Missions Paul

Ezekiel 31

Beyond comparison regarding his greatness, v2-3
Beautiful in appearance, risen in status, served by many, v4
Very successful in the work, v5
Many are impacted and influenced by his work, v6
Unrivalled by any other, v8
Envied by many, v9

Fantastic we all say!

But behind this person was a rising pride
So God cast it down.
He did this to Assyria.
He still does it today.

Ezekiel 30

This is what the Sovereign Lord says, v2

This is what the Lord says, v6

This is what the Sovereign Lord says, v10

This is what the Sovereign Lord says, v13

Okay this may be simple but nevertheless it’s true.

It’s not more sermons that we need it is sermons where God is actually speaking.

It’s not more prophecies but it is more divine direction.

Our communicators need to communicate Him.

For it is all about Him.

It is not about our professionalism.

It is not about the stages of the great modern cathedrals of Christianity.

Nor about our gifts and our abilities and our charisma and our experiences and our wisdom and our contacts and our finance and our intelligence and our persuasion.

What it’s about is this:

People need a message from God.

Ezekiel 29

It was day 12 of month 10 in year 10. He spoke to me again. (v1)
Then it was day 1 of month 1 in year 27 when His word came to me again. (v17)
These are not just dates. This is God speaking at important points in my life, in the life of this nation.
A year and 2 days after our city began to be attacked, in January 587 BC, something significant happened. ”Pharaoh’s army had marched out of Egypt, and when the Babylonians who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem.” (Jeremiah 37:5) This could have been a moment to rejoice to think Pharaoh was our friend but what does God ask of me? “Set your face against Pharaoh … and prophesy against him …” v2.
Then in year 27 God showed me how Nebuchadnezzar was carrying out God’s will by defeating Egypt. Israel’s enemy was defeating Israel’s enemy but was under the control of Israel’s God!
So I record these dates, for we should never forget when God speaks to us especially when He is telling us to be cautious when interpreting the circumstances and to know everything that happens God is still in control.

Ezekiel 28

So who was the King of Tyre that he would be finished and found no more? (26:21)

It is apparently someone who is leading the Phoenician merchant city of Tyre. But because chapter 27 calls for a lament which carries the meaning that this is prophetic poetry.
The understanding of the merchant is someone who wanders and bargains and misrepresents and deceives.

So who is he?
It is someone who thinks and operates as if they have the same authority as God, v2.
It is someone who is supernatural not man, v14.
It is someone who has been at the beginning of perfection and who was perfect until they created sin, v13.15.
It is someone who has the death sentence on them, they are already destroyed, there is no grace for them, v16.

So in understanding the judgment of God I realise not to look at people who have done wrong and deserve it. But I understand that the great merchant trader, the liar and the father of lies, satan himself who mercilessly attacks our lives has and will be truly defeated.
Amen!

Ezekiel 26

I realise that God will be against those who are against His.
He will expose their sins, their persecution of His people and they will be judged.
He will not stand by forever. He will do this to make Himself truly known.
But with Tyre, who are these people?
Why will there be no restitution?
Why is it so final? Why will they be finished and never found again?
Does any person truly deserve such ending?
Maybe they do.
Or maybe Tyre is not who I think it is …?

Oops I’ve missed out chapter 26 and it’s not because I don’t like it!
It’ll be here tomorrow! Today enjoy chapter 27 🙂

Ezekiel 27

The tables will be turned on the enemy of your life.
Those who scoff at you now will not be remembered later.
Those who belittle you now will themselves be exposed.
Those who have taken revenge on you will receive vengeance for doing so.
Those who carry historical hostility towards you will be cut off from their future.
Then they will know that I am The Lord.

Ezekiel 25

The tables will be turned on the enemy of your life.
Those who scoff at you now will not be remembered later.
Those who belittle you now will themselves be exposed.
Those who have taken revenge on you will receive vengeance for doing so.
Those who carry historical hostility towards you will be cut off from their future.
Then they will know that I am The Lord.

Ezekiel 24

I am a sign for Israel.
My life is a message to them.
When they see how I live, the words I say, my responses and reactions, they see God.
It takes everything.
This is 24/7 walking with God.
All that I am.
Everything I have.
That includes the things I would not choose to let go of.
My wife.
The apple of my eye.
Jerusalem, the desire of my people will be taken and burnt even though no one thinks it will be.
My wife will be that sign of this happening.
In her death she will speak.
And in her death I will not cry, I will not mourn my loss.
For this is the will of God.
And I surrender.

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.