Ezekiel 21 (résumé): Babylon, God's sword of judgement

Ezekiel 21 proclaims God's imminent judgement because of Israel's sin. The instrument of this judgement will be the Babylonians. Initially God describes his decision to judge as a drawn sword: "my sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north... it is a sword sharpened and polished for slaughter". Then Nebuchadnezzar seeks an omen and opts to attack Jerusalem and the Jews will be reminded of their guilt and be taken captive. Then the text says that "the profane and wicked prince of Israel" (King Zedekiah) will be dethroned and the Davidic lineage to the throne "will not be restored until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs (Jesus the Messiah)". Then the chapter comes to an end predicting judgement on the Ammonites too: "I will pour out my wrath upon you". 

England beaten

I saw England beaten by Argentina 2 x 1 in the World Cup yesterday. Sadly England threw the match away by trying to just defend for 35 minutes after having scored through Gordon early in the second half. As time went by it looked increasingly unlikely that England would survive the onslaught and they didn't. England only have themselves to blame for losing a semi-final with a whimper. Very sad. 😖All credit to Argentina for turning the game round from 1 x 0.

Ezekiel 20 (résumé): Rebellious Israel

Ezekiel 20 gives an overview of Israel's constant historical rebellion against God. Initially some elders came to consult Ezekiel but God forbid this. Then God reminds Israel how he brought them out of Egypt yet "they rebelled against me and would not listen to me... and they would not forsake the idols of Egypt". God however gave them the law and taught them to worship his alone, but they ignored the law: "They rejected my laws and utterly desecrated my sabbaths". Eventually God punished that generation by not allowing them to enter the promised land: "Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel". Then God said to the people: "Do not follow the statutes of your fathers... or defile yourselves with their idols... but keep the sabbath, reject idols and obey the law". Despite this the following generation also rebelled against the Lord! Even after entering the promised land they rebelled "sacrificing their sons in the fire... defiling themselves with idols... and worshipping in the high places". God then says "I will rule over you with a mighty hand.... I will bring you from the nations... and eventually I will judge you and bring you into the bond of the covenant... there on the holy mountain the entire house of Israel will serve me". The chapter ends with a prophecy of consuming fire on the southern forest (Israel) by the flames of Babylon.

Ezekiel 19 (résumé): A lament for Israel's princes

Ezekiel 19 is a lament about the rebellion of the princes of Judah. Judah is compared to a lioness which had "young lions and reared her cubs (or princes). The first cub becomes a fierce lion but is captured and taken to Egypt (King Jehoahaz) and then comes a second cub who eventually is captured too and taken to Babylon (King Jehoiachin or Zedekiah). Finally Judah is compared to a fruitful vine as a symbol of prosperity. However under God's judgement "it was uprooted in fury... it shrivelled and was stripped of its fruit... and no strong branch is left fit to rule". 

Ezekiel 18 (résumé): The soul that sins will die - individual responsibility

Ezekiel 18 focuses on individual responsibility of each person before God. God tells Israel to stop quoting the proverb: "the fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge". That is that each individual answers for his own sin and should not blame it on previous generations. Ezekiel gives 3 examples of this principal starting with a righteous man "who does what is just and right... he will surely live declares the Sovereign Lord". Next comes the righteous man's violent son who "defiles his neighbour's wife... oppresses the poor...and does detestable things... will such a man live? He will not!" Then comes the violent son's son who "keeps God's law's and follows his decrees... he will surely live". Thus it was shown that nobody is judged according to the behaviour of another person. Then the text goes on to show that repentance will be rewarded and that the ways of God are just. The chapter concludes exhorting all to "get a new heart and spirit" from the Lord and live. 

Street meeting

Last night I travelled with some men from the Patos Church men's fellowship to preach the Gospel in a street service in the town of São Mamede. The service was led by School Teacher Claudivan, Márcio (a white rat keeper for the university) and I brought short words, and Pastor Rafael brought the main message. In the middle of his message a surprise shower of rain came scattering the people, so we finished the service inside the house of Maricô and José. The service was good and after it Sister Maricô served everyone with a tasty snack. 

Ezekiel 17 (résumé): Two eagles & a vine

Ezekiel 17 starts with a parable of 2 eagles and a vine which God gave to Ezekiel. "A great eagle with powerful wings (Babylon) chops the top off a cedar tree in Lebanon (King Jehoiachin) and takes it to Babylon. The eagle plants a seed "and it sprouted and became a low spreading vine". Then comes a second eagle (Egypt) and the vine turns towards it rather than Babylon. Because of this betrayal God says "All its new growth will wither". For this betrayal was not pleasing to God. Finally God says "I myself will take a shoot from the top of a cedar... and plant it on the mountain heights of Israel and it will become splendid". This messianic promise is confirmed saying: "I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it".