September 5 - Ezekiel 25-27
These three chapters are prophecies against the neighbors of Israel and a lamentation for Tyre. I believe there are at least two valuable principles that God wants to teach us through this passage and through other passages like this one. God wants us to understand that He pours out His wrath on sin to show people that He is Lord. He also wants us to see that He loves Israel, and He has promised to bless those who bless them and to curse those who curse them. These principles are seen clearly in all of history.
First of all, think about how people know that God exists. One way is that when they sin, they are always punished in some fashion. They may not think what they have done is a sin. They may not believe in the absolutes God has established. However, He is Lord of all. He has declared what is right and wrong for everyone everywhere at all times. He will punish that sin, so that people know He exists and that He is Lord. This passage tells us that about each of these countries. The same applies to every individual who ever lived on this earth. Even if his or her society did not yet know about the One True God, that person could begin to know that there was a God and to submit to Him, because he or she saw the consequences of sin. Read the first chapter of Romans, if you want proof of this.
Then, think about all of the countries that have oppressed the Jewish people. How many of them are in existence today? How many of them are blessed? There are none, because God promised Abraham in an eternal covenant that He would bless Abraham's descendants and those who blessed them, and He would curse those who cursed them. (Genesis 12:1-3) We see this principle in the world today, and we need to promote this truth in our country, where people are tempted to turn against Israel because of politics. The USA will not be exempt from this spiritual truth. God will curse us too, if we turn against Israel.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 28-30.
First of all, think about how people know that God exists. One way is that when they sin, they are always punished in some fashion. They may not think what they have done is a sin. They may not believe in the absolutes God has established. However, He is Lord of all. He has declared what is right and wrong for everyone everywhere at all times. He will punish that sin, so that people know He exists and that He is Lord. This passage tells us that about each of these countries. The same applies to every individual who ever lived on this earth. Even if his or her society did not yet know about the One True God, that person could begin to know that there was a God and to submit to Him, because he or she saw the consequences of sin. Read the first chapter of Romans, if you want proof of this.
Then, think about all of the countries that have oppressed the Jewish people. How many of them are in existence today? How many of them are blessed? There are none, because God promised Abraham in an eternal covenant that He would bless Abraham's descendants and those who blessed them, and He would curse those who cursed them. (Genesis 12:1-3) We see this principle in the world today, and we need to promote this truth in our country, where people are tempted to turn against Israel because of politics. The USA will not be exempt from this spiritual truth. God will curse us too, if we turn against Israel.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 28-30.