Word Think

There are many things that make us afraid. Children are afraid of the dark, teenagers are afraid of getting left out, and adults are afraid of too many things to count. Fear can arise on a daily basis as we face the challenges of life. How do we overcome our fears?

This chapter of Daniel is an incredible story about the God who saves. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship before a golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. The clear consequence of this action was to be thrown into the fiery furnace. These three young men must have been terribly afraid! Our problems often seem large to us, but these men faced certain death at the hands of the king.

The beauty of the story can be seen in the amazing rescue by God. As the three men are thrown into the fiery furnace, something shocking happens…

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (v24-25).

This fourth person is either Christ himself

When people think about God, they often think about one of two characteristics: mercy and holiness. These are two amazing characteristics of God that must be held together. When we view God as being primarily merciful, we can start to view him as a kind grandfather who simply ignores our offenses. When we view God as being primarily holy, we can start to view him as only angry and unforgiving. The Bible is clear that God is both merciful and holy. But how can he be both?

Ezekiel 39 provides an interesting view on these two attributes of God. Starting in verse 25, the prophecy focuses on God’s restoration of Israel following their captivity.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name.” (v25)

Here is the word of God using both “mercy” and “holy” in the same breath. The key to understanding the connection is seeing the movement from mercy to holiness. God’s restoration of Israel is an act of mercy, because this is not what the Israelites deserved. They had broken their covenant with God and rebelled against him. But God, in his mercy, forgives them for their sin and gives them a new heart. He not only restores their fortunes, he restores their souls. His mercy is transformational in their lives. So where is the holiness? The purpose of God’s mercy on his people is ultimately to restore his holy name. God restores them in order to bring himself glory as the one, true God. The prophecy continues:

“They shall forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they dwell securely in their land with none to make them afraid, when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies’ lands, and through them have vindicated my holiness in the sight of many nations.” (v26-27).

By restoring his people, both in security and righteousness, God vindicates his holiness before the nations. He does not lower his holy standard and just let things slide. He maintains his standard and transforms his people through mercy to meet that standard.

This Old Testament prophecy points to the miraculous mercy of God perfectly demonstrated through his Son, Jesus Christ. In mercy, Jesus died on the cross for our sins. This was to fulfill the requirements of God’s holiness. Note that it is God’s mercy that helps accomplish God’s holiness in the redemptive narrative of the gospel. It was ultimately for the purpose of God’s glory that Jesus endured the shame of the cross.

We all desire security. Many people choose to live in safe areas where they “feel secure.” Many of us hope that our homes are secure from thieves and our savings are secure for retirement.

But there is only one true security and that is our security in God. Ezekiel 38 provides a nice picture of what God’s security looks like. The prophecy is against Gog, a people who are going to attack Israel. But this occurs at a time when God had restored his people and they are living in his security.

“In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them. You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land”

Ezekiel prophecies against Gog and foretells their destruction. When they come against people who are secure in God, they will fail.

This does not mean that all Christians today are secure from harm. The Bible is clear that we will face troubles. But we will only face those troubles that are part of God’s perfect plan. And ultimately, our eternal hope in heaven has been secured by his son, Jesus Christ. No one can ever take that away.

At this point in the book of Ezekiel, the reader can be tempted to gloss over the text. Chapter 31 is another prophecy of judgment, this time against Pharaoh king of Egypt. The repeated theme of God’s judgment can be overwhelming and is not exactly “entertaining” reading. But each chapter contains different hints and foreshadowing of God’s grace and mercy. God’s judgment should always point us back to the greatness of God.

Ironically, the prophecy against Pharaoh points to the tragedy of what Pharaoh could have been. This chapter describes the great beauty and potential for good when people fulfill their calling from God. Consider the benefits of greatness in the following words to Pharaoh:

“Whom are you like in your greatness?
Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon,
with beautiful branches and a forest shade,
and of towering height…
its boughs grew large
and its branches long
from abundant water in its shoots. All the birds of the heavens
made their nests in its boughs;
under its branches all the beasts of the field
gave birth to their young,
and under its shadow
lived all great nations” (v2-6).

Greatness given by God is for the benefit of others. Here, we read about how a great nation will provide a home to the birds of the heavens and shelter to the beasts of the field. This allegorical language speaks to the high calling of greatness. The greatness given by God should not be self-serving, but rather serving of others. It is not leverage for one’s own gain, but rather a resource to be provided for others’ good.

As we reflect on greatness in today’s world, let us remember its purpose from a Biblical perspective. Influence and power can be incredible sources of change for the betterment of those around us. When God blesses us, we should be quick to look for opportunities to bless others. The ultimate example of this is Christ himself. He was given everything by the Father and he was willing to give it all away for us. By dying on the cross, he provided for our greatest need, which was a way back to the Father. We now have a home and we have a shelter in Christ. Thanks be to God that Jesus used his greatness for our good. That is good news indeed.

There is an old saying that still holds true - “pride goes before a fall.” It is almost like a law of physics. When we lift ourselves up with ideas of self-importance, the height of our pride must eventually fall. It is like saying “what goes up must come down.”

In this chapter of Ezekiel, we read about the pride and fall of Egypt in the ancient times of the Old Testament. The text is a prophecy about the destruction that is coming to Egypt and those who support the Egyptians.

“Thus says the LORD:
Those who support Egypt shall fall,
and her proud might shall come down;
from Migdol to Syene
they shall fall within her by the sword,
declares the Lord GOD” (v6).

God is going to judge Egypt because it has lifted itself up in opposition to his authority. This is ultimately the root issue behind all human pride. We believe that we have the right and the power to choose our own destiny. Therefore, pride is rebellion against the God who gave us life and breath.

Egypt had many things of which to be proud. The first was their wealth. For an ancient civilization, they had accumulated great riches and splendor. Yet the prophecy says, “I will put an end to the wealth of Egypt” (v10). Egypt was also a nation of great military strength. They had vast armies that they could use to threaten those around them. Yet again, the prophecy says, “Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break his arms, both the strong arm and the one that was broken, and I will make the sword fall from his hand” (v22). God is going to strip Egypt of both its wealth and its power. The two pillars of Egyptian pride will be torn down.

This chapter is a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride and it is a resounding call to humility. Thousands of years later, the Son of God, who held the riches of heaven and unlimited power, laid it all down to walk as a servant on this earth. Paul says this of Jesus Christ:

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Jesus chose the path that Egypt refused. He followed God and yielded himself to his Father’s perfect plan, laying down his life for humanity. Now he is truly exalted and will remain in glory for all eternity. Today, we have a choice of whom to follow. Let us give up our proud ambitions, our pursuit of wealth and power, so that we can rejoice in the unfading glory of Christ.

The city of Tyre on the Mediterranean coast was one of the great cities of the world. Like the great cities of today — New York, Chicago, Paris — it was a place of power and influence. Tyre was a large coastal city, connected to other cities through a network of maritime trade. The book of Ezekiel refers to it as “a merchant of the peoples to many coastlands” (v3).

Tyre was a city of immense beauty, but in Ezekiel’a prophecy, God challenges the people of Tyre to confront their own pride.

“O Tyre, you have said,
‘I am perfect in beauty.’
Your borders are in the heart of the seas;
your builders made perfect your beauty” (v3-4).

The prophecy continues by extolling the virtues of Tyre as though it were itself a sailing vessel: planks of fir, a cedar mast, oaken oars, deck of pine, and a linen sail. The imagery is meant to convey the beauty and grandeur of Tyre. The city was also a gathering for people from around the world: “all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in you to barter for your wares” (v9). Verses 12 to 25 list the many forms of trade and wealth found in this great city of commerce.

All of this praise sets up a poetic ending to the chapter that takes a dark turn.

“Your rowers have brought you out
into the high seas.
The east wind has wrecked you
in the heart of the seas.
Your riches, your wares, your merchandise…with all your crew that is in your midst,
sink into the heart of the seas
on the day of your fall” (v26-27).

Thus ends the glory of Tyre. The city that once stood out as an incredible accomplishment of human civilization is now in ruins. This chapter brings a challenging message of God’s judgment for cities that do not bring him glory.

In his book Christ + City, Jon Dennis points out that great cities can be tempted by pride. Just like Tyre, the great cities of today can become focused on their own achievements. This chapter is another reminder from the Bible that we are all created for the glory of God. Let us pray that our cities will be renewed by God’s Spirit to serve his purposes. The creative class has risen by the breath of his Spirit, so let us give thanks to our Creator.

How quickly we can rejoice at the failure of others! There’s something inside of us that likes to see others fall. Sadly, it makes us feel better about ourselves. When there is someone ahead of us in the race, we are sometimes happy to see them stumble and fall, because it gives us a chance to get ahead.

In this chapter of Ezekiel, we read about a sobering example of this type of thinking. Jerusalem is in flames and its neighbors are celebrating. The chapter begins with a prophecy against the Ammonites, one of the nations bordering the Jewish people.

“Thus says the Lord GOD, Because you said, ‘Aha!’ over my sanctuary when it was profaned, and over the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and over the house of Judah when they went into exile, therefore behold, I am handing you over to the people of the East for a possession” (v3-4).

The Ammonites heard about the destruction of Jerusalem and they said “Aha!” It is as though it were confirmation of what they had wanted all along. And God is clear that he will hold them accountable for their attitude. Rejoicing over the suffering of God’s people is an affront to God himself.

“Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel, therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand against you” (v6-7).

The Ammonites applauded the destruction of Israel and they even danced at the news. In the most condemning line, God says, “[you] rejoiced with all the malice within your soul.” Rejoicing and malice should never be joined together, but such is the nature of the human heart. When we rejoice at others failures, it is malice within our souls. Just as God punished the land of Judah for its sin, he then punished the land of Ammon.

This rejoicing over the destruction of Jerusalem should lead us to reflect on the rejoicing that occurred years later during the torture and execution of a man in the city of Jerusalem. The people of Judah were taken into exile as a punishment for their sin, but Jesus Christ suffered and died as a punishment for the sins of others.

Remember how the soldiers mocked Jesus and spit in his face. Recall how the people taunted him on the cross - “He saved others, but he cannot save himself!” Jesus was the object of contempt and people were pleased to see him brought low. Many people rejoiced with malice in their souls.

Sadly, we must confess that we too often scorn the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. We can forget that it was our sin that made it necessary for Jesus to die.

We do not stand on the outside of this story as the righteous ones. We are implicated. So when we see others stumble and fall, let us extend grace not contempt. For we are all sinners and we all deserve God’s righteous judgment. It is only by the death of his son that we are forgiven. He received our shame and our scorn, so let us now give him glory and honor.

We live in a world of brokenness and pain. Sometimes we can forget this when we surround ourselves with comfortable things, like a family, a secure job, and a Starbucks coffee. But there is a harsh reality that often lurks just outside the door of our comfortable lives. The truth is that our world is bloody.

In this chapter of Ezekiel, God calls out the Israelites for their sin. The chapter opens with God asking Ezekiel a leading question:

“You, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then declare to her all of her abominations” (v2).

The word of Lord continues to list off the sins of the people. This is one of those chapters in the Old Testament that can be overwhelming in its condemnation. God judges Jerusalem for being a city that “sheds blood in her midst” and “makes idols to defile herself” (v3). These actions of the people are the root cause of God’s judgement:

“You have brought your days near, the appointed time of your years has come. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations” (v4).

It is sad to think about the realities of sin and judgment. Most of the time, it’s easier to think that “everything is pretty much ok.” But positive thinking is not helpful when we end up missing what God is trying to tell us. In this text, God speaks through his prophet Ezekiel to tell his people that everything is not ok.

Verses 6 through 12 are a laundry list of all the things that are not ok in the city of Jerusalem. The contempt, extortion, profaning and sexual sin is pervasive throughout. At the end of the chapter, God makes it clear that there is no one innocent of these sins. We all live in a bloody city and we all have blood on our hands.

Old Testament chapters like this one should not lead us into guilt and shame. If we think that we can be saved by good works, then this forceful proclamation of God’s judgement can only leave us with fear and trembling.

Thanks be to God that he sent his son to walk the bloody streets of Jerusalem. Jesus met with those extorting money and he ate with the prostitutes. He did not shun the sinners, but rather invited them into his life. And ultimately, it was his blood that was shed on our behalf. Yes, we live in a bloody city and, yes, we have blood on our hands. But we have a bloody savior and his blood covers a multitude of sins. Let us confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness, for in Christ we are washed and made pure.

The book of Ezekiel is rich with vibrant imagery. In this chapter, we read about two eagles “with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors” (v3). The first eagle flies to a cedar tree in Lebanon and breaks off the young twigs at the top. This eagle takes the twigs and plants them in fertile soil beside abundant waters in “a city of merchants” (v4). The twigs sprout and become a low spreading vine that spreads its branches toward the eagle (v6). However, the vine then begins to spread its branches toward the second eagle “that he might water it” (v7). The question of the parable is this - how will the first eagle respond? The answer is given in verse 9: “Will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit, so that it withers, so that all its fresh sprouting leaves wither?” The vine is portrayed as a fickle plant, reaching out to the second eagle although it was planted and cultivated by the first.

This “riddle” (v2) is explained starting in verse 11. The Lord speaks through Ezekiel to explain to the people that this is a picture of their impending judgment. The first eagle is the king of Babylon, who came to Jerusalem to bring the leaders to him in Babylon and make a covenant with them. The people of Israel are the vine planted there. However, the Israelites did not keep the covenant. They reached out to Egypt, which is the second eagle, seeking military support against Babylon.

God speaks out against this betrayal, because it is another example of the rebellion in the hearts of the Israelites. The Israelites are a covenant-breaking people. God says, “As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head” (v19). God brings painful judgment on his people because they have turned away from him and sought out their own fortune.

Although this chapter appears to build up to God’s judgment, it takes a surprising turn in verse 22. The text returns to the language of the riddle and now it is God who is doing the planting:

“I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar…on the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird…” (v22-23).

Here again we see a picture of God’s mercy and grace. Although he has been betrayed and slandered by his people, he begins again. He promises to restore a remnant of his people back to Israel, where he will cultivate them and help them grow into a strong and noble community. The imagery of the fruit and the shade for the birds indicates that they will be a fruitful people, spreading God’s grace to others.

Praise God that, in Christ, we have hope for a new beginning! Although we are a sinful and rebellious people, God sent his son to give us new life. Under God’s care, we can grow and thrive, sharing his love with the people around us.

This chapter uses the image of the vine in a very different way than the New Testament. Many Christians are familiar with Jesus’ words in the book of John, where he says “I am the vine and you are the branches. Abide in me.”

Here, the vine is a negative image, portraying the people of Israel as having limited use to God.

“And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any wood, the vine branch that is among the trees of the forest? Is wood taken from it to make anything? Do people take a peg from it to hang any vessel on it? Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel.” (v1-4).

With this prophetic imagery, God is rebuking the people of Israel. He called them to be his people so that he could reveal himself through them. But their sin and rebellion has prevented this from happening. How can people who are living in unrepentant sin reflect a holy and righteous God here on earth? The people of Israel could not be used by God for his purposes because they refused to follow him.

Let us thank God that he sent his Son, the true vine, to be his instrument of peace. By abiding in Christ, we too can be instruments in God’s hands. There is no higher calling than to be a servant of the most high God.