The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Ezekiel 25-28
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 8: Exile: God Disciplines His People
Background Information: Ezekiel 25-28
The fall of Jerusalem will come two years after the death of Ezekiel’s wife. Now, between her death (the heart-breaking sign of the coming death of Judah) and the actual fall, Ezekiel gives a tour of the nations that surround Judah. This is no mere geography lesson, but a prophetic tour of coming judgment on these nations. Judah’s neighbors gloated in its downfall but would suffer God’s judgment themselves. Tyre, the wealthy seaport, would sink like a ship in the sea. Tyre was renowned for its wealth and its arrogance. The king of this city-state was singled out for judgment; he served as a symbol of the folly of trusting in your own wealth, wisdom, and power. Whether this is a dual prophecy against the historical king of Tyre and the fall of Satan is up for debate. What is not up for debate is that pride goes before a fall. Whether it is the pride of human rulers or the pride of angelic beings, pride is foolish. Scripture says that God opposes the proud. How foolish to make an opponent of the Almighty. How can that possibly turn out well for anyone? Karl Marx, infamous philosophical founder of a political system that has taken millions of lives, wrote, “Religion is only the illusory sun about which man revolves so long as he does not revolve about himself. Man is the highest being for man.” Whether it is actual or practical atheism, making man the center of all things is the height of folly. The Bible and human history are full of examples of what happens to people and nations when this is tried. We must see all pride as the foolish unreality that it is. What we have, we have been given. Our only legitimate boast is that we know the Lord, or rather that he knows us.
“So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 10:17
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God for opportunities to have gospel conversations. Pray for your lost friends and family to repent and follow Jesus.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.