Read the Bible in a Year (30AAUG19)

Please Watch the short Video for it will help to give you a visual into Ezekiel's vision. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKh_U2NnIs8 

DAILY REMINDER – Today, August 30’s Bible reading is Ezekiel 1-4.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, August 30’s Bible reading is Ezekiel 5-8. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD. 

Ezekiel Introduction

This book is so named after the Prophet Ezekiel whose name means “God is strong.” Ezekiel had been among the set of exiles taken by the Babylonians into captivity along with King Jehoiachin in 597 B.C., prior to the complete fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.  Ezekiel’s messages date from 593 to 571 B.C., and could be easily determined by biblical scholars with such accuracy due to the many dates written within its book.  

Further rebellion by the people is what brought on the complete destruction of Jerusalem. Prior to this, Ezekiel had been called by God to be His prophet. Ezekiel was from a family of priests, so God used him as both a priest and prophet to give words to the people who had been taken into captivity with him. The exiles were discouraged because they had listened to Jeremiah tell them to surrender to the Babylonians, while it seemed that their fellow countrymen, who stayed behind, were thriving. The Lord, however, wanted them to know that Jeremiah’s words of warning were true and that they were not to look at trying to return to Jerusalem. The Lord gave Ezekiel messages through visions and direct instructions that he was to act out in front of them to let them know what was coming to Jerusalem. 

God was not done punishing Jerusalem and although it seemed that the people who remained were living in ease, they would hear of its complete destruction. Even so, God was not done with His people and although the temple was eventually destroyed, He was still with them. Therefore, Ezekiel gave a message of judgment, hope, restoration, renewed commitment, and God’s sovereignty. 

EZEKIEL MOMENT – (30AUG19) Ezekiel began having visions from the Lord at the age of thirty which was the age when priests began to do their priestly work. He was from a line of priests and was also a one himself. In Ezekiel 1:2, we can already see that the false prophets’ prophecies had fallen to the ground because they prophesied that Judah would only be in captivity for two years, but Ezekiel had his first vision during the “fifth” year of Jehoiachin’s captivity. The Lord’s hand was upon Ezekiel, which was a sign of His divine favor and appointment of Ezekiel to be a prophet ordained by Him. Unlike the false prophets, God’s anointing was on Ezekiel even during their captivity which was a sign for Israel that He had not forsaken them.

“As I looked, I saw a great storm coming from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. There was fire inside the cloud, and in the middle of the fire glowed something like gleaming amber” (Ezekiel 1:4).

In this vision, we see that a great storm came out of the north, and in the fire were four living creatures. Jeremiah had preached for years that Israel’s enemies from the north (Babylon) were going to come to destroy her. The storm that came from the north symbolizes this event. The Lord gives messages in the storms of life, and in Israel’s case, the whirlwind was a message of judgment. This was not the first time that the Lord used the whirlwind to speak or transport. He spoke to Job in the whirlwind (Job 40:J6) and transported Elijah to Heaven in the midst of a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). We also know that the Lord is a consuming fire and that on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, who appeared as tongues of fire, rested on those present in the upper room. Therefore, God’s Spirit is represented in this vision of fire.

“From the center of the cloud came four living beings that looked human, except that each had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight, and their feet had hooves like those of a calf and shone like burnished bronze. Under each of their four wings I could see human hands. So each of the four beings had four faces and four wings. The wings of each living being touched the wings of the beings beside it. Each one moved straight forward in any direction without turning around” (Ezekiel 1:5-9).

The four living creatures are angels (Cherubs) who had the appearance of a man with four faces, legs, feet, and hands used to fulfill the will of the Lord. The number four in biblical symbolism represents creation and the world; therefore, the four corners of the earth would be affected by these living creatures carrying out God’s divine will. According to some biblical interpretations, the four living creatures are symbolic of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), but there is a dual representation in this vision as well, which may have been more likely due to Ezekiel’s appointment as a watchmen to Israel. During the leadership of Moses, there were four head tribes of the twelve total which were Reuben, Judah, Ephraim, and Dan. The tribes were to be organized in groups of threes around the tabernacle facing north, south, east, and western sides. They looked like a cross in their lineup in the wilderness, which foreshadowed Christ being on the cross. While in the wilderness, the head tribes had a standard, banner or flag that had a picture representing that tribe. The Bible says, “So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). So, when the standard (flags) were raised, the army was ready to assemble. We are going to give all possible symbolisms as they pertain to Israel during Ezekiel’s day, the Gospels as they relate to Jesus, and their prophetic implications, but we want to be mindful that although some symbolisms may have end time understandings, Ezekiel, was given this first vision as an introduction to his prophetic role for Israel. 

FOUR FACES

The Human Face of a Man – This human face of a man represents the tribe of Reuben who was the firstborn of Jacob, the intelligence of man, and according to many biblical scholars, the book of Luke which details the manhood of Christ. The twelve tribes of Israel were the Lord’s chosen people who would one day usher in the Messiah through a human birth to save mankind from sin. Reuben, being the firstborn son of Jacob, eventually leads us to God’s one and only Son, Jesus although He was born from the tribe of Judah. Reuben disgraced his father by sleeping with one of his concubines. Due to his lack of regard for his father, Jacob removed him from receiving the honor that was given to the firstborn son. The Bible says, “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength, the child of my vigorous youth. You are first in rank and first in power.  But you are as unruly as a flood, and you will be first no longer. For you went to bed with my wife; you defiled my marriage couch” (Genesis 49:3-4). Similarly, Israel as a whole is represented in this prophecy because they turned their backs to their Father and committed adultery on Him with another lover.  Unlike Reuben, Jesus did not fail His Father, but is seated at His right hand. The human face also symbolizes the intelligence that the Lord gave to the angels to carry out His will across the earth. 

The Lion Face – The tribe of Judah was represented in Israel as the fearless lion because this tribe led out in battle. They were to also be the front leaders of the world in showing the nations how to honor God. Prior to his death, Jacob gave prophetic words to all of his children, which details the role of Judah throughout the generations leading up to the coming Messiah. The Bible says, “Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?  The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor” (Genesis 49:8-10). Jesus is coming back as the Lion of Judah spoken of in the book of Matthew. 

The Ox Face – The tribe of Ephraim is represented by the ox because of their mighty strength. Israel was supposed to be a strong nation, but also a humble one who led a sacrificial life unto their God, which they failed miserably at doing. Ephraim was one of Joseph’s two sons who had tribes named after them. The Bible says, “Joseph has the majesty of a young bull; he has the horns of a wild ox. He will gore distant nations, even to the ends of the earth. This is my blessing for the multitudes of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh” (Deuteronomy 33:17). The book of Mark is also represented by the ox because they were used as sacrifices on the temple’s altar prior to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

The Eagle Face – The tribe of Dan is represented by the eagle. Dan was born to Jacob and his concubine Bilhah. His name means judging and although he is also represented by the serpent, Ezekiel’s vision only shows his representation as the eagle. Israel should have been strong as an eagle who sees things miles away, but they allowed themselves to become the prey and fell into entrapment of idolatry just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. The Bible says, “Dan will govern his people, like any other tribe in Israel.  Dan will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous viper along the path that bites the horse’s hooves so its rider is thrown off.  I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!” (Genesis 49:16-18). As the eagle relates to Ezekiel’s vision, the eagle is a sign of strength which God granted to Israel for a time, and that strength is embodied in Jesus. The book of John, also believed to be represented by the eagle, shows Jesus as the Word who became flesh, and who is a continuous source of strength to the believer.

“Each had a human face in the front, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle at the back.  Each had two pairs of outstretched wings—one pair stretched out to touch the wings of the living beings on either side of it, and the other pair covered its body. They went in whatever direction the spirit chose, and they moved straight forward in any direction without turning around.  The living beings looked like bright coals of fire or brilliant torches, and lightning seemed to flash back and forth among them.  And the living beings darted to and fro like flashes of lightning” (Ezekiel 1:10-14).

The angels in Ezekiel’s vision had two sets of wings with one set touching the other angel’s wings on either side of them. Their wings touching meant that they moved in unity as they were led by the Spirit. Their wings enabled them to swiftly move as the Father desired without having to change course.

* Israel was to operate as one being led by the Spirit of God. Unfortunately, their kingdom was divided due to sin and they no longer followed the will of the Lord, but lived contrary to it.

The calves’ feet which were straight in the vision was their ability to stand firm and unwavering. Israel failed to be unwavering in God, but the Lord never wavers when it comes to us.

The burnished brass represented God’s righteous judgment. Israel was under the judgment of God, but when we do right before the Lord, we receive His favor upon our lives.

The hands of a man symbolized the angels’ ability to render service to the Lord for they had clean hands. Israel had become filthy and their hands did much evil before the Lord, but we are to use our hands for His glory and Him alone.

The eyes represented the nations who were all looking at Israel. Unfortunately, Israel did not show them the righteousness of God, but they became like their onlookers. Yet, the Lord sees everything, and He has His remnant who are witnesses unto all the nations.

We are not able to get into all the details of the wheels due to the already long length of this particular post, but we will be visiting the wheels in later chapters where we will elaborate on their meaning.

QUESTION OF THE DAY - (30AUG19) Ezekiel’s first vision had many facets as to how Israel was to be as a people. What can you take from this vision and Israel’s history as a lesson in your own life in your relationship with God? Will you stand firm in your faith as a dedicated watchman? Will you sound the alarm despite who comes up against you as Ezekiel had to do? The Bible says, “’Son of man,’ he said, ‘I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day. They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’  And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them’” (Ezekiel 2:3-5). Being a watchman for the Lord is never easy unlike some ministries would lead the masses to believe. Nevertheless, the Lord expects us all to do our part in helping to usher souls to His kingdom. Rather they listen or not, the Lord just want us to plant the seed. The rest is up to Him. Will you do your part? Something to ponder….

EZEKIEL MOMENT – (30AUG19) ^“The voice said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. ‘Fill your stomach with this,’ he said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth’” (Ezekiel 3:1-3). The Lord gave a scroll for Ezekiel to eat in his vision which symbolized the Word of the Lord going forth through him. To Ezekiel, the Word from the Lord was sweet and would be well received, but to Israel, the Word was bitter. They did not want to hear anything that he had to say from the Lord and rejected the message that was brought forth. The Lord told Ezekiel that He was not sending him to a foreign nation, even though they may have been more receptive to his message, but He was sending him to his own people who should have known better. Therefore, God was going to make him just as unyielding as they were in his message of repentance to them. As long as Ezekiel did what the Lord said, their blood would not be on his hands. But if he failed to do so, he would be responsible for their blood and judged by the Lord. 

There are many Christians who will have the blood of the lost on their hands, and in so doing, will be lost themselves. They believe in the “Once saved always saved” ideology, which is nothing but deception from the enemy. The Bible says, “If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too” (Ezekiel 3:20). The Bible is clear in that if we turn away from the Lord to do wicked and fail to repent, it would be as if we were never saved. If we fail to be a light to others and warn them of sin, we will be responsible for their eternal death. We are our brothers’ keeper and the Lord expects us to live holy lives as well as sound the alarm to others. Therefore, there is no such thing as once saved always saved should you turn away from Christ. We are to always be true disciples of Christ not only in name, but in our lifestyle. This means that everything we do should be with the Lord in mind. There are many unsaved people in the world, and they need to see us as a light in the darkness. Something to ponder….