Tag: Ezekiel 33:11
Prophetic Entertainment?
Scripture reading for August 26: Ezekiel 33-36
God had made Ezekiel a watchman to warn His people of coming judgment and disaster because of sin. Like a mailman for God, he was to deliver God’s Word. (Ezekiel 33:7-9) After he warned them, they would be responsible. You might say that Ezekiel was a prophet of individual responsibility. Each person was to become responsible for the Word from God that was delivered to them. What they chose to do with it determined their destiny! (Ezekiel 33:11) Ezekiel warned them faithfully but the people complained that God was unjust in His dealing with them. (Ezekiel 33:17) The people accused but it was they who were guilty of injustice! They were under the bondage of sin and blinded to the truth that could make them free.
These people were proud of their preacher and seemed to want to hear him. God told Ezekiel that the people were talking about him in their houses. They were telling each other to come and hear the message of the prophet. The problem was that they did not want to put any of his message into practice. Their hearts were greedy for gain and they were selfish and unchanged after hearing. They viewed his messages as entertainment, such as a beautiful love song or a concert. (Ezekiel 33:30-32)
How are you receiving the word of God today? Do you read your Bible for entertainment with no heart to put it to practice? Do you listen to the preacher at church just to get a good feeling? Ezekiel was received the same way! However, he could not quit or he would be guilty of their blood! But after listening, God hold each person accountable for their reception of truth and obedience.
“If you warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.” (Ezekiel 33:9)
“And if I say to the wicked man, ‘you will surely die’; but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right–if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die.” (Ezekiel 33:14-15)
Resurrection and life!
Scripture reading for November 5th: Ezekiel 31-33; John 11
Key Scriptures: John 11:21-27 “Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ the Son of God, Who is coming into the world.”“
What we believe about Jesus Christ determines our eternal destiny. Martha believed that Jesus could have saved her brother. She also believed that whatever Jesus asked the Father He would get. Jesus simply stated that Lazarus would rise again. Martha understood this hope through the Word of God. Jesus made an additional revelation: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” Jesus asked her if she believed this powerful statement. She replied with a clear statement of faith in Jesus Christ and Who He is. Jesus had revealed the path to eternal life to her and all who will respond in faith.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Christ, Savior of my soul, Son of the Living God. Thank You for providing for my resurrection and eternal life. I will share this good news!
Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?”
Blessed Assurance–Jesus is Mine!
Scripture reading for November 23rd: Ezekiel 31-33, 1st John 5
Key Scriptures: 1st John 5:11-13 “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
John plainly states that God’s grace has given us eternal life through His Son. God wants no one to perish but all to have this gift. He wants no one to be uncertain about His promise of eternal life and the One who gives access, Jesus Christ. No one should live in fear or uncertainty, these truths were written that we might know for certain this truth.
Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for leading me to turn back from my sinful ways and for the assurance of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord! Amen!