name sake. He warned their children in the Wilderness to not act like their parents and to keep the Sabbath and obey Him, but they did not and they did act like their parents (even though in Joshua 24 they made another covenant with God to obey Him and love Him). Again, for His name sake, he did not destroy them. They continually rejected His statutes, profaned His Sabbath, and set their eyes on their parents idols. So, God gave them to their desires, their sinfulness, so that they would come to know that He is the Lord. Now, to the current generation of God’s people… God told Ezekiel that He would not listen to them because they were like their fathers and grandfathers, loving idols and whoring after their detestable things.

Then Ezekiel has a Prophecy of Restoration. God will be their King. God will gather them, purge out the unrighteous, and will bring them out, yet again. That being said, God had had enough of their idol worship.

A time will come when God’s people will come to Him and serve Him, bringing their best gifts and offerings to Him. God will manifest His glory to them in the sight of the world. And they will know that He is the Lord. I believe that this is Messianic - this was pointing to Jesus Christ!

This chapter ends with God telling Ezekiel to set his face against the southland (Jerusalem) and preach against the south (the sanctuaries) and to prophesy against the forests (Land of Israel). God was bringing the fire and it will not stop. Ezekiel cried out to God…

Ezekiel 21 Thank you Dana Parriera again for doing this part of the post… 

Have you ever seen the godless movie that Will Ferrell plays in called 'Talladega Nights'? Well. Anyhow. You can watch that clip here if you want.  

Keep in mind it is Blasphemous, and surrounded by other horrible videos - so be warned, but I think that it grasps a reality that this is what our culture thinks of Jesus and of God. And if you think like this, it can help challenge that.

Anyhow. In that movie, the family sits around the dinner table. And Will Ferrell starts to 'prays' to "Baby Jesus". In his godless prayer, the wife interrupts him and says, "You don't always have to pray to 'Baby Jesus', you know. Jesus did grow up... " And Will Ferrell replies to her, "Well. I like the Christmas Jesus best. And when I say grace, I can pray to whomever I want to. And if you say grace, you can pray to baby Jesus, teenage Jesus, bearded Jesus, or whomever you want to..." Then Will goes back to 'praying' and states, "Dear tiny Jesus, with your golden fleece diapers and your chubby..." Will's dad interrupts and states, "Look, He was a man, He has a beard." And Will replies, "Hey look! I like the Baby Jesus version the best." People at the table argue that they like Jesus to be different. Some want Him to be a rock star, a ninja, or wearing a tuxedo. Making the idea that Jesus can be anything you want Him to be. But then Will continues with his 'prayer' and finishes, "Dear 8 pounds 6 ounces, newborn infant Jesus. Don't even know a word yet, just an infant so cuddly... Thank you for all your power and your grace, dear Baby God. Amen" 

Now after all that ridiculousness. What was my point? Well. Will Ferrell's character likes the Baby Jesus best. Why? Well, He is powerless and little, who can't talk or change His own diaper. Baby Jesus is small and predictable, chubby and controllable.  But this idea that Jesus is still a baby, shows the lack of learning and the lack of wisdom. And lack of Fear. Why? Because in Revelation 19 (Verses 11-16), Jesus is a King that comes back on a white horse to execute judgement to the World. Jesus enters the scene on His white horse with eyes that are filled with the fire of judgement. He is wearing a robe that is dipped in blood, with the names  'King of kings' and 'Lord of lords' written on His robe and tattooed on His thigh. He comes out for battle not only holding a sword in His hands, but the one that is described is the double edged sword that comes from His mouth, as He comes to strikes the nations down with the breath of His mouth. 

So. Now you tell me. If people are programmed to believe that this Jesus of ours, is just a baby. They really aren't too worried about Him judging the nations, are they? They really aren't too worried about Him judging the people either, are they? If people can believe that Jesus is only a baby, that won't hurt them or demand justice from them, then the Enemies done a pretty good job of diluting the Truth down, hasn't he?  That is why, Chapters like this one is Ezekiel are so important for us. Verses 1-5: For us to realize that God is a God of Justice. That Jesus will come and draw His Sword against those who hate Him. And that the righteous and the wicked will be cut down. So that all men will know that the Lord of all Gods is in control, and that all flesh will know that YHWH is the True Lord. But isn't this Chapter only for Israel? Yes and no. Yes it is. It was a Physical Judgment against Israel. But it is also a Prophetic Word as it is a Spiritual Judgement to the whole world. How do I know this? Easy. Verse 25 talks about the final Judgment and verse 27 states, "This also shall not be, until He comes, the One to whom Judgement belongs, and I will give it to Him." So. To whom does Judgement belong to? Jesus. And since Jesus is the One that Judges the Nations we know that is who it is Prophetically talking about, and that this will happen in the future.

So. Don't be deceived that "Judgement" is a mean thing for God to do. Because if you think like that, then maybe you have bought the lie that Jesus is a Baby, instead of a Warrior. Jesus is amazing. Jesus is a gentleman. Jesus is honest and true. Jesus is merciful and gracious. But He is also a God that takes care of His own, and He will protect us. He is also a God of Justice and He will execute justice to the Nations and those that are in the nations. And the Bible states that He will slaughter the Nations that are against Him, and He will hold accountable those people that sin against Him. Don't get upset about that, instead Trust in Him and know that with God protecting you, no one can stand against you. For who can stand up against the Almighty? And He is sweet enough to forgive those who turn to Him, and He will protect you with His Righteous Right Arm, while He has the power to wipe out those who disobey Him.

The next time you pray to Jesus. Don't pray to an idea about Him being a Baby. next time we see Jesus... 

The next time we see Jesus. He won't be a Baby. He will be a Warrior. Are you ready to pray to the real Him? Are you ready to see the real Him? If not. It is time to get ready. Jesus is coming soon. And when He comes. He is coming as a Warrior... 

To sum it all up: 

• Idol worship. Are you seeing a trend here and throughout all we have read that God will not share His love in our lives when we love things more than we love God? Enough! If there are things in your life that get more time & attention than God - destroy them (figuratively of course)!
• In regards to how you view God (thanks Dana for the insights!), God is God. He is not something to be mocked or boxed in. You can spend your whole life studying about Him and still have more to learn. So, dive in and soak in the awesomeness of God’s character…