Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 7-12 CEB

Podcast Introduction

It’s Prophecy Friday, and we’ll read Ezekiel 7-12. I’m calling this episode “Does God’s Inaction Indicate Indifference?”

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Comments on Ezekiel 7-12

The message that God gave to Ezekiel would have been difficult to deliver and difficult to hear, wouldn’t it? 

If you’ve been listening for a while, you no doubt remember that we recently read about the building of the tabernacle and of the temple, and God's very specific instructions on the various sacrifices and other activities that were to take place in these places. Here in Ezekiel, it is truly sobering to hear how far the people had fallen. It's actually a testament to God's grace when we see how long He waited to take action against them.

But the people, in their sinful and fallen state, instead took God's inaction as indifference and absence. That sounds familiar, doesn’t it? People today doubt God’s existence because of their perception that He doesn’t do anything about the evil in the world. And that’s a can of worms I won’t get into today. Suffice it to say that with God, nothing goes unnoticed. 

Ultimately, as we heard in chapter 11, God's presence was withdrawn from the temple because of Israel's worship of other Gods, and the behavior that came with it. How tragic.

Beloved, let this be a lesson to us. Just because we seem to be getting away with sin, we must not be fooled. Don't assume that God doesn't care. I'm sure you have heard the old saying, "Give him enough rope to hang himself." Well, let Israel's fate constantly remind us that there is no getting away from God's attention. Beloved, at the end of my life when I stand before God, I don't want to know that I got there by the skin of my teeth. Instead, I want to hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

How about you?

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Transcript

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Steve Webb 0:00People today doubt God's existence because of their perception that he doesn't do anything about the evil in the world.

Steve Webb 0:14It's the Lifespring! One Year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I'm your OG Godcaster. Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we're reading through the entire Bible in a year. It's so good to see you today. Thank you for being here. It's prophecy Friday, and we'll read Ezekiel seven through 12. I'm calling this episode does God's inaction indicate indifference? Before we read, let's pray. Our loving Heavenly Father have We thank You for Your Word. We thank You, Lord, for revealing yourself to us through the Bible. Teach us as we read today. pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Okay, let's get started.

Steve Webb 0:59Ezekiel, chapter seven, the Lord's word came to me, you human one. This is what the Lord God proclaims to the land of Israel. And end, the end has come to the four corners of the earth. Even now, the end is upon you. I'll send my anger against you. I'll judge you according to your ways. And I'll turn all your detestable practices against you. I won't shed a tear for you or show you any pity. Instead, I'll turn your ways against you. And your detestable practices will stay with you. Then you will know that I am the LORD. The LORD God proclaims disaster, a singular disaster. Look, it comes. The end has come. Oh, yes, it has come. It has come to you. Look, it's here. You who live on the earth, you're finally caught in your own trap. The time has come. The day draws near, on the hills, panic, not glory.