Ezekiel 21:20

November 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Mark a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites and to Judah, into Jerusalem the fortified.” (Ezekiel 21:20)

Many who disregard the Lord behave as if the Lord only deals with His people, and not those who ignore him or have other gods. Here, we see that the Lord is using Babylon to punish Judah AND the Ammonites. In other words, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Father, help me to faithfully encourage those who disregard you to reconsider before it is too late. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Judah, obedience, Old Testament, rebellion

Ezekiel 20:31, 42

November 8, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.” (31)

“And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your fathers.” (42‬)

This chapter is explicit in two things: First, the Lord makes very clear why he is angry with Israel. Israel has continually rebelled against His kindness and rules. Here, the Lord says they are still worshipping idols and sacrificing their children to them, even as the exile is underway! How hard can the human heart get? I’d better beware and guard my heart.

The second thing that is explicit in this chapter is that the Lord will restore Israel in the land and in their relationship with the Lord. How gracious can God be? Very! I need to make sure that I receive His grace, not tread on it.

The verses above are samples. Both points are made more than once in this chapter.

Father, you are an amazingly kind and gracious God. There is none like you. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, exile, Ezekiel, idolatry, Israel, Judah, Old Testament, rebellion, Restoring Israel

Ezekiel 19:9

November 7, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“With hooks they put him in a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon; they brought him into custody, that his voice should no more be heard on the mountains of Israel.” (Ezekiel 19:9)
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This chapter is dedicated to lament, a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. The Lord gave Ezekiel two word pictures to illustrate Israel’s situation, which was the reason for lamenting. Both images – a lioness that lost her cubs and a vine whose shoots were burned up – were used to illustrate the downfall of the line of Judah. Due to their unfaithfulness, the Lord raised enemy nations who would cut off the cubs (princes) or burn the shoots of the vines (princes) and take Judah into exile.

For those aware of God’s promises toward Judah concerning a future, this would surely appear to be a reason for lamenting, not unlike the situation of a barren senior citizen couple named Abraham and Sarah. Both situations suggested that God was wrong or defeated in some way. Yet … if we hang on, we will see that God shines through. Abraham and Sarah will have a baby – even in their old age – and the lion of the tribe of Judah will come forth.

So, while it is appropriate to lament the specific circumstance of exile – and the reason that led to it – we would be in error to think God’s plan came unraveled. Let’s hang on and see what is to come.

Father, help me to have enduring faith, one that lasts through difficult circumstances and my own sin. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Judah, Old Testament

Ezekiel 18:20-21

November 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:20-21)

This is powerful! This may be the clearest demonstration of God’s grace and man’s personal responsibility in the Old Testament. After a fairly lengthy and clear explanation that man is accountable for his own sin and that God offers life to the repentant, Ezekiel offers this summary statement, to which I have matched New Testament parallels.

  1. The soul that sins shall die. (The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23)
  2. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. (“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10)
  3. But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. (The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19)

Thank you, Father, for offering forgiveness. Please help me to have a heart of repentance. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Ezekiel, Faith, forgiveness, heart matters, Old Testament, repentance

Ezekiel 17:15

November 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?” (Ezekiel 17:15)

This is an interesting look into the heart. The background is critical: Judah had rebelled against the one true and living God by bowing a knee to the idols. God raised up Babylon as a means of punishment. Then, the king of Babylon made a covenant with one of the royal offspring. However, the royal offspring rebelled against Babylon. Interestingly, he didn’t rebel to return to the Lord. He rebelled to run into the arms of Egypt! Rather than run to the Lord, he ran further away.

Father, please help me not lean on my own understanding. Help me run toward you. Amen.

Filed Under: Babylon, devotional thoughts, Egypt, exile, Ezekiel, idolatry, Israel, Judah, Old Testament, rebellion
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