Devotions
A Subtle Prosperity Gospel
Ezekiel 24 is, in many ways, a turning point in the book. For one thing, this chapter records the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s final attack on Jerusalem. The siege would last for some time yet, but the day was significant. For another, Ezekiel’s tongue was finally...
Why We Need Sin
It can be disconcerting to spend extended time studying a book like Ezekiel—or, indeed, any of the prophets. The prophetic message, by and large, was a negative one. God called the prophets, for the most part, to confront his people’s sin and call them to repentance....
The Language of Sin
Back in 1996, George Carey, then Archbishop of Canterbury, was questioned by a journalist about Prince Charles’s marital infidelity. He replied that Prince Charles “is a man who takes faith seriously, who attends worship, and someone who has struggled, as many people...
The Sword and the Fire
God has placed within the human heart an intrinsic desire for justice. We balk at injustice and cry for justice to be implemented. Think of the reactions to the recent news that Graham Smith was cleared of all racist-related charges by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and...
Unqualified to Enquire
In recent chapters in Ezekiel, we have considered the Lord’s messages to Job for the exiles by means of parable and metaphor and lament. Each message was given by the Lord’s initiative to the people. Chapter 20, before us this morning, shifts gears slightly. Here, the...
A Wonderful Life
Ezekiel showed incredible diversity in the way in which he delivered his messages. Early on, he primarily employed visible object lessons. He later utilised parable and metaphor. In the text before us this morning (Ezekiel 19), he adopts the method of lament,...
Sour Grapes
Solomon wrote, “Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools” (Proverbs 26:9). We see the truth of this in the text before us this morning (Ezekiel 18). The exiles in Babylon were utilising a certain proverb—“The fathers...
Spiritual Sight
Ezekiel 17 continues the prophet’s use of metaphor to describe Judah’s situation before the Lord. In this vision, an eagle (representing Nebuchadnezzar) came to Lebanon (representing Jerusalem) and took “the topmost of [the cedar’s] young twigs” (i.e. King Jehoiachin...
The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin
The Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs is often remembered for his excellent book on contentment (The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment). Perhaps equally famous is his book The Evil of Evils, subtitled The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin, in which he offers sixty-seven short...