S3E185 – Ezekiel 19-24: How Many Times?

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read Ezekiel 19-24. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “How Many Times?”

Comments on Ezekiel 19-24

These chapters tell a sad, tragic and horrific story. They are not easy to read, and even harder to contemplate.

These were God’s chosen people. He loved them, and made a covenant with them to bless them for all generations if they would just follow His commandments. Time and again, they turned away from Him, and time and again He told them that judgement would come upon them unless they repented and returned to Him. Often they refused, so God was true to His Word and brought judgement. Then they would repent and He would forgive them and bless them. The cycle repeated many times, proving that God is a merciful God.

In these chapters, God’s wrath has reached a crescendo. The messages He gave to Ezekiel were of utter destruction and shame.

Now, if I was God I would have washed my hands of not only these “chosen people”, but of all mankind. I would have walked away and let them destroy themselves. It would seem a deserving end.

But thanks be to God that I am *not* God. Our God takes no delight in the death of the wicked, according to what He said in Ezekiel 18:23. 

Keeping in mind what God said of Himself in Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord do not change…”, the explanation for the fact that any of us are still here can be found in 1 John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love…” 

This is a love that is impossible to grasp, as a human being. We are far too finite, too limited, too flawed to fully understand.

When I think of the love God poured out in creating a perfect and beautiful universe, where he created a perfect and beautiful and lush planet that was supremely suited for humankind to live and have fellowship with their God, only to have them break that fellowship by disobeying the one command He gave them, and then the centuries and millennia of the cycle repeating itself, I can only imagine the broken heart of God.

And yet. 

And yet He made the greatest offering of love in all of eternity. God the Father offered the life of His only begotten Son for the redemption of any who would receive Him as their Lord and Savior. And the Son, Jesus Christ, who was with God from all eternity, willingly and lovingly gave Himself as it says in Romans 5:8, “…while we were yet sinners…” 

Oh beloved, if you have not yet responded to Jesus’ offer, now is the time. Today is the day of salvation. Jesus said, ” I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Will you answer? He has done all the work. You have only to accept His gift. The gift of forgiveness of sin and eternity with Him. 

Do you know where you will spend eternity? Do you know that you will go to Heaven when you die? You can know. You don’t have to guess. You don’t have to hope that your good deeds outweigh your bad. That is not what salvation is all about. All have sinned and fall short. One sin is enough to close the book on you. The wages of sin is death. But Jesus took the punishment for my sins and for yours. He paid the price already. For anyone who has accepted Him, their account is marked “Paid in full.”

Will you accept Him now? You don’t need to, you *can’t* make yourself “good enough” to accept Him. He told the thief who was hanging on the cross next to Him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Jesus will take you just as you are, right now. 

If you want your sins forgiven, if you want to know without a doubt that you will go to Heaven when you die, if you want to know what real peace feels like, if you want to fill that hole in your heart all you need to do is pray this simple prayer. Pray it with me. Either out loud or in the quietness of your heart:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. But I know that you died for me. I ask you to forgive my sins, and I ask you to be my Lord and my Savior. Come into my life and make me the person You want me to be. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, beloved, there is rejoicing in Heaven right now. Congratulations on beginning a new life. Whether or not you feel any different, it makes no difference. If you meant it in your heart, then you are a new person. It isn’t based on emotions or feelings. It is based on God’s promise. 

Your listening to Lifespring Family Audio Bible is a good way to get into the Bible, but I want to send you a very special edition of the NT called the New Believer’s Bible, free of charge. There are hundreds of notes in this NT that were written by Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries and it is published by Tyndale House publishers. Harvest is the church that the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I call home, and they made some copies of the New Believer’s Bible available for me to be able to send you a copy. So if you prayed that prayer, please let me know and I will send you a copy…again, free of charge. Just send an email to st***@*************ia.com with your name and address. Your information stays with me. I won’t share it, and I won’t spam you. I just want you to have this to help you get started in your new life. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 19-23 NIV; Ch. 24 NKJV

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Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God By Henry & Richard Blackaby, Claude V. King / B&H Books Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.