September 1 - Ezekiel 13-15
The definition of a prophet is a person who speaks forth God's word. We know that the measure of a prophet is 100% accuracy, because he speaks the truth of God. However, the prophets of Israel had stopped speaking God's word, and they were speaking their own words. These words were false, so they were leading the people astray. This upset God terribly, so He brought a stricter judgment against them. This is basically true for us today. We do not have prophets like the prophets in the Old Testament, because we have the complete Word of God written down for us in the Bible. However, when someone teaches God's word or proclaims His word as a preacher, God expects accuracy, and He punishes falsehood, because it leads people away from His truth instead of leading people to Him.
The picture here in Ezekiel 13 is interesting, because God uses a word picture to describe what the prophets were supposed to do. He says they were supposed to fill up the gaps in the wall around the people, but they failed to do so. (13:5) They filled the gaps with mortar that was weak and faulty. Therefore, the breach in the wall got worse. In other words, the prophets were to strengthen the people against attack from falsehood and enemies, but they actually allowed the attacks to be worse and aided them. Therefore, God had to remove the people from their influence. (13:23)
Chapters 14 and 15 have a stark warning to us today in the USA considering hurricane Katrina. God said that because of "persistent unfaithfulness", He was bringing judgment on the land. He says that this is His practice for a land that sins against Him and will not listen. (14:13) Then, He says that even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there to pray for the land, they could not deliver anyone other than themselves, because the people had crossed the line through their persistent disobedience. Dose this sound like the USA? I think it does. If you say it is just a coincidence, look at 14:23. It says that God does nothing without a purpose. That makes sense doesn't it? The all-knowing God, who is all-wise, always has a purpose in what happens in this world. We can argue about what He causes and what He allows, but we can't argue that He has a purpose in it all. Romans 8:28 says that He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This promise goes for believers in fellowship with Him, but not for others. His purposes toward them are to turn them back to Him, sometimes through severe punishment.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 16-18.
The picture here in Ezekiel 13 is interesting, because God uses a word picture to describe what the prophets were supposed to do. He says they were supposed to fill up the gaps in the wall around the people, but they failed to do so. (13:5) They filled the gaps with mortar that was weak and faulty. Therefore, the breach in the wall got worse. In other words, the prophets were to strengthen the people against attack from falsehood and enemies, but they actually allowed the attacks to be worse and aided them. Therefore, God had to remove the people from their influence. (13:23)
Chapters 14 and 15 have a stark warning to us today in the USA considering hurricane Katrina. God said that because of "persistent unfaithfulness", He was bringing judgment on the land. He says that this is His practice for a land that sins against Him and will not listen. (14:13) Then, He says that even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there to pray for the land, they could not deliver anyone other than themselves, because the people had crossed the line through their persistent disobedience. Dose this sound like the USA? I think it does. If you say it is just a coincidence, look at 14:23. It says that God does nothing without a purpose. That makes sense doesn't it? The all-knowing God, who is all-wise, always has a purpose in what happens in this world. We can argue about what He causes and what He allows, but we can't argue that He has a purpose in it all. Romans 8:28 says that He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This promise goes for believers in fellowship with Him, but not for others. His purposes toward them are to turn them back to Him, sometimes through severe punishment.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 16-18.