Does it sometimes seem like God is unfair? Over the years in my role as pastor, when people lose a loved one, they often not only ask “Why did they have to die?”, but also, “Why did God do this?” They will even ask why God took their loved one if that loved one isContinue reading “Did God kill Ezekiel’s wife? – Ezekiel 24, Part 4”
Tag Archives: ezekiel
God’s sexual ethics – Ezekiel 24, Part 3
What is sexually appropriate? There are lots of opinions about the answer to that question. Is there an unbiased outside perspective that can help us answer this question? Those of a Judeo-Christian way of thinking point to the Hebrew and Christian Bible as the authoritative source of understanding God’s heart on the issue. Of course,Continue reading “God’s sexual ethics – Ezekiel 24, Part 3”
The Parable of the Cooking Pot and the abortion debate – Ezekiel 24, Part 2
In recent weeks, the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice debate has once again made national news in the USA. The state of Texas recently passed laws restricting abortion, and the US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments about a case, leading some pundits to suggest that the court could topple Roe v Wade. The country hasContinue reading “The Parable of the Cooking Pot and the abortion debate – Ezekiel 24, Part 2”
When “Just trust in the Lord” is easier said than done – Ezekiel 24, Part 1
Have you ever had one of those moments when you prayed, “Lord, what is going on with my life?” Have you ever had a moment when it seems like things are going off the rails, and you know the classic bible verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” but you think, “Easier saidContinue reading “When “Just trust in the Lord” is easier said than done – Ezekiel 24, Part 1″
When God asks you to trust him and it is too difficult – Ezekiel 24, Preview
Do the people in your family trust that God’s way is the best way for people to live? What about your neighbors? Do you friends and co-workers believe that Jesus actually lived the best possible life? Do they think to themselves, “Jesus is amazing! I want to learn from him how to live!”? What weContinue reading “When God asks you to trust him and it is too difficult – Ezekiel 24, Preview”
When we ignore social justice, we ignore Jesus – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 5
Anytime injustice is present in a society, it breaks God’s heart. As we learned in the previous post, injustice was quite prevalent in Israel. The people of Jerusalem had rebelled against God, some committing injustice, others ignoring the ones who committed it. To illustrate this awful rebellion, God has one more very intense story toContinue reading “When we ignore social justice, we ignore Jesus – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 5”
When God looks for one person to practice social justice, and he finds none – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 4
Preaching the content of the Gospel vs. Doing the deeds of the Gospel…which is more important? In the first post, I tried to argue that we need both. The deeds of the Gospel are many, and one important area is social justice. Some Christians teach that social justice is not necessary for the Gospel. IContinue reading “When God looks for one person to practice social justice, and he finds none – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 4”
How false worship and social injustice grieve God – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 3
As we continue studying Ezekiel 21-23, God asks Ezekiel to perform another skit to dramatize the invasion of Israel by foreign armies. Look at Ezekiel 21, verses 18-23. Ezekiel is to make what was probably marks in the dirt in front of his house, illustrating two roads. Much like children would do with their toysContinue reading “How false worship and social injustice grieve God – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 3”
The Parables of the Forest Fire and Sword – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 2
When we left Ezekiel in the previous post, he was staring again. The Prophetic Stare is when God asks Ezekiel to “set his gaze” against something. Remember that Ezekiel’s Prophetic Stare has no power; it is a symbolic gesture that shines the light of God’s truth on something. This time, as we read in EzekielContinue reading “The Parables of the Forest Fire and Sword – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 2”
Gospel and Social Justice…is it one or the other? – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 1
When my wife Michelle was running Imagine Goods, she made about 30 trips to Cambodia, primarily to work with women who were survivors of trafficking, helping them have employment as seamstresses, thus lifting them out of the precarious economic and cultural situation that initially made them vulnerable to being trafficked. Every now and then whenContinue reading “Gospel and Social Justice…is it one or the other? – Ezekiel 21-23, Part 1”
Engaging Scripture 