21˝For this is what the Sover...

21"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments—sword and famine and wild beasts and plague—to kill its men and their animals! - P53

23You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign Lord." - P53

13"Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals,

14even if these three men—Noah, Daniel and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord.

- P52

We see the extent of the people’s unfaithfulness as God reveals to Ezekiel four forms of imminent judgment: a famine, wild animals, war, and disease. - P54

In each situation, the people face the consequences for their unrighteousness. Their sinfulness is so severe that even the presence of righteous men like Noah, Daniel, and Job would not be able to save the country from its demise. - P54

The righteousness of these men is limited, but the righteousness of Jesus is able to save all who believe in Him. - P54

When we turn from sin to follow Christ, we experience the grace and mercy of salvation that is only possible because of His righteousness. May we cherish and proclaim this good news to all! - P54

Dear God, thank you that Your mercy triumphs over judgment. I am grateful for Your grace in sending Your Son as a living sacrifice to pay the penalty of the judgment I deserve. Help me to live in gratitude for this indescribable gift. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P55

The Lord speaks concerning a country that is unfaithful to Him: Even if Noah,
Daniel, and Job lived there, they could only save themselves by their righ-teousness. The Lord promises judgment against the people of Jerusalem.  - P53

Yeta remnant will survive, and their behavior will console Ezekiel Through this,
he will know that the Lord‘s judgments are not without cause. - P53

Jerusalem will face four dreadful judgments-famine, wild animals, war,
and disease-for repeated rebelliousness against the Lord. God‘s peoplehave been given ample opportunity to repent and return to Him, but be-cause they continued in their unfaithfulness, their city will be destroyed.
Despite the disasters ahead,  - P54

God also demonstrates His grace as He administers His judgment. He proclaims that a remnant of His people willsurvive, though they will become exiles in Babylon. This passage reminds usthat God is both just and gracious.  - P54

He executes His justice according to theconduct and actions of His people, but He also extends His grace, offeringa remnant of hope even while the people experience disastrous judgment. - P54

2Then the word of the Lord ca...

2Then the word of the Lord came to me:

3"Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?

- P48

Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry.

5I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’
- P48

6"Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices! - P49

9"‘And if the prophet is enticed to utter a prophecy, I the Lord have enticed that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel.

10They will bear their guilt—the prophet will be as guilty as the one who consults him.

11Then the people of Israel will no longer stray from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people, and I will be their God, declares the

- P49

Some of the elders come to Ezekiel, and the Lord declares that those whoset up idols in their hearts and consult with a prophet will face His judgmentin keeping with their idolatry. The Lord warns that such idolaters and theprophet who is enticed to utter a prophecy will be destroyed, so that Israelwill no longer stray from the Lord. - P49

Some of the elders visit Ezekiel, hoping to hear a word from the Lord. However, God knows that these men have set up idols in their hearts. These idols are wicked stumbling blocks that affect their relationship with Him. When we allow idols to rule our hearts, these stumbling blocks can make it difficult to hear God clearly in our prayers. This does not mean that we should be discouraged from approaching God. - P50

When we humbly repent, acknowledging our sins and idolatry, and turn our hearts back to Him, our loving Father offers us the grace of forgiveness. And we will begin to have more clarity in our prayers as we are renewed and restored in our relationship with Him.
- P50

Although the Israelites have strayed from God and set up idols in theirhearts, they think that they can continue to go to a prophet for guidanceand assurance. But God declares that the Israelites and any prophet whooffers a false prophecy will bear the consequences of their sins.  - P50

We cannotcontinue to do things that we know are wrongour relationship with God. Rather than struggling with sin on our ownand expect to maintainor trying to hide it, God wants us to come to Him, confess our sins, andallow Him to help us overcome our sins through the strength He provides.
- P50

When we finally learn not to stray from Him, we demonstrate that we areHis people and that He is our God.
Wh - P50

"Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consumesin, or sin will choke prayer." -J. C. Ryle - P50

Father, thank you for the grace to come to You and receive Your forgiveness. I confess that I am sometimes tempted to set up idols in my heart. By Your strength, help me not to stray from You. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen. - P51

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2025.8 (영문판)

The Lord tells Ezekiel to speak against the women who prophesy from theirown imagination and deceive the people. They make magic charms andveils, ensnaring people for profit. The Lord condemns their lies and promisesto tear off their veils and save His people from their hands so that they willknow that He is the Lord. - P45

Dear God, thank you that, when I feel unsure about life, You are faithful to offersecurity and strength. May I no longer fall prey to lies but recognize the truth andremain grounded in You. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P47

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2025.8 (영문판)

The Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy against false prophets who followtheir own spirits. They speak peace when there is no peace and spread lies.
The Lord declares that He will bring wind, hailstones, and torrential rains toકરવાને વનછે મમ(એ)*destroy their walls. The false prophets will face judgment: They will not beincluded in Israel‘s assembly, nor will they enter the land. - P41

Dear Lord, You are the truth and the life. Help me to discern the truth and not beswayed by those who are not led by Your Spirit. May I be unafraid to speak the truth inlove, especially to those who are straying from Your path. In Your name I pray, amen. - P43

19Say to the people of the la...

19Say to the people of the land: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there.

20The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’"
- P36

21The word of the Lord came to me:

22"Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’?

23Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.

- P37

25But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.’" - P37

28"Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’" - P37

The Lord instructs Ezekiel to eat and drink with fear to depict the anxietyand desolation coming to Jerusalem soon. The Lord rebukes a false proverbby declaring that every vision will soon be fulfilled.  - P37

The Israelites think thatEzekiel‘s vision is for the distant future, but God warns them that His wordswill not be delayed any longer. - P37

God tells Ezekiel to tremble and shudder as he eats and drinks to represent prophetically what the Israelites will experience. All of the people will eat their food and drink their water with anxiety and despair because violence is coming, and the land will be stripped of everything in it. - P38

With this judgment, the Israelites will finally recognize that God is truly Lord over all. Sometimes we may forget that God is the Lord of all creation. - P38

Many of us are blessed with enough to eat and drink, and we experience the grace of salvation because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. May we never take any of this for granted but have an even greater appreciation of it all, offering praise to our all-knowing and all-powerful God, who loves us and provides for us. - P68

Heavenly Father, I praise You, for You are Lord over all of creation. I am grateful for Your provision and the grace of salvation. May I never take these for granted but remain humble and thankful to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P39

Some in Israel claim to have visions or practice divinations but these arenot from God. Instead of declaring the truth, they spout flattery and false-hood. With the fulfillment of the prophetic declaration from Ezekiel, therebellious people will realize the sovereignty of God.  - P38

Some assume that itwill be a long time before the prophecy will be fulfilled, but the Lord speaksthrough Ezekiel, declaring that His judgment will no longer be delayed.
The people will soon experience the vision that Ezekiel proclaimed, andthey will be exiled from the land. This passage encourages us to exercisediscernment. If the message we hear carries flattery and arrogance ratherthan words that align with Scripture, then such a message does not reflectGod‘s truth. - P38