4˝Will you judge them? Will y...

4"Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their ancestors

5and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore with uplifted hand to the descendants of Jacob and revealed myself to them in Egypt. With uplifted hand I said to them, "I am the Lord your God."

- P104

6On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.

7And I said to them, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

8"‘But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt.

9But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.

- P105

Some of the elders come to inquire of the Lord, but He refuses to be consultedby them. The Lord tells Ezekiel to remind them of their ancestors rebellion inEgypt: Though the Lord had been ready to pour out His wrath on them, Hehad not for the sake of His name. He had brought them out of Egypt to keepHis name from being profaned among the nations. - P105

Some of the elders come and sit before Ezekiel hoping to inquire of the Lord. However, God makes clear that He will not provide the information that the leaders are looking for. Instead of answering as they want, God tells them what they need to hear. We all want our own questions answered. - P106

We may ask because we are uncertain about something and uncertainties scare us. Other times, we ask to hear what we want to hear because we want the truth to align with our desires. However, we should not let ourselves be consumed by uncertainties or self-deception. Let us accept God’s Word over our lives even when it may not be exactly what we want to hear. - P106

Instead of answering any questions the elders might have, Ezekiel is in-structed to confront the people for their sins. God reminds them of theirhistory in Egypt. Although His people repeatedly violated the covenant anddefiled themselves by holding onto idols, God honored His covenant andwas faithful to save them from slavery and bring them to a beautiful landflowing with milk and honey. He was committed to them because of theircovenant relationship.  - P106

We should never take the faithfulness of God forgranted. May we be quick to repent when we sin or rebel against God. Letus be grateful for the redemption made possible by Jesus Christ and remainfully committed to Him. - P106

Dear Lord, You are so faithful to me. Thank you for freeing me from the slavery of sin. May I respond continually with equal fervency to the great love and commitment You have for me. In Your name I pray, amen. - P107

4The nations heard about him,...

4The nations heard about him, and he was trapped in their pit. They led him with hooks to the land of Egypt.

5"‘When she saw her hope unfulfilled, her expectation gone, she took another of her cubs and made him a strong lion.

- P100

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. - P101

12But it was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel, it was stripped of its fruit; its strong branches withered and fire consumed them.

13Now it is planted in the desert, in a dry and thirsty land.

14Fire spread from one of its main branches and consumed its fruit. No strong branch is left on it fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ "This is a lament and is to be used as a lament."

- P101

God commands Ezekiel to take up a lament for the princes of Israel. He com-pares them to lion cubs taken into captivity and to a fruitful vine uprootedin fury and thrown to the ground. The vine is now planted in the wildernessand fire consumes its fruit. No branch is left on it that is strong enough to bea ruler‘s scepter. - P101

This lament mourns two leaders. The allegorical poem first describes a lion cub symbolizing King Jehoahaz, who is taken away to Egypt. The second cub, King Jehoiachin, is similarly taken by Babylon, another foreign power. The lament over the capture of the two leaders reflects the fallen state of God’s people. In our own churches and nations, let us be attentive to the spiritual state of our leaders. - P102

We can lament over the ones who have failed in their roles, but we can also support and pray for our leaders, including those who continue to work diligently for God’s kingdom. We can encourage them in their relationship with Jesus, who provides the perfect model of humble and servant-hearted leadership - P102

God‘s people once flourished like a vine planted in fertile ground. Theywere powerful and mighty, blessed with strength and fruitfulness. The peo-ple enjoyed God‘s favor until they began to disobey Him. Then, they be-came like a vine that is uprooted and shriveled, devoid of any fruit. Insteadof being in lush and fertile land, they are uprooted to a dry and thirsty des-ert, no longer reflecting the strength of the Lord. We can see the situationwith Judah as a warning.  - P102

We should work out our salvation with fear andtrembling, knowing that sin and disobedience have negative repercussionson our families, churches, and communities. Let us remain fruitful andstrong, listening to God and following His Word. - P102

Heavenly Father, You call me to turn from sinful ways and remain focused on You. Selfishness leads to emptiness and death, but Your way leads to eternal life. Guide me in my path and keep my heart and spirit strong and fruitful in You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P103

When we assess each season of our life, we should be careful not to assumetoo much based on the passing situations of that season. In challengingtimes, we can overcome temptations as we remember that this momentis fleeting and not representative of the eternal life that God has given us.
- P103

We pass through seasons of grief and enjoy seasons of happiness, knowingthatstrong, not because of what is happening in that temporaryseason, but because we are rooted in the eternal strength of Christ.
remainwe - P103

21˝But if a wicked person tur...

21"But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.

22None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.

- P96

30"Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.

31Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?

32For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

- P97

The Lord declares that if a wicked person turns from sin and does what is right,
they will live. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but is pleasedwhen they repent. However, if a righteous person turns from righteousnessto sin, they will die. The Lord urges Israel to repent and get a new heart andspirit so that they will live. - P97

We see the justice and mercy of God toward the righteous who becomeunrighteous and the unrighteous who become righteous. This can be sur-prising since we may believe that the wicked remain wicked and the goodcontinue to be good. However, God indicates that He judges His peopleby their actions. He is pleased when the wicked turn away from their evilways, but the righteous face severe consequences when they sin and do thesame detestable things that the wicked have done.  - P98

Some Christians todaymay affirm God with their lips but deny Him in their actions. May we notlive falsely but enter into real relationship with God, turning away fromour sins and seeking Him with a new heart and spirit. After all, our worksshould stem from the Holy Spirit who is at work in us. - P98

Dear Jesus, thank you for carrying our sins on the cross. Help us to turn awayfrom our sins and follow You as we receive the new heart and spirit You giveus. In Your name, amen. - P99

4For everyone belongs to me, ...

4For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

5"Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right.

- P87

6He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.

7He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.

8He does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from them. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties.

9He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.

- P89

17He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live.

18But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

19"Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live.

20The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

- P91

The Lord rejects the Israelites‘ saying that children are to be punished fortheir parents‘ sins. He declares that every person is accountable for their ownactions.  - P89

A righteous person will live, and the person who sins will die. Childrenare not punished for their parents‘ sins as long as they do what is right. - P89

The people of Judah quote a proverb to justify their sense of victimhood, suggesting that they suffer because of the sins of their forefathers. This mindset reflects an attempt to shift blame and avoid personal responsibility. However, through Ezekiel, God corrects this thinking by declaring that every soul belongs to Him, and each person is accountable for their own actions. When people blame others—including previous generations—they adopt a fatalistic attitude and reject the opportunity to repent and change. - P92

God’s justice is fair, and He judges each person individually. This truth is freeing because it means our choices matter, and we are not doomed by our past or lineage. We are invited to respond to God personally and directly. - P92

The prophet presents a three-generational example: a righteous man, awicked son, and a righteous grandson. This case study illustrates that eachperson is held accountable before God based on their own actions. Righ-teousness or wickedness is not inherited; it is lived out. This challenges thefalse belief that we are better or more deserving than those who come beforeus.  - P92

It also confronts the tendency to blame our background or culture forour failings. God does not judge us collectively by family or generationallines but deals with us individually. This passage is an invitation to soberself-reflection. We should take personal responsibility for our choices andoffer true repentance for our sins, turning to God for His mercy.
- P92

Righteous Father, thank you for Your justice and mercy. Help me to take responsibility for my own actions and not hide behind excuses or blame. - P92

Teach me to walk humbly, repent sincerely, and trust in Your grace to transform my life. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P92

18He despised the oath by bre...

18He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Because he had given his hand in pledge and yet did all these things, he shall not escape.

- P84

19"‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will repay him for despising my oath and breaking my covenant.

20I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there because he was unfaithful to me.

- P85

23On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.

24All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. "‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’"

- P85

The Lord explains the parable. The king of Babylon carried off Jerusalem‘srulers. Thus, the kingdom was brought low. But the king of Israel rebelledand sent envoys to Egypt. The Lord declares judgment on the disloyal kingbut promises to plant a sprig atop a high mountain where it will grow into asplendid cedar, bearing fruit and offering shade to many birds. - P85

Under the leadership of Zedekiah, Jerusalem could have been preserved. However, Zedekiah breaks the treaty with Babylon by turning to Egypt for help. In doing so, he is rebelling not only against Babylon but also against God, who has entrusted the city to him. Zedekiah’s rebellion leads to Jerusalem’s destruction, as even the mighty army of Egypt is unable to save the city. - P86

Faithfulness during difficult seasons can be a challenge but placing all of our trust in someone other than God can lead to even worse conditions. We may think that we are solving the problem, but we are actually rebelling against God. - P86

Let us continue to be faithful and trust in Him, even when the way forward seems challenging or unclear. - P86

In contrast to the earlier warnings of judgment, God now speaks a promiseof restoration. He declares that He will plant a tender sprig, a symbol ofrenewed hope and new beginnings. From what was broken and cut down,
God will bring forth flourishing life. The sprig is promised to grow into asplendid tree that bears fruit and provides shelter for birds. The imageryreflects God‘s sovereignty and grace.  - P86

He offers restoration, not because Hispeople deserve it, but because of His great love. We are reminded that noone is beyond His reach. God can redeem the most hopeless of situations.
- P86

Even when we fall, God is able and willing to restore. His ways are higherthan ours, and His grace greater than our failures. - P86

There may be times when we endure hardships that cause us to seek relieffrom wherever we can. We may not be facing the kind of judgment thatEzekiel prophesied, but the challenges we are experiencing feel so relentlessand burdensome that we become overwhelmed and despondent. We beginto question whether it is even possible to have any hope.  - P87

However, it is important to remember that we have a God who is with us in our sufferings.
He is our hope As Christians, there is always hope in our lives because wehave Christ Jesus, who showed us that He is not distant from our sufferings.
He humbled Himself, willingly accepting suffering and the punishmentthat we deserved so that He could atone for our sins.  - P87

Because of His sufferLing, we have the gift of new life in Him. We never have to remain in despairbecause we can always look to God Himself who is our living hope. - P87

Lord, I confess that faithfulness is sometimes difficult, especially when the path is uncomfortable or unclear. Strengthen my heart to trust You in challenging seasons. - P87

Help me to submit to Your leading and resist the temptation to try to solve my problems without You. In Your name I pray, amen. - P87