The Family Bible Journey Podcast

This legendary chapter of Ezekiel is more than a prophetic vision of the restoration of the nation of Israel. This is God showing the prophet that He will physically raise all from the dead. In redeemed bodies, God's people will enjoy the blessings of life in His presence forevermore.

In the sinful world we live in, we are taught that "freedom" is the ability to do whatever we want. No. That is confusion that leads to hurt. Instead, we who know God's love and wisdom understand that God orders His universe to work in certain ways. Only then we love and respect each other, and serve sacrificially as Christ has, do we begin to know true freedom.

God promises to give us a new heart and spirit. Indeed, it is His own Holy Spirit that cleanses our hearts and purifies our minds. Cleansed by the blood of Christ, and renewed by His Spirit, we follow the Lord in faith.

We hear echoes of Psalm 23 and John 10, where Jesus identifies Himself as, "the Good Shepherd." Israel's shepherds seemed concerned about anything and everything but caring for their flock. When Christ came, He came as the good and perfect Shepherd, who loved His sheep with an unconditional and undying love.

John writes as an old man who has one motivation: that He see His spiritual children in heaven! So we listen to him as a pure voice with no motive other than our blessing and benefit. How refreshing it is to hear from someone who only ever has our best interest at heart.

Ezekiel is called to be the Watchman for Israel. Heeding his call, we want to watch out for others. If we see someone harming themselves, but don't warn them, we may be held liable for the hurt we could've prevented, had we warned the sinner to turn from their way.

Egypt is warned that her pride caused her downfall. We learn from the failures of others, to watch ourselves, lest we be built up in pride. The proud will be humbled in the end, but the humble will be exalted in the God of their salvation!

John wrote his gospel and epistles as an elderly man, who likely had read the letters and accounts of the other apostles. Maybe this is why his gospel and epistles are so different from the others. He wrote as an old man, filling in the blanks for us, and anchoring our hope in the eternal love of God revealed clearly in Christ Jesus.

So much striving and conflict in the world is futile! The only side that ever wins is the side that God is on. This passage encourages us to look at the world as God does. Follow where He leads. Fight the good fight of faith, knowing that His side will be victorious.

Here we hear a prophetic vision of the fall of satan! Few are the passages that tell us much about him. All we need to know is that he is the father pride, sin, lies and death. He was cast out of heaven for his abominable pride. May we not go his way.