Author: missionspaul

Ezekiel 23

What I said was shocking! But then what God’s people did was shocking.
To turn their backs on Him was unbelievable.
I didn’t know how to word it, but His words came to me.
“Call the North ‘Oholah’ for it means ‘tent’ and it reveals that the tent of God is the people.”
“Call the South ‘Oholibah’ for it means ‘my tent is in her’ and it reveals that God desires only one place and that is at the centre of His people.”
So I did. That’s what I called them.
I announced judgment was coming from God through the very nations that his people had turned to.
When they turned away and walked in the way of other nations they did it because of choice. They became impressed with the power of man, hence my imagery of large genitalia, a sign of power in our culture. But they soon realised they had been deceived. The nations they chased after were not faithful like their God.
The lengths God will go to in order that people may know Him as Lord have no limit.
Do you know Him as Lord?
Don’t turn from Him.
Don’t set a wrong example.
Don’t face the consequences because there will be some.
Yes, it’s shocking.

Ezekiel 22

God said He had looked.
But there was no one.
There were plenty of abusers, of the power-crazy and the oppressors.
There were plenty of slanderers, those who dishonour and violate women.
But God could not find a builder.
There were plenty who had forgotten God.
There were plenty who said God had spoken but He hadn’t.
But God could not find a repairer of the broken walls.
There were plenty who turned away from the poor, the needy and the immigrant.
But there was no one who would turn to God on behalf of the others.
There was no intercessor.
There was no one.
He is still looking.
Are you there?

Ezekiel 21

I was told to groan. To cry with deep anguish.
To be broken for the people.
To weep for the injustice.
To grieve over the oppression and trauma.
There is a time to weep. This is that time.
To get down in the dirt and share the pain.
To feel the injury and be wounded into action.
To express the anger for the arrogance, the evil of self-seeking pleasure.
I grieve. Because He tells me to.
I grieve. Because I am concerned.
I grieve. Because I think He does.

Ezekiel 20

Why can’t the world understand me? v49

Why can’t my message be clearer?

They just don’t get it.

Lions, vines, rods and branches, fires, forests, green and dry trees.

Can I not give the message plainer?

I am just an idiot in their eyes.

They don’t think the message is for them. So they don’t receive what is essentially for their good.

They don’t have eyes to see or ears to hear.

Their proud hearts have blocked their understanding.

Only those who truly open to God could see and hear what I am saying.

Those who truly are seeking after God then I am sure will see these revelations clearly.
Maybe that’s the point.
To expose the proud.

Ezekiel 19

How many times have we heard someone declaring the reason why they were saved was due to their praying mother? Many!
My mother has prayed for me every day of my life and she will continue to do so, I have no doubt.
Great mothers are:
Strong, v2
Protect their young, v2
Pass on the baton of their strength, v3
Pick themselves back up when hope is lost, v5
Living near the source of life, v10
Live within their children, v10
Are blessed and bless, v10

But this is a lament.
Therefore, Judah was a mother who:
Is remembered as cruel and fierce, v2
Who slept with the heathen, v2
Raised up sons to become deceives of people, v3
Whose sons, jehoahaz and jehoakim were captured and killed, v4,9
Is like a vine, now destroyed, uprooted, thrown to the ground, stripped of power and burnt to cinders.

Let’s rejoice thankfully for our mothers and as a mother make sure the children don’t lament over you.

Ezekiel 19

How many times have we heard someone declaring the reason why they were saved was due to their praying mother? Many!
My. Other has prayed for me every day of my life and she will continue to do so, I have no doubt.
Great mothers are:
Strong, v2
Protect their young, v2
Pass on the baton of their strength, v3
Pick themselves back up when hope is lost, v5
Living near the source of life, v10
Live within their children, v10
Are blessed and bless, v10

But this is a lament.
Therefore, Judah was a mother who:
Is remembered as cruel and fierce, v2
Who slept with the heathen, v2
Raised up sons to become deceives of people, v3
Whose sons, jehoahaz and jehoakim were captured and killed, v4,9
Is like a vine, now destroyed, uprooted, thrown to the ground, stripped of power and burnt to cinders.

Let’s rejoice thankfully for our mothers and as a mother make sure the children don’t lament over you.

Ezekiel 18

I am surrounded by victims.
“It’s not my fault” and “I’m not to blame” is what I hear.
“The previous generation are to blame”
“The fathers eat sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge ”

There are many who say they are not at fault. That it was the previous generation.

But if the righteous father does not sin and the son does sin, who gets punished? The son.
If the father sins and the son does not then who gets punished? The father.
This is fair and just.

Are you to blame?
Don’t blame others.

Ezekiel 16

They trusted in their appearance, v15
They trusted in what God had given, v17-19.
They trusted their own judgment, v20-25.
They trusted their own pursuits, v26-29.
They trusted their present and future and not their past, v43.
They became’ like mother like daughter’ or ‘like father like son’, v44.
They did not become like God!
Let people first see God in us before they see a parent.
Trust Him.

Ezekiel 15

The vine bears fruit.
That is its purpose.
It is not to be cut down for furniture.
Nor to heat homes in the fire.
Yet because of a disconnect from its source.
That is what it has become.
It is not fulfilling its purpose.
Rendered useless.
I am speaking of God’s people.
His people without their true purpose are good for nothing.
Everyone needs to know this:-
That without God, I can do nothing
But with God, I can do all things.
In particular, I can fulfil what I was born for.

Ezekiel 14

I couldn’t see them, but He could.
Idols of the heart, stumbling blocks before their faces.
I couldn’t see them, but He could.
Their hearts worship other things.
Their faces can no longer see Him.
Here they are sitting with me.
Why should God listen?
Not even the most righteous person could intervene for them.
This was always going to be the role of Jesus.
Thank God for Him!