Riddle Of The Eagles (Pt 2)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and in due time he will exalt you. #FullyRelyOnGod #TrustInGodAlone #GodsWordIsTrue

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In the parable of God’s judgment on Israel a second “great eagle” in this riddle appears and entices the fruitful and flourishing vine (Jerusalem) to seek nourishment from its resources. Even though the vine had no need (vv7,8, 15,16). The second eagle is Egypt (v15).

The vassal king of Judah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (the first eagle – vv12-14) broke his treaty and allied itself with Egypt (vv15-21). The vine (Jerusalem) would not survive. It would be cut off and destroyed. The rebellious vassal king Zedekiah would be hunted down, brought to Babylon and there he would die (2Ki 24:18-20; 2Ki 25‬:‭1‬-‭10).* had he been obedient thus epic story may have had a different outcome.

Lord, your word teaches that if one humbles him or herself under the mighty hand of God, he will exalt that one in due time through suffering (1Pe 5:6-11).

_________

* The prophet Jeremiah had previously warned King Zedekiah to surrender to Nebuchadnezzar. However, he did not (Jer 38:17-21; 39:1-5).

Riddle Of The Eagles (Pt 1b)

(Ezk 17:5,6,13,14)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Understand God’s intentions for you. #FullyRelyOnGod #TrustInGodAlone #GodsWordIsTrue

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

A “great eagle” in verse three (Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon – v12) after deposing the king of Judah, chose a seedling from the land (Zedekiah, member of the royal family – v13). This vassal king, though weakend, was able to flourish.

This seedling’s branches turned upward to and were dependent upon the “great eagle” (a forced treaty with Nebuchadnezzar – vv13,14). Second Kings 24:15-20 reveals that all these things happened due to Judah and Jerusalem’s idolatry and defiance of God.

Lord, you make clear your intentions towards me; I read, I understand, I surrender.

Riddle Of The Eagles (Pt 1a)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Believe in, trust fully and abide by God‘s word (Ezk 17:1-4,12). #FullyRelyOnGod #TrustInGodAlone #GodsWordIsTrue

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The first eagle, great and powerful, flew into Lebanon and plucked off the top of a cedar tree. He carried it off to another land.

The eagle was Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. He deposed Jehoiachin, king of Judah in Jerusalem (Lebanon) and removed all of Judah‘s rulers and princes to Babylon (the city of merchants). There, Jehoiachin and others were planted.

This allegorical prophecy, preceded the actual events pictured by a couple of years. In 597 BC this prophecy began to be fulfilled (2Ki 24:8-16). Lord, your word is true, and I may rely fully upon all that it says.

Judgment & Redemption

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we humbly seek the forgiveness of God for our sin (Ezk 16:52-63).#Repentance #RepentTowardsGod #TurnNowToGod #JealousAnger

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Judah had sinned greatly against God (far more than her pagan neighbors, Sodom and Samaria). God had already destroyed these pagan cities, for lessor sins. God would destroy Judah as well. The people of Judah would suffer shame, but he would restore her. How could God not also restore cities of lessor sin.

Ultimately these pagan Gentile cities would even become a part of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34; Ezk 36:25-36). God will make permanent atonement for sin, forgiveness of sin for all men. God‘s judgment of sin ends in the hope of forgiveness for sinners at the cross of Christ. Lord, may I humbly seek the forgiveness of God for my sin.

UNEXCUSED

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Maintain a heart of humble repentance towards God (Ezk 16:46-52) #Repentance #RepentTowardsGod #EveryoneGuiltyBeforeGod.

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here, God paints a picture of Judah‘s horrific sin. Her sins are many and great. She is compared to Sodom. But, she is worse than Sodom. We think of Sodom’s horrible sexual sin: adultery, homosexuality. But the prophets give even more insight.

Isaiah 3:8,9 – Sodom spoke openly and flagrantly against God, refused to obey God. Jeremiah 23:14 – Sodom was dishonest, encouraged evil, and was unrepentant. Here, Ezekiel says Sodom was prideful, gluttonous, lazy, and ignored the poor and needy. Though I may not commit heinous sexual sin like Sodom, I am UNEXCUSED for committing so-called, “lesser sins”.

Guilty: Lord, may my heart remain humble and repentant towards you.

God’s Jealous Anger

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Surrender your heart to God‘s loving discipline (Ezk 16:35-45).#Repentance #RepentTowardsGod #TurnNowToGod #JealousAnger

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Jerusalem, this once beautiful queen (vv13,14) had prostituted herself (forged alliances with ungodly nations and worshiped their pagan idols – snubbing God, her true lover). She would fall to destruction by these very pagan lovers (23:47). This was warned of in Deuteronomy 13:12-16 and so it came to pass.

Jerusalem forgot the God of her youth, the God who rescued her (vv6-15). But she will remember (vv61-63). God’s fury won’t last forever and his jealous anger will eventually subside.* But not until he has brought his people to repentance and redemption.

Lord, may my heart surrender to your loving redemptive purposes through your discipline (Psm 30:5; Pro 3:11,12; Heb 12:5,6).

_____

* I remember a notable pastor saying once, “God is not a God of anger in the Old Testament. He is a God of love provoked to jealousy.“

Spoiled & Thankless

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Live not in thankless rebellion towards the gracious love of God (Ezk 16:9-34) #LoveTheLordThyGod #RedeemerLove #GodSoLoved

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

What a beautiful “rags to riches” parable. Who doesn’t love such a love story. A kind benefactor rescues a lowly beneficiary. Here, as with Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 3:8-10), Israel is taken from a lowly filthy place and made a queen by God. But, unlike Ruth, this queen of such grace and fortune goes about in adultery after other men (idolatrous behavior). And what of America?

This bride of fortune uses her inherited wealth to build shrines to men, worships these statues and then sacrifices her children to these stone images. This is Israel’s sad and thankless tale. Words here describe the shock of her benefactor (God). DISGRACEFUL! God is fully within his rights to bring judgment against adulterous Israel. Will America repent?

Lord, though I recoil at such unfaithful, thankless behavior, I too have acted in such ways. Your discipline in my life has brought me full circle in my love for you.*

________

* See my story in this blog. https://theprayersentry.com/2023/03/23/window-of-opportunity/

Kindling Faith

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Stoke a faith that is found fruitful and useful to God (Ezk 15:1-8) #Judgment #Repent #WorshipGodAlone #GodAboveAllElse

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This parable of a grapevine would have struck a chord, as Israel is compared to such often (e.g. Isa 5:1-7). But in Israel’s current idolatrous condition, she is of no greater value than kindling for fire and not even very good for that either.

This is the sad tale of a people of God who had grown apathetic and unfruitful. It reminds me of five of the seven churches in Revelation 2&3 who have become weak, indifferent, arrogant, fruitless, useless, idolatrous, lukewarm and faithless.

Lord, may the fires of my faith burn forever, faithful, and fruitful for you.

IDOLS: 🎉🗣️🧞‍♀️👙🍺🏈🚙🚢💰

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

🎉🗣️🧞‍♀️👙🍺🏈🚙🚢💰

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Guard your heart against idolatrous worship (Ezk 14:1-4, 20-23) #RejectIdolatrousWorship #Judgment #Repent #WorshipGodAlone #GodAboveAllElse

God‘s focus here is on the leaders of Israel who came to Ezekiel seeking advice. Yet, their hearts were full of idolatrous worship and their sin was great. God says to them through Ezekiel, nothing, no one will save them from judgment (war, famine, wild animals, and disease).

Not even Noah, Daniel or Job (great men of God) could save the nation from the coming judgment. The nation would come to realize through pain and suffering, once again, that Jehovah God is a sovereign Lord. Lord, it is so very important that every prayer sentry keep his/her heart from the worship of any idol (🎉🗣️🧞‍♀️👙🍺🏈🚙🚢💰).

A Prophetic Interpretation

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Be discerning of, give witness to, God‘s discipline in your life (Ezk 12:14-16). #HearingGod’sVoice #God’sDiscipline #WitnessToTheTruth #LessonsInAdversity

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The words spoken here by the prophet may be seen in the light of words spoken in 5:1,2. To what end does this scattering of God‘s people point?

“Experience will teach [God’s people] what otherwise they would never have learned, ‘that I am the Lord’ (v15). What men fail to appreciate in prosperity, they will occasionally learn through adversity. God will allow a few of [those scattered – a remnant] to survive so they can testify to God‘s truth (v16). Then, confessing their sins among the nations, God will be seen as holy and powerful, not helpless to save.“ *

Lord, may this old sentry be discerning of, give witness to, your discipline in my life circumstances.

_______

* Taylor, John B. Ezekiel, A Commentary, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL (1969), pg. 116.

Another 1 Act Prophetic Pantomime

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Open your eyes to sin and repent towards God (Ezk 12:14-20). #HeedGodsWord #Repent #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel performs a second 1 act pantomime. He would tremble and shake while eating his food; shutter and quake while drinking his water. These actions represented the terror that Israel would experience as Babylon ransacked the land and decimated the city of Jerusalem (4:16).

War, famine, disease and fear would grip the people as God‘s judgment came against them for their sin of violence and neglect of God (2Ki 25:1–3).

Eventually a remnant would recognize God as Lord, but not before Israel had been scattered among the nations. Eventually, God would spare those who would confess their sin and turn to God. Not all war, disease or famine is judgment. But where sin reigns there will be eventual judgment.

Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear my own need to repent and turn to you (12:1).

Pay Attention To God’s Call

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we pay attention to the reality of God’s call to repent (Ezk 12:2,3). #TurnNowToGod #Repent #ListenToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Several years have passed since these Jews in Babylon had been exiled from Jerusalem. They were still arrogantly believing that God would rescue them, that Israel’s armies would deliver them. They believed false prophets who said they would return to their homeland soon. God had not yet been able to penetrate their prideful hearts.

So God calls upon Ezekiel once again to act out the painful reality of their circumstances. In a dramatic fashion, Ezekiel was to, 1) role play the part of the exiles leaving Jerusalem (vv 3-6); 2) shake and tremble while eating and drinking water (vv 17-20). Lord, I see here the great lengths to which you will go to call your people (me) repentance.

How God Grieves Over Sin

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Don’t delay to humbly repent and surrender fully to God (Ezk 11:22-24). #GodsGrief #TurnNowToGod #RepentTowardsGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This may be one of the saddest days in Israel’s history. The Glory of God, his presence, left the Temple, then the city of Jerusalem.

But the Glory of God stopped above the Mount of Olives and hovered there. Presumably it then ascended into heaven.

I wonder if, in that hovering, God stopped to look one more time at Jerusalem, grieved and weeping over Israel’s sin and rejection.

Jesus, The the Radiance of God’s Glory Weeps over Jerusalem

I wonder if Jesus (as God, the radiance of God’s glory) remembered that moment in the Old Testament when he saw the sin and rejection of Israel happening all over again [Jesus wept and spoke words of deep grief – Luk 19:41-44].

Jerusalem would continue to be devoid of God‘s blessing until his Glory returns for the final time in the millennium (Ezk 43:1–7; Acts 1:11–12). Ezekiel‘s vision ends here. He was then moved by the Spirit of God to go and share with the Jewish exiles in Babylon all that he had seen and heard.

Lord, my delay to repent of sin, cuts deeply into the heart of God. May my words be few and may they speak surrender.

Stone Cold

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Remain open to God for a new heart (Ezk 11:14-21). #HeartOfGod #StoneColdHeart #NewHeart

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

God speaks to Ezekiel in response to his prayer in verse 13. Those in Jerusalem spoke arrogantly and pridefully about those who had been taken into exile and Babylon.

They were the ones considered far from God, far from the temple in Jerusalem “where God was.“ But God‘s presence was about to leave the temple. God promises here to himself be the sanctuary of those in exile in Babylon.

It is not about a building. It is about a surrendered heart. Those remaining in Jerusalem were not repentant and knew nothing of that. God promises, Ezekiel and those in exile, to return them to their homeland.

They would return with a new spirit and a new heart (also 36:25-27). They would obey God faithfully and be his people. He would be their God.

Lord, thank you for not only the promise, but the reality of changing the stony cold heart of this old sentry into one that is new and surrendered to you.

Struck Dead

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Do not persist in sin until God must act dramatically in your life (Ezk 11:13). #TurnNowToGod #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Whether still seeing the judgment of Judah (Jerusalem) in a vision or thereafter prophesying to the people what God told Ezekiel in that vision (vv24,25), one of the named officials (Pelatial) in verse 1 was struck down dead.

This death was an affirmation of the seriousness of the coming and eminent judgment of God for sin (see also Acts 5:1-11). Ezekiel is so shaken by this death that he falls face down crying out to God – would God kill everyone in Israel? Lord, may I not persist in sin, causing dramatic acts of God in my life.

Can’t Run, Can’t Hide

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Remain humble and open to God’s conviction (Ezk 11:1-12). #Can’tRunCan’tHide #RemainOpenToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The leaders of Jerusalem were leading God‘s people away from God. They believed that they were insulated from further Babylonian attacks (our city is like an iron pot; we the people are like meat safe in the pot). Neither the leaders, nor the people of Israel would acknowledge their sin.

Arrogance, pride, worship of pagan gods, ignoring God‘s word and his warnings was a recipe for failure and God‘s judgment/discipline. It was for Israel then and it is for us today. God put his finger directly on their faulty thinking – he knows our thoughts. Hiding from God is futile. Lord, keep the heart of this ol’ sentry from arrogance and pride.

Forever Glorious

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you see the glory, faithfulness, purity and eternal righteousness of God (Ezk 11:22,23). #ForeverGlorious

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I am skipping ahead to the movement of God‘s glory from the east gate to the mountain on the east side of Jerusalem (that would be the Mount of Olives). From there, the glory of God would ascend into heaven and not return to the Temple.

Centuries later, Christ, the radiance of God‘s glory (Heb 1:1-3) would return in fulfillment of many prophecies concerning his birth, death and resurrection. Much of the later ministry of Christ centered in and around the place of God’s departure from Israel, the Mount of Olives in Ezekiel’s vision.*

Lord, may I not get bogged down in the daily struggle through the imagery of the prophets, time lines and prophetic utterances. May my reading, study and meditation on the your word lead me to see the glory of God, the faithfulness of God, purity of God, the patience of God with man and God‘s ultimate judgment of sin and God’s deliverance of his righteous ones into the eternal glorious homeland of Heaven.

_______

* Hailed as King of the Jews, Christ would make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem by an east gate (by that time Jerusalem and the Temple of Ezekiel’s day would have been destroyed and rebuilt).

One week later Christ would be crucified and resurrected from the dead. 40 days after that Christ would ascend from the Mount of Olives back into heaven (Acts 1:9-12). He would fill all believes with his glory (Col 1:27). He will one day return again descending in this same place (Zec 14:1-4; Acts 1:10,11). He will return as the reigning king over his new eternal Kingdom (Rev 11:25).

Reflecting God’s Glory

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May our lives reflect the glory of God and pleasing him. (Ezk 10:18,19). #SeekGodsPresence #NothingRivalsJehovahGod #NoOtherGodsBeforeMe

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The glory of God moved from the doorway to the inner court of the Temple. It then ascended over the mobile chariot above the cherubim (v18). The chariot, with God‘s glory hovering over it, then moved to the east gate of the Temple.

The east gate is significant (Psm 24:7-10; 118:19,20). The Jewish Talmud calls it the “Sun Gate“. Daily the dawning sun shown through the eastern gate of the Temple. The scene is rich with symbolism pointing to the return of Christ. (Mat 24:27; Zec 14:4; Ezk‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬-‭4).

Lord, may my focus ever be on the glory of God and living my life so as to please you.

Invoking God’s fury

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Worship the Lord alone with a whole heart (Ezk 10:1-4). #SeekGodsPresence #NothingRivalsJehovahGod #NoOtherGodsBeforeMe

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In Ezekiel‘s vision, God told the man in linen to take hot coals from the cherubim and spread them around the city (Jerusalem). This was a sign of God‘s judgment, just as with Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24,25). Israel had invoked God’s fury and would pay for her sins of (9:9,10).

God‘s glory is now on the move (8:6). The glory of God moves from the Holy of Holies to the doorway of the Temple (9:3; 10:4). The mobile throne (God‘s holy chariot) was waiting there at the door to the inner court of the Temple. The entire house of God and inner court was filled with a cloud and a shimmering, bright glow.

This public display of God‘s glory, God‘s presence, leaving the temple is a reminder that God is true to his word. He will not be rivaled by other gods who are no gods.

The drama of this scene is traumatic as the fury of God is in play over the transformation of his holy place, his house of worship and prayer, into a place of pagan idolatrous worship. [Picture someone moving pagan idols into the worship center and halls of your church]

Lord, may I worship you and you alone with a whole heart.

Consequences of an Unyielded Life

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May God‘s glory remain resting upon your life; it’s your call (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭10:4,18-19). #DangerToDelayRepentance #DontDelayToRepent #GodsGloryDeparted

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I see God‘s judgment of Israel as justified (ch 8). God‘s judgment is outlined and eminent (ch 9). God‘s glory departs the temple, then Jerusalem (ch 10-11). Israel is now vulnerable to the destruction of her enemies. She will fall.

Chapter 8, verse six, notes that the sin and idle worship carried out in God‘s Temple was driving God to depart from his people. God had made his dwelling with his people (Exo 25:8). He dwelt in the wilderness Tabernacle (Exo 40:34, 35). His glory dwelt in the Temple built by Solomon (2Ch 6-7). Now, centuries later, we see that God‘s presence [his glory] was departing the Temple and Jerusalem altogether (Ezk 11:22,23).

Lord, I never again want to be in a place where you would threaten to remove your glory, your presence, from me.

WAIT, Wha?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Take the time now to adjust your heart to God (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭9:7-11‬). #NoEscapingJudgment #Repent #TurnNowToGod #JudgmentBeginsWithGodsPeople

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Wait, Wha? Yeah, time was literally quite up for Israel.

The Temple would be filled with dead bodies in Ezekiel‘s vision – the ultimate defilement. But the Temple was already deeply defiled. (A review of chapter 8 will remind you of that) Ezekiel cries out to God in compassion at the sight of his vision.* He deeply cares for Israel.

But Israel had gone too far to avert disaster. They had been given ample time to repent. But they became more perverse in their ways. They would receive what they justly deserved. Lord, may I (we in America) use the time we have been given to align our hearts with God. Before it’s too late.

___________

* Abraham and Amos cared similarly (Gen 18:20-33; Amo 7:1-9).

Judgment of Sin is Inevitable

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we remain pure from the practice of sin in our lives (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭9:5,6‬). #JudgmentBeginsWithGodsPeople #NoEscapingJudgment #Repent #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In Ezekiel‘s vision, the man (an angel) with writing implements was instructed by God to mark the foreheads of those who mourn over Israel’s sin (vv3,4). They would be a remnant saved through the judgment. Judgment was inevitable.

The other men (angels) in the vision were instructed to follow the inscribing angel and kill all those not marked. They were to start at the Temple. So judgment began with the 70 elders worshiping pagan idols in the temple (8:9-11). Judgment began at the household of God (1Pe 4:17).

Lord, may I do my part in the body of Christ to remain pure of the practice of sin, else the world suffers.

No Turning Back

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May your heart be marked as repentant for sin (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭9:1-4‬). #Repent #Judgment #Remnant

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The stench of pagan idolatry and worship had reached its zenith (8:17,18). The vision of Ezekiel now moves to the execution of God‘s judgment. God‘s tolerance had reached its limits (Gen‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬-‭13‬). There was no turning back. Six men appeared before Ezekiel (likely angels). They were armed. Another man appeared, dressed in linen. He carried implements of writing.

These men stood at the entrance of the temple. God‘s glory moved from the mercy seat to the threshold (entrance) of the temple. Judgment had begun. The angel dressed in linen was directed to walk through the streets of Jerusalem, and mark the foreheads of those who mourned for the detestable sin in the city. Lord, may I learn to mourn for my sin and the sins of my nation.

Disdaining God

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Identify and turn quickly from things not honoring to God (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭8:13-18‬). #FullBlownSin #NoTurningBack #TimeIsUp

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In two final scenes is seen the people’s disdain for God. First is observed: women in the Temple weeping for the Babylonian god, Tammuz. He was the god of vegetation life. He “died“ in the summer months and the grass and vegetation withered. In the spring, he is said to be “reborn” (rose from the dead), bringing a new life.

The second and last scene depicts priests who should have been interceding for the people at the altar of sacrifice for sin. But their backs were turned toward the altar (God), and they worshiped the sun. The stage was now set for God‘s judgment. Lord, may my heart be turned always fully towards you

The Depths & Darkness of Sin

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Do not let secret sin consume you (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭8:6-13‬). #NoSecretsWithGod #NothingHiddenFromGod #TurnNowToGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Depicted in these verses are elders/leaders of the nation of Israel. Somewhere in the dark recesses of the Temple, these men courted pagan gods. Some say, they were caricatures of the gods of Egypt, Canaan, and/or Babylon; “a pantheon of idolatry.“ Perhaps each elder was standing and worshiping at the shrine of his favorite idol.

The hidden dark nature of this scene, room full of smoke from incense, implies how these men thought they were hiding from God. This act of idolatry right under God‘s nose was the height of insult to the God of Israel. Their actions said they believed that God was absent and insignificant to them. Oh, my Lord, how devilish secret sins work to dethrone, our love of Jehovah God.

Every sin committed in darkness will be revealed (Num 32:23; Isa 29:15; Job 34:21,22; Luk 8:17; Jhn 3:19,20). Lord, if I conceal my sin, I will languish. But if I confess and renounce my sin, I will find mercy. (Pro 28:13).

Moral Breakdown

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you turn from any perverted or immoral behavior (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭8:5,6‬). #TurnNowToGod #Repent

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

I need to take a deeper dive on the idolatrous worship outlined in these verses. Asherah, chief female deity of the Canaanites and Babylonians is the likely reference here. A wicked Israelite King, Manasseh (2Ki 21:7), had an Asherah pole (phallic symbol) manufactured and put in the Temple at Jerusalem.

Asherah was the goddess of fertility. All manner of sexual rites, perversions and worship were centered around this deity. It was obscene and immoral. It led to all manner of sexual perversion, including temple prostitutes (male and female). Israel’s leaders led her into this sin.

Lord may my life be free of lustful sin, perversion and any immoral behavior.

National Disgrace

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Be wise to any idol infiltrating your life (Ezk 8:5-17). #SinsOfANation #NationalDisgrace

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In Ezekiel‘s vision where he observed detestable sin in worship in the Temple of Jerusalem, he saw four gross scenes. Versus 3-6 describes what was likely an Asherah pole (fertility, phallic symbol); a Babylonian idol in God‘s Temple.

Versus 6-13 describes a scene in the inner court of the Temple. 70 Elders (prescribed by God in Numbers 11:16,17) stood worshipping before walls engraved with grotesque, crawling animals and detestable creatures.

Verses 13-16 pictured people worshipping the natural world and leaders of the nation, backs turned to God, facing the sun and bowing down in worship. The whole nation was led by its leaders into disgraceful national sin.

The sins of the leaders turning from God will infect the people of any nation (Pro 29:2; 16:12; Isa 5:20 – I pray for our people and our leaders 1Ti 2:1,2). Lord lead me away from any idol that seeks to control in my life.

Open to Scrutiny

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Remain open to the scrutiny of God in your heart (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭8:1-4‬). #SearchMyHeartOGod #OpenToScrutiny

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Some elders were with Ezekiel. Perhaps they were consulting with him at his home. Early in his ministry he worked from his house in exile (note 3:24). Ezekiel is transported in a vision to the scene of ungodly detestable worship called out in the Temple of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel is taken from one scene to the next. Each more vile and detestable than the last. “Do you see it son of man?” God asks. “The whole nation thumbs their nose at me. I will respond in merciless fury.“

This only scratches the surface of the sins committed here in the Temple of God.

Lord, if I am honest, I must be willing for God to search my heart for any wicked way. (Psm 139:23,24).

Man In The Mirror

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Consider what life corrections you might need to make with God and change (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭8:1‬). #Repent #TurnNowToGod #ManInTheMirror

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

With so much prophetic content regarding sin and destruction (and more to come) I needed to go back and review where I am. It’s a hard read.

Ezekiel Chapters 1-3 described Ezekiel‘s call into his prophetic ministry. In Chapters 4-24 there are three prophetic judgments related to Judah and Jerusalem. In the first section (ch 4-11), God is speaking messages of judgment on Judah because of her disobedience, idolatry and pride. I am in the last half (ch 8-11) of this first of three pronouncements of judgment.

In Chapter 8 God shows Ezekiel Judah’s wickedness in the Temple. Chapter 9 explains the coming slaughter because of their sin. Chapter 10 shows God’s glory as departing the Temple and Chapter 11 reveals judgment on Judah’s leaders.

Lord, may I have the spiritual stamina to proceed through the process for how God deals with sin.

Personally, may I not be like the man who looks in the mirror (God’s word), sees himself (the sinner that he is), walks away and forgets what he looks like (unrepentant) [Jas 1:23-25].

The Worst of Times

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Walk in close fellowship/harmony with God (‭‭Ezk‬ ‭7‬:‭23-27‬). #Repent#WalkWithGod #HonorGodForLife #WorstOfTimes

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

This may be one of the saddest passages concerning God‘s wayward people in the Bible. Their crimes against others and against God will bring the vengeance of God. It will come at the hand of other ruthless nations.

Their fortress walls will be broken down, homes luted, sanctuaries defiled. They will look for peace and not find it.

There will be no vision or message from prophets or priests; no counsel from leaders. King and prince will stand helpless. The people will tremble in fear.

It is the worst of times. When I examine my own wayward heart it is not hard to imagine how quickly I might fall myself. Lord, may this old sentry always be in close fellowship with you.