365 Days of Pursuit.org

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment upon the prince/king of Tyrus (chapter 28); God’s judgment upon Pharaoh (chapter 29); God’s judgment upon Egypt (chapter 30); the fall of Assyria (chapter 31); a lamentation for Pharaoh/Egypt (chapter 32).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter 28 concludes God’s judgment against Tyre. This passage has been dated shortly before the siege of Tyre by Nebuchadrezzar (585–573 B.C.). The prince in view in 28:2 was Ithobal II who reigned in Tyre during this siege. His bombastic arrogance is demonstrated by the fact that he actually considered himself to be God! (28:2) If the pride that this historical ruler of Tyre was exhibiting sounds familiar, it should because it was actually being fueled by the same being that at one time said, “I will be like the most high”! (Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:16–17) The precision of the imagery and the verbiage in this passage reveals that this judgment not only refers to the historical ruler of Tyre, but also to the judgment of Lucifer himself!

Ezekiel mentions that this “prince” was wiser than Daniel (28:3), which indicates that there was obviously some supernatural power enabling him, but it also indicates that Daniel was well-known throughout the world by this time. When Ezekiel made this statement, Daniel would have already served in Nebuchadnezzar’s court for an estimated 25 years.

While Ezekiel states that this “prince” has been successful in accumulating wealth, he also lets us know that it was his pride that brought about God’s judgment. (28:6) The demise of the prince is prophesied in 28:10: “Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God.” Note that the invasion of Tyre by Babylon was also prophesied in Jeremiah 27:1–7. The word “moreover” in 28:11 marks a transition in this account, revealing to us that Ezekiel is about to go further in his condemnation of the ruler.

The careful reader will observe that this particular ruler is referred to as “the king” (28:12) rather than “the prince” (28:2). While it is true that the terms “king” and “prince” are often used interchangeably in Scripture, it is also true that secular history does not record a “king” of Tyre, only a “prince”. Why the distinction? Why did Ezekiel change terms? The answer lies in the identity of this “king”.

This king is said to be “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” (28:11) While the case may be made that this description could refer to a mortal man in some sense, the next phrase cannot. This physical, earthly king had certainly not been, and could not have been, “in Eden the garden of God”! Some scholars suggest that Ezekiel was simply referring to a garden that was so beautiful it could be compared to Eden. The only problem with that interpretation, is that it is very simply not what the text says! This “king” to whom the Lord was speaking, had literally been in Eden!

It is apparent that the Lord, by the mouth of Ezekiel, is no longer speaking to the ruler of Tyre, but speaking through the physical ruler to the spiritual ruler that, at that time, was working through him! Ezekiel is actually speaking to a being who had been in Eden over 3,000 years prior to this prophecy; none other than “King Lucifer” (Satan) himself! Lest that interpretation sound far-fetched, recognize that this is not the only time in scripture when the word of the Lord spoke “to Satan” as he was speaking to a literal, physical man! Do you recall that in our Lord’s earthly ministry, when looking directly at Peter, and responding to what Peter had just spoken, Jesus said, “Get thee behind me, SATAN!” (See Matthew 16:22–23) Obviously, Peter had not at that moment turned into Satan incarnate, but rather, Jesus was speaking to the spiritual power that was operating in him and through him at that moment. This is what is happening in Ezekiel 28:11–19.

So, what Ezekiel 28:11–17 provides for us, is a very enlightening description of Lucifer (meaning “light-bearer”) before his fall. Verse 13 lets us know that God had specifically created him with precious stones and musical instruments woven into the very composition of his being. The precious stones were obviously part of his composition so that he might fulfill his role as the “light-bearer” reflecting and refracting the light of God into every color of the rainbow throughout the universe as it passed through his jewels. The musical instruments, that also comprised his makeup, were apparently given so that he might fulfill his role as the “worship leader” of the “sons of God” as he would provide the music to which the “sons of God” would sing praises to the Lord. (Job 38:4, 7)

Notice that 28:17 also refers to Lucifer as the “anointed cherub” who was the epitome of perfection until iniquity was found in him. In Isaiah 14:13–14, Isaiah details that his “iniquity” was expressed through the declaration in his heart of his infamous five “I WILL’s”:

• “I WILL ascend into heaven”
• “I WILL exalt my throne above the stars of God”
• “I WILL sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north”
• “I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds”
• “I WILL be like the most High.”

Note also that the ruler of Tyre not only pictures Lucifer, but the coming antichrist. Within this chapter we find this ruler described as:

1. A man. (28:2)
2. A prophet. (28:3)
3. A king. (28:2,11)
4. A priest. (28:13 — as symbolized by the precious stones which were also worn by priests in the Old Testament)

This ruler represents the presence of Satan (who was once in Eden), personified through a man, who will seek to counterfeit the offices of a prophet, priest, and king.

In 28:17–19, the judgment upon this man is also revealed. God will one day bring “fire” from within this adversary (the antichrist) to devour him. God tells him that he will be reduced to ashes and scattered for the world to see, and “never shalt thou be anymore.” (28:19) The “man” who is the rightful Prophet, Priest, and King, who is the very “God-Man” Himself, will defeat him! This chapter ends with a promise to Israel concerning the millennial reign of this “Man”, our glorious Lord Jesus Christ! (28:25–26)

Chapters 29 through 32 record God’s judgment against the nation of Egypt. Keep in mind, Israel had turned to Egypt for help against Babylon contrary to God’s instruction. (Jeremiah 42:14–22; 43:7–11) Egypt had been successful in causing the Babylonians to lift the siege against Jerusalem (Jeremiah 37:5–7), however, in time, Egypt returned to their homeland and Jerusalem was eventually invaded and burned. (Jeremiah 37:8–10) In 29:17–20, once again, Egypt is falling under the condemnation of God, and once again, God is using Nebuchadrezzar to accomplish His will. From a historical perspective, Nebuchadrezzar was running out of resources as he continued to wage war against Tyre. (29:18) God empowered him to conquer the land of Egypt, and Nebuchadrezzar used the spoils to pay his army to continue to fight.

Chapter 29 ends with a prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, describing Him as “the horn of the house of Israel” that would “bud forth”. (29:21)

In chapter 31, once again, God addresses Satan by speaking to and through a man. This time, the man was Pharaoh. (31:1–9) In this passage, God likens Satan to a tree in Eden that stood above all of the other trees (31:5) and talks about how the other trees of Eden envied him. (31:8–9) During this same time period, Daniel also uses the metaphor of a tree to describe Nebuchadnezzar, who is a type of the antichrist. (Daniel 4:10)

Recognize that God chooses to address these Gentile leaders of these Gentile nations (Tyre, Babylon, Egypt) to speak to Satan because the antichrist’s kingdom will be a conglomeration of Gentile nations who will ultimately unite during the Tribulation Period, in an effort to destroy Israel and to rule this world. (Psalm 2:2–3; Revelation 12) By speaking to Satan through these Gentile leaders, God is continually reminding him that one day, both he and his kingdom will be destroyed. As a preview of what God holds in store for him in his future judgment, God does what He says He will do and brings each one of these Gentile nations to ashes. We must keep in mind that the entire Bible is all about a battle for a kingdom and God continues to remind Satan, and us, of exactly how the story is going to end!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the horn of the house of Israel — Ezekiel 29:21

OVERVIEW:

God’s purging of Jerusalem (chapter 24); God’s judgment against Gentile nations (chapter 25); God’s judgment against Tyre (chapters 26–27).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter 24 refers to Jerusalem as a “bloody city”. Twice Ezekiel speaks the word of warning from the Lord, saying, “Woe to the bloody city…” (24:6, 9) Ezekiel is instructed to tell a parable about a bloody stew that represents Jerusalem. Numerous times in the word of God the shedding of “innocent blood” is mentioned as a cause for God’s vengeance. (Deuteronomy 19:10; 1^st Samuel 19:5; 1^st Kings 2:31) The shedding of blood in the Old Testament looked forward to “THE innocent blood” that would one day be shed at Calvary. (Matthew 27:4) It is true that the “innocent blood” of our Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us from sin, but it is also true that those who do not accept God’s gift of grace will be held accountable for the death of God’s only beloved Son, suffering the judgment of God’s righteous wrath. God hates the shedding of innocent blood. Oh, how greatly God loves us to have allowed the innocent blood of His beloved Son to be shed for our sin!

Ezekiel is also instructed not to mourn when his wife dies. (24:15–18) In this, God intended that Ezekiel picture the fact that there will be no time to mourn when God’s judgment comes on Jerusalem. Once again, this foreshadows the coming “Day of the Lord” when judgment will be swift and calamitous. However, notice that even in God’s judgment there is mercy. In 24:25–27, Ezekiel speaks specifically to certain Jews who will escape the judgment of Jerusalem and come to Babylon. Historically, this is fulfilled in Ezekiel 33:21, but prophetically, points to those who will be saved out of the judgment of the Tribulation Period.

In chapter 25, Ezekiel prophesies against Gentile nations. These nations are judged because they rejoiced when Israel was chastened by God (25:3, 6, 8) and because they had taken vengeance on Israel when she was weak. (25:12,15) The doctrinal principle is clear: God does not take kindly to people rejoicing when Israel is chastened! Much of the world rejoices when bad news is broadcasted concerning Israel. There are many others who look forward to the day Israel will suffer during the tribulation. Those nations who bring judgment against Israel are a pawn in the hand of God to execute His sovereign plan. However, after God has used them He will bring His judgment upon them! On a more devotional note, the lesson is clear: we should never rejoice when we see God’s chastening on others. (Proverbs 24:17)

Chapters 26 and 27 begin a three-chapter judgment against Tyre. The eleventh year in 26:1 refers to the eleventh year of Jehoiachin’s reign. In 586 BC, the eleventh year of Jehoiachin’s captivity, on the tenth day of the month, Jerusalem was captured. It is Nebuchadrezzar that God will use to bring judgment on Tyre. It is interesting to note in 26:7, that Nebuchadrezzar is called “a king of kings” making him a type of the antichrist. Just as Nebuchadrezzar ruled the kings of the world, the coming antichrist will also stand in authority, ruling the world until the true King of kings arrives, making quick work of him! (Genesis 3:16; Revelation 20:1–3)

Tyre, an ancient city of the Phoenicians, appears for the first time in the Bible in the Old Testament in Joshua 19:29. In Old Testament times, Tyre was a great commercial city. During the reign of David and Solomon, Tyre exercised great influence on the commercial, political, and even religious life of Israel. Hiram, king of Tyre, was a devoted friend of David (2^nd Samuel 5:11) who helped both David and Solomon in their building projects. (1^st Kings 5:1–12; 1^st Chronicles 14:1; 2^nd Chronicles 2:3, 11) Though Tyre and Israel were friendly in the days of David and Solomon, they later drifted apart. The Tyrians then later sold Jews as slaves to the Greeks and to the Edomites. (Joel 3:4–8; Amos 1:9–10) This entire chapter is a lamentation describing Tyre as a very glorious and great trade ship destroyed by the high seas.

The prophecies set forth in chapters 26 through 28 were fulfilled literally, and with unmistakable clarity (Isaiah 23; Jeremiah 47:4), reminding us that everything in the word of God will come to pass, exactly as God has detailed it. Let us receive that reminder today as a blessed promise and a stern warning!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the One who shall “set glory in the land of the living” during the Millennium — Ezekiel 26:20

OVERVIEW:

Judgment pronounced against Jerusalem (chapter 21); Jerusalem’s sin (chapter 22); Jerusalem’s seduction (chapter 23).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter 21 contains instruction from God for Ezekiel to sigh in the midst of the people. When asked by the people the reason for his bitter anguish, he is instructed to again remind Israel that God’s judgment is imminent, and will affect every person in the entire nation. God uses the visual image of a sharp sword being removed from its sheath to illustrate His judgment in this chapter. In the historical context, the sword represents the king of Babylon. (21:19) From a prophetic standpoint, this sword foreshadows the day Christ will come in judgment upon this earth with a sword that proceeds out of His mouth which, of course, is the word of God! (Revelation 19:15)

Ezekiel is also instructed to make a map and trace on it two routes for the king of Babylon to follow. One route goes to Jerusalem, while the other route will take him to Rabbath of the Ammonites. Ammon had conspired with Judah in 593 B.C. to rebel against Babylon. The question was whether the king of Babylon would decide to attack Rabbath or Jerusalem. Ezekiel is instructed to illustrate how the king of Babylon would call upon his gods to decide which path to take and which city to attack. To determine his course, the king of Babylon would use three types of magic. The first type of magic was the use of arrows. The arrows would be marked with a name, put in a quiver, and whirled about. The first one to fall out would reflect the decision of the god. The next form of magic was the use of “images” or teraphims. From the record of history, we learn that these images were actually the mummified heads of children! The third, and most common form of magic was the “liver”. It involved distinguishing judgment based upon the color of a sacrificed lamb’s liver. Upon hearing from his gods, the king of Babylon would choose to attack Jerusalem.

The Jews were skeptical of Ezekiel’s continual prophecies against Judah and Jerusalem. They doubted that the “magic” of the king of Babylon would result in his choosing Jerusalem as a target, and further doubted his ability to take the city. (21:23) Although the king of Babylon was using magic as His guide, as Proverbs 21:1 teaches us, his heart was in the hand of the Lord. God would use the king’s magic to bring judgment against His people.

God instructs Israel to remove the “diadem”, worn by the priests, and the “crown”, worn by the kings. Pay special attention to Ezekiel 21:27. God says: “I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.” The fact that God uses the term “overturn” three times expresses the most severe judgment against these offices (the office of priest and king). God specifically states that after their captivity, neither of these offices would be restored, that is, until our Lord Jesus Christ comes! Notice how God the Father refers to His beloved Son in this verse. He states that Christ is the only One who truly has the right to the title Priest and King anyway!

Note also, that from an historical standpoint, the “wicked prince of Israel” is Zedekiah. (21:25–27) From a prophetic standpoint, however, Zedekiah typifies the coming antichrist.

In chapter 22, Ezekiel chronicles Jerusalem’s sins. Once again, God begins by judging the leadership. He specifically mentions the prophets, priests, and princes. (22:25–28) The specific sin of the priests was their violation of the law in not distinguishing between that which was holy and that which was profane. (22:26) The sin of the princes was their desire to make money at the expense of people. (22:27) The sin of the prophets was just flat-out lying about what God had said. (22:28) God looked for a man among the leadership to stand in the gap. The sad reality is He found none. Even the great prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah were unable to turn the heart of a single man among the children of Israel to repentance. There would be a man who would come 400 years later, however, who would stand in the gap for all mankind! The “God-Man”, our Lord Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!

Notice in chapter 23 that the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, Samaria, and the capital city of the Southern Kingdom, Jerusalem, are likened to two sisters who are seduced into adultery by their “lovers”: the elder sister, Aholah, representing Samaria, and the younger sister, Aholibah, representing Jerusalem. Samaria was seduced by Assyria (this historical alliance is recorded in Isaiah 7:1–2; 10:5–11), and Judah was seduced by Egypt. As we have seen, Israel is repeatedly warned in scripture not to go to Egypt for help. But as we have also seen, Israel continually disobeyed God’s instruction. This culminated in Zedekiah’s formation of an alliance with Egypt against Babylon. (17:15)

Through the illustration of these two harlot sisters, chapter 23 provides one of the most vivid descriptions of the seduction of sin in the entire Bible. Interestingly, sin always follows a specific pattern, or process. This process can be summed up in four observable steps identified in this chapter:

1. Desire. (23:5–7; James 1:14) The process begins when sin becomes “desirable” (23:6) to us.
2. Delivered. (23:9; James 1:15a) It continues as God allows us to be “delivered” (23:9) to the passions we are allowing to control us.
3. Defiled. (23:13, 17; James 1:15b) Acting upon our passions causes us to be “defiled”. (23:13, 17)
4. Destroyed. (23:22–49; James 1:15c) God then allows our sin to run its destructive course in our lives. (James 1:15c; Romans 6:23)

Note also in chapter 23, that both Samaria and Jerusalem got what they wanted and it ended up destroying them both! There are also several other key principles worth noting in this chapter:

• Lust for what we see will eventually lead to actions. (23:14–16)
• What we see can destroy our mind. (23:17)
• Those who seduce us in the name of “love” will eventually hate us. (23:22, 28)

What a warning against the consequences of viewing pornography. And what a warning to those who covet wrong relationships!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the One who has the “right” to be both Priest and King ruling over Israel — Ezekiel 21:27

As the One who will stand in the gap — Ezekiel 22:30

OVERVIEW:

The parable of the eagles (chapter 17); Man’s responsibility for sin (chapter 18); God’s lamentation for Israel’s captivity (chapter 19); God refuses inquisition (chapter 20).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we move into Ezekiel 17 today, God instructs Ezekiel to speak a parable to the house of Israel utilizing the figure of eagles. (17:1–10) The first eagle represents Nebuchadnezzar and how he came to Jerusalem, took away the king’s seed (the twigs), then planted them again in Babylon. The highest branch of the cedar tree represents king Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, who was exiled in 597 B.C.

When Nebuchadnezzar removed Jehoiachin, he replaced him with a native Judean prince, Zedekiah, instead of a foreign ruler. With the help of Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah was surrounded by favorable conditions and prospered in his reign. Nebuchadnezzar’s hope was that the kingdom of Judah would stay dependent on him, but it was not to be!

The second eagle, in Ezekiel’s parable, represents Egypt and specifically Pharaoh-hophra, to whom Zedekiah looked for help. The prophet Jeremiah had warned Zedekiah not to make an alliance with Egypt (Jeremiah 37:5–7; 44:30), but Zedekiah ignored Jeremiah’s counsel and foolishly made an alliance with them. (17:15) Although Egypt offered temporary relief from the oppression of Nebuchadnezzar, in the end, Babylon defeated Egypt and put Zedekiah to death. The sad reality is, had Zedekiah simply obeyed God’s counsel to him through Jeremiah, he would have been fine. Oh, may God help us to learn from Zedekiah’s tragic mistake! Because, like Zedekiah, we often find ourselves in trials and temptations that threaten our safety, or our well-being. In those situations, we can choose to listen to the voice of God, as it is revealed in His word, or we can seek to escape the adversity by looking to worldly alternatives (Egypt). By God’s grace, we must learn to tenaciously stick to what the word of God says and completely trust God with the outcome. Our worldly scheming will never produce a positive result.

In 17:22–24, Ezekiel reveals a messianic prophecy. The phrase, “One of the highest branches,” refers to Christ, who, unlike Zedekiah, will overshadow a mighty kingdom. Note the surety of God’s word in the statement, “I the Lord have spoken and have done it.” God actually refers to a future event as if it were history! God’s word is certain! The surety of what He has declared is completely the same whether He’s talking about the past or the future! Oh, may that reality infuse us with confidence in His holy word today!

Chapter 18 begins with a proverb that serves as a warning to those who want to blame others for their problems. The children of Israel were blaming their forefathers for their being exiled. They said that their forefathers had “eaten the sour grapes,” and that was what had caused their “teeth” to be “set on edge” (18:2), or caused them to suffer through the sharpness of being exiled. Notice that God flatly rejects their blame-shifting and their refusal to assume personal responsibility for their situation. This is a very significant passage for those of us living in the 21^st century, because many people in our time have fallen into the same trap of blaming someone else for their circumstances, or for being the way they are. We hear it all the time, “My dad this…” or “My mom that…” or “If I would have had a different upbringing…” or “If my parents would have…” etc., etc. God goes on in this chapter to teach a very fundamental scriptural principle, and that is: each of us must take responsibility for our own actions and choices. It’s true, we didn’t get to choose our parents, and we can’t always control our circumstances, but the fact is, we can always control our own attitudes, choices, actions, and reactions.

The children of Israel had been offered mercy, if they would have simply repented. Instead, they chose to commit the same sins as their forefathers, and then, blamed them for why they did it! Again, may God help us to take personal responsibility for our lives now knowing that there will be no blame-shifting or finger-pointing at our ultimate accounting before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The chapter ends with God reminding Israel that His true heart’s desire is always for repentance. (18:32) May we learn the invaluable lesson of taking personal responsibility for our sin, then repenting of it with godly sorrow and godly repentance! (2^nd Corinthians 7:10)

In chapter 19, Ezekiel records “a lamentation for the princes of Israel.” (19:1) The word “lamentation” means a “loud cry”. It is a poetic song (usually three beats, followed by two beats) that expresses deep emotion. This lamentation is for king Jehoahaz, who languished in an Egyptian prison (2^nd Kings 23:31–33), and for king Jehoiakim, who was taken captive and deported to Babylon (2^nd Kings 24:1–12). They are depicted as lion’s whelps. (19:2, 5) The lamentation ends with a summary of Israel’s current state (19:10–14). Her exile is pictured as a plant in a dry and thirsty ground. The last verse states that Israel has no sceptre to rule. Notice also, the strange terminology in 19:14, that Ezekiel’s “lamentation shall be for a lamentation.” (19:14) In other words, there would be the immediate lamentation of Israel’s condition, and yet, Israel will also suffer a future lamentation during the great tribulation. That tribulation (lamentation) will end with Israel’s Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, coming to reign over the earth from His throne in Jerusalem, and He will rule with a sceptre made of an iron rod! (Revelation 19:15)

Chapter 20 begins with the leadership (“the elders”) of Israel coming to Ezekiel to enquire of the Lord. God, obviously knowing their hearts and their real motives, instructs Ezekiel to tell them that He would not be enquired of by them. He goes on to remind them that because of their “leadership,” Israel had not only been disobedient but were presently living in disobedience. The chapter ends with a vivid and descriptive picture of God’s judgment with fire. (20:45–49) The leaders of Israel reply by “spiritualizing” Ezekiel’s message instead of taking it literally. They accuse Ezekiel of speaking in parables, when it is clear that this chapter is anything but a parable! This same thing takes place today: many people and denominations spiritualize what God intends to be taken literally and take literally what God intends to be understood spiritually.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the “TENDER ONE” planted upon a high mountain — Ezekiel 17:22

OVERVIEW:

Ezekiel’s actions illustrate the exile (chapter 12); God warns the false prophets (chapter 13); God warns Israel that judgment is inevitable (chapters 14 and 15); God reminds Israel of His grace in saving them and their decision to forsake Him (chapter 16).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

God continues to call the prophet Ezekiel not only to speak His truth, but to illustrate it through outward demonstrations. Leaving with his “stuff” through the wall in 12:1–16, illustrates the captivity of Israel’s current king, Zedekiah. (2^nd Kings 25:1–10) Ezekiel’s trembling in 12:17–20 illustrates the desolation that Israel will experience during the exile. Perhaps one of the greatest takeaways from this section is recognizing that what God was asking Ezekiel to do in declaring His message is no different than what He asks us to do! We, too, are to speak through our actions, as well as with our words! This is the New Testament truth wrapped up in the word “conversation”. Paul tells us in Philippians 1:27: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.” In other words, the way we live our lives (our “conversation”) ought to communicate a message that reflects that we have been transformed by the power of the gospel. The reality is, whether for good or for evil, we not only speak with our lips we also speak with our lives! Paul makes the distinction between speaking through our lips and through our lives very clearly in 1^st Timothy 4:12, as he tells Timothy to be “…an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Obviously, our “words” are what we say with our lips; our “conversation” is what we’re saying through our life! Thus, the old adage, “What your life is saying is so loud, I can’t hear the words you’re speaking!” In light of these truths, we all would do well to ask ourselves a few very pertinent introspective questions:

• “What message am I communicating to my Savior through the life He sees me living?”
• “What message am I communicating to my family through the life they see me live in our home?”
• “What message is my life communicating to those in my sphere of influence who are lost?”

Even though Ezekiel passionately warns Israel of impending judgment, there are still those who refuse to take God seriously. Ezekiel’s audience has adopted a “proverb” (12:22) that basically said (paraphrase), “With the passing of time, every warning of Ezekiel has proven false.” God had had enough of their smart mouths and pompous attitude and says to Ezekiel in 12:23–25, “Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision. For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel. For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.” In other words, brace for impact, because the hammer is about to fall! It is amazing how every generation somehow convinces themselves that they can live their lives like they want, and there won’t be consequences for their sin. The Bible is clear; sin always has a payday. (Galatians 6:7; Numbers 32:23) We must be careful not to confuse God’s longsuffering with apathy towards sin.

While Ezekiel was barking about the coming judgment of God upon their nation, the other “so-called” prophets in the land were prophesying “peace and safety”. (Ezekiel 13:10, 16; 14:9) The people chose to believe their message further demonstrating Israel’s arrogance. We see the same thing taking place even in our times, as Paul prophesied to Timothy in 2^nd Timothy 4:3–4: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

Notice that the prophets in Israel also foreshadow the soon-coming antichrist, who will come to power at the beginning of the tribulation period, proclaiming a message of peace and safety at a time when God’s vengeance and wrath will about to be unleashed on the earth. (2^nd Thessalonians 5:3; Revelation 6:2; Daniel 8:25) Just as God’s judgment was inevitable during the ministry of Ezekiel, so His judgment will be inevitable during the coming tribulation.

Chapter 16 serves as one of the most brutally descriptive images of our sinful condition, as well as His grace! This chapter is so graphic, and so powerfully indicting upon the Jews, that some of the ancient rabbis did not allow it to even be read publicly! God likens Israel to an abandoned child who was born of wrong parents (16:3), and left for dead in a field. (16:4–5) God sees Israel lying in her own blood, and says, “Live.” (16:6) God then blesses Israel with beauty (holiness), clothing (righteousness), and jewels/crown (rewards). He anoints Israel with oil (a type of the Holy Spirit) and makes her His bride. (16:7–14) But despite God’s amazing grace, Israel prostitutes herself to other nations and other gods. She continuously involves herself in spiritual adultery. (16:15–59) Ezekiel 16:60 contains one of the most powerful and beautiful words in the entire Bible: “Nevertheless”. Despite Israel’s broken promises, and lewd spiritual adultery in God’s very face, God still remembers His covenant, and promises an everlasting covenant. What a beautiful, yet solemn picture, of the reality of our life. It’s not because of our goodness or obedience that God keeps His word to us. It is because of God’s grace. Like Israel, we, too, continually forsake our God…“nevertheless”! (Ephesians 1:11–14; 4:30)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the BRIDEGROOM — Ezekiel 16 (Matthew 9:15; John 3:29)

OVERVIEW:

God judges Israel for their idolatry (Chapter 6); the severity of God’s judgment (Chapter 7); the vision of Jerusalem’s sin (Chapter 8); the vision of God’s judgment on Jerusalem (Chapter 9); the vision of the cherubim and God’s glory (Chapter 10); Israel is warned about the false security of Jerusalem. (Chapter 11)

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we make our way through the book of Ezekiel, we will find a particular title repeated throughout the book. The title “Son of Man” is attributed to Ezekiel some 93 times. This title appears a total of 193 times in the Bible. In Daniel 7:13, the prophet Daniel attributes this same title to the promised Messiah, which is why the title appears 84 times in the New Testament in reference to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is apparent by the Jew’s reaction to our Lord using this title to refer to Himself in the Gospel of Luke, that they understood that this title had specific Messianic implications. Luke 22:66–71 says:

“And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.”

It also becomes apparent, as we make our way through this book, that Ezekiel is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ezekiel ministered to the nation of Israel as a prophet and a priest during the time of exile, just as our Lord will minister to Israel as a prophet and a priest during the time of tribulation. Note also that the period of judgment and restoration pictured in Ezekiel foreshadows the judgment and restoration of Israel during the tribulation and the millennial reign of Christ.

There is also another key phrase we find repeated throughout the book of Ezekiel. The phrase, “know that I am the Lord” appears 77 times in the Bible with 63 of them in the book of Ezekiel alone. The reason it is repeated so many times in this book, is that the situation in Israel during Ezekiel’s ministry was, quite simply, the fact that they didn’t know the Lord! They had forgotten who God was. Israel had turned to idolatry (6:4; 8:5–16), having replaced God with man-made images. Israel had also been guilty of trusting in their wealth (7:19) and in the walls of Jerusalem (11:3) for security. Through their exile, judgment, and eventual restoration, God’s purpose was to remind Israel that He is the Lord!

Ezekiel’s visions of God’s judgment are precise and severe. Israel’s idolatry had begun at God’s temple, causing God to remove His presence (8:6), therefore, it would be at God’s temple where His judgment would begin. (9:6) Throughout the entire Old Testament, we find that Satan constantly desired to destroy the place where God’s glory was intended to dwell. Satan was successful during the exile, when Babylon, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, burned the temple in 586 B.C. The temple was rebuilt later only to be destroyed again by Rome in 70 A.D. May this reality serve as both a reminder and a warning that our enemy wants to destroy the place where God’s glory is currently intended to dwell, that, of course, being in us! May we realize, that just like in Ezekiel’s day, the enemy desires that we would turn to other gods (idolatry) through covetousness, and that we would turn away from God in an effort to find security and safety in temporal material riches and our own “self-made” walls. Just as God instructed that judgment begin at His sanctuary (9:6), we must evaluate our temple (our heart) to see if, like Israel, we have forgotten who God is. Perhaps, the phrase God repeated to Israel throughout the book of Ezekiel applies to us today: “know that I am the Lord”! Our security must be in the only One who can truly keep us safe: God Himself! We must recognize that He is “the Lord”!

God appears to Ezekiel for the third time at the beginning of chapter 10. (1:4; 3:23; 10:1) It is during this encounter that God reveals to Ezekiel that Israel would one day be restored. (11:17–20) This final restoration will usher in the millennial reign of Christ. How awesome it is, that even during tribulation, God promises deliverance!

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

• 7:7 – “…the day of trouble is near…”
• 7:10 – “Behold the day…”
• 7:12 – “…the day draweth near…”
• 7:19 – “…the day of wrath of the Lord…”

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE MAN CLOTHED WITH LINEN — Ezekiel 9:2 (Revelation 1:13)

OVERVIEW:

Ezekiel receives a vision of God’s glory; Ezekiel receives his commission; Ezekiel is instructed to physically typify the siege and judgment of Jerusalem.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we make our way into the book of Ezekiel today, let’s seek to get our bearings about what is unfolding in this powerful book. First, recognize that the name Ezekiel means “strengthened by God”. Along with Jeremiah and Daniel, Ezekiel is called upon by God to prophesy against Israel during the time of exile. (Ezekiel 1:1–2) The first two verses of chapter one, provides for us the historical context of the book.

To understand the actual tone of Ezekiel’s message, it is essential to understand how Ezekiel fits into the story of the Old Testament. The Old Testament breaks down into six natural chronological divisions:

1. Genesis – The time of Genesis begins with the creation of the world and ends with Jacob’s sons in Egypt.
2. Exodus – The time of Exodus begins with Jacob’s sons in Egypt and ends with Joshua leading the nation of Israel to possess the land promised to them.
3. Judges – The time of Judges covers the period in Israel’s history when a variety of judges ruled.
4. Kings – During the time of the kings, a host of different kings ruled Israel. Keep in mind that after the reign of Solomon, the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms: the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The Northern Kingdom was ultimately defeated by Assyria and carried away captive in 722 B.C. The Southern Kingdom was ultimately defeated by Babylon and carried away captive in 606 B.C.
5. Exile – The time of exile covers the nation of Israel’s 70 years of exile.
6. Return – The time of the return covers the time of Israel’s return to their homeland, and the time when both the temple and Jerusalem were rebuilt under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

The exile had been prophesied as far back as Moses (Deuteronomy 28), and as recently as the prophet Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 25:11–12) Israel’s disobedience culminated in the fact that they had failed to keep the sabbath for the land. (2^nd Chronicles 36:21) God had kept track of Israel’s failure to let the land rest and had decided to exile Israel for seventy years in order that the land finally might have its rest. This is a chilling reminder of the consequences of sin. There is no doubt that Israel had grown accustomed to ignoring the sabbath for the land. Note, however, that God had kept track! God will not ignore sin. (Galatians 6:7)

Judah had temporarily turned to God under the reign of Josiah (640-609 B.C). After Josiah was killed by the Egyptian army, however, Judah (southern kingdom) plunged back into sin under their four remaining kings:

1. Jehoahaz (609 B.C.)
2. Jehoiakim (609–598 B.C.) – Daniel was taken captive during his reign.
3. Jehoiachin (598–597 B.C.) – Ezekiel was taken captive during his reign.
4. Zedekiah (597–586 B.C.) – He was more of a puppet king under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.

The exile had begun in 606 B.C. and ended in 536 B.C. During those 70 years, both Daniel and Ezekiel were taken captive to Babylon. Eventually, Babylon, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, would burn the temple and destroy Jerusalem.

Ezekiel and his wife are among 10,000 Jews taken into captivity along with king Jehoiachin in 597 B.C. (2^nd Kings 24:11–18) Ezekiel is 25 years old when he is taken to Babylon. He is thirty years old when his ministry begins in 592 B.C. (Ezekiel 1:1) He ministers for 22 years (570 BC). Recognize that Ezekiel and his 10,000 fellow countrymen were more colonists than they were captives, being permitted to farm tracts of land under somewhat favorable conditions. Ezekiel even had his own house. It is important to remember that Ezekiel is already in captivity while he is prophesying to the Jews who had not been taken captive.

Ezekiel chapter 1 records one of the most incredible visions in the word of God. The vision includes four living creatures flying through the air like a flash of lightning; a crystal sea; creatures with multiple eyes and faces ushering in a throne; and an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ. Ezekiel is ushered into the presence of the Lord and catches a glimpse of the Second Advent. Just like Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1–8) and the Apostle John (Revelation 4–5), Ezekiel is so overwhelmed by the revelation of Christ in all of His glory, the most comfortable position he could find was on his face! Ezekiel’s response will be the response of every person when they see Christ in all of His glory. What a contrast to the nonchalant way much of Christianity approaches the Lord Jesus Christ today! There is no room for pride or selfishness in the presence of God Almighty. One day every knee will bow to the Lord Jesus Christ! (Romans 14:11) Hallelujah!

Chapters 2 and 3 record God’s commission for Ezekiel. He is to prophesy to the nation of Israel during the 70-year exile. One of the key take-aways that we can apply from this passage is that Ezekiel paints a picture for every preacher, and every Christian for that matter, of what it really means to be entrusted with the stewardship of the word of God. The picture begins with having an encounter with Christ. Notice in chapter 1, Ezekiel comes face to face with Christ. (1:28) Notice, however, that the encounter didn’t just involve what Ezekiel saw, but also what he heard. Speaking in the first person, Ezekiel says, “and I heard a voice of one that spake” (1:28), “and the Spirit entered into me when he spake.” (2:2) Likewise, realize that our effectiveness, as a steward of the word of God, must begin with a daily encounter with Christ, that results in our hearing His voice and being filled with His Spirit. (2:2; Ephesians 5:18) But the question is, how could we possibly have an encounter Christ, knowing that He doesn’t (and won’t) appear to us in a vision like Ezekiel’s? Very simply, we encounter Christ by so yielding ourselves to Him that we position ourselves before Him through the pages of His holy word. Through the written revelation of the word of God, we, too, get a glimpse of Christ in all His glory (Ephesians 1:18), and hear, as it were, His voice.

Yet, notice further, that it isn’t enough for us to just “hear” God’s words, we must also “receive” those words in our heart. God instructed Ezekiel, “All my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart.” (3:10) We must receive God’s words into our heart to such a degree that they change the way we think, speak, act, and react. Notice also that God tells Ezekiel to receive “all” His words. Over the course of this prophecy, God is going to give Ezekiel some very difficult things to say and do. When it comes to God’s word, we must learn that we can’t “pick and choose” what we will obey and what we will not obey. The fact is, sometimes the word will be sweet; sometimes it will be bitter; sometimes it will comfort; and sometimes it will sting. Regardless of which it is, we are responsible to “receive” it, and to receive “all” of it!

But notice, that after “receiving” God’s words, God then instructed Ezekiel to “speak” His words. (2:7; 3:23–27). Just like Ezekiel was responsible for receiving “all” of them, he was also responsible for “speaking” all of them. God commanded him to “speak my words unto them” (whether the people liked it or not — 2:7) and “…when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God…” (3:27) Would to God that every pastor and every believer in the world would approach the responsibility of their mission like that! First, allowing God to speak His word to them; them receiving it in their hearts so they are filled with Spirit, having made personal application of the word in their own lives; and then, join the Apostle Paul in saying, “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God!” (Acts 20:27) Our counsel to others must not be conclusions based on our own life experiences and opinions. We are responsible for declaring the word of God.

It is also interesting to note, in these chapters, that Ezekiel’s actions mirrored his spoken words. God continually asks Ezekiel to demonstrate His truth to Israel by the way He lives (as seen in the sign of the tile, shaving, burning hair, lying on each side, and imprisonment). Our life must reflect the truth of God. Our actions must speak even louder than our words! With all of these things in place, you would think that Ezekiel was ready to go speak to the people. But God knew that if he would truly be effective in imparting His words to them, there were still a few other things that would need to take place. Ezekiel would first need to go and identify with the people. That’s why Ezekiel says in 3:15, that he “sat where they sat”. Before Ezekiel spoke a word to the people, he sat quietly for seven days with those who would be the recipients of his/God’s message. Oh, may we learn from Ezekiel’s example, that we must be willing to spend time with people, and be willing to listen to them, before we expect them to listen to us. How can we expect to share the love of Christ with people with whom we are unwilling to identify? The old cliché is so true: “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Finally, God gives Ezekiel a warning. He wanted Ezekiel to realize that he would be held accountable for the mission He had assigned to him. He wouldn’t, however, be held accountable for the response of the people. He would simply be held accountable to hear, receive, and speak the words of God. (3:15–21) At the Judgment Seat of Christ, we, too, will be held accountable for the mission God has assigned to us. (Romans 14:12; 2^nd Corinthians 5:10) God will not hold us accountable for how people responded to our message, but He will hold us accountable whether, or not, we heard the word of Christ, received the word of Christ, and shared the word of Christ! (Colossians 3:16; 1^st Timothy 4:16)

Are you encountering Christ daily by surrendering yourself before Him through the pages of His word? Are you listening to His words and receiving them in your heart? Does your life give evidence of the filling of the Spirit? Are you actively and purposefully seeking to identify with those around you, so you might be effective in communicating God’s truth to them? Are they able to see and hear God’s truth by observing it in how you live your life?

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the APPEARANCE OF A MAN UPON THE THRONE — Ezekiel 1:26 (Revelation 1:13–17)

OVERVIEW:

Jeremiah’s lamentation over Jerusalem’s destruction (1:1–22); God’s justifiable wrath (2:1–22); God’s incredible mercy (3:1–66); God’s anger against Jerusalem (4:1–22); a plea for restoration. (5:1–22)

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

“The Lamentations of Jeremiah” as the title states, is the expression of Jeremiah’s incredible sorrow over the sins of God’s people that had resulted in the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and the entire kingdom of Judah. These five chapters are (more or less) a postscript to the book of Jeremiah. They are obviously a separate book in our English Bible, but are contained in the third section in the Hebrew Bible, called “The Writings.” This book employs acrostic poetry, much like we saw as we were making our way through Psalm 119. In chapters 1, 2 and 4, each succeeding verse begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Chapter 3 contains three acrostic poems.

From an historical standpoint, the book of Lamentations deals with the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. From a doctrinal (or prophetic) standpoint, the book deals with the events during and surrounding the Tribulation Period. In chapter 1, Jeremiah likens the city of Jerusalem to a grieving widow. He describes the fact that once she was a “princess”, but has now become a “tributary” or a slave. (1:1) At one time she was surrounded by “friends” (1:2) and “lovers” (1:2), but now everyone has forsaken her, leaving her to grieve and weep alone. In verse 4 of chapter 1, Jeremiah even gives human attributes to the roads leading to Jerusalem, saying, “the ways of Zion do mourn.” Whereas at one time, they had been filled with incoming worshippers, now they were totally desolate. The picture Jeremiah describes in this chapter is heartbreaking and pitiful. Having to actually put the reality of Jerusalem’s condition into words becomes even more than Jeremiah can handle. By the time he gets to verse 16, he says: “For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water.” Oh, that our hearts would break, and our eyes would leak, as did Jeremiah’s for the similar condition of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the last days of the Laodicean church period. (Revelation 3:14–22)

When God called His son, Israel, out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), He led them with the cloud of His glory. Chapter 2 begins by explaining that at this point in their history, once again, the Lord covered them with a cloud. Sadly, however, it wasn’t the “cloud of his glory”, it was the “cloud of his anger”. Whereas in times past, the Lord fought on Israel’s behalf against their enemies, now the Lord Himself fought against Israel like one of their enemies. (2:2–5) Again, Jeremiah “laments” as he is forced to describe Israel’s awful condition: “Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.” (2:11) Jeremiah recognized, however, that they had gotten exactly what they deserved (2:19), because they listened to their false prophets (2:14), and had stubbornly refused to repent of their idolatry.

Verse 15 of Chapter 2 is perhaps the saddest of all of the tremendously sad verses in this book: “All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?” Applied to our Laodicean condition, while Christians are “whooping it up” about all of the so-called “wonderful” and “spiritual” things that are taking place, we have to wonder if the world isn’t looking at the church and saying, “Is this the glorious church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the beautiful, chaste virgin Bride that is without spot or blemish or any such thing?” (Ephesians 5:27; 2^nd Corinthians 11:2) May God give us many Jeremiahs in these last days who will lament our grievous condition.

After two and a half chapters of solely focusing on the pitiful condition in the land, in the middle of chapter 3, Jeremiah lifts his eyes to the Lord. In the midst of all of the sorrow and ruin, he is reminded of the mercy and compassion of the Lord, and the incredible fact that “His compassions fail not” (3:22), and “are new every morning.” (3:23) It brings Jeremiah to declare, “Great is Thy faithfulness!” In other words, “We have certainly failed You, O God, but You will not fail us!” May we, with Jeremiah, praise the Lord today for His marvelous, infinite, matchless mercy and grace!

In the remainder of chapter 3, Jeremiah calls upon the people to stop their whining…to search their hearts…to confess their sin…and to get right with God! He then calls upon God to bring punishment upon those He used as the instrument of His wrath against Jerusalem. Chapter 4 lets us know just how horrendous the situation in Jerusalem had gotten. Children were being mistreated and abused by their parents, and believe it or not, the situation had become so desperate that some mothers were literally eating their own children! God says that His punishment against this city would even be greater than His punishment of Sodom!

Chapter 5 continues the description of the deplorable situation in Zion, and ends with Jeremiah crying out to God, “Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.” (5:21) The good news is, in the very near future, God is finally going to answer Jeremiah’s prayer!

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

• 2:1 – “…in the day of his anger!”
• 2:22 – “…in the day of the Lord’s anger…”

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through JEREMIAH’S SORROW OVER JERUSALEM — Lamentations 1:12–22 (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)

As the MERCIFUL SAVIOUR — Lamentations 3:22 (Jude 1:21)

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment upon Babylon (50:1–51:64); the fall of Jerusalem and Zedekiah’s torment (52:1–11); the Babylonians destroy the temple (52:12–23); the people are exiled (52:24–30); God has not forgotten and will not forsake David’s descendants (52:31–34).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

To this point, Babylon has been the tool God used to mete out His judgment upon the many nations we read about in chapters 44–49. In chapter 50, this time, Jeremiah prophesies God’s judgment upon Babylon and her many gods.

Once Babylon would be defeated, the chosen people of God would once again be gathered and returned to their homeland. This was partially fulfilled in 538 B.C. when Cyrus made a decree permitting the Jews to go back to Jerusalem. The context, however, points to the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jews during the Great Tribulation. (notice all of the references to the Tribulation and Second Coming of Christ in this passage: “in those days” — 50:4; “it is the vengeance of the Lord” — 50:15; “in those days” — 50:20; “the vengeance of the Lord our God” — 50:28; “in that day” — 50:30.)

That “last days” fulfillment continues in chapter 51, as Jeremiah details Babylon’s judgment. Notice that his description is very similar to the description God gave of Babylon’s destruction through the Apostle John in Revelation 17 and 18. Note that God also points to Israel’s restoration in the last days. Despite all of Israel’s defiance against God, He still loves Israel, and has every intention of blessing her. Though the conflict in the Middle East rages today, Jeremiah (not to mention, John, Isaiah, Ezekiel, etc., etc.) points to the fact that in the very near future, the conflict will be over, and Israel will be sitting on top! That certainly is not to say that everything Israel does and is doing today is right, but don’t ever forget to factor into your equation the EVERLASTING (!!!) Abrahamic Covenant: “And I will bless them that bless thee (Abraham or Israel), and curse him that curseth thee.” (Genesis 12:3) Non-Christians think that is a fatalistic viewpoint. Fatalistic as it may be, it is just a settled fact! Any way you slice it, Israel is going to end up on top, and her Messiah and King (and ours, hallelujah!!!), will rule the entire world from His throne in Jerusalem! America has made some incredibly sinful and stupid decisions in the last half of a century (or more!). Perhaps the only reason God has not unleashed His judgment upon us has been our faithfulness to bless Israel. When/if we curse them, I’m afraid we will finally be sealing our own doom!

In 51:59–64, one last time, God wants Jeremiah to give His message via an object lesson. Jeremiah “wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon,” (59:60) and then told Seraiah to take it and read it in Babylon. After reading it, he was to take the scroll, tie it to a rock and cast it into the Euphrates, explaining to the people that that’s exactly what God was going to do to them!

The book of Jeremiah concludes in chapter 52 with a somewhat lengthy explanation about the fall of Jerusalem. It is almost word for word what is written in 2^nd Kings 18–25, 30, and very similar to what was detailed in Jeremiah 39:1–18. It recounts the city’s fall, Zedekiah’s attempt to escape, his capture, and the murder of his sons “before his eyes,” (52:20) just before he lost his physical sight.

Back in 1^st Kings 9:1–9, after Solomon built the temple, God promised to keep His name there as long as they served only Him. “But,” He said, “if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people.” (1^st Kings 9:6–7) The people did not live up to their end of the bargain, but as you might would imagine, God most certainly did live up to His! Jeremiah 52:12–30 is the fulfillment of God’s warning to Israel in 1^st Kings 9:6–7.

The book of Jeremiah does end, however, with just a flicker of hope. After 37 years of being exiled in Babylon, Jehoiachin, king of Judah, is shown preferential treatment. It is a reminder that God has not forgotten the Davidic Covenant, and, just as Jeremiah 30–33 makes clear, God will ultimately fulfill His promises to bless Israel.

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

• 51:2 – “in the day of trouble”
• 51:6 – “the time of the Lord’s vengeance”
• 51:11 – “it is the vengeance of the Lord”

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the REDEEMER WHO PLEADS OUR CAUSE — Jeremiah 50:34 (Luke 1:68; Romans 8:34)

As the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE — Jeremiah 51:15 (Colossians 1:16)

OVERVIEW:

God’s condemnation through Jeremiah of the remnant’s idolatry in Egypt (44:1–4); the people blatantly confess their affection for idols (44:15–19); God’s last word concerning the faithless remnant (44:20–30); God’s exhortation to Baruch (45:1–5); God’s judgment upon Egypt (46:1–28); God’s judgment upon Philistia (47:1–7); God’s judgment upon Moab (48:1–47); God’s judgment upon Ammon (49:1–6); God’s judgment upon Edom (49:7–22); God’s judgment upon Damascus (49:23–27); God’s judgment upon the lesser nations (49:28–33); God’s judgment upon Elam (49:34-39).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

When we ended yesterday’s reading, the remnant had chosen to rebel against the word of the Lord, through Jeremiah, in spite of their extravagant promises not to do so. They went to Egypt in hopes of finding a place of refuge against the wrath of the Babylonians. Not content to simply go themselves, they forced Jeremiah and Baruch to go with them. Perhaps they thought that God would not exercise judgment against them if these two men of God were with them. Regardless of what they thought, Jeremiah’s preaching against them was anything but over! Nor was God’s judgment! Jeremiah walked them through the wickedness and idolatry of Judah, despite God’s cry to them through the prophets, “Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.” (44:4) Jeremiah promised that just as surely as God’s “fury” and “anger” was poured out on their cities and in the streets of Jerusalem, leaving them “wasted” and “desolate”, God’s judgment would fall upon them in Egypt. It is indeed amazing how, even after watching the painful effects of sin on people as they incur and endure the chastisement of Almighty God, that we can deceive ourselves into thinking that “it will be different for us,” or that “we will be the exception.”

Rather than Jeremiah’s message causing the people to repent, they somehow concluded that their problem was that they had not served other gods enough! They resort back to worshipping the queen of heaven (Ashtoreth), reasoning that their lives had turned for the worse when they stopped worshipping her. (44:17–19) Before we think that this idolatry “shoe”, as it were, doesn’t fit us, be reminded that in the New Testament, God identifies covetousness as idolatry. (Colossians 3:5) He doesn’t say that it is “like” idolatry, He says that it “IS” idolatry! Do note that at least three times in the New Testament, “covetousness” specifically refers to the desire for illicit sexual fulfillment. What happens in that whole world of sexual sin, is no different than what was happening to this remnant in Egypt. Practically speaking, people know how sexual sin has destroyed thousands and thousands and tens of thousands of homes before them, and yet, they deceive themselves into thinking it won’t destroy theirs. Oh God, deliver us from ourselves!

Chapter 45 is a short chapter with God giving His word to Baruch through Jeremiah. Baruch was one of only two people (Ebedmelech being the other one) in all of Jeremiah’s 40-year ministry who had ever responded to his preaching in any kind of positive way. God wants Baruch to realize, however, that though he was bummed at how things had shaken out for Jerusalem, the reason he was bummed was because of how it had affected him, not because of how it had affected God! Again, with God letting us know that the chief characteristic of our day is that we are “lovers of our own selves” (2^nd Timothy 3:1–2), we must be careful that we don’t deceive ourselves into thinking we are “spiritual” because of how we are repulsed by the condition of our country, and, yea, the world. Do we hurt because God hurts; or do we hurt because of how the sin of the world has affected, and is affecting, our lives?

In the remaining chapters in today’s reading, God details His judgment upon the Gentile nations:

• His judgment upon Egypt. (46:1–28)
• His judgment upon Philisita (47:1–7)
• His judgment upon Moab (48:1–47)
• His judgment upon Ammon (49:1–6)
• His judgment upon Edom (49:7–22)
• His judgment upon Damascus (49:23–27)
• His judgment upon the lesser nations (49:28–33)
• His judgment upon Elam (49:34–39)

The nations listed basically encompassed all of the nations of the known world at that time. It seems that God’s message, through Jeremiah, was that there is no nation who can defy Him and not inflict His judgment upon themselves. If that be true, our nation is on a collision course with disaster! 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”: 

• 46:10 – “the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance” 
• 48:41 – “at that day” 
• 48:47 – “in the latter days” 
• 49:22 – “at that day” 
• 49:39 – “in the latter days”

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through GOD’S SERVANTS, THE PROPHETS — Jeremiah 44:4 (Jesus was God’s “chosen Servant” — Matthew 12:17–18; Acts 3:20–21)