anitasanecdotes

Ezekiel 12 and 13 begins with Ezekiel acting out the exile of the leadership of Israel. They will be held account. It is interesting that God allows some of the sinful to escape so that they will be able to tell about what they have done and the punishment they have received so that everyone will know who the true God is.

Then Ezekiel becomes a model for the people of Jerusalem showing them that they will live in violence and fear.

Next Ezekiel is told to address the prophets who are giving false prophesies. God will fulfill all of His prophecies and punish those who have led the people astray.

James 4 speaks out against succumbing to our desires. Because we give in to them we lead ourselves down the wrong path. The desire leads to the wrong action which leads to another. Our motivations are often selfish and move us away from God.

We are encouraged to resist the devil (temptation) and draw close to God. We need to put God first ahead of our own desires. We also are encouraged to turn to God now. We might think that we have time, but no one knows what tomorrow will bring. It is arrogance to believe that we are above it all.

Ezekiel 10 and 11 speak about the cherubim that surround God’s throne. They are the living creatures introduced in chapter 1. They are able to see in all directions. Each one has four faces: a cherub, a human, a lion and an eagle, perhaps representing God’s creation.

God assures Ezekiel that while many are being killed for their sins. A remnant will be gathered from those who have been exiled. They will eventually be able to return to Jerusalem.

Ezekiel’s vision ends and he finds himself back with the elders in Babylon. He tells them what he has seen.

James 3 speaks of the heavy responsibility placed upon those who teach the scriptures. What we say is powerful and can be used to build up or tear down. It can speak the truth or be deceitful. It can bless or curse. We need to seek wisdom to truly speak in the way that reflects God’s truth.

In Ezekiel 8 and 9 Ezekiel is taken to Jerusalem in a vision. He is shown the abominations that the elders and people are committing against God. The people believe that they are free to do these things because they think that God cannot see them. They are mistaken.

We hide our sin in dark places. We believe that no one sees. We think that we are safe and will not be found out. But God knows each of our sins, whether committed in the open or in secret. God knows our hearts.

God has a man dressed in linen mark the heads of those few faithful who remain in Jerusalem. Then God sends six men into the city to kill anyone who does not have the mark.

God does not punish the righteous. Time and time again God separates out the faithful from the sinful. God marks His own. May we be marked with the mark of Christ. May we be numbered among the righteous and faithful.

Psalm 119:121-144 struggles with the fact that just because we are faithful we are not immune to suffering. The writer believes that because he has kept the precepts of God he should not experience the oppression of the wicked. Often it is the case that the faithful are oppressed by the unfaithful. The writer affirms that even in his suffering he delights in God’s word. The scriptures can provide the strength we need when we are suffering.

In Ezekiel 6 and 7 God speaks against the high places where the people worshiped idols. Those that practice such abominations will be destroyed. Their land will become desolate. They will experience disaster after disaster.

It is amazing that this is the third prophet we have read that has been sent to the people of Israel to try to change their minds about worshiping idols. We will read even more in the weeks that follow. God tries again and again in many different ways to get the people to recognize their sin and turn from their disobedient ways and yet they continue to disobey. Why is it that we would much rather hold on to our disobedience and deal with the punishment than submit ourselves to God?

James 2 chastises us for our partiality toward the rich. God favors the poor and makes them rich in faith. If we fail to reach out to those who are suffering we show that we do not have faith. Our faith is only proven in our actions. If we do not concern ourselves with our neighbors in need we have no understanding of God and His love. To say we have faith and then not to act in keeping with that faith is meaningless.

In Ezekiel 4 and 5 God has Ezekiel symbolically represent Israel and Jerusalem. He represents their punishment through his actions. As they see what he is doing they will learn what God is doing to them. Ezekiel will explain his actions and reveal their punishment.

James 1 encourages those who are going through trial to meet these trials with joy. They test our faith and allow us to build up endurance. We need to realize that temptation does not come from God, but rather from our own desire. If God’s word is implanted within us we can overcome the temptation. As we do the word we move farther away from the things that would tarnish us.

In Ezekiel 2 and 3 the human form in the glory of the Lord tells Ezekiel to speak to the people of Israel. He is to confront those who have sinned and warn the righteous. They will have no excuse if they disobey God because God will have told them about their sins. God warns Ezekiel that this is a rebellious house so he should not expect them to listen. He, on the other hand, must obey and tell them what God says.

Psalm 119.97-120 speaks of the importance of meditating on God’s word. It makes us wiser than our enemies and have more understanding than the aged. The writer places his hope in the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 1 begins a very different book from the prophecies we have already read. While the visions in Isaiah and Jeremiah are of earthly things Ezekiel encounters heavenly visions. The first vision is of the heavenly throne surrounded by four fantastical living beings. In the middle of the vision is a being surrounded by the glory of the Lord.

John 21 concludes the gospel account with an encounter between Jesus and Peter. Jesus makes Peter catch a large catch of fish. After Peter comes ashore Jesus eats breakfast with him. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. All three times Peter says he does. Jesus tells him to take care of His sheep.

This encounter is in contrast to the last time that Peter was asked if he knew Jesus. Then he had denied knowing Him three times. Jesus allows him to reverse his answer and restores Peter’s relationship.

Lamentations 3, 4 and 5 continues the lament over what has happened to the people of God. It acknowledges that God does not want to punish His people but is forced to do it because they continue in their sin. As time goes on it seems as though God will never save them. They have been brought low completely. Only then might they ask for help.

John 20 tells of Jesus’ encounters with his disciples after his resurrection. First he appears to Mary Magdalene. She recognizes him immediately. Next he appears to the disciples who are hiding away from the Jews. He breathes on them to give them the peace of his Holy Spirit. Thomas is not there and doesn’t believe that Jesus has really risen. Jesus appears to Thomas, who then believes. Jesus blesses those of us who believe even though we have not seen.

Lamentations 1 and 2 lament the state of Jerusalem and Judah after the people have been exiled to Babylon. Jerusalem remembers her sin and mourns the punishment she is enduring. Judah and Israel also mourn their fate. They exhort Jerusalem to cry out to God and turn to the Lord.

John 19 opens with Pilate dealing with Jesus. When he hears that Jesus has claimed to be the Son of God he becomes frightened. He tells Jesus that he has the power to save Him, but Jesus says that his power to do this comes from God. He would not be able to proceed if it were not in God’s plan. Pilate tries to release him but is stopped by the priests insist.

Jesus is crucified in the way that the scriptures had attested. He was buried in a new tomb.

It is hard for us to consider that Jesus had to go through all of this for us but he did. It was all part of God’s plan for our salvation. The Lamb of God willingly sacrificed himself to remove our sins from us. He had the power to change it all if he wished but he knew that this was the plan from the very beginning. Our relationship with the Father was finally restored.

Jeremiah 51 and 52 testify to the fact that although Israel and Judah are being punished for their sins, God has not forsaken them.  While God used Babylon for his purposes He will punish it because of its sin. The book ends with a brief history of the events that led to the exile of the people of Judah into Babylon.

Psalm 119:73-96 recognizes that God has taken care of us since before we were born. Even though we may suffer in this life we are able to endure, survive and thrive because of God’s great love for us.