SOAP 09/06/2014; Ezekiel 29:15-16

Today's reading: Ezekiel 29, 30, 31, 32; Revelation 11

S) "¹⁵ It will be the lowest of the kingdoms, and it will never again lift itself up above the nations. And I will make them so small that they will not rule over the nations. ¹⁶ And it will never again be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing to mind the iniquity of their having turned to Egypt. Then they will know that I am the Lord God."

Ezekiel 29:15-16 (NASB)

O) This is from the prophecy against Egypt, when Nebuchadnezzar was going to make his way to conquer them. The LORD tells Ezekiel about their destruction (and restoration) with a particular purpose, relative to the Israelites. In general, the prophecies against the surrounding nations were about the punishment of those nations, often for boasting over Judah and Israel, or taking advantage of the judgment against God's people. In this case, it includes punishment for Egypt's treatment of the children of God, but it's also more than that. God wanted Israel to pay close attention, to realize once and for all, that Egypt was never going to be a viable, saving, protective help to them.

A) God can, has, and will, use other people to indirectly carry out His will in my life. In a difficulty, He will use the willing hands of a friend, to help me. In distress, He will use brothers and sisters, or even unbelievers, for His will. He is sovereign, holy, and just; this is His prerogative. However, He is still the source of my securities. He is still my protection and provision, my portion and my shield. It is foolish, and unfaithful, for me to think that others can or will save me from calamity. On a related note, I need to realize how temporary it is, the help I might receive from others. I can only afford to have confidence in one, The One, because He is the trustworthy, faithful, powerful, sovereign, Father God who knows and loves me beyond comprehension or doubt.

P) Father, You alone are the Lord GOD. I repent from foolishly, unfaithfully putting my trust or hope in any person or thing, other than You. I will have no confidence, but in You alone. In my time of need, I will look to You alone, and trust that You are mighty to save, however You choose to execute salvation and redemption. Let Your will alone be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/05/2014; Ezekiel 27:26-27

Today's reading: Ezekiel 25, 26, 27, 28; Revelation 10

S) "²⁶ Your rowers have brought you
Into great waters;
The east wind has broken you
In the heart of the seas.
²⁷ Your wealth, your wares, your merchandise,
Your sailors and your pilots,
Your repairers of seams, your dealers in merchandise
And all your men of war who are in you,
With all your company that is in your midst,
Will fall into the heart of the seas
On the day of your overthrow."

Ezekiel 27:26-27 (NASB)

O) What is striking about this arrangement, is the contrast to vv. 3-9, where so many of these same things (and people) were listed as amazing characteristics of Tyre. Their wealth and diverse trade were unmatched. They had the best sailors, rowers, and ship-crafters. Their army was proven, and the sea was theirs! And when it came time that the LORD would humble them, how did He do it? He did it by negating, nullifying, and erasing all of the things that made Tyre so great.

A) Without a doubt, if I was Tyre hearing this from Ezekiel firsthand, this should be taken as a grave warning. In the here-and-now, this can still be taken as a warning, albeit a parabolic one (after all, I have no ships, employees, wealth, etc.). But I think the greater message to us, two millennia later, is to understand the awesome sovereignty of the Lord GOD. He will not, will not, share His glory. In chapter 28, we see that the king of Tyre considered himself a god. So, how does the One True God respond? By breaking off every single thing that fed the pride of Tyre. God humbles the haughty with the very things that make them haughty, to prove His power and make the act unmistakable. I suppose, as will all realizations of God's true character, my response is still to make myself humble. But, make no mistake, the above verse is not about Tyre, it is not about my pride, it is about His sovereignty.

P) Father, there is none more powerful, none more wise, none greater that You. Everything good that I have, I confess that it all came from You, just as You've said in James 1:17. I would always rather be humbled than lose ground in our relationship, Father. So, if ever I become haughty, please discipline me as Your son. By the Holy Spirit inside of me, please show me the areas that are becoming proud, so that I can humble myself. Let Your sovereign will be done in my life, though. May my life be used for Your glory, however You decide is best. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/04/2014; Ezekiel 22-1-2

Today's reading: Ezekiel 22, 23, 24; Revelation 9

S) "¹ Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ^2 'And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations.'"

Ezekiel 22:1-2 (NASB)

O) This is a fairly simple concept, but it struck me, and it's important, so I decided to journal about it (especially because I have two daughters whom I cherish, and a son for that matter). As I was reading through all three of these chapters in Ezekiel, I was truck by the prevalence of femininity throughout these three chapters. In particular, we see prophecy about God's righteous judgment against the unfaithful. Throughout these chapters, those who are unfaithful are characterized as a woman (or individual women) who are adulterous. In fact, I think I counted 40-some references to "her" and another 20-ish to "she" throughout all three of these chapters. The danger to the reader, is taking some of these verses out of context - the context being the above verses. God refers to His people, and Samaria, and Jerusalem, as women. This is not because of misogyny. This is not because of some character flaw in the LORD, but rather, because of a character flaw in us. God is not a feminist. God is not a chauvinist. He is righteous. Even today, in some cultures and to some degree, and especially during biblical times, women had a severe dependency on men. God was trying to illustrate our dependency on Him, using our own broken society to help us see it. Speaking of infidelity, He illustrates this as a woman being unfaithful, because it drove home a different point to the male listener. If a man from that time (or many men today) heard a story of a man cheating on his wife, it wouldn't phase him. If he heard a story of a woman cheating on her husband - suddenly he is furious. Throughout the Bible, God shows Himself as concerned for the well-being of women as He is for men. But, for the purposes of getting the attention of His people, the ones who had been unfaithful to Him, the men who held the power, the men who had misled their nation, their cities, their families, their wives - He used powerful, explicit imagery.

A) This is a reminder not to take things out of context when I read the Bible. I need to be sure that I am reading prayerfully, allowing the Holy Spirit to open my eyes and ears. It is a reminder to read the Bible with a historical understanding. It is a reminder that if there is something unclear, I am the one who is broken - not Him. I am the one who needs to be clarified, not Him, not the Bible.

P) Father, Your ways are pure. Your holiness is complete and unending. Let me approach Your holy words with that respect. Teach me to revere them as pure and holy. Rebuke me when I think the Bible needs to be clarified. Remind me that Your words are already clear, pure, and holy. May the Holy Spirit then clarify my understanding, and give me wisdom, to understand Your holy words. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/03/2014; Ezekiel 21:6-7

Today's reading: Ezekiel 21, 22; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

S) "⁶ As for you, son of man, groan with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan in their sight. ⁷ And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,' declares the Lord God."

Ezekiel 21:6-7 (NASB)

O) The LORD told Ezekiel, that He would be separating the righteous and the wicked (v.3), and that His sword would be sharpened and polished, readied for the destruction of the wicked (throughout the chapter, nine times I counted). Ezekiel was tasked with warning Jerusalem and the land of Israel, that the judgment of the LORD was coming, and He would not be turned back. The sword was drawn and it would not be put away (v.5), and He makes it clear that Babylon is that sword (vv.19-23). So, why wasn't Ezekiel's instruction as simple as a warning? Why was he instructed specifically, to be brokenhearted, groaning with bitter grief in their sight? In times past, several prophets would warn about guilt of evil and righteous judgment, then simply be done with it. I really think that God wanted Ezekiel to manifest His heart about this, so that it might grab the attention of the people (some, at least). It's one thing to prophesy destruction, but it's another to prophesy it while being plainly upset by it. As I was typing this observation, I was struck by the foreshadowing this passage has for Luke 19:41-44, when Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

A) When I read Old Testament prophetic books, my usual impression is one of humble thanks. Generally, I'm just struck by the grace involved that I am considered righteous by the LORD, and I am spared from His wrath. I marked these verses as instruction, though, because I think Ezekiel recorded an important element to intercession. I've been making concerted efforts in my prayers for my unsaved family, lately. Some of my most moving times of prayer have come when I am struck by grief over their souls. Even focusing only on the temporal, for a moment, I see so much pain, sorrow, confusion, stress, strife, anxiety, and chaos - all of which is washed away by the blood of Jesus and reconciliation to the Father. Crucial to following Ezekiel's example, though, isn't that I would simply grieve for them - I've done that some already - I need to be visibly moved. Not only do I need to be visibly upset by this, the vulnerability of which will take a huge amount of courage, but I also need to be bold enough to talk about why I am upset. I've known for a long time, that to minister means to risk being wounded. Now, it's time for me to make that a reality, voluntarily, if that's what it takes to reach my family.

P) Father, Your goodness is overwhelming. There is no wound You cannot heal, there is no pain You cannot soothe, there is no brokenness You cannot mend, there is no loss You cannot recover, there is no life You cannot redeem. You are sovereign and almighty, righteous and merciful, gracious and loving. I commit myself to being a tool in Your hands. Use me, however You will. Draw my family to repentance through Your compassion and lovingkindness, just as You said. Help me be patient, knowing that Your timing is perfect; You are never late, just as You have said. You said that I am given a spirit of boldness, not timidity, so let me be bold in my obedience. Help me to be visibly moved, grieved, by the need I see in my loved ones, to know Your grace and mercy. Open their eyes to see, and their ears to hear, so that they will take notice. When I am asked, and please let me be asked, then give me the courage to be honest, completely truthful, in my confession to them. Let Your will be done in my life, and in their lives. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/02/2014; Ezekiel 17:18-19

Today's reading: Ezekiel 17, 18, 19; Revelation 7

S) "^18 'Now he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, and behold, he pledged his allegiance, yet did all these things; he shall not escape.' ¹⁹ Therefore, thus says the Lord God, 'As I live, surely My oath which he despised and My covenant which he broke, I will inflict on his head.'"

Ezekiel 17:18-19 (NASB)

O) There was a two-fold problem at work during this second exile. Zedekiah, king of Judah, was set on the throne in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. In that ascension, he pledged allegiance to Babylon. Then he rebelled, seeking aid from Egypt. The first problem, is that Zedekiah refused to accept that the oppression by Babylon was the judgment from the LORD. The second problem, which stems directly from that, is that he sought aid from another kingdom instead of help from the LORD. Zedekiah didn't recognize the Lord GOD from either side, that the sword and the refuge both belong to Him. So, v.18 shows that Zedekiah wouldn't acknowledge the LORD was behind the conquest. Then, v.19 shows that Zedekiah wouldn't acknowledge the LORD was his salvation.

A) While we are not destined for wrath, as believers (see 1 Thessalonians 5:9), passages like this are still incredibly helpful to see who God is. And, make no mistake, this is still who God is, because the LORD does not change. So, I am thankful that I have received mercy through grace by the blood of Jesus Christ. I remember that hardship is still sometimes discipline from my Father God. Last, during hardships, I look to my Lord GOD for help.

P) Father, Your plans are great, and Your sovereignty is irresistible. Open my eyes to see Your plan. Help me recognize when hardship is discipline, and correct my wrong behavior and heart. Open my ears to hear Your voice, to know Your call, especially to recognize when I have sinned and need to repent. Thank You for the mercies You have shown me, and continue to show me. Let Your will be done. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/01/2014; Ezekiel 16:6

Today's reading: Ezekiel 15, 16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

S) "⁶When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!' Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!'"

Ezekiel 16:6 (NASB)

O) The LORD gave Ezekiel a lengthy analogy, describing the Israelites as a baby girl, despised at birth, and abandoned in the wilderness. The above verse begins a long description of the Father God raising up this baby girl, all the way to maturity, when she is old enough to marry. Then, He takes her as His wife and adorns her in beauty, feeds her with the finest foods, and loves her lavishly. The woman begins a life of harlotry, and that's the bigger message to the Israelites at this time, but I really chose the above verse, at the beginning, because it emphasizes the grace that God has for us. He takes us from the brink of death, when we were alone and abandoned with no help and no hope. He doesn't simply allow us to live, He doesn't stop when we are healthy again, but He continues to bring us up, until we are ready to be devoted to Him. He doesn't simply require devotion as "payback" because we "owe Him" for saving our lives. No, He continues to bless, continues in His grace, by pouring out gift upon gift, beauty upon beauty, courting us at every turn, inviting our love in every way.

A) Humble thanks should be my main response to this. Obviously, there is an unspoken (at least in this single verse) warning that is to be taken from this, to be devoted to my Lord and not become a harlot. But this morning, I am particularly struck by the gracious nature of my Father God, my Lord and King, my Redeemer.

P) Father God, I am in awe of Your eternal grace. This grace You have for me precedes my knowledge of You. This grace You gave me was from the beginning of who I am, before I even understood that I needed it, that I needed You. I was abandoned to this world at my birth, doomed by the sin that was born with me, within me. There was none to save me, none to love me, none who could restore me, and make me live. I was dying, and I could barely comprehend it. But You took me, held me, made me live. You cleaned me, fed me, clothed me. You gave me purpose, beauty, and everything good. You held back no good gift, even still You bless in grace. I know that I am still prone to death, prone to sins that amount to harlotry. Worse, I am an adulterous wife, since I receive nothing in return as Ezekiel pronounced in vv.32-33. Yet, Your grace continues. Thank You for the forgiveness of my infidelity. Thank You for the blood-purchase made, through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Remind me often, especially during hardships and grief, that Your grace was from the beginning, in the midst of my own doom, and Your grace continues even now. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/31/2014; Ezekiel 12:21-23

Today's reading: Ezekiel 12, 13, 14; Revelation 5

S) "²¹ Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ^22 'Son of man, what is this proverb you people have concerning the land of Israel, saying, "The days are long and every vision fails"? ²³ Therefore say to them, "Thus says the Lord God, 'I will make this proverb cease so that they will no longer use it as a proverb in Israel.' But tell them, 'The days draw near as well as the fulfillment of every vision."'"

Ezekiel 12:21-23 (NASB)

O) The objects in this passage are less important, I think, than the overall effect. The people were misguided and pessimistic in their world view. In the midst of exile and oppression, they had lost touch with their God (because of their own unfaithfulness, to be sure). God was determined change that culture. I don't think we live in a culture today, that can justifiably claim every vision is fulfilled. I do think, very much, that the LORD wants to change several things about our culture, especially our Christian culture.

A) My concern is not so much about Christian culture at large, but about my family culture. There are several, very common proverbs in today's world. Phrases like, "You only live once" (YOLO), or "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all." So many of these types of sayings exist because people do not truly know the LORD, even if they've heard of Him. In my family, I want to be sure that my wife and kids know Him well, and understand the promises we do have through His Word. As phrases, sayings, and proverbs come and go, His words never fail, never change. So, I want to continually set the culture in my home. My hope is that my children's children's children will hear something errant, and will immediately be able to call it out for the hopeless or angry or shallow lie that it is.

P) Father God, Your goodness is beyond my full understanding. But, even what I do know, is enough to deserve my eternal devotion, in the hope of Your lovingkindness and redemption. Help me guard my family against surrounding culture that is unbiblical. Help me to set a culture in my house, that is firmly founded on knowing You. Keep us from the deceptions of the world, so that You will be glorified and praised when others see the hope, joy, and love we share. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.