Ezekiel chapter 24 is a very difficult chapter to read, and even more difficult to understand. Especially as we look at the second half of the chapter, where God explains that Ezekiel’s wife is going to die. God tells Ezekiel this and then commands him not to mourn for his wife. As we read through this section, it can be very difficult for us to understand why God would do something like this or allow something like this to happen to someone who loves him and serves him. The people also would have recognized that this was situation was unusual. Ezekiel does exactly as he’s commanded, and his wife does…

The Book of Ezekiel is known for its many graphic images throughout the book to give examples of God’s judgment on his people. Ezekiel chapter 23 is no different. As you read through the description of the Two Sisters and all the sin that they have both committed, God compares them to the cities of Samaria and Jerusalem and likens what the sisters are doing to what the two cities have done. We read through the chapter, it can be very difficult to think about all the things that have been done and how God has been cast aside. Yet, so often that’s exactly how we treat God throughout our…

As you read through Ezekiel chapter 22, God gives a lengthy discussion on all the sins that Israel has committed. They have done horrible things to each other in the presence of God. Then we come to the last two verses of the entire chapter verse 30 and 31. God indicates that he is looking for someone to stand in the gap between him and Israel. He sees all the wrongs they’ve committed, he knows all the evil things they have done, and he wants to see if there is anyone who can plead their case before him. Unfortunately, there is no one. There is no one who is capable…

In Ezekiel chapter 21, God discusses the sword that he will use to exact his judgment upon the people of Israel. A lot of times when we think of God we are reminded of his mercy and his grace, but we must never forget his holiness. We have sinned against a holy God, and the people of Israel we’re going to come to the understanding that that was the case. They had lost the respect of the Holiness of God and as a result they had mocked him and disobeyed him. God would not stand for that any longer and he shares with Ezekiel his plans to bring about judgement…

Reading through Ezekiel chapter 20 is like reading through a history of the people of Israel. It tells of all the amazing things that God has done for the people of Israel, but it also tells of all the disobedience of people is Israel as well. As we read through this we can easily see how God was frustrated with the people knowing all the things that he had done for them and provided for them and yet seeing how they responded to him and were treating him. At the end of the chapter though, things change. God has not given up on his people. God has not given up…

In reading Ezekiel chapter 19, we see a person who is doing all the wrong things and who has not stopped to repent. God tells Ezekiel to write a lament for him. When we learn of sin in others’ lives, how do we respond? Are we secretly happy? Do we get apathetic? We are to view sin as God views sin, which means that we need to be crushed and desire repentance and restoration. Do we desire holiness through repentance in our own lives and in the lives of others?

We are responsible for our own sins. If anyone has ever wondered if they will be accountable for the actions of someone else, all they have to do is read Ezekiel chapter 18. Each one of us are responsible solely for their own sins. Now, that will be consolation for some and terror f hkwor others. Yet in all honesty, we are told that all people are sinners. No matter how righteous we think we are, we have all sinned. The question is really will we stay in our sin or will we accept the grace and mercy offered by a holy God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Again, that…

God will protect and defend His name. As we see in Ezekiel chapter 17, God will do what He needs to do to ger the results that He knows He deserves. In situations where God’s name may not be portrayed in the best light possible, God is going to need to be moving and working to uphold the honor due His name. Are we defending the honor that God is due? Do we see all that we need to be doing and saying in order to show others that God is first in our lives?

In Reading Ezekiel chapter 16, it can really be summarized by the statement: we are a mess, God has rescued us and bestowed upon us his blessing, and we are still disobedient to God. As Ezekiel was being shared this information I’m sure he could think of several instances of opportunities where he heard and saw the people of Israel doing things they should not be doing. Even with all the wonderful things that God had given them and blessed them with, they still turned their back on him and ran after other gods and other idols. As a result, God was going to judge them and hold them accountable…

Are we useful or useless? In Ezekiel chapter 15 God goes on to share with Ezekiel that the people of Jerusalem have become as useless as trying to use a vine as firewood. Because we want to be useful in everything we do, this can be very difficult for us to hear. No one likes to be told that they are useless. However, if we are truthful with ourselves, and obedient to what God says determines our usefulness, then we have to admit that if we are not following God, we are not as useful as we could be. In fact, we’re not useful at all. We must go back…