In this chapter God was speaking to Ezekiel as He did in previous chapters. The Lord informed him that he dwell in the midst of rebellious people. The Lord then instructed Ezekiel to pack his things and go into captivity in a bid to get the attention of these rebels and perhaps get them to change their heart when they see Ezekiel go into captivity. God gave him the instructions to follow in these process of going into captivity, day, night and at twilight.
Ezekiel did exactly as God instructed him, then God approached him again to inform him, when the Israelites asks you what you are doing. Inform them them that this process or burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel, let them know you are a sign to them. Tell them as I have done, so shall you be carried away into captivity.
I want to take a pause here, because this whole encounter seems really familiar. God always give us multiple warnings ahead of his wrath. Just as we have the Bible informing us about the past the present and the future. It is now up to us to take heed of the word of God and not fall into the possible wrath due to disobedience.
The Lord was warning the Israelites how Babylon the land of Chaldeans will be brought to them, how they will be whisked away in captivity. They will be there but they will not see it. I pray that we will not be spiritually blind or maim that we lose the presence of God or be unable to discern what's about to happen in Jesus name.
In all this God promised in Chapter 12:16
Ezekiel 12:16 NKJV
[16] But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”
Just as we might already know God will always have mercy on whom He will have mercy on. The qualifications of those who He will show mercy is best known to Him. Again I pray father when you are choosing those to show mercy, count me worthy in Jesus name.
The Lord further instructed Ezekiel to eat and drink with quake and anxiety and in doing so he should inform the Israelites that will be there fate. I believe God purposely allow Ezekiel to feel what the impending disaster will be like so he can pass the message at the level that is relatable for the children of Israel. He further told him how the land will be desolate. God told Ezekiel the imminent happenings will not just be like ordinary saying or proverb but they will become actual reality.
There will be no more false vision or evil flattering, God will be known as God because He will bring His words to pass. The last two verses sounds familiar;
Ezekiel 12:23, 27-28 NKJV
[23] Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.” ’ But say to them, ‘ “The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.
[27] “Son of man, look, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ [28] Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done,” says the Lord God.’ ”
A lot of people have read the Bible, heard of the wrath of God, heard of the persecution believers will go through, heard of heaven and hell, heard about the coming of Christ but many will continue to say they have been saying it but it hasn't happened yet. The truth is none of the word of God will return to Him void, it's best to be prepared and be in the right standing with God. May God help us in this journey of life in Jesus name.
Ezekiel 13
This chapter is calling out foolish prophets, it's titled woe to the foolish prophets.
Ezekiel 13:1-6 NKJV
[1] And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, [2] “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’ ” [3] Thus says the Lord God: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! [4] O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. [5] You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the Lord. [6] They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord!’ But the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.
These first 6 verses gives a whole insight into false prophets. Considering the era we live now where a lot of people have itchy ears, itchy eyes and itchy mind to consume information from anything or anyone that calls themselves prophet except hearing directly from God. Many are being led astray just because they choose not to test the spirit and they follow blindly. Even if you've known the prophet or man of God for a while, still ensure you look up to God not the man of God. In the earlier chapters of Ezekiel where it describe what the elders did in their secret place the idolatry.
Ezekiel 8:6-12 NKJV
[6] Furthermore He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations.” [7] So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. [8] Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. [9] And He said to me, “Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there.” [10] So I went in and saw, and there—every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. [11] And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. [12] Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’ ”
It is important to serve God knowing you have a direct relationship with Him. God is not an enabler of blasphemers, many who say the Lord says while God didn't say. I pray that we will never allow our ego or thirst to be relevant before man to lead us into blasphemy against the Lord in Jesus name.
Ezekiel 13:8-9 NKJV
[8] Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord God. [9] “My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord God.
The lesson here's don't deliver a message conceived by man in pretence that it's a message from God. There is a repercussion for such act.
God detest false prophets and false prophecy. Again this is a channel to learn directly from God. I am aware that the word of God is new every morning but I encourage you not to just be a man follower, a doctrine follower or church attendee. Instead get to know God properly. Get to have a relationship with Him to know His heart directly from him. In doing this your spiritual sensitivity will increase especially in detecting false doctrine, false teaching and false preachers.
Ezekiel 13:17-23 NKJV
[17] “Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; prophesy against them, [18] and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive? [19] And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?” [20] ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against your magic charms by which you hunt souls there like birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds. [21] I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be as prey in your hand. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. [22] “Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life. [23] Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”
I didn't want to summarize this part of the chapter because the summary might not do the justice and give clear understanding of what the word of God says. The Lord is against any false pretence that is used to extort people in the name of religion. He will punish those who do it severely and I pray that those who are involved in this will repent. I pray above all that you and I will not deviate from the truth, we will continue to study the word of God and allow Him to lead us until we see Him in glory in Jesus name amen.
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