September 2-Ezekiel 23-24: Step Up!

Today’s Tasting: Ezekiel 23-24

Chapter 23: This is the story of two sisters who became harlots in their youth. It is an allegory of Samaria as the older sister and Jerusalem as the younger sister. It is graphic and explicit, but conveys the message of these two nations playing the harlot with their neighbors.

They forgot their One True God, the Lord Jehovah, seeking after the idols of the neighboring nations. They discarded and forgot God as their divine husband and sought after the customs of the pagan nations, which surrounded them.

The older sister embedded her life with Assyria. She defiled herself with their horrible customs. God gave her over to them until they destroyed her. She became a mockery and a byword.

The younger sister, (Jerusalem), saw what happened to her older sister, (Samaria), but still, she grew more lewd and corrupt. She not only had relations with the Assyrians, as did Samaria, but she longed after her neighbors the crass and ruthless Chaldeans. She invited them in and they came. But, after they defiled her they repulsed her. She rejected them and turned her back on them.  She broke the relationship in disgust.

In the same way God turned His back on Jerusalem. She was defiled by the other nations. They sacrificed their children openly to false gods and defiled His holy temple. God sent the Babylonians to destroy the temple and take Jerusalem captive.  He used the very ones who perverted her to destroy her. Yet, she yearned for her lewdness even into old age.

Chapter 24: God speaks to Ezekiel and tells him that his wife will die suddenly but he is not to mourn her. This is an example of what will happen to Jerusalem as they will be destroyed and taken by their enemy. Many will die, but they are not to mourn or complain because it is their just punishment. God will also destroy His temple and He calls for loyalty and obedient service.

Their punishment is a sign that God is Sovereign Ruler. He will purify Jerusalem when His wrath is satisfied. Then, He will restore her to his glory.

Today’s Nourishment: God is still on His throne and He sees the defilement of each nation, even the United States of America. We were founded in Christian faith and on biblical principles, but we have gone the way of the harlot. We seek what the world has to offer instead of the purity of God the Sovereign Ruler. We have become “politically correct: and a “tolerant” people. All religions welcome. Anything goes. If it feels right, do it.   

God will use our enemies to punish us. It is a pattern throughout His word, (see Habakkuk).

Stop the madness! Stop the hypocrisy! It is time for us to step up. Be the light on a hill that you are called to be. Live out your purpose for the good of God’s kingdom.  Speak up and be a voice in your life circle. Stop putting other things in front of your time with God in prayer and time in His word. We have forgotten the Lord God and these things have become idols to us.  

Stop the silence on abortion and homosexuality, lust, pornography, materialism and greed. Change your bad language and critical thinking. Find godly, like-minded believers and do something together in order to make your voices heard for God.

There is no doubt; God WILL punish this nation because we have forgotten Him.  Turn back to Him in your private time. Make time for Him, seeking His presence, His wisdom and His direction. Confess your own sin and make things right. There is nothing too big or too bad that He cannot or will not forgive. Just seek Jesus.

It is not too late for Him to make a difference in your life. Help make a difference for Him in the lives of others. Remember, He is the God that is Lord, the Sovereign Ruler.  He will not tolerate our disobedience forever. Seek Him while He may be found.  Make him your heart’s chief delight.

 

Tomorrow’s Tasting:  Ezekiel 25-27

 

June Smith

San Antonio, TX

mjunesmith@gmailcom