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Jerusalem is under siege and Ezekiel remains silent as the word of the LORD comes to him concerning nations not named Judah.  Today we pick up again with Tyre, and specifically her king, who has made wealth for himself by wisdom and understanding, but whose heart has become proud.  The LORD describes him as anointed, even blameless in all his ways – until unrighteousness found him.  “Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’” the LORD asks, “in the presence of those who kill you…?” 

Listen for all the repeated phrases and themes as the LORD turns His attention to Egypt, and her Pharaoh, whom the LORD warns: “Behold, I am against you.”  There is a vivid description of how the LORD will draw Pharaoh out of Egypt, onto the open field, to fall in battle.  Egypt will pay for its failure to aid Israel: “When they grasped you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders…”  They will pay for their arrogance: “The Nile is my own; I made it for myself.”  And while the LORD will one day restore them, the LORD promises that Egypt will never again exalt itself above other nations.

Between these is a brief oracle against Sidon, Tyre’s northern neighbor.  Listen to the constancy of the LORD’s purposes: Sidon will know that “I am the LORD” when he manifests His glory in their midst.  Israel will know that “I am the LORD” when there is “no more brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt.” 

Through it all the LORD reminds the nations around Israel – and indirectly Israel itself – of His special relationship with them.  But this is a secondary purpose.  Pay attention to what the LORD keeps coming back to, and remember the concluding promise to Abraham that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 28 through 30.  Now let’s read it!

You might be happy to learn that most of the prophecies today deal with foreign powers and move to a safer distance from their subjects.   The geography is familiar: from Ammon and Moab and Edom on the east bank of the Jordan, to Philistia and Tyre on the coast of the great sea.  The cadence is likewise recognizable: a charge against each nation, followed by a promise of judgment ordered by the LORD and executed by Nebuchadnezzar. 

In chapter 27 the LORD commands Ezekiel to “raise a lamentation over Tyre.”  This lament is as informed and personal as the oracles against Jerusalem, but it lacks the anger that the LORD had directed toward His people.  Consider this: Tyre is a foreign power; they never worshipped the LORD; they were never set aside as the LORD’s own.  Yet the LORD commands grief over them? 

Remember that this is coming as you read the first chapter, an inclusive unit concerning the siege of Jerusalem – certainly a subject laden with grief.  The LORD comes to Ezekiel and says, “Write down the name of this day, this very day.  The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.”  Remember that Ezekiel is hundreds of miles from Judah and has no other source except the word of the LORD.  He hears again of the LORD’s fury, that He will not spare, that He will not relent, that His warnings against Jerusalem will come to pass. 

Keep all this in mind as you hear what happens next: there’s a death, a command not to grieve; and a purpose: “that they will know that I am the LORD.”  At the end of our reading, try to piece it all together.  What can we learn about the LORD’s character? 

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 24 through 27.  Now let’s read it!

“As for you son of man, prophesy.  Clap your hands and let the sword come down twice, yes, three times, the sword for those to be slain… I also will clap my hands, and I will satisfy my fury; I the LORD have spoken.”  - Ezekiel 21:14 & 17

This is one of dozens of times in Ezekiel that the LORD speaks of pouring out His fury or satisfying His anger.  I draw attention to them because they convey an emotion that is real and personal.  His anger toward Judah demands an answer.  Even His promises of redemption come in a fury.  As we read yesterday: As I live, declares the LORD GOD, surely with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out I will be king over you.

This persistence of the LORD’s anger is just one of the attributes that can make Ezekiel a tough read.  You might respond differently, but I find that reading the prophets winds me up.  There is something to the metaphor, the pacing, the raw personal style that stirs me differently than other genres.  There is little nuance; the heart is laid bare.  I encourage you to think about how these texts affect you – and how they might have – or should have – affected their original audience. 

This emotion takes on additional life in our final chapter today, as the LORD portrays Israel and her sister Judah as prostitutes, selling themselves first to Egypt and then to Assyria and Babylon.  Like with chapter 16, this extended metaphor is not for the faint of heart, and reflects the LORD’s anger in a disturbingly creative way. 

But don’t get lost: remember the covenant of Sinai, where the LORD had promised: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.  Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” 

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 21 through 23.  Now let’s read it!

“As for you son of man, prophesy.  Clap your hands and let the sword come down twice, yes, three times, the sword for those to be slain… I also will clap my hands, and I will satisfy my fury; I the LORD have spoken.”  - Ezekiel 21:14 & 17

This is one of dozens of times in Ezekiel that the LORD speaks of pouring out His fury or satisfying His anger.  I draw attention to them because they convey an emotion that is real and personal.  His anger toward Judah demands an answer.  Even His promises of redemption come in a fury.  As we read yesterday: As I live, declares the LORD GOD, surely with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out I will be king over you.

This persistence of the LORD’s anger is just one of the attributes that can make Ezekiel a tough read.  You might respond differently, but I find that reading the prophets winds me up.  There is something to the metaphor, the pacing, the raw personal style that stirs me differently than other genres.  There is little nuance; the heart is laid bare.  I encourage you to think about how these texts affect you – and how they might have – or should have – affected their original audience. 

This emotion takes on additional life in our final chapter today, as the LORD portrays Israel and her sister Judah as prostitutes, selling themselves first to Egypt and then to Assyria and Babylon.  Like with chapter 16, this extended metaphor is not for the faint of heart, and reflects the LORD’s anger in a disturbingly creative way. 

But don’t get lost: remember the covenant of Sinai, where the LORD had promised: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.  Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” 

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 21 through 23.  Now let’s read it!

In the middle of today’s reading, in chapter 18, the LORD asks through Ezekiel: "What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?  It is the perfect excuse: if our fathers sinned, why are we being judged for it? 

We’ve heard this complaint before in Jeremiah 31, and here the LORD uses a multi-generational illustration to chop it down.  If a man is righteous and does what is just and right…he will live.  If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood…oppresses the poor and needy…[and] lifts up his eyes to idols… shall he then live?  But there’s more: “Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees and does not do likewise… he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live.”

Consider the implications of this.  You’ll remember that Jerusalem’s downfall was promised during the reign of Manasseh – over 50 years ago.  It seemed that this fate was sealed.  However, we saw multiple times in Jeremiah that the LORD promised to give the righteous their lives as a prize of war.  What does justice look like, as God exercises it? 

Now before you head into the reading: chapter 16 is a graphic representation of how the LORD perceives Judah, based on the metaphor of a jilted husband.  While most of today’s reading deals with Judah’s treachery and its coming judgment, chapter 16 is a proficiently crafted accusation laden with pure, raw emotion.   It will not be an easy read. 

But lest we are tempted to disregard it, pay attention to the preface: Again the word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem…”  If at other time we allow The Word of the LORD to inform our understanding of God’s character, then Ezekiel chapter 16 deserves to be included. 

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 16 through 20.  Now let’s read it!

In the middle of today’s reading, in chapter 18, the LORD asks through Ezekiel: "What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?  It is the perfect excuse: if our fathers sinned, why are we being judged for it? 

We’ve heard this complaint before in Jeremiah 31, and here the LORD uses a multi-generational illustration to chop it down.  If a man is righteous and does what is just and right…he will live.  If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood…oppresses the poor and needy…[and] lifts up his eyes to idols… shall he then live?  But there’s more: “Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees and does not do likewise… he shall not die for his father’s iniquity; he shall surely live.”

Consider the implications of this.  You’ll remember that Jerusalem’s downfall was promised during the reign of Manasseh – over 50 years ago.  It seemed that this fate was sealed.  However, we saw multiple times in Jeremiah that the LORD promised to give the righteous their lives as a prize of war.  What does justice look like, as God exercises it? 

Now before you head into the reading: chapter 16 is a graphic representation of how the LORD perceives Judah, based on the metaphor of a jilted husband.  While most of today’s reading deals with Judah’s treachery and its coming judgment, chapter 16 is a proficiently crafted accusation laden with pure, raw emotion.   It will not be an easy read. 

But lest we are tempted to disregard it, pay attention to the preface: Again the word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem…”  If at other time we allow The Word of the LORD to inform our understanding of God’s character, then Ezekiel chapter 16 deserves to be included. 

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 16 through 20.  Now let’s read it!

One of the fascinating trademarks of Ezekiel is the amazing amount of physical activity the LORD commissions, and how each activity drives a specific lesson.  Today’s reading moves quickly from setting to setting, so I’ll briefly touch on each of them.  

We begin with Ezekiel still being led through the Temple, seeing the evil that is plotted there.  In chapter 12 Ezekiel is told to pack his bags and dig through the walls of his city, exemplifying not only Jerusalem’s future but also specifically her king’s – again, who is not named.  Chapter 13 is a “simple” oracle against false prophets, while in chapter 14 the oracle is directed at the men sitting before him, who have taken their idols into their hearts…  

Finally, Jerusalem is declared useless – compared to a vine.  “Is wood taken from [a vine] to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it?”  Of course not.  Therefore, “…It is given to the fire for fuel…” and will be become even more useless.  This is how the LORD perceives Jerusalem. 

Some familiar themes push through again today.  When the prophet again falls to his face and asks, “LORD GOD! Will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?”  is he pleading, or merely curious?  When the LORD executes judgment on Israel, how will they know that He is the LORD?  If Ezekiel tells the exiles all the things that the LORD had shown me, what difference will it make?  Is the message for them, or for the remnant back home? 

In the middle of chapter 11, though, is our first word of hope – almost a quarter of the way through this book.  Like a flower in the desert, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.  And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations.  And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.’”

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 11 through 15.  Now let’s read it!

One of the fascinating trademarks of Ezekiel is the amazing amount of physical activity the LORD commissions, and how each activity drives a specific lesson.  Today’s reading moves quickly from setting to setting, so I’ll briefly touch on each of them.  

We begin with Ezekiel still being led through the Temple, seeing the evil that is plotted there.  In chapter 12 Ezekiel is told to pack his bags and dig through the walls of his city, exemplifying not only Jerusalem’s future but also specifically her king’s – again, who is not named.  Chapter 13 is a “simple” oracle against false prophets, while in chapter 14 the oracle is directed at the men sitting before him, who have taken their idols into their hearts…  

Finally, Jerusalem is declared useless – compared to a vine.  “Is wood taken from [a vine] to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it?”  Of course not.  Therefore, “…It is given to the fire for fuel…” and will be become even more useless.  This is how the LORD perceives Jerusalem. 

Some familiar themes push through again today.  When the prophet again falls to his face and asks, “LORD GOD! Will you make a full end of the remnant of Israel?”  is he pleading, or merely curious?  When the LORD executes judgment on Israel, how will they know that He is the LORD?  If Ezekiel tells the exiles all the things that the LORD had shown me, what difference will it make?  Is the message for them, or for the remnant back home? 

In the middle of chapter 11, though, is our first word of hope – almost a quarter of the way through this book.  Like a flower in the desert, “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.  And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations.  And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.’”

Our verse for this week is 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Ezekiel 11 through 15.  Now let’s read it!