Friday, August 17, 2012 - Ezekiel 12-14

Friday, August 17, 2012
Ezekiel 12-14

For over 30 years, Jeremiah prophesied about the fall of Jerusalem
before it actually fell to Babylon in 587 BC. During that period of
time before the fall, most everyone thought Jeremiah was crazy because
all around it seemed that Jerusalem was safe. In reality, nobody
wanted to give up their sinful lifestyles, so they chose to follow
false prophets who told them what they wanted to hear. Today's reading
is no different.

Six years before King Zedekiah (of Judah) and the remaining people in
Jerusalem are exiled, Ezekiel prophecies every detail of how they'd be
exiled. Again, no one wants to listen to a distressing, but true
prophecy. Instead, the false prophets and their followers circulate
this mocking proverb: "The days go by and every vision comes to
nothing." (Ezekiel 12:22) God then, through Ezekiel says, "I am going
to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in
Israel…. The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. For
there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among
the people of Israel. But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it
shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious
people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD."
(Ezekiel 12:23-25)

Unlike the false prophets, when God says something will happen, it
happens; and with great purpose to fulfill His perfect plan; His plan
to save as many souls as possible. With free will however, salvation
has not and will not come to everyone. In the end, everyone either
chooses God or destruction. God loves us more than we can imagine, but
He will not force us to love Him. He has already demonstrated His
great love for us in this: "While we were still sinners, Christ dies
for us." (Romans 5:8)

While we were complete mess-ups, God forgave us and just asked that we
accept His forgiveness through belief in His Son. If we choose not to
believe, we reject God's forgiveness; His mercy and love; His joy and
peace; His rightful place in our hearts. "But if serving the LORD
seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you
will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River,
or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for
me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15) Let's
choose to serve Love (God is Love), not self.

God Bless,
Anthony