Jonah 1 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Jonah 1 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Jonah 1 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez | August 13, 2023

Jonah 1:1-17 ESV

(1) Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, (2) "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." (3) But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. (4) But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. (5) Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. (6) So the captain came and said to him, "What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish." (7) And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. (8) Then they said to him, "Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?" (9) And he said to them, "I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." (10) Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, "What is this that you have done!" For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. (11) Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?" For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. (12) He said to them, "Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you." (13) Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. (14) Therefore they called out to the LORD, "O LORD, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you." (15) So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. (16) Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. (17) And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Ezekiel 33

Ezekiel 33

Ezekiel 33 | Watchman; Jerusalem Has Fallen | July 23, 2023

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Ezekiel 33:1-33 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, speak to your people and tell them, 'Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land select a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman. (3) "And suppose he sees the sword coming against the land and blows his ram's horn to warn the people. (4) "Then, if anyone hears the sound of the ram's horn but ignores the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his death will be his own fault. (5) "Since he heard the sound of the ram's horn but ignored the warning, his death is his own fault. If he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. (6) "However, suppose the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn't blow the ram's horn, so that the people aren't warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives. Then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.' (7) "As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me. (8) "If I say to the wicked, 'Wicked one, you will surely die,' but you do not speak out to warn him about his way, that wicked person will die for his iniquity, yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. (9) "But if you warn a wicked person to turn from his way and he doesn't turn from it, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have rescued yourself. (10) "Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'You have said this: "Our transgressions and our sins are heavy on us, and we are wasting away because of them! How then can we survive? " ' (11) Tell them, 'As I live ​-- ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel? ' (12) "Now, son of man, say to your people, 'The righteousness of the righteous person will not save him on the day of his transgression; neither will the wickedness of the wicked person cause him to stumble on the day he turns from his wickedness. The righteous person won't be able to survive by his righteousness on the day he sins. (13) "When I tell the righteous person that he will surely live, but he trusts in his righteousness and acts unjustly, then none of his righteousness will be remembered, and he will die because of the injustice he has committed. (14) " 'So when I tell the wicked person, "You will surely die," but he repents of his sin and does what is just and right ​-- ​ (15) he returns collateral, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing injustice ​-- ​he will certainly live; he will not die. (16) None of the sins he committed will be held against him. He has done what is just and right; he will certainly live. (17) " 'But your people say, "The Lord's way isn't fair," even though it is their own way that isn't fair. (18) When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, he will die for it. (19) But if a wicked person turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live because of it. (20) Yet you say, "The Lord's way isn't fair." I will judge each of you according to his ways, house of Israel.' " (21) In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, "The city has been taken! " (22) Now the hand of the LORD had been on me the evening before the fugitive arrived, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute. (23) Then the word of the LORD came to me: (24) "Son of man, those who live in the ruins in the land of Israel are saying, 'Abraham was only one person, yet he received possession of the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.' (25) "Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: You eat meat with blood in it, you look to your idols, and you shed blood. Should you then receive possession of the land? (26) "You have relied on your swords, you have committed detestable acts, and each of you has defiled his neighbor's wife. Should you then receive possession of the land? ' (27) "Tell them this: 'This is what the Lord GOD says: As surely as I live, those who are in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I have given to wild animals to be devoured, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague. (28) "I will make the land a desolate waste, and its proud strength will come to an end. The mountains of Israel will become desolate, with no one passing through. (29) "They will know that I am the LORD when I make the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable acts they have committed.' (30) "As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One person speaks to another, each saying to his brother, 'Come and hear what the message is that comes from the LORD! ' (31) "So my people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don't obey them. Their mouths go on passionately, but their hearts pursue dishonest profit. (32) "Yes, to them you are like a singer of passionate songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skillfully on an instrument. They hear your words, but they don't obey them. (33) "Yet when all this comes true ​-- ​and it definitely will ​-- ​then they will know that a prophet has been among them."

Ezekiel 28, 32

Ezekiel 28, 32

Ezekiel 28, 32 | Secular Leaders | July 9, 2023

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Ezekiel 28:1-26 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, "I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea." Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. (3) Yes, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! (4) By your wisdom and understanding you have acquired wealth for yourself. You have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries. (5) By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has become proud because of your wealth. (6) " 'Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you regard your heart as that of a god, (7) "I am about to bring strangers against you, ruthless men from the nations. They will draw their swords against your magnificent wisdom and will pierce your splendor. (8) "They will bring you down to the Pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the sea. (9) "Will you still say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who slay you? Yet you will be only a man, not a god, in the hands of those who kill you. (10) You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of strangers. For I have spoken. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' " (11) The word of the LORD came to me: (12) "Son of man, lament for the king of Tyre and say to him, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (13) "You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold; they were prepared on the day you were created. (14) "You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. (15) "From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you. (16) "Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. (17) "Your heart became proud because of your beauty; For the sake of your splendor you corrupted your wisdom. So I threw you down to the ground; I made you a spectacle before kings. (18) "You profaned your sanctuaries by the magnitude of your iniquities in your dishonest trade. So I made fire come from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of everyone watching you. (19) "All those who know you among the peoples are appalled at you. You have become an object of horror and will never exist again.' " (20) The word of the LORD came to me: (21) "Son of man, face Sidon and prophesy against it. (22) "You are to say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Look! I am against you, Sidon, and I will display my glory within you. They will know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments against her and demonstrate my holiness through her. (23) "I will send a plague against her and bloodshed in her streets; the slain will fall within her, while the sword is against her on every side. Then they will know that I am the LORD. (24) " 'The house of Israel will no longer be hurt by prickly briers or painful thorns from all their neighbors who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD. (25) " 'This is what the Lord GOD says: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are scattered, I will demonstrate my holiness through them in the sight of the nations, and they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. (26) "They will live there securely, build houses, and plant vineyards. They will live securely when I execute judgments against all their neighbors who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.' "

Ezekiel 32:1-32 CSB

(1) In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him, 'You compare yourself to a lion of the nations, but you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churn up the waters with your feet, and muddy the rivers. (3) " 'This is what the Lord GOD says: I will spread my net over you with an assembly of many peoples, and they will haul you up in my net. (4) "I will abandon you on the land and throw you onto the open field. I will cause all the birds of the sky to settle on you and let the wild creatures of the entire earth eat their fill of you. (5) "I will put your flesh on the mountains and fill the valleys with your carcass. (6) "I will drench the land with the flow of your blood, even to the mountains; the ravines will be filled with your gore. (7) " 'When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. (8) "I will darken all the shining lights in the heavens over you, and will bring darkness on your land. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (9) " 'I will trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring about your destruction among the nations, in countries you have not known. (10) "I will cause many peoples to be appalled at you, and their kings will shudder with fear because of you when I brandish my sword in front of them. On the day of your downfall each of them will tremble every moment for his life. (11) " 'For this is what the Lord GOD says: The sword of Babylon's king will come against you! (12) "I will make your hordes fall by the swords of warriors, all of them ruthless men from the nations. They will ravage Egypt's pride, and all its hordes will be destroyed. (13) "I will slaughter all its cattle that are beside many waters. No human foot will churn them again, and no cattle hooves will disturb them. (14) "Then I will let their waters settle and will make their rivers flow like oil. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (15) "When I make the land of Egypt a desolation, so that it is emptied of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, then they will know that I am the LORD. (16) " 'The daughters of the nations will chant that lament. They will chant it over Egypt and all its hordes. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' " (17) In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: (18) "Son of man, wail over the hordes of Egypt and bring Egypt and the daughters of mighty nations down to the underworld, to be with those who descend to the Pit: (19) "Who do you surpass in loveliness? Go down and be laid to rest with the uncircumcised! (20) "They will fall among those slain by the sword. A sword is appointed! They drag her and all her hordes away. (21) "Warrior leaders will speak from the middle of Sheol about him and his allies: 'They have come down; the uncircumcised lie slain by the sword.' (22) "Assyria is there with her whole assembly; her graves are all around her. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. (23) "Her graves are set in the deepest regions of the Pit, and her assembly is all around her burial place. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword -- those who once spread terror in the land of the living. (24) "Elam is there with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword -- those who went down to the underworld uncircumcised, who once spread their terror in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. (25) "Among the slain they prepare a bed for Elam with all her hordes. Her graves are all around her. All of them are uncircumcised, slain by the sword, although their terror was once spread in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. They are placed among the slain. (26) "Meshech and Tubal are there, with all their hordes. Their graves are all around them. All of them are uncircumcised, slain by the sword, although their terror was once spread in the land of the living. (27) "They do not lie down with the fallen warriors of the uncircumcised, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads and their shields rested on their bones, although the terror of these warriors was once in the land of the living. (28) "But you will be shattered and will lie down among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. (29) "Edom is there, her kings and all her princes, who, despite their strength, have been placed among those slain by the sword. They lie down with the uncircumcised, with those who descend to the Pit. (30) "All the leaders of the north and all the Sidonians are there. They went down in shame with the slain, despite the terror their strength inspired. They lie down uncircumcised with those slain by the sword. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. (31) "Pharaoh will see them and be comforted over all his hordes -- Pharaoh and his whole army, slain by the sword." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (32) "For I will spread my terror in the land of the living, so Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 26-27

Ezekiel 26-27

Ezekiel 26-27 | Nations Part 2: Tyre | July 2, 2023

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Ezekiel 26:1-21 CSB

(1) In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, because Tyre said about Jerusalem, 'Aha! The gateway to the peoples is shattered. She has been turned over to me. I will be filled now that she lies in ruins,' (3) "therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I am against you, Tyre! I will raise up many nations against you, just as the sea raises its waves. (4) "They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and turn her into a bare rock. (5) "She will become a place in the sea to spread nets, for I have spoken." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. "She will become plunder for the nations, (6) "and her villages on the mainland will be slaughtered by the sword. Then they will know that I am the LORD." (7) For this is what the Lord GOD says: "See, I am about to bring King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, king of kings, against Tyre from the north with horses, chariots, cavalry, and a huge assembly of troops. (8) "He will slaughter your villages on the mainland with the sword. He will set up siege works, build a ramp, and raise a wall of shields against you. (9) "He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and tear down your towers with his iron tools. (10) "His horses will be so numerous that their dust will cover you. When he enters your gates as an army entering a breached city, your walls will shake from the noise of cavalry, wagons, and chariots. (11) "He will trample all your streets with the hooves of his horses. He will slaughter your people with the sword, and your mighty pillars will fall to the ground. (12) "They will take your wealth as spoil and plunder your merchandise. They will also demolish your walls and tear down your beautiful homes. Then they will throw your stones, timber, and soil into the water. (13) "I will put an end to the noise of your songs, and the sound of your lyres will no longer be heard. (14) "I will turn you into a bare rock, and you will be a place to spread nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the LORD, have spoken." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (15) This is what the Lord GOD says to Tyre: "Won't the coasts and islands quake at the sound of your downfall, when the wounded groan and slaughter occurs within you? (16) "All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling; they will sit on the ground, tremble continually, and be appalled at you. (17) "Then they will lament for you and say of you, 'How you have perished, city of renown, you who were populated from the seas! She who was powerful on the sea, she and all of her inhabitants inflicted their terror. (18) "Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your downfall; the islands in the sea are alarmed by your demise.' " (19) For this is what the Lord GOD says: "When I make you a ruined city like other deserted cities, when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you, (20) "then I will bring you down to be with those who descend to the Pit, to the people of antiquity. I will make you dwell in the underworld like the ancient ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will no longer be inhabited or display your splendor in the land of the living. (21) "I will make you an object of horror, and you will no longer exist. You will be sought but will never be found again." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 27:1-36 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Now, son of man, lament for Tyre. (3) "Say to Tyre, who is situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coasts and islands, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Tyre, you declared, "I am perfect in beauty." (4) Your realm was in the heart of the sea; your builders perfected your beauty. (5) They constructed all your planking with pine trees from Senir. They took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you. (6) They made your oars of oaks from Bashan. They made your deck of cypress wood from the coasts of Cyprus, inlaid with ivory. (7) Your sail was made of fine embroidered linen from Egypt, and served as your banner. Your awning was of blue and purple fabric from the coasts of Elishah. (8) The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers. Your wise men were within you, Tyre; they were your captains. (9) The elders of Gebal and its wise men were within you, repairing your leaks. " 'All the ships of the sea and their sailors came to you to barter for your goods. (10) "Men of Persia, Lud, and Put were in your army, serving as your warriors. They hung shields and helmets in you; they gave you splendor. (11) "Men of Arvad and Helech were stationed on your walls all around, and Gammadites were in your towers. They hung their shields all around your walls; they perfected your beauty. (12) " 'Tarshish was your trading partner because of your abundant wealth of every kind. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise. (13) "Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your goods. (14) "Those from Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your merchandise. (15) "Men of Dedan were also your merchants; many coasts and islands were your regular markets. They brought back ivory tusks and ebony as your payment. (16) "Aram was your trading partner because of your numerous products. They exchanged turquoise, purple and embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral, and rubies for your merchandise. (17) "Judah and the land of Israel were your merchants. They exchanged wheat from Minnith, meal, honey, oil, and balm, for your goods. (18) "Damascus was also your trading partner because of your numerous products and your abundant wealth of every kind, trading in wine from Helbon and white wool. (19) "Vedan and Javan from Uzal dealt in your merchandise; wrought iron, cassia, and aromatic cane were exchanged for your goods. (20) "Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. (21) "Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your business partners, trading with you in lambs, rams, and goats. (22) "The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you. For your merchandise they exchanged the best of all spices and all kinds of precious stones as well as gold. (23) "Haran, Canneh, Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad traded with you. (24) "They were your merchants in choice garments, cloaks of blue and embroidered materials, and multicolored carpets, which were bound and secured with cords in your marketplace. (25) "Ships of Tarshish were the carriers for your goods. " 'So you became full and heavily loaded in the heart of the sea. (26) "Your rowers have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the sea. (27) "Your wealth, merchandise, and goods, your sailors and captains, those who repair your leaks, those who barter for your goods, and all the warriors on board, with all the other people within you, sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall. (28) " 'The countryside shakes at the sound of your sailors' cries. (29) "All the oarsmen disembark from their ships. The sailors and all the captains of the sea stand on the shore. (30) "Because of you, they raise their voices and cry out bitterly. They throw dust on their heads; they roll in ashes. (31) "They shave their heads because of you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They weep over you with deep anguish and bitter mourning. (32) " 'In their wailing they lament for you, mourning over you: "Who was like Tyre, silenced in the middle of the sea? (33) "When your merchandise was unloaded from the seas, you satisfied many peoples. You enriched the kings of the earth with your abundant wealth and goods. (34) "Now you are wrecked by the sea in the depths of the waters; your goods and the people within you have gone down. (35) "All the inhabitants of the coasts and islands are appalled at you. Their kings shudder with fear; their faces are contorted. (36) "Those who trade among the peoples scoff at you; you have become an object of horror and will never exist again." ' "

Ezekiel 25

Ezekiel 25

Ezekiel 25 | Nations Part 1: Israel's Neighbors | June 25, 2023

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Ezekiel 25:1-17 CSB

(1) Then the word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, face the Ammonites and prophesy against them. (3) "Say to the Ammonites, 'Hear the word of the Lord GOD: This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you said, "Aha! " about my sanctuary when it was desecrated, about the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and about the house of Judah when they went into exile, (4) therefore I am about to give you to the people of the east as a possession. They will set up their encampments and pitch their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk. (5) I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and Ammon a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (6) " 'For this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced over the land of Israel with wholehearted contempt, (7) "therefore I am about to stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples and eliminate you from the countries. I will destroy you, and you will know that I am the LORD. (8) " 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Because Moab and Seir said, "Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations." (9) Therefore I am about to expose Moab's flank beginning with its frontier cities, the splendor of the land: Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim. (10) I will give it along with Ammon to the people of the east as a possession, so that Ammon will not be remembered among the nations. (11) So I will execute judgments against Moab, and they will know that I am the LORD. (12) " 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah and incurred grievous guilt by taking revenge on them, (13) "therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off both people and animals from it. I will make it a wasteland; they will fall by the sword from Teman to Dedan. (14) "I will take my vengeance on Edom through my people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to my anger and wrath. So they will know my vengeance. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (15) " 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with deep contempt, destroying because of their perpetual hatred, (16) "therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines, cutting off the Cherethites and wiping out what remains of the coastal peoples. (17) "I will execute severe vengeance against them with furious rebukes. They will know that I am the LORD when I take my vengeance on them.' "

Ezekiel 24

Ezekiel 24

Ezekiel 24 | Two Losses | June 18, 2023

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Ezekiel 24:1-27 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month: (2) "Son of man, write down today's date, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. (3) "Now speak a parable to the rebellious house. Tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Put the pot on the fire -- put it on, and then pour water into it! (4) "Place the pieces of meat in it, every good piece -- thigh and shoulder. Fill it with choice bones. (5) "Take the choicest of the flock and also pile up the fuel under it. Bring it to a boil and cook the bones in it. (6) " 'Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the city of bloodshed, the pot that has corrosion inside it, and its corrosion has not come out of it! Empty it piece by piece; lots should not be cast for its contents. (7) "For the blood she shed is still within her. She put it out on the bare rock; she didn't pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. (8) "In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have put her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered. (9) " 'Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the city of bloodshed! I myself will make the pile of kindling large. (10) "Pile on the logs and kindle the fire! Cook the meat well and mix in the spices! Let the bones be burned! (11) "Set the empty pot on its coals so that it becomes hot and its copper glows. Then its impurity will melt inside it; its corrosion will be consumed. (12) "It has frustrated every effort; its thick corrosion will not come off. Into the fire with its corrosion! (13) "Because of the depravity of your uncleanness -- since I tried to purify you, but you would not be purified from your uncleanness -- you will not be pure again until I have satisfied my wrath on you. (14) "I, the LORD, have spoken. It is coming, and I will do it! I will not refrain, I will not show pity, and I will not relent. I will judge you according to your ways and deeds. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' " (15) Then the word of the LORD came to me: (16) "Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow. (17) "Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners." (18) I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded. (19) Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things you are doing mean for us? " (20) So I answered them, "The word of the LORD came to me: (21) "Say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your heart. Also, the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. (22) "Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners. (23) "Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not lament or weep but will waste away because of your iniquities and will groan to one another. (24) "Now Ezekiel will be a sign for you. You will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord GOD.' (25) "As for you, son of man, know that on that day I will take from them their stronghold ​-- ​their pride and joy, the delight of their eyes, and the longing of their hearts ​-- ​as well as their sons and daughters. (26) "On that day a fugitive will come to you and report the news. (27) "On that day your mouth will be opened to talk with him; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign for them, and they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 23

Ezekiel 23

Ezekiel 23 | Two Sisters | June 11, 2023

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Ezekiel 23:1-49 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me again: (2) "Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother, (3) "who acted like prostitutes in Egypt, behaving promiscuously in their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin nipples caressed. (4) "The older one was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They became mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah represents Samaria and Oholibah represents Jerusalem. (5) "Oholah acted like a prostitute even though she was mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians: warriors (6) "dressed in blue, governors and prefects, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on steeds. (7) "She offered her sexual favors to them; all of them were the elite of Assyria. She defiled herself with all those she lusted after and with all their idols. (8) "She didn't give up her promiscuity that began in Egypt, when men slept with her in her youth, caressed her virgin nipples, and poured out their lust on her. (9) "Therefore, I handed her over to her lovers, the Assyrians she lusted for. (10) "They exposed her nakedness, seized her sons and daughters, and killed her with the sword. Since they executed judgment against her, she became notorious among women. (11) "Now her sister Oholibah saw this, but she was even more depraved in her lust than Oholah, and made her promiscuous acts worse than those of her sister. (12) "She lusted after the Assyrians: governors and prefects, warriors splendidly dressed, horsemen riding on steeds, all of them desirable young men. (13) "And I saw that she had defiled herself; both of them had taken the same path. (14) "But she increased her promiscuity when she saw male figures carved on the wall, images of the Chaldeans, engraved in bright red, (15) "wearing belts on their waists and flowing turbans on their heads; all of them looked like officers, a depiction of the Babylonians in Chaldea, their native land. (16) "At the sight of them she lusted after them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. (17) "Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and defiled her with their lust. But after she was defiled by them, she turned away from them in disgust. (18) "When she flaunted her promiscuity and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust just as I turned away from her sister. (19) "Yet she multiplied her acts of promiscuity, remembering the days of her youth when she acted like a prostitute in the land of Egypt (20) "and lusted after their lovers, whose sexual members were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of stallions. (21) "So you revisited the depravity of your youth, when the Egyptians caressed your nipples to enjoy your youthful breasts. (22) "Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Lord GOD says: I am going to incite your lovers against you, those you turned away from in disgust. I will bring them against you from every side: (23) "the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans; Pekod, Shoa, and Koa; and all the Assyrians with them ​-- ​desirable young men, all of them governors and prefects, officers and administrators, all of them riding on steeds. (24) "They will come against you with an assembly of peoples and with weapons, chariots, and wagons. They will set themselves against you on every side with large and small shields and helmets. I will delegate judgment to them, and they will judge you by their own standards. (25) "When I vent my jealous fury on you, they will deal with you in wrath. They will cut off your nose and ears, and the rest of you will fall by the sword. They will seize your sons and daughters, and the rest of you will be consumed by fire. (26) "They will strip off your clothes and take your beautiful jewelry. (27) "So I will put an end to your depravity and sexual immorality, which began in the land of Egypt, and you will not look longingly at them or remember Egypt anymore. (28) "For this is what the Lord GOD says: I am going to hand you over to those you hate, to those you turned away from in disgust. (29) "They will treat you with hatred, take all you have worked for, and leave you stark naked, so that the shame of your debauchery will be exposed, both your depravity and promiscuity. (30) "These things will be done to you because you acted like a prostitute with the nations, defiling yourself with their idols. (31) "You have followed the path of your sister, so I will put her cup in your hand." (32) This is what the Lord GOD says: "You will drink your sister's cup, which is deep and wide. You will be an object of ridicule and scorn, for it holds so much. (33) "You will be filled with drunkenness and grief, with a cup of devastation and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria. (34) "You will drink it and drain it; then you will gnaw its broken pieces, and tear your breasts. For I have spoken." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (35) Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: "Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you must bear the consequences of your indecency and promiscuity." (36) Then the LORD said to me, "Son of man, will you pass judgment against Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare their detestable practices to them. (37) "For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands; they have committed adultery with their idols. And the children they bore to me they have sacrificed in the fire as food for the idols. (38) "They also did this to me: they defiled my sanctuary on that same day and profaned my Sabbaths. (39) "On the same day they slaughtered their children for their idols, they entered my sanctuary to profane it. Yes, that is what they did inside my house. (40) "In addition, they sent for men who came from far away when a messenger was dispatched to them. And look how they came! You bathed, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry for them. (41) "You sat on a luxurious couch with a table spread before it, on which you had set my incense and oil. (42) "The sound of a carefree crowd was there. Drunkards from the desert were brought in, along with common men. They put bracelets on the women's hands and beautiful tiaras on their heads. (43) "Then I said concerning this woman worn out by adultery: Will they now have illicit sex with her, even her? (44) "Yet they had sex with her as one does with a prostitute. This is how they had sex with Oholah and Oholibah, those depraved women. (45) "But righteous men will judge them the way adulteresses and those who shed blood are judged, for they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands. (46) "This is what the Lord GOD says: Summon an assembly against them and consign them to terror and plunder. (47) "The assembly will stone them and cut them down with their swords. They will kill their sons and daughters and burn their houses. (48) "So I will put an end to depravity in the land, and all the women will be admonished not to imitate your depraved behavior. (49) "They will punish you for your depravity, and you will bear the consequences for your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 20-22

Ezekiel 20-22

Ezekiel 20-22 | Past Rebellion, Present Rebellion, Consequences | June 4, 2023

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Ezekiel 20:1-49 CSB

(1) In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, some of Israel's elders came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down in front of me. (2) Then the word of the LORD came to me: (3) "Son of man, speak with the elders of Israel and tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Are you coming to inquire of me? As I live, I will not let you inquire of me. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' (4) "Will you pass judgment against them, will you pass judgment, son of man? Explain the detestable practices of their ancestors to them. (5) "Say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of Jacob's house and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt. I swore to them, saying, "I am the LORD your God." (6) On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands. (7) I also said to them, "Throw away, each of you, the abhorrent things that you prize, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." (8) " 'But they rebelled against me and were unwilling to listen to me. None of them threw away the abhorrent things that they prized, and they did not abandon the idols of Egypt. So I considered pouring out my wrath on them, exhausting my anger against them within the land of Egypt. (9) "But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations they were living among, in whose sight I had made myself known to Israel by bringing them out of Egypt. (10) " 'So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness. (11) "Then I gave them my statutes and explained my ordinances to them ​-- ​the person who does them will live by them. (12) "I also gave them my Sabbaths to serve as a sign between me and them, so that they would know that I am the LORD who consecrates them. (13) " 'But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not follow my statutes and they rejected my ordinances ​-- ​the person who does them will live by them. They also completely profaned my Sabbaths. So I considered pouring out my wrath on them in the wilderness to put an end to them. (14) "But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. (15) "However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them ​-- ​the most beautiful of all lands, flowing with milk and honey ​-- ​ (16) "because they rejected my ordinances, profaned my Sabbaths, and did not follow my statutes. For their hearts went after their idols. (17) "Yet I spared them from destruction and did not bring them to an end in the wilderness. (18) " 'Then I said to their children in the wilderness, "Don't follow the statutes of your fathers, defile yourselves with their idols, or keep their ordinances. (19) "I am the LORD your God. Follow my statutes, keep my ordinances, and practice them. (20) "Keep my Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between me and you, so you may know that I am the LORD your God." (21) " 'But the children rebelled against me. They did not follow my statutes or carefully keep my ordinances ​-- ​the person who does them will live by them. They also profaned my Sabbaths. So I considered pouring out my wrath on them and exhausting my anger against them in the wilderness. (22) "But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I brought them out. (23) "However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. (24) "For they did not practice my ordinances but rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their fathers' idols. (25) "I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances they could not live by. (26) "When they sacrificed every firstborn in the fire, I defiled them through their gifts in order to devastate them so they would know that I am the LORD.' (27) "Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: In this way also your ancestors blasphemed me by committing treachery against me: (28) "When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, they offered their sacrifices and presented their offensive offerings there. They also sent up their pleasing aromas and poured out their drink offerings there. (29) "So I asked them, "What is this high place you are going to? " And it is still called Bamah today.' (30) "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Are you defiling yourselves the way your ancestors did, and prostituting yourselves with their abhorrent things? (31) "When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your children in the fire, you still continue to defile yourselves with all your idols today. So should I let you inquire of me, house of Israel? As I live ​-- ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​I will not let you inquire of me! (32) " 'When you say, "Let's be like the nations, like the clans of other countries, serving wood and stone," what you have in mind will never happen. (33) As I live ​-- ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​I will reign over you with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath. (34) I will bring you from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you were scattered, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath. (35) I will lead you into the wilderness of the peoples and enter into judgment with you there face to face. (36) Just as I entered into judgment with your ancestors in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (37) I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant. (38) I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against me. I will bring them out of the land where they live as foreign residents, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (39) " 'As for you, house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, each of you. But afterward you will surely listen to me, and you will no longer defile my holy name with your gifts and idols. (40) "For on my holy mountain, Israel's high mountain ​-- ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​there the entire house of Israel, all of them, will serve me in the land. There I will accept them and will require your contributions and choicest gifts, all your holy offerings. (41) "When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will demonstrate my holiness through you in the sight of the nations. (42) "When I lead you into the land of Israel, the land I swore to give your ancestors, you will know that I am the LORD. (43) "There you will remember your ways and all your deeds by which you have defiled yourself, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil things you have done. (44) "You will know that I am the LORD, house of Israel, when I have dealt with you for the sake of my name rather than according to your evil ways and corrupt acts. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' " (45) The word of the LORD came to me: (46) "Son of man, face the south and preach against it. Prophesy against the forest land in the Negev, (47) "and say to the forest there, 'Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree and every dry tree in you. The blazing flame will not be extinguished, and every face from the south to the north will be scorched by it. (48) "Then all humanity will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it. It will not be extinguished.' " (49) Then I said, "Oh, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, 'Isn't he just composing parables? ' "

Ezekiel 21:1-32 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me again: (2) "Son of man, face Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel, (3) "and say to it, 'This is what the LORD says: I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. (4) "Since I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, my sword will therefore come out of its sheath against all humanity from the south to the north. (5) "So all humanity will know that I, the LORD, have taken my sword from its sheath ​-- ​it will not be sheathed again.' (6) "But you, son of man, groan! Groan bitterly with a broken heart right before their eyes. (7) "And when they ask you, 'Why are you groaning? ' then say, 'Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will become weak. Every spirit will be discouraged, and all knees will run with urine. Yes, it is coming and it will happen. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' " (8) The word of the LORD came to me: (9) "Son of man, prophesy, 'This is what the Lord says! ' You are to proclaim, 'A sword! A sword is sharpened and also polished. (10) "It is sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice? The scepter of my son, the sword despises every tree. (11) "The sword is given to be polished, to be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened, and it is polished, to be put in the hand of the slayer.' (12) "Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people. It is against all the princes of Israel! They are given over to the sword with my people. Therefore strike your thigh in grief. (13) "Surely it will be a trial! And what if the sword despises even the scepter? The scepter will not continue." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (14) "So you, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands together: Let the sword strike two times, even three. It is a sword for massacre, a sword for great massacre -- it surrounds them! (15) "I have appointed a sword for slaughter at all their gates, so that their hearts may melt and many may stumble. Yes! It is ready to flash like lightning; it is drawn for slaughter. (16) "Slash to the right; turn to the left -- wherever your blade is directed. (17) "I also will clap my hands together, and I will satisfy my wrath. I, the LORD, have spoken." (18) The word of the LORD came to me: (19) "Now you, son of man, mark out two roads that the sword of Babylon's king can take. Both of them should originate from the same land. And make a signpost at the fork in the road to each city. (20) "Mark out a road that the sword can take to Rabbah of the Ammonites and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem. (21) "For the king of Babylon stands at the split in the road, at the fork of the two roads, to practice divination: he shakes the arrows, consults the idols, and observes the liver. (22) "The answer marked Jerusalem appears in his right hand, indicating that he should set up battering rams, give the order to slaughter, raise a battle cry, set battering rams against the gates, build a ramp, and construct a siege wall. (23) "It will seem like false divination to those who have sworn an oath to the Babylonians, but it will draw attention to their guilt so that they will be captured. (24) "Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have drawn attention to your guilt, exposing your transgressions, so that your sins are revealed in all your actions ​-- ​since you have done this, you will be captured by them. (25) "And you, profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your punishment. (26) "This is what the Lord GOD says: Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are; exalt the lowly and bring down the exalted. (27) "A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! Yet this will not happen until he comes; I have given the judgment to him. (28) "Now you, son of man, prophesy, and say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says concerning the Ammonites and their contempt.' You are to proclaim, 'A sword! A sword is drawn for slaughter, polished to consume, to flash like lightning. (29) "While they offer false visions and lying divinations about you, the time has come to put you to the necks of the profane wicked ones; the day has come for final punishment. (30) " 'Return it to its sheath! " 'I will judge you in the place where you were created, in the land of your origin. (31) "I will pour out my indignation on you; I will blow the fire of my fury on you. I will hand you over to brutal men, skilled at destruction. (32) "You will be fuel for the fire. Your blood will be spilled within the land. You will not be remembered, for I, the LORD, have spoken.' "

Ezekiel 22:1-31 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "As for you, son of man, will you pass judgment? Will you pass judgment against the city of blood? Then explain all her detestable practices to her. (3) "You are to say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: A city that sheds blood within her walls so that her time of judgment has come and who makes idols for herself so that she is defiled! (4) "You are guilty of the blood you have shed, and you are defiled from the idols you have made. You have brought your judgment days near and have come to your years of punishment. Therefore, I have made you a disgrace to the nations and a mockery to all the lands. (5) "Those who are near and those far away from you will mock you, you infamous one full of turmoil. (6) " 'Look, every prince of Israel within you has used his strength to shed blood. (7) "Father and mother are treated with contempt, and the resident alien is exploited within you. The fatherless and widow are oppressed in you. (8) "You despise my holy things and profane my Sabbaths. (9) "There are men within you who slander in order to shed blood. People who live in you eat at the mountain shrines; they commit depraved acts within you. (10) "Men within you have sexual intercourse with their father's wife and violate women during their menstrual impurity. (11) "One man within you commits a detestable act with his neighbor's wife; another defiles his daughter-in-law with depravity; and yet another violates his sister, his father's daughter. (12) "People who live in you accept bribes in order to shed blood. You take interest and profit on a loan and brutally extort your neighbors. You have forgotten me. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (13) " 'Now look, I clap my hands together against the dishonest profit you have made and against the blood shed among you. (14) "Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the days when I deal with you? I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will act. (15) "I will disperse you among the nations and scatter you among the countries; I will purge your uncleanness. (16) "You will be profaned in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' " (17) The word of the LORD came to me: (18) "Son of man, the house of Israel has become merely dross to me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are just dross from silver. (19) "Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Because all of you have become dross, I am about to gather you into Jerusalem. (20) "Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to blow fire on them and melt them, so I will gather you in my anger and wrath, put you inside, and melt you. (21) "Yes, I will gather you together and blow on you with the fire of my fury, and you will be melted within the city. (22) "As silver is melted inside a furnace, so you will be melted inside the city. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have poured out my wrath on you." (23) The word of the LORD came to me: (24) "Son of man, say to her, 'You are a land that has not been cleansed, that has not received rain in the day of indignation.' (25) "The conspiracy of her prophets within her is like a roaring lion tearing its prey: they devour people, seize wealth and valuables, and multiply the widows within her. (26) "Her priests do violence to my instruction and profane my holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they do not explain the difference between the clean and the unclean. They close their eyes to my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. (27) "Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives in order to make profit dishonestly. (28) "Her prophets plaster for them with whitewash by seeing false visions and lying divinations, saying, 'This is what the Lord GOD says,' when the LORD has not spoken. (29) "The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and unlawfully exploited the resident alien. (30) "I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one. (31) "So I have poured out my indignation on them and consumed them with the fire of my fury. I have brought their conduct down on their own heads." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 17-19

Ezekiel 17-19

Ezekiel 17-19 | Eagle, Princes, and Sinners | May 21, 2023

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Ezekiel 17:1-24 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, pose a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel. (3) " You are to say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: A huge eagle with powerful wings, long feathers, and full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar. (4) " He plucked off its topmost shoot, brought it to the land of merchants, and set it in a city of traders. (5) "Then he took some of the land's seed and put it in a fertile field; he set it like a willow, a plant by abundant water. (6) "It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height with its branches turned toward him, yet its roots stayed under it. So it became a vine, produced branches, and sent out shoots. (7) " 'But there was another huge eagle with powerful wings and thick plumage. And this vine bent its roots toward him! It stretched out its branches to him from the plot where it was planted, so that he might water it. (8) "It had been planted in a good field by abundant water in order to produce branches, bear fruit, and become a splendid vine.' (9) "You are to say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Will it flourish? Will he not tear out its roots and strip off its fruit so that it shrivels? All its fresh leaves will wither! Great strength and many people will not be needed to pull it from its roots. (10) "Even though it is planted, will it flourish? Won't it wither completely when the east wind strikes it? It will wither on the plot where it sprouted.' " (11) The word of the LORD came to me: (12) "Now say to that rebellious house, 'Don't you know what these things mean? ' Tell them, 'The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, took its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon. (13) "He took one of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he took away the leading men of the land, (14) "so that the kingdom would be humble and not exalt itself but would keep his covenant in order to endure. (15) "However, this king revolted against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt so they might give him horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still escape? (16) " 'As I live ​-- ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. (17) "Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast company will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. (18) "He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. He did all these things even though he gave his hand in pledge. He will not escape! (19) " 'Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: As I live, I will bring down on his head my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke. (20) "I will spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there for the treachery he committed against me. (21) "All the fugitives among his troops will fall by the sword, and those who survive will be scattered to every direction of the wind. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken. (22) " 'This is what the Lord GOD says: I will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and plant it. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high towering mountain. (23) "I will plant it on Israel's high mountain so that it may bear branches, produce fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. (24) "Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring down the tall tree, and make the low tree tall. I cause the green tree to wither and make the withered tree thrive. I, the LORD, have spoken and I will do it.' "

Ezekiel 18:1-32 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: 'The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'? (3) "As I live" ​-- ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​"you will no longer use this proverb in Israel. (4) "Look, every life belongs to me. The life of the father is like the life of the son ​-- ​both belong to me. The person who sins is the one who will die. (5) "Suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right: (6) "He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman during her menstrual impurity. (7) "He doesn't oppress anyone but returns his collateral to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. (8) "He doesn't lend at interest or for profit but keeps his hand from injustice and carries out true justice between men. (9) "He follows my statutes and keeps my ordinances, acting faithfully. Such a person is righteous; he will certainly live." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (10) "But suppose the man has a violent son, who sheds blood and does any of these things, (11) "though the father has done none of them. Indeed, when the son eats at the mountain shrines and defiles his neighbor's wife, (12) "and when he oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, and does not return collateral, and when he looks to the idols, commits detestable acts, (13) "and lends at interest or for profit, will he live? He will not live! Since he has committed all these detestable acts, he will certainly die. His death will be his own fault. (14) "Now suppose he has a son who sees all the sins his father has committed, and though he sees them, he does not do likewise. (15) "He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife. (16) "He doesn't oppress anyone, hold collateral, or commit robbery. He gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. (17) "He keeps his hand from harming the poor, not taking interest or profit on a loan. He practices my ordinances and follows my statutes. Such a person will not die for his father's iniquity. He will certainly live. (18) "As for his father, he will die for his own iniquity because he practiced fraud, robbed his brother, and did among his people what was not good. (19) "But you may ask, 'Why doesn't the son suffer punishment for the father's iniquity? ' Since the son has done what is just and right, carefully observing all my statutes, he will certainly live. (20) "The person who sins is the one who will die. A son won't suffer punishment for the father's iniquity, and a father won't suffer punishment for the son's iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous person will be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be on him. (21) "But if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all my statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die. (22) "None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced. (23) "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? " This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. "Instead, don't I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives? (24) "But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness and acts unjustly, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. He will die because of the treachery he has engaged in and the sin he has committed. (25) "But you say, 'The Lord's way isn't fair.' Now listen, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair? Instead, isn't it your ways that are unfair? (26) "When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and acts unjustly, he will die for this. He will die because of the injustice he has committed. (27) "But if a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life. (28) "He will certainly live because he thought it over and turned from all the transgressions he had committed; he will not die. (29) "But the house of Israel says, 'The Lord's way isn't fair.' Is it my ways that are unfair, house of Israel? Instead, isn't it your ways that are unfair? (30) "Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. "Repent and turn from all your rebellious acts, so they will not become a sinful stumbling block to you. (31) "Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? (32) "For I take no pleasure in anyone's death." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. "So repent and live!

Ezekiel 19:1-14 CSB

(1) "As for you, take up a lament for the princes of Israel, (2) "and say: What was your mother? A lioness! She lay down among the lions; she reared her cubs among the young lions. (3) "She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After he learned to tear prey, he devoured people. (4) "When the nations heard about him, he was caught in their pit. Then they led him away with hooks to the land of Egypt. (5) "When she saw that she waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion. (6) "He prowled among the lions, and he became a young lion. After he learned to tear prey, he devoured people. (7) "He devastated their strongholds and destroyed their cities. The land and everything in it shuddered at the sound of his roaring. (8) "Then the nations from the surrounding provinces set out against him. They spread their net over him; he was caught in their pit. (9) "They put a wooden yoke on him with hooks and led him away to the king of Babylon. They brought him into the fortresses so his roar could no longer be heard on the mountains of Israel. (10) "Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of abundant water. (11) "It had strong branches, fit for the scepters of rulers; its height towered among the clouds. So it was conspicuous for its height as well as its many branches. (12) "But it was uprooted in fury, thrown to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were torn off and dried up; fire consumed them. (13) "Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land. (14) "Fire has gone out from its main branch and has devoured its fruit, so that it no longer has a strong branch, a scepter for ruling. This is a lament and should be used as a lament."

Ezekiel 14-16

Ezekiel 14-16

Ezekiel 14-16 | Judgement Parables | May 7, 2023

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Ezekiel 14:12-23 CSB

(12) The word of the LORD came to me: (13) "Son of man, suppose a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its supply of bread, to send famine through it, and to wipe out both man and animal from it. (14) "Even if these three men ​-- ​Noah, Daniel, and Job ​-- ​were in it, they would rescue only themselves by their righteousness." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (15) "Suppose I allow dangerous animals to pass through the land and depopulate it so that it becomes desolate, with no one passing through it for fear of the animals. (16) "Even if these three men were in it, as I live" ​-- ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​"they could not rescue their sons or daughters. They alone would be rescued, but the land would be desolate. (17) "Or suppose I bring a sword against that land and say, 'Let a sword pass through it,' so that I wipe out both man and animal from it. (18) "Even if these three men were in it, as I live" ​-- ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​"they could not rescue their sons or daughters, but they alone would be rescued. (19) "Or suppose I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath on it with bloodshed to wipe out both man and animal from it. (20) "Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live" ​-- ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​"they could not rescue their son or daughter. They would rescue only themselves by their righteousness. (21) "For this is what the Lord GOD says: How much worse will it be when I send my four devastating judgments against Jerusalem ​-- ​sword, famine, dangerous animals, and plague ​-- ​in order to wipe out both man and animal from it! (22) "Even so, there will be survivors left in it, sons and daughters who will be brought out. Indeed, they will come out to you, and you will observe their conduct and actions. Then you will be consoled about the devastation I have brought on Jerusalem, about all I have brought on it. (23) "They will bring you consolation when you see their conduct and actions, and you will know that it was not without cause that I have done what I did to it." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 15:1-8 CSB

(1) Then the word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, how does the wood of the vine, that branch among the trees of the forest, compare to any other wood? (3) "Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can anyone make a peg from it to hang things on? (4) "In fact, it is put into the fire as fuel. The fire devours both of its ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything? (5) "Even when it was whole it could not be made into a useful object. How much less can it ever be made into anything useful when the fire has devoured it and it is charred! " (6) Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says, "Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire as fuel, so I will give up the residents of Jerusalem. (7) "I will turn against them. They may have escaped from the fire, but it will still consume them. And you will know that I am the LORD when I turn against them. (8) "I will make the land desolate because they have acted unfaithfully." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 16:1-63 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me again: (2) "Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices. (3) "You are to say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hethite. (4) "As for your birth, your umbilical cord wasn't cut on the day you were born, and you weren't washed clean with water. You were not rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. (5) "No one cared enough about you to do even one of these things out of compassion for you. But you were thrown out into the open field because you were despised on the day you were born. (6) " 'I passed by you and saw you thrashing around in your blood, and I said to you as you lay in your blood, "Live! " Yes, I said to you as you lay in your blood, "Live! " (7) I made you thrive like plants of the field. You grew up and matured and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, but you were stark naked. (8) " 'Then I passed by you and saw you, and you were indeed at the age for love. So I spread the edge of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged myself to you, entered into a covenant with you ​-- ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​and you became mine. (9) "I washed you with water, rinsed off your blood, and anointed you with oil. (10) "I clothed you in embroidered cloth and provided you with fine leather sandals. I also wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. (11) "I adorned you with jewelry, putting bracelets on your wrists and a necklace around your neck. (12) "I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. (13) "So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You became extremely beautiful and attained royalty. (14) "Your fame spread among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through my splendor, which I had bestowed on you. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (15) " 'But you trusted in your beauty and acted like a prostitute because of your fame. You lavished your sexual favors on everyone who passed by. Your beauty became his. (16) "You took some of your clothing and made colorful high places for yourself, and you engaged in prostitution on them. These places should not have been built, and this should never have happened! (17) "You also took your beautiful jewelry made from the gold and silver I had given you, and you made male images so that you could engage in prostitution with them. (18) "Then you took your embroidered clothing to cover them and set my oil and incense before them. (19) "The food that I gave you ​-- ​the fine flour, oil, and honey that I fed you ​-- ​you set it before them as a pleasing aroma. That is what happened. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (20) " 'You even took your sons and daughters you bore to me and sacrificed them to these images as food. Wasn't your prostitution enough? (21) "You slaughtered my children and gave them up when you passed them through the fire to the images. (22) "In all your detestable practices and acts of prostitution, you did not remember the days of your youth when you were stark naked and thrashing around in your blood. (23) " 'Then after all your evil ​-- ​Woe, woe to you! ​-- ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​ (24) "you built yourself a mound and made yourself an elevated place in every square. (25) "You built your elevated place at the head of every street and turned your beauty into a detestable thing. You spread your legs to everyone who passed by and increased your prostitution. (26) "You engaged in promiscuous acts with Egyptian men, your well-endowed neighbors, and increased your prostitution to anger me. (27) " 'Therefore, I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your provisions. I gave you over to the desire of those who hate you, the Philistine women, who were embarrassed by your indecent conduct. (28) "Then you engaged in prostitution with the Assyrian men because you were not satisfied. Even though you did this with them, you were still not satisfied. (29) "So you extended your prostitution to Chaldea, the land of merchants, but you were not even satisfied with this! (30) " 'How your heart was inflamed with lust ​-- ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​when you did all these things, the acts of a brazen prostitute, (31) "building your mound at the head of every street and making your elevated place in every square. But you were unlike a prostitute because you scorned payment. (32) "You adulterous wife, who receives strangers instead of her husband! (33) "Men give gifts to all prostitutes, but you gave gifts to all your lovers. You bribed them to come to you from all around for your sexual favors. (34) "So you were the opposite of other women in your acts of prostitution; no one solicited you. When you paid a fee instead of one being paid to you, you were the opposite.

(35) " 'Therefore, you prostitute, hear the word of the LORD! (36) "This is what the Lord GOD says: Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness exposed by your acts of prostitution with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols and the blood of your children that you gave to them, (37) "I am therefore going to gather all the lovers you pleased ​-- ​all those you loved as well as all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose your nakedness to them so they see you completely naked. (38) "I will judge you the way adulteresses and those who shed blood are judged. Then I will bring about the shedding of your blood in jealous wrath. (39) "I will hand you over to them, and they will demolish your mounds and tear down your elevated places. They will strip off your clothes, take your beautiful jewelry, and leave you stark naked. (40) "They will bring a mob against you to stone you and to cut you to pieces with their swords. (41) "They will burn your houses and execute judgments against you in the sight of many women. I will stop you from being a prostitute, and you will never again pay fees for lovers. (42) "So I will satisfy my wrath against you, and my jealousy will turn away from you. Then I will be calm and no longer angry. (43) "Because you did not remember the days of your youth but enraged me with all these things, I will also bring your conduct down on your own head. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. Haven't you committed depravity in addition to all your detestable practices? (44) " 'Look, everyone who uses proverbs will quote this proverb about you: "Like mother, like daughter." (45) You are the daughter of your mother, who despised her husband and children. You are the sister of your sisters, who despised their husbands and children. Your mother was a Hethite and your father an Amorite. (46) Your older sister was Samaria, who lived with her daughters to the north of you, and your younger sister was Sodom, who lived with her daughters to the south of you. (47) Didn't you walk in their ways and do their detestable practices? It was only a short time before all your ways were more corrupt than theirs. (48) " 'As I live ​-- ​the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​your sister Sodom and her daughters have not behaved as you and your daughters have. (49) "Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had pride, plenty of food, and comfortable security, but didn't support the poor and needy. (50) "They were haughty and did detestable acts before me, so I removed them when I saw this. (51) "But Samaria did not commit even half your sins. You have multiplied your detestable practices beyond theirs and made your sisters appear righteous by all the detestable acts you have committed. (52) "You must also bear your disgrace, since you have helped your sisters out. For they appear more righteous than you because of your sins, which you committed more detestably than they did. So you also, be ashamed and bear your disgrace, since you have made your sisters appear righteous. (53) " 'I will restore their fortunes, the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and those of Samaria and her daughters. I will also restore your fortunes among them, (54) "so you will bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you did when you comforted them. (55) "As for your sisters, Sodom and her daughters and Samaria and her daughters will return to their former state. You and your daughters will also return to your former state. (56) "Didn't you treat your sister Sodom as an object of scorn when you were proud, (57) "before your wickedness was exposed? It was like the time you were scorned by the daughters of Aram and all those around her, and by the daughters of the Philistines ​-- ​those who treated you with contempt from every side. (58) "You yourself must bear the consequences of your depravity and detestable practices ​-- ​this is the LORD's declaration. (59) " 'For this is what the Lord GOD says: I will deal with you according to what you have done, since you have despised the oath by breaking the covenant. (60) "But I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish a permanent covenant with you. (61) "Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your older and younger sisters. I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of your covenant. (62) "I will establish my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the LORD, (63) "so that when I make atonement for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth again because of your disgrace. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' "

Ezekiel 13-14

Ezekiel 13-14

Ezekiel 13-14 | False Prophecy/True Prophecy | April 30, 2023

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Ezekiel 13:1-23 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination, 'Hear the word of the LORD! (3) "This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. (4) "Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. (5) "You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it might stand in battle on the day of the LORD. (6) "They saw false visions and their divinations were a lie. They claimed, "This is the LORD's declaration," when the LORD did not send them, yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. (7) Didn't you see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you proclaimed, "This is the LORD's declaration," even though I had not spoken? (8) " 'Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: You have spoken falsely and had lying visions; that's why you discover that I am against you. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (9) "My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not be present in the council of my people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, and they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD. (10) " 'Since they have led my people astray by saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and since when a flimsy wall is being built, they plaster it with whitewash, (11) therefore, tell those plastering it with whitewash that it will fall. Torrential rain will come, and I will send hailstones plunging down, and a whirlwind will be released. (12) When the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, "Where's the whitewash you plastered on it? " (13) " 'So this is what the Lord GOD says: I will release a whirlwind in my wrath. Torrential rain will come in my anger, and hailstones will fall in destructive fury. (14) "I will demolish the wall you plastered with whitewash and knock it to the ground so that its foundation is exposed. The city will fall, and you will be destroyed within it. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (15) "After I exhaust my wrath against the wall and against those who plaster it with whitewash, I will say to you, "The wall is no more and neither are those who plastered it ​-- ​ (16) "those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw a vision of peace for her when there was no peace." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' (17) "Now you, son of man, face the women among your people who prophesy out of their own imagination, and prophesy against them. (18) "Say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic bands on the wrist of every hand and who make veils for the heads of people of every size in order to ensnare lives. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? (19) "You profane me among my people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread; you put those to death who should not die and spare those who should not live, when you lie to my people, who listen to lies. (20) " 'Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: I am against your magic bands with which you ensnare people like birds, and I will tear them from your arms. I will free the people you have ensnared like birds. (21) "I will also tear off your veils and rescue my people from your hands, so that they will no longer be prey in your hands. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (22) "Because you have disheartened the righteous person with lies (when I intended no distress), and because you have supported the wicked person so that he does not turn from his evil way to save his life, (23) "therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will rescue my people from your hands. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"

Ezekiel 14:1-11 CSB

(1) Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. (2) Then the word of the LORD came to me: (3) "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and have put their sinful stumbling blocks in front of themselves. Should I actually let them inquire of me? (4) "Therefore, speak to them and tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: When anyone from the house of Israel sets up idols in his heart and puts his sinful stumbling block in front of himself, and then comes to the prophet, I, the LORD, will answer him appropriately. I will answer him according to his many idols, (5) "so that I may take hold of the house of Israel by their hearts. They are all estranged from me because of their idols.' (6) "Therefore, say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your detestable things. (7) "For when anyone from the house of Israel or from the aliens who reside in Israel separates himself from me, setting up idols in his heart and putting his sinful stumbling block in front of himself, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of me, I, the LORD, will answer him myself. (8) "I will turn against that one and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (9) " 'But if the prophet is deceived and speaks a message, it was I, the LORD, who deceived that prophet. I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel. (10) "They will bear their punishment ​-- ​the punishment of the one who inquires will be the same as that of the prophet ​-- ​ (11) "in order that the house of Israel may no longer stray from following me and no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions. Then they will be my people and I will be their God. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.'"

Ezekiel 12

Ezekiel 12

Ezekiel 12 | More Drama | April 23, 2023

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Ezekiel 12:1-28 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house. (3) "Now you, son of man, get your bags ready for exile and go into exile in their sight during the day. You will go into exile from your place to another place while they watch; perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. (4) "During the day, bring out your bags like an exile's bags while they look on. Then in the evening go out in their sight like those going into exile. (5) "As they watch, dig through the wall and take the bags out through it. (6) "And while they look on, lift the bags to your shoulder and take them out in the dark; cover your face so that you cannot see the land. For I have made you a sign to the house of Israel." (7) So I did just as I was commanded. In the daytime I brought out my bags like an exile's bags. In the evening I dug through the wall by hand; I took them out in the dark, carrying them on my shoulder in their sight. (8) In the morning the word of the LORD came to me: (9) "Son of man, hasn't the house of Israel, that rebellious house, asked you, 'What are you doing? ' (10) "Say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: This pronouncement concerns the prince in Jerusalem and the whole house of Israel living there.' (11) "You are to say, 'I am a sign for you. Just as I have done, it will be done to them; they will go into exile, into captivity.' (12) "The prince who is among them will lift his bags to his shoulder in the dark and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out through it. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land with his eyes. (13) "But I will spread my net over him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, yet he will not see it, and he will die there. (14) "I will also scatter all the attendants who surround him and all his troops to every direction of the wind, and I will draw a sword to chase after them. (15) "They will know that I am the LORD when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. (16) "But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine, and plague, so that among the nations where they go they can tell about all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the LORD." (17) The word of the LORD came to me: (18) "Son of man, eat your bread with trembling and drink your water with anxious shaking. (19) "Then say to the people of the land, 'This is what the Lord GOD says about the residents of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water in dread, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there. (20) "The inhabited cities will be destroyed, and the land will become dreadful. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "

(21) Again the word of the LORD came to me: (22) "Son of man, what is this proverb you people have about the land of Israel, which goes, 'The days keep passing by, and every vision fails'? (23) "Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put a stop to this proverb, and they will not use it again in Israel.' But say to them, 'The days have arrived, as well as the fulfillment of every vision. (24) "For there will no longer be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. (25) "But I, the LORD, will speak whatever message I will speak, and it will be done. It will no longer be delayed. For in your days, rebellious house, I will speak a message and bring it to pass. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' " (26) The word of the LORD came to me: (27) "Son of man, notice that the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision that he sees concerns many years from now; he prophesies about distant times.' (28) "Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer. The message I speak will be fulfilled. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' "

John 20:24-29

John 20:24-29

Easter (John 20:24-29) | Doubting Thomas | April 9, 2023

John 20:19-21; 24-29 CSB

(19) When it was evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be with you." (20) Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (21) Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you."

(24) But Thomas (called "Twin"), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. (25) So the other disciples were telling him, "We've seen the Lord! " But he said to them, "If I don't see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe." (26) A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." (27) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don't be faithless, but believe." (28) Thomas responded to him, "My Lord and my God! " (29) Jesus said, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Ezekiel 10-11

Ezekiel 10-11

Ezekiel 10-11 | Israel's Idolatry Drove God Away | April 2, 2023

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Ezekiel 10:1-22 CSB

(1) Then I looked, and there above the expanse over the heads of the cherubim was something like a throne with the appearance of lapis lazuli. (2) The LORD spoke to the man clothed in linen and said, "Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with blazing coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city." So he went in as I watched. (3) Now the cherubim were standing to the south of the temple when the man went in, and the cloud filled the inner court. (4) Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherub to the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the LORD's glory. (5) The sound of the cherubim's wings could be heard as far as the outer court; it was like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks. (6) After the LORD commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, "Take fire from inside the wheelwork, from among the cherubim," the man went in and stood beside a wheel. (7) Then the cherub reached out his hand to the fire that was among them. He took some and put it into the hands of the man clothed in linen, who took it and went out. (8) The cherubim appeared to have the form of human hands under their wings. (9) I looked, and there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub. The luster of the wheels was like the gleam of beryl. (10) In appearance, all four looked alike, like a wheel within a wheel. (11) When they moved, they would go in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved. But wherever the head faced, they would go in that direction, without pivoting as they went. (12) Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, wings, and the wheels that the four of them had, were full of eyes all around. (13) As I listened the wheels were called "the wheelwork." (14) Each one had four faces: one was the face of a cherub, the second the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. (15) The cherubim ascended; these were the living creatures I had seen by the Chebar Canal. (16) When the cherubim moved, the wheels moved beside them, and when they lifted their wings to rise from the earth, even then the wheels did not veer away from them. (17) When the cherubim stopped, the wheels stood still, and when they ascended, the wheels ascended with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in them. (18) Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim. (19) The cherubim lifted their wings and ascended from the earth right before my eyes; the wheels were beside them as they went. The glory of the God of Israel was above them, and it stopped at the entrance to the eastern gate of the LORD's house. (20) These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Chebar Canal, and I recognized that they were cherubim. (21) Each had four faces and each had four wings, with what looked something like human hands under their wings. (22) Their faces looked like the same faces I had seen by the Chebar Canal. Each creature went straight ahead.

Ezekiel 11:1-25 CSB

(1) The Spirit then lifted me up and brought me to the eastern gate of the LORD's house, which faces east, and at the gate's entrance were twenty-five men. Among them I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur, and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people. (2) The LORD said to me, "Son of man, these are the men who plot evil and give wicked advice in this city. (3) "They are saying, 'Isn't the time near to build houses? The city is the pot, and we are the meat.' (4) "Therefore, prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man! " (5) Then the Spirit of the LORD came on me, and he told me, "You are to say, 'This is what the LORD says: That is what you are thinking, house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your mind. (6) "You have multiplied your slain in this city, filling its streets with them. (7) " 'Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: The slain you have put within it are the meat, and the city is the pot, but I will take you out of it. (8) "You fear the sword, so I will bring the sword against you. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (9) "I will take you out of the city and hand you over to foreigners; I will execute judgments against you. (10) "You will fall by the sword, and I will judge you at the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (11) "The city will not be a pot for you, and you will not be the meat within it. I will judge you at the border of Israel, (12) "so you will know that I am the LORD, whose statutes you have not followed and whose ordinances you have not practiced. Instead, you have acted according to the ordinances of the nations around you.' " (13) Now while I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell facedown and cried out loudly, "Oh, Lord GOD! You are bringing the remnant of Israel to an end! " (14) The word of the LORD came to me again: (15) "Son of man, your own relatives, those who have the right to redeem your property, along with the entire house of Israel ​-- ​all of them ​-- ​are those to whom the residents of Jerusalem have said, 'You are far from the LORD; this land has been given to us as a possession.' (16) "Therefore say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Though I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.' (17) "Therefore say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.' (18) "When they arrive there, they will remove all its abhorrent acts and detestable practices from it. (19) "I will give them integrity of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh, (20) "so that they will follow my statutes, keep my ordinances, and practice them. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (21) "But as for those whose hearts pursue their desire for abhorrent acts and detestable practices, I will bring their conduct down on their own heads." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (22) Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, lifted their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. (23) The glory of the LORD rose up from within the city and stopped on the mountain east of the city. (24) The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to Chaldea and to the exiles in a vision from the Spirit of God. After the vision I had seen left me, (25) I spoke to the exiles about all the things the LORD had shown me.

Ezekiel 8-9

Ezekiel 8-9

Ezekiel 8-9 | Idolatry in God's Temple - A VisioN | March 26, 2023

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Ezekiel 8:1-18 CSB

(1) In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting in front of me, and there the hand of the Lord GOD came down on me. (2) I looked, and there was someone who looked like a man. From what seemed to be his waist down was fire, and from his waist up was something that looked bright, like the gleam of amber. (3) He stretched out what appeared to be a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where the offensive statue that provokes jealousy was located. (4) I saw the glory of the God of Israel there, like the vision I had seen in the plain. (5) The LORD said to me, "Son of man, look toward the north." I looked to the north, and there was this offensive statue north of the Altar Gate, at the entrance. (6) He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing here ​-- ​more detestable acts that the house of Israel is committing ​-- ​so that I must depart from my sanctuary? You will see even more detestable acts." (7) Then he brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked there was a hole in the wall. (8) He said to me, "Son of man, dig through the wall." So I dug through the wall and discovered a doorway. (9) He said to me, "Go in and see the detestable, wicked acts they are committing here." (10) I went in and looked, and there engraved all around the wall was every kind of abhorrent thing ​-- ​crawling creatures and beasts ​-- ​as well as all the idols of the house of Israel. (11) Seventy elders from the house of Israel were standing before them, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a firepan in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising up. (12) He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his idol? For they are saying, 'The LORD does not see us. The LORD has abandoned the land.' " (13) Again he said to me, "You will see even more detestable acts that they are committing." (14) Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the LORD's house, and I saw women sitting there weeping for Tammuz. (15) And he said to me, "Do you see this, son of man? You will see even more detestable acts than these." (16) So he brought me to the inner court of the LORD's house, and there were about twenty-five men at the entrance of the LORD's temple, between the portico and the altar, with their backs to the LORD's temple and their faces turned to the east. They were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. (17) And he said to me, "Do you see this, son of man? Is it not enough for the house of Judah to commit the detestable acts they are doing here, that they must also fill the land with violence and repeatedly anger me, even putting the branch to their nose? (18) "Therefore I will respond with wrath. I will not show pity or spare them. Though they call loudly in my hearing, I will not listen to them."

Ezekiel 9:1-11 CSB

(1) Then he called loudly in my hearing, "Come near, executioners of the city, each of you with a destructive weapon in his hand." (2) And I saw six men coming from the direction of the Upper Gate, which faces north, each with a war club in his hand. There was another man among them, clothed in linen, carrying writing equipment. They came and stood beside the bronze altar. (3) Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherub where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. He called to the man clothed in linen and carrying writing equipment. (4) "Pass throughout the city of Jerusalem," the LORD said to him, "and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the detestable practices committed in it." (5) He spoke to the others in my hearing: "Pass through the city after him and start killing; do not show pity or spare them! (6) "Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, as well as the children and older women, but do not come near anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. (7) Then he said to them, "Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go! " So they went out killing people in the city. (8) While they were killing, I was left alone. And I fell facedown and cried out, "Oh, Lord GOD! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel when you pour out your wrath on Jerusalem? " (9) He answered me, "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is extremely great; the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity. For they say, 'The LORD has abandoned the land; he does not see.' (10) "But as for me, I will not show pity or spare them. I will bring their conduct down on their own heads." (11) Then the man clothed in linen and carrying writing equipment reported back, "I have done all that you commanded me."

Ezekiel 6-7

Ezekiel 6-7

Ezekiel 6-7 | The Drama of Judgment II | March 19, 2023

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Ezekiel 6:1-14 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, face the mountains of Israel and prophesy against them. (3) "You are to say: Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. (4) "Your altars will be desolated and your shrines smashed. I will throw down your slain in front of your idols. (5) "I will lay the corpses of the Israelites in front of their idols and scatter your bones around your altars. (6) "Wherever you live the cities will be in ruins and the high places will be desolate, so that your altars will lie in ruins and be desecrated, your idols smashed and obliterated, your shrines cut down, and what you have made wiped out. (7) "The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD. (8) "Yet I will leave a remnant when you are scattered among the nations, for throughout the countries there will be some of you who will escape the sword. (9) "Then your survivors will remember me among the nations where they are taken captive, how I was crushed by their promiscuous hearts that turned away from me and by their eyes that lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves because of the evil things they did, their detestable actions of every kind. (10) "And they will know that I am the LORD; I did not threaten to bring this disaster on them without a reason. (11) "This is what the Lord GOD says: Clap your hands, stamp your feet, and cry out over all the evil and detestable practices of the house of Israel, who will fall by the sword, famine, and plague. (12) "The one who is far off will die by plague; the one who is near will fall by the sword; and the one who remains and is spared will die of famine. In this way I will exhaust my wrath on them. (13) "You will all know that I am the LORD when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, and under every green tree and every leafy oak ​-- ​the places where they offered pleasing aromas to all their idols. (14) "I will stretch out my hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Diblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 7:1-27 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says to the land of Israel: An end! The end has come on the four corners of the earth. (3) "The end is now upon you; I will send my anger against you and judge you according to your ways. I will punish you for all your detestable practices. (4) "I will not look on you with pity or spare you, but I will punish you for your ways and for your detestable practices within you. Then you will know that I am the LORD." (5) This is what the Lord GOD says: Look, one disaster after another is coming! (6) An end has come; the end has come! It has awakened against you. Look, it is coming! (7) Doom has come on you, inhabitants of the land. The time has come; the day is near. There will be panic on the mountains and not celebration. (8) I will pour out my wrath on you very soon; I will exhaust my anger against you and judge you according to your ways. I will punish you for all your detestable practices. (9) I will not look on you with pity or spare you. I will punish you for your ways and for your detestable practices within you. Then you will know that it is I, the LORD, who strikes. (10) Here is the day! Here it comes! Doom is on its way. The rod has blossomed; arrogance has bloomed. (11) Violence has grown into a rod of wickedness. None of them will remain: none of that crowd, none of their wealth, and none of the eminent among them. (12) The time has come; the day has arrived. Let the buyer not rejoice and the seller not mourn, for wrath is on her whole crowd. (13) The seller will certainly not return to what was sold as long as he and the buyer remain alive. For the vision concerning her whole crowd will not be revoked, and because of the iniquity of each one, none will preserve his life. (14) They have blown the trumpet and prepared everything, but no one goes to war, for my wrath is on her whole crowd. (15) The sword is on the outside; plague and famine are on the inside. Whoever is in the field will die by the sword, and famine and plague will devour whoever is in the city. (16) The survivors among them will escape and live on the mountains. Like doves of the valley, all of them will moan, each over his own iniquity. (17) All their hands will become weak, and all their knees will run with urine. (18) They will put on sackcloth, and horror will overwhelm them. Shame will cover all their faces, and all their heads will be bald. (19) They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem like something filthy. Their silver and gold will be unable to save them in the day of the LORD's wrath. They will not satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs, for these were the stumbling blocks that brought about their iniquity. (20) He appointed his beautiful ornaments for majesty, but they made their detestable images from them, their abhorrent things. Therefore, I have made these into something filthy to them. (21) I will hand these things over to foreigners as plunder and to the wicked of the earth as spoil, and they will profane them. (22) I will turn my face from them as they profane my treasured place. Violent men will enter it and profane it. (23) Forge the chain, for the land is filled with crimes of bloodshed, and the city is filled with violence. (24) So I will bring the most evil of nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the strong, and their sacred places will be profaned. (25) Anguish is coming! They will look for peace, but there will be none. (26) Disaster after disaster will come, and there will be rumor after rumor. Then they will look for a vision from a prophet, but instruction will perish from the priests and counsel from the elders. (27) The king will mourn; the prince will be clothed in grief; and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their own conduct, and I will judge them by their own standards. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 4-5

Ezekiel 4-5

Ezekiel 4-5 | The Drama of Judgment | March 12, 2023

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Ezekiel 4:1-17 CSB

(1) "Now you, son of man, take a brick, set it in front of you, and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. (2) "Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall, build a ramp, pitch military camps, and place battering rams against it on all sides. (3) "Take an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between yourself and the city. Face it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This will be a sign for the house of Israel. (4) "Then lie down on your left side and place the iniquity of the house of Israel on it. You will bear their iniquity for the number of days you lie on your side. (5) "For I have assigned you the years of their iniquity according to the number of days you lie down, 390 days; so you will bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. (6) "When you have completed these days, lie down again, but on your right side, and bear the iniquity of the house of Judah. I have assigned you forty days, a day for each year. (7) "Face the siege of Jerusalem with your arm bared, and prophesy against it. (8) "Be aware that I will put cords on you so you cannot turn from side to side until you have finished the days of your siege. (9) "Also take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt. Put them in a single container and make them into bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the number of days you lie on your side, 390 days. (10) "The food you eat each day will weigh eight ounces; you will eat it at set times. (11) "You will also drink a ration of water, a sixth of a gallon, which you will drink at set times. (12) "You will eat it as you would a barley cake and bake it over dried human excrement in their sight." (13) The LORD said, "This is how the Israelites will eat their bread ​-- ​ceremonially unclean ​-- ​among the nations where I will banish them." (14) But I said, "Oh, Lord GOD, I have never been defiled. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything that died naturally or was mauled by wild beasts. And impure meat has never entered my mouth." (15) He replied to me, "Look, I will let you use cow dung instead of human excrement, and you can make your bread over that." (16) He said to me, "Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat food they have weighed out and in dread drink rationed water (17) "for lack of bread and water. Everyone will be devastated and waste away because of their iniquity.

Ezekiel 5:1-17 CSB

(1) "Now you, son of man, take a sharp sword, use it as you would a barber's razor, and shave your head and beard. Then take a set of scales and divide the hair. (2) "You are to burn a third of it in the city when the days of the siege have ended; you are to take a third and slash it with the sword all around the city; and you are to scatter a third to the wind, for I will draw a sword to chase after them. (3) "But you are to take a few strands from the hair and secure them in the folds of your robe. (4) "Take some more of them, throw them into the fire, and burn them in it. A fire will spread from it to the whole house of Israel. (5) "This is what the Lord GOD says: I have set this Jerusalem in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. (6) "She has rebelled against my ordinances with more wickedness than the nations, and against my statutes more than the countries that surround her. For her people have rejected my ordinances and have not walked in my statutes. (7) "Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have been more insubordinate than the nations around you ​-- ​you have not walked in my statutes or kept my ordinances; you have not even kept the ordinances of the nations around you ​-- ​ (8) "therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will execute judgments within you in the sight of the nations. (9) "Because of all your detestable practices, I will do to you what I have never done before and what I will never do again. (10) "As a result, fathers will eat their sons within Jerusalem, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your survivors to every direction of the wind. (11) "Therefore, as I live" ​-- ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​"I will withdraw and show you no pity, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your abhorrent acts and detestable practices. Yes, I will not spare you. (12) "A third of your people will die by plague and be consumed by famine within you; a third will fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter a third to every direction of the wind, and I will draw a sword to chase after them. (13) "When my anger is spent and I have vented my wrath on them, I will be appeased. Then after I have spent my wrath on them, they will know that I, the LORD, have spoken in my jealousy. (14) "I will make you a ruin and a disgrace among the nations around you, in the sight of everyone who passes by. (15) "So you will be a disgrace and a taunt, a warning and a horror, to the nations around you when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and furious rebukes. I, the LORD, have spoken. (16) "When I shoot deadly arrows of famine at them, arrows for destruction that I will send to destroy you, inhabitants of Jerusalem, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of bread. (17) "I will send famine and dangerous animals against you. They will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken."

Ezekiel 2-3

Ezekiel 2-3

Ezekiel 2-3 | The Calling of Ezekiel | March 5, 2023

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Ezekiel 2:1-10 CSB

(1) He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak with you." (2) As he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I listened to the one who was speaking to me. (3) He said to me, "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to the rebellious pagans who have rebelled against me. The Israelites and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this day. (4) "The descendants are obstinate and hardhearted. I am sending you to them, and you must say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says.' (5) "Whether they listen or refuse to listen ​-- ​for they are a rebellious house ​-- ​they will know that a prophet has been among them. (6) "But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them and do not be afraid of their words, even though briers and thorns are beside you and you live among scorpions. Don't be afraid of their words or discouraged by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house. (7) "Speak my words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious. (8) "And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you: Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you." (9) So I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and there was a written scroll in it. (10) When he unrolled it before me, it was written on the front and back; words of lamentation, mourning, and woe were written on it.

Ezekiel 3:1-27 CSB

(1) He said to me: "Son of man, eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel." (2) So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. (3) "Son of man," he said to me, "feed your stomach and fill your belly with this scroll I am giving you." So I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. (4) Then he said to me: "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. (5) "For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech or a difficult language but to the house of Israel -- (6) "not to the many peoples of unintelligible speech or a difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. No doubt, if I sent you to them, they would listen to you. (7) "But the house of Israel will not want to listen to you because they do not want to listen to me. For the whole house of Israel is hardheaded and hardhearted. (8) "Look, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. (9) "I have made your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Don't be afraid of them or discouraged by the look on their faces, though they are a rebellious house." (10) Next he said to me: "Son of man, listen carefully to all my words that I speak to you and take them to heart. (11) "Go to your people, the exiles, and speak to them. Tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says,' whether they listen or refuse to listen." (12) The Spirit then lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me ​-- ​bless the glory of the LORD in his place! ​-- ​ (13) with the sound of the living creatures' wings brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. (14) The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I left in bitterness and in an angry spirit, and the LORD's hand was on me powerfully. (15) I came to the exiles at Tel-abib, who were living by the Chebar Canal, and I sat there among them stunned for seven days. (16) Now at the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: (17) "Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me. (18) "If I say to the wicked person, 'You will surely die,' but you do not warn him ​-- ​you don't speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life ​-- ​that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. (19) "But if you warn a wicked person and he does not turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have rescued yourself. (20) "Now if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and acts unjustly, and I put a stumbling block in front of him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die because of his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. (21) "But if you warn the righteous person that he should not sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he listened to your warning, and you will have rescued yourself." (22) The hand of the LORD was on me there, and he said to me, "Get up, go out to the plain, and I will speak with you there." (23) So I got up and went out to the plain. The LORD's glory was present there, like the glory I had seen by the Chebar Canal, and I fell facedown. (24) The Spirit entered me and set me on my feet. He spoke with me and said: "Go, shut yourself inside your house. (25) "As for you, son of man, they will put ropes on you and bind you with them so you cannot go out among them. (26) "I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be mute and unable to be a mediator for them, for they are a rebellious house. (27) "But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you will say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says.' Let the one who listens, listen, and let the one who refuses, refuse ​-- ​for they are a rebellious house.

Matthew 17:1-9 | Guest Speaker - Drew Yamamoto

Matthew 17:1-9 | Guest Speaker - Drew Yamamoto

Matthew 17:1-9 | Guest Speaker - Drew Yamamoto | February 26, 2023

Matthew 17:1-9 ESV

(1) And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. (2) And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. (3) And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. (4) And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." (5) He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (6) When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. (7) But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." (8) And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. (9) And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."

Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel 1 | See the Lord | February 19, 2023

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Ezekiel 1:1-28 CSB

(1) In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, while I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. (2) On the fifth day of the month ​-- ​it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile ​-- ​ (3) the word of the LORD came directly to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar Canal. The LORD's hand was on him there.

(4) I looked, and there was a whirlwind coming from the north, a huge cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire, there was a gleam like amber. (5) The likeness of four living creatures came from it, and this was their appearance: They looked something like a human, (6) but each of them had four faces and four wings. (7) Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, sparkling like the gleam of polished bronze. (8) They had human hands under their wings on their four sides. All four of them had faces and wings. (9) Their wings were touching. The creatures did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead. (10) Their faces looked something like the face of a human, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle. (11) That is what their faces were like. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching that of another and two wings covering its body. (12) Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, they went without turning as they moved. (13) The likeness of the living creatures was like the appearance of blazing coals of fire or like torches. Fire was moving back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, with lightning coming out of it. (14) The creatures were darting back and forth like flashes of lightning.

(15) When I looked at the living creatures, there was one wheel on the ground beside each of the four-faced creatures. (16) The appearance of the wheels and their craftsmanship was like the gleam of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. Their appearance and craftsmanship was like a wheel within a wheel. (17) When they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved. (18) Their rims were tall and awe-inspiring. Each of their four rims were full of eyes all around. (19) When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them, and when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels also rose. (20) Wherever the Spirit wanted to go, the creatures went in the direction the Spirit was moving. The wheels rose alongside them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. (21) When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when the creatures stopped, the wheels stopped; and when the creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose alongside them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

(22) Over the heads of the living creatures the likeness of an expanse was spread out. It gleamed like awe-inspiring crystal, (23) and under the expanse their wings extended one toward another. They each also had two wings covering their bodies. (24) When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the roar of a huge torrent, like the voice of the Almighty, and a sound of tumult like the noise of an army. When they stopped, they lowered their wings. (25) A voice came from above the expanse over their heads; when they stopped, they lowered their wings.

(26) Something like a throne with the appearance of lapis lazuli was above the expanse over their heads. On the throne, high above, was someone who looked like a human. (27) From what seemed to be his waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire enclosing it all around. From what seemed to be his waist down, I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light all around him. (28) The appearance of the brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD's glory. When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.