Ezekiel 33:6

November 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” (Ezekiel 33:6)

This is an interesting statement from the Lord. He is clarifying for Ezekiel the function and responsibility of the watchman. The watchman is to watch for danger and to warn the people if he sees or hears something. Thus, giving the people a chance to find safety. At that point, each person is solely responsible for himself. However, if the watchman does not sound the alarm, the blood of those who were not warned will be on the hands of the failed watchman.

It seems with Ezekiel, the watchman has two roles: 1) to warn of physical danger, and 2) to warn of spiritual danger.

In the case of those who were not warned of spiritual danger, it seems that their blood will be charged twice. First, to themselves because they are sinners. Second, their blood will be upon the failed watchman.

While I don’t believe anyone will be able to point a finger at someone else and say, “I’m a sinner because of him,” I also believe I have an obligation to behave as a watchman who warns sinners of the need to repent.

Father, please forgive me when I fail as a watchman due to indifference or fear of man. Help me to care enough for others that I sound a clear trumpet. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Ezekiel, Old Testament, Warnings

Ezekiel 32:2-3

November 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You consider yourself a lion of the nations, but you are like a dragon in the seas; you burst forth in your rivers, trouble the waters with your feet, and foul their rivers. Thus says the Lord God: I will throw my net over you with a host of many peoples, and they will haul you up in my dragnet.’” (Ezekiel 32:2-3)

This chapter continues the condemnation of Pharaoh and Egypt. What stood out to me today is the imagery that God uses to communicate His truths. For example, he uses a lion and a dragon in the seas. These are strong images that would clearly communicate to the recipient. Look at the powerful imagery of verse 6: “I will drench the land even to the mountains with your flowing blood, and the ravines will be full of you.” We are about 2600 years removed from that day, but still feel the bigness of that imagery.

This impressed upon me the need to think about (and improve) the way I talk about God and His works. Everything doesn’t have to be big like we have seen here, but it should be clear, as we have seen here.

Father, help me better communicate your message with others. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Old Testament, Word Pictures

Ezekiel 31:2, 10-11, 18

November 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Whom are you like in your greatness?'” (Ezekiel 31:2)

“Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out.” (Ezekiel 31: 10-11‬)

“Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 31:18‬)

Continuing with His Word against Egypt, the Lord used the downfall of Assyria to make his point. Egypt was aware of the downfall of Assyria and the rise of Babylon because Egypt was there when it happened. In fact, Egypt was there in support of Assyria with the aspiration of becoming the dominant regional power. However, the joint Assyrian-Egyptian forces were defeated by the Babylonians at Carchemish in 605BC.

I can’t imagine the upset stomach Pharaoh experienced when Ezekiel said,

“Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 31:18‬)

Yikes! This pharaoh was fairly new to the job and was aware of his father’s defeat at Carchemish at the hands of the Babylonians. He had the opportunity to repent of the Egyptian pride upon taking charge, but he didn’t. And, Ezekiel told him this would result in the same fate as Assyria.

Pharaohs are not the only ones who struggle with pride. I also struggle with pride. So, I take this as a warning to me as well. Obviously, Ezekiel isn’t speaking specifically of me, but there is a lesson to be learned here. And why should I think God would look differently at my pride?

Father, please help me to continue growing in humility. Amen.

Filed Under: Assyria, Babylon, devotional thoughts, Egypt, Ezekiel, Old Testament, pride, Prophecy

Ezekiel 30:25

November 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall. Then they shall know that I am the Lord, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt.” (Ezekiel 30:25)

The Lord is using figurative language to make his points. 1. He is going to strengthen Babylon to punish Egypt. 2. The Lord is not interested only in punishing strong rebellion against him; He desires that they know Him. And I think His desire to be known is more than, “You are about to find out who you are messing with!”

Egypt has had many opportunities to repent and follow YHWY. But they didn’t. In contrast, Rahab, the prostitute at Jericho, repented because of the stories she heard about YHWH while Israel was in and escaping from Egypt.

“For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction.” (Joshua‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬)

Father, help me to appreciate the opportunities I have to know you. Then, please help me to respond appropriately. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Egypt, Ezekiel, Joshua, repentance, Salvation, Word Pictures

Ezekiel 29:8-10

November 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the Lord. “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’ therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush.” (Ezekiel 29:8-10)

Now, it is Egypt’s turn to hear her punishment. But first, why is Egypt being punished? “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it.’” There is pride. Then, there is PRIDE. To figuratively look to the heavens and claim that you made the Nile River is a crazy theft of God’s glory. That’s on the level of a US president saying he made the Mississippi River!

Every repercussion is not immediate. But we can be sure that when we attempt to rob God of His glory, there will be repercussions. In this case, Egypt will be laid waste by Babylon, and the people will be scattered among the nations. Now, God said this desolation will be for forty years. However, Egypt will never see the glory it once had. And that is what we see today.

Lord, help me to closely examine my heart for sprinklings of pride. Please help me have the heart and determination to humble myself in those areas. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Egypt, Ezekiel, humility, Old Testament, pride
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