Today's Reading:
Ezekiel 1:1-3:15
Matthew 8:18-34
Proverbs 11:9-18
Click on Text Link to Read Online
Focus Verses: Ezekiel 1:26-28
26 Above
the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire,
and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I
saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing
metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire;
and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like
the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the
radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the
glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice
of one speaking.
Insight:
Ezekiel
was among the first Jews driven away from Judah and taken to Babylon by
King Nebuchadnezzar in 597 b.c. He was from a priestly family, and
during his early days in exile he received a prophetic calling. His
received his first vision and calling among the exiles by the Kebar
River in the land of the Babylonians.
Though God's
people were scattered and captive, and Jerusalem was under siege, and
the Temple was destroyed, God was still powerful and glorious upon his
heavenly throne. The destruction of Jerusalem had not destroyed God!
God
had allowed exile and destruction to purify his people and save them
from the idolatry and paganism Jerusalem had become. God would dismantle
everything and start over, if that's what it would take to turn the
hearts of his people back to him and make them holy.
Response and Action:
Human
traditions, practices, institutions, and power structures are
vulnerable to corruption. Temples erected for worshiping God can become
places of idolatry. Kings called to serve God can become tyrants who
oppose and dishonor him. Systems and traditions, intended to help people
understand and follow God, can become burdensome rules and empty ritual
that become barriers to knowing God.
When these things
fall apart and tumble down, God does not fall or tumble with them. When
churches, traditions, and leaders fail, those who know and serve the
One True God soon discover that God is still alive and well. God is
faithful to reveal himself to those who seek him. Even in times of exile
and destruction, God calls and gives purpose to those faithful to him.
O
God, no matter where I am at, no matter what my circumstance, show
yourself to me and give me a sense of calling and purpose. Give me a
priestly heart that moves me to lift up the needs of others to you in
prayer. Give me a prophetic spirit that causes me to speak your truth to
my family, church, and neighbors. Help me to remember that though
kingdoms rise and fall, your throne is forever. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: 1 Peter 2:9
24 To
him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before
his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to
the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through
Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Resources:
The Message of Ezekiel: A New Heart and a New Spirit (The Bible Speaks Today)
by Christopher J.H. Wright
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