Topic: A RIGHTFUL KING SHALL TAKE HIS THRONE
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 21:18-32
TOPIC: CLAP YOUR HANDS, BEAT YOUR BREAST Ezekiel 21:1-17
18 The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying,
19 Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.
20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.
21 For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
22 At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.
23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,
26 Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.
28 And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord God concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering:
29 Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.
30 Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.
31 And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy.
32 Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no more remembered: for I the Lord have spoken it. Daily Bible study
God will judge all corrupt leaders Ezekiel 21:18-32
God makes it clear that Jerusalem will be destroyed by the king of Babylon (v.19). The people of Jerusalem will be punished just like the Ammonites (a heathen nation). There is no favouritism with God. We should not take God’s favours for granted. If we presume that because we are covenant people we can live anyhow, we will find ourselves to blame. Note that the fortification of Jerusalem will not be able to stop the army of Babylon (v.20). Using a heathen nation to execute His judgment on His chosen people shows that God can use anyone to carry out his purpose. Read verse 24-27 again. This should be a strong warning to all leaders today, especially corrupt leaders in Africa who neither have regard for God nor the wellbeing of their people. God will judge all corrupt leaders like the corrupt and wicked prince of Israel (believed to be King Zedekiah) if they do not repentant. However, God has promised us a perfect leader to whom the kingdom rightfully belongs – Christ Jesus our Lord (v.27; Genesis 49:10; Luke 1:32).
READ: GOD WILL NOT GIVE UP ON US Ezekiel 20:33-49
Missions: SLOVENIA-A long history of Catholic tradition is under threat. The three main Christian groups (Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran) are lacking in spiritual vitality. They are rapidly declining into irrelevance while agnosticism, New Age and different forms of Eastern religious beliefs are increasing, as is general spiritual apathy. Pray for an awakening in the mainline churches that draws the many nominal Christians into personal faith in Christ.
Prayer: Bless Africa with leaders who fear you and serve their countries well and help me to model godly leadership in my own small way.
Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 21-23
Key Verse: because you have done this, you will be taken captive. (Eze 21:24)
God will judge all corrupt leaders Ezekiel 21:18-32
