March 15, 2025

Just when I thought I couldn’t learn anything from God’s vengeance on the enemies of Israel and Judah, He opened my eyes to the truth. What could we possibly learn from these other countries? Tyre wasn’t an enemy of Judah and Jerusalem but was a rival. When Jerusalem fell at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, they were happy because now they could prosper more by filling the needs of Jerusalem’s customers. God doesn’t see things the same as we do, and He was not happy with them for rejoicing over the destruction of His people and sent Nebuchadnezzar to take over their country, too. Their destruction was so bad that they would never be heard from again. We should learn from their experience and shouldn’t be happy about the destruction of others because the recompense of God will come down hard on those who are delighted over someone’s misfortune. God expects us to love our neighbors, so we should expect His correction if we provoke Him for not keeping His commands. Like a dear friend reminded me, vengeance is not as satisfying as you would expect. Let God handle the correction, but do not rejoice in the misfortune of others, even your enemy. 

I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 26:21

March 14, 2025

Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. In the following seven chapters of Ezekiel, he prophesies against Israel's enemies. When God corrects us, it is loving, but when he corrects others for oppressing His children, especially those who reject Him and seek after fake gods, it is wrath! When someone hurts me or my family, I seethe with anger and desire to lash out against them with revenge. However, that's not the best idea because who can cause more harm to them than God? Rather than take things into your own hands, pray that you might see the outcome of His vengeance. Now remember, seeing it may not be part of God's plan, but it would sure feel good to know that the pain they caused us doesn't go unpunished. You can be sure that even if you don't get to witness God's vengeance on your behalf, there will be consequences for their actions against you. Cry out to God and allow Him to relieve your anger. Ask Him for justice. He is loving and will calm your anger and soothe your pain. Don't forget, He wants your enemy to turn away from evil and seek Him, too, and turn to His Son, our Savior, Jesus, and come under His covering. At the time, we may wish they burn in hell for the rest of their lives, but we don't understand that kind of pain and should never want that for anyone. The best revenge is to see them turn themselves around and come to know the Lord, which will make things better for everyone.

And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them. Ezekiel 25:17

March 13, 2025

Nebuchadnezzar went against Jerusalem as Ezekiel had predicted. He informed the people in captivity with him of the siege by boiling meat and using some of the bones as kindling for the fire. Again, Ezekiel had to act out the news so the people would understand him, much like children and cartoons. God gave him this word, and that very same day, it happened just as He said, giving the people proof that the words coming from Ezekiel were the words of God. Then, a heartbreaking thing happened to Ezekiel: his wife died. God had forewarned that this would happen, but are you ever prepared for such an event? However, what's even more sad is that God told him not to mourn for her, that he wasn't allowed to shed a tear. He had to continue carrying on like nothing had happened. The act of not grieving was also a sign to the people that they wouldn't be able to mourn for the loss of the sanctuary and that it would be dissolved, and their sons and daughters would die by the sword. We can see from this and already know that God looks at marriage as a sanctuary. Doesn't this all make sense, even for those who are slow to understand? We can count on God keeping His word; if He vows destruction, it will happen; if He vows relief, we can count on it. His words are trustworthy and true. We may not like how they happen, but He is the One we can count on. 

And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another. Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 24:23-24

March 12, 2025

God gave a word to Ezekiel to prophesy, calling out Jerusalem and Samaria for their whoredoms, calling them sisters, Aholah and Aholibah, for going after the gods of Assyria and Egypt. He admonished them for sacrificing their children to Moloch, shedding their blood, and burning them with fire. It was such a grotesque act and showed their love for their fake gods was more than for their children and the One True God, to whom they had committed. The same thing is happening today but may look slightly different. I would compare it to abortion, child trafficking, using children to satisfy their sick desires, and parents seizing the minds of their children, allowing them to think they were born in the wrong body and committing the heinous atrocity of cutting off parts of their bodies before they are old enough to consent. Many Hollywood stars sacrifice their children this way so they can have a career in the spotlight. There is no doubt that it’s a sick, satanic ritual that they must participate in because of the deals they’ve made with the devil. Even ordinary people do such disturbing acts to their children. If people would stay faithful to God and keep their faces looking toward Him, it is less likely that these types of demonic rituals would happen. We don’t want to believe such things are going on today, but a simple surface-level internet search will show you the truth about how sick people are.  God cleansed Jerusalem and Samaria by removing the people and allowing them to lay desolate for seventy years after the people were carried into Babylon. What’s going to happen to us? Time will tell. Pray for our country that the people committing such atrocities are brought to justice. 

And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 23:49

March 11, 2025

Know this: God sees those who oppress His children. As Americans in the United States, we have had our minds seared into believing we are free, and to an extent, we are, considering we are free to worship God as long as it doesn’t interfere with the plans of the wicked. As a reminder, look back at 2020 as an example; in most places, the churches were closed and barred from collective worship. The World Health Organization declared the pandemic on March 11, 2020! That time was a good reminder of how free we are not! It was a wake-up call for our people; many woke up, but many are still oppressed by it; we know this because so many are still wearing masks, even when alone in their cars. What does this have to do with Ezekiel? Like many countries today, the powers in Judah and Jerusalem were oppressing the poor, laws were broken and overlooked, the prophets were deceitful, and God couldn’t find a man among them to pray for the people or stand in the gap for them. The difference between then and now is that we have people to intercede and go before God on behalf of the people and pray that they turn back to righteousness. We are in dire straits; are you praying? Make it your mission to stand in the gap and call for repentance to help turn away the wrath of God from those who don’t believe that they would see their wrongful ways, turn to Jesus, and become saved. The lessons of the past should be a stark reminder that God is just and will set things right, one way or another.

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. Ezekiel 22:27-28

March 10, 2025

It is sad when the wicked do not turn from their ways because God will not relent in their punishment. Unfortunately, there are times when the righteous are caught in His fury. However, God will make it up to the righteous in other ways, namely, dwelling with Him in the heavenly realm. Ezekiel warns Judah and Jerusalem of the coming sword, that it will be sharpened and polished for the slaughter and will take everything in its path as it goes forth. This was a warning to those left in Jerusalem that Nebuchadnezzar would make a third and final pass over the country and would bring an end to Israel and Judah. Of course, they didn’t listen and did not shudder at the implications of what was about to come down on their heads. God told Ezekiel to sigh to indicate his fear of what was coming at His hand. Remember, God can and will use His enemy for whatever purpose He wants. So if your enemy comes after you, it may not be Satan or demons trying to destroy you, it might be God trying to correct you. Don’t believe the lie that God is not disciplining you for your sins; what if He is and you deny the correction? He may come down harder to show you the truth of your misbehavior. If you are saved, there is no longer eternal punishment, but do not doubt that He will correct you. Stay constant in prayer, repentance is necessary, and avoiding the continuation of your sin is required to stop or slow the process of discipline. God corrects those he loves; have no doubt that He loves you. 

And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 21:7

March 9, 2025

God told Ezekiel to write a lamentation for the past kings of Israel and Judah since an end had come to their kingdom because of their captivity in Babylon. Ezekiel compared the children of Israel to a lioness, producing whelps that became lions (kings) who used their positions of power to do whatever they pleased rather than what was best for their constituents. Other countries saw this, exploited their weakness, and devoured them, and God allowed it to happen. Mourning for the loss of what once was is something we can all understand. When a light is shined on corruption, and the dirty laundry is laid out for all the world to see, it is embarrassing and shows weakness, allowing the nation's enemies to overtake; that's what happened to the kings of Israel and Judah. This lamentation is relevant today. We see nations crumbling all over the world at the hands of tyrants, including our USA. We hope and pray that the hand of God is resting on our current leader and that he will turn things around for the better. Eventually, we will see God's plan unfold, whether it is for good or if we are being disciplined. 

Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit. Ezekiel 19:8