7th February 2025

7th February 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Ezekiel 20:45-21:32 focus v8-17 )


Message (Alan Burke)


Have you ever been told, been warned and then there is a day that we realise it is too late to do anything about it? I know many people who have had such a realisation, the day has come when they have realised that it is too late. Well as we continue through chapter 20 the people had been warned, they were told to repent but they would not listen and now the sword of judgment would strike. Ezekiel is to call his hands together as a sign of the sword that will strike, not once but twice, even three times, it would flash like lightning (13-14). Destruction was coming upon them and the Lord too would strike his hands together, portraying that he is resolute in passing the judgement, only then would his wrath subside (16-17). The judgement was coming, it would be swift and sever, it would come because his people who had rejected him as their Lord, for all who reject the Lord God, who chose their sin they will face the judgement that is coming (Jer 18:1-12; Rom 3:23; 6:23; Rev 20:11-15). 


Again (v18) the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel and he is now to give them a picture, drawing out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon. There were too choices that lay ahead as the Babylonians came one was Jerusalem, the other Rabba. Rabba was the city of the Ammonites. Which one would be attacked is the question that comes? Nebuchadnezzar would seek an omen, cast lots with arrows where the arrows fell they would interpret the pattern, he would counsel idols and he would examine the liver of an animal, in effect he is looking for something to tell him what way to go, he’s looking for a sign and it would be Jerusalem that the omens would fall on.


The Lord God would sovereignly use that which is forbidden to his people to guide the pagan king in judgement upon his people. The Lord God is working all things together by his providence (Jer 27:6). Jerusalem would be laid siege to, to them all that the prophet said would seem like false omen to them for they had made treaties with Babylon, sworn allegiance to him, they couldn’t see their guilt with God nor could they see their guilt in how they had turned from what they had sworn. But they were guilty, they had shown their guilt by their open rebellion against God, the Lord was using Babylon as his divine prosector. 


The people had turned from God, they had sought their deliverance from their idols and the nations but none of these things can save us from the outstretched arm of the Lord. The only way to be saved is to call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom 10:13), enter by Jesus and you will be saved (Jn 10:9). Nothing else can save you, good words, church attendance, the sacraments, letters before or after your name, generosity, the only way to be saved is through Jesus, the Lord is Sovereign and he has made a way that we can be saved and it is through his son, he is the only way (Jn 14:6). 


For God’s people there is hope even in the midst of the judgement for while it will become a ruin, a ruin, in v27 the Lord promises that it would be restored. The one who would come whom it rightfully belongs to it would be given. This is looking to what will one day come in the rule and reign of the Lord’s Christ, Jesus has come and inaugurated the kingdom but it will be consummated when he comes in judgment and will rule over all, the heaven and the earth. This is a glorious hope and promise that is given to the people, one that one day we will see come to fruition. Even in the midst of a world where the righteous suffer because of the wicked there is hope, hope of the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ where the wicked will be no more. (Ps 2:6; Jer 23:5-6; Ezek 37:24; Zech 6:12-15).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q1 What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.
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