Devotions
The Valley of Death
The text before us this morning (Ezekiel 37:1–14) may be the most familiar in the entire prophecy. It is the famed vision of the valley of dry bones. Familiarity has a way of robbing us of accurate interpretation, so we want to carefully consider the meaning of this...
The Power to Change
In recent days, we have seen God, through Ezekiel, promise new leadership (chapter 34) and a return to the land (35:1–36:14). These were glorious promises, but were they enough to ensure the ongoing well-being of God’s people? After all, they had previously had good...
God’s Love and the World’s Hate
We have observed in recent days that the tenor of Ezekiel’s prophecy, from chapter 33 onwards, takes a dramatic shift. From that point, the message is essentially one of hope and restoration for God’s people. In this scheme, chapter 35—an oracle of judgement against...
Greedy Shepherds and Fat Sheep
Every pastor worth his salt has spent time meditating on Ezekiel 34. This famous-for-pastors chapter contains stern words for greedy, unshepherdly shepherds. In ancient times, the king was the primary shepherd of his people (see 2 Samuel 5:2). The word against the...
More than a Formula
In 2005, in response to poll data released by Gallup, Ron Sider wrote a book titled The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. He reviewed Gallup data that revealed what he called “widespread, blatant disobedience” in (self-professing) evangelical Christian circles. Data...
Escaping Disappointment
Previously, we examined the first three of seven oracles Ezekiel delivered against Egypt. From a devotional perspective, we observed the allure that Egypt had long held for the Jews and the caution that Ezekiel offered against giving into this attraction. We want to...
Fatal Attraction
Ezekiel’s final oracle against the nations—his most extended—is directed at Israel’s historic enemy, Egypt. As was the case with Tyre (chapters 26–28), this oracle warns of judgement both on the land of Egypt and its ruler. The extended word really takes the form of...
Satanic Seduction
We saw previously that Ezekiel 25–32 contain oracles from God against various enemies of Judah. We specifically considered chapter 25, where the Lord pronounced judgement against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia. These were relatively brief oracles. The oracle against...
Understanding God’s Purposes
As we observed yesterday, Ezekiel 25—the text before us this morning—moves us into a new section in the prophecy. Until now, Ezekiel has focused us largely on God’s judgement against Judah. In chapters 25–32, he shifts focus to God’s punishment on surrounding nations....