Good Morning “Refined”. Today we are in Ezekiel 24.
Wow… yet another hard chapter. This one hits hard because Ezekiel has been so very faithful. Through the years God has asked Ezekiel to use his own life / body as an object lesson in some pretty demanding ways. Ezekiel was always willing. One might expect a pat on the back from God. Today, for the sake of getting His message clearly across to Judah, Ezekiel is called to do the unimaginable.
God wants Judah to understand they need to “take their medicine”. Ezekiel is to demonstrate the proper way to respond to Gods judgment. They are not to mourn, and spurn The Lord, but instead recognize Gods Goodness through even their judgment. But how will Ezekiel be able to do this before the described judgment comes? God is going to take his wife. What? Yup! My heart sinks at the thought of losing Jodi! I fear I would be UNDONE! Ezekiel must rest knowing God has a plan, and it is always good! His plan is for the good of His children and His Kingdom (Romans 8:28). He is to deny himself and rest in The Lord, even in the face of the unimaginable (Matthew 10:32-39). How would you respond?
Wrap your mind around how determined God is - to get His message into the hearts of His people. Often our first thought is not offending people. In an effort to be sensitive to “feelings”, to be “politically correct” we often completely neutralize the restorative message of God’s Word. Ezekiel was commanded to put his emotions aside, even toward his beloved wife - for the sake of Gods Word.
God’s holiness is paramount, above ALL else. The sin of His people must be dealt with to the point that they will FULLY return to a right relationship with Him.
When we attach the 1st half of chapter 24 with the 2nd, we clearly see that God’s “burning-away” of the “dross” within His people must be accomplished without His personal or emotional attachment. Otherwise, judgment will be compromised, and what comes forth from the fire will be less than pure gold.
Have you ever wondered why God brings difficult times upon “good” people, even His own children? We wonder because we only judge one another as “good” from a human perspective, while God, in His Mercy, shows us the “dross” in our lives - by turning up the heat.
Love you all! Dig in!
Wow… yet another hard chapter. This one hits hard because Ezekiel has been so very faithful. Through the years God has asked Ezekiel to use his own life / body as an object lesson in some pretty demanding ways. Ezekiel was always willing. One might expect a pat on the back from God. Today, for the sake of getting His message clearly across to Judah, Ezekiel is called to do the unimaginable.
God wants Judah to understand they need to “take their medicine”. Ezekiel is to demonstrate the proper way to respond to Gods judgment. They are not to mourn, and spurn The Lord, but instead recognize Gods Goodness through even their judgment. But how will Ezekiel be able to do this before the described judgment comes? God is going to take his wife. What? Yup! My heart sinks at the thought of losing Jodi! I fear I would be UNDONE! Ezekiel must rest knowing God has a plan, and it is always good! His plan is for the good of His children and His Kingdom (Romans 8:28). He is to deny himself and rest in The Lord, even in the face of the unimaginable (Matthew 10:32-39). How would you respond?
Wrap your mind around how determined God is - to get His message into the hearts of His people. Often our first thought is not offending people. In an effort to be sensitive to “feelings”, to be “politically correct” we often completely neutralize the restorative message of God’s Word. Ezekiel was commanded to put his emotions aside, even toward his beloved wife - for the sake of Gods Word.
God’s holiness is paramount, above ALL else. The sin of His people must be dealt with to the point that they will FULLY return to a right relationship with Him.
When we attach the 1st half of chapter 24 with the 2nd, we clearly see that God’s “burning-away” of the “dross” within His people must be accomplished without His personal or emotional attachment. Otherwise, judgment will be compromised, and what comes forth from the fire will be less than pure gold.
Have you ever wondered why God brings difficult times upon “good” people, even His own children? We wonder because we only judge one another as “good” from a human perspective, while God, in His Mercy, shows us the “dross” in our lives - by turning up the heat.
Love you all! Dig in!
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