Years ago, I learned a song when I was a teenager in youth group, and I found it very catchy and fun, but I had no idea what it meant. “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me, makes the lame to walk and the blind to see, opens prison doors, sets theContinue reading “God’s heart for human flourishing (or Why God cares about social justice) – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 5”
Tag Archives: vision
3 pitfalls of Evangelical Christian worship – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 4
In this week’s study of Ezekiel 45-48, we have been following a map to God’s heart. We now study chapter 46 which includes more detail about Israel’s sacrificial system. What do we learn in chapter 46 about God’s heart? The sacrificial system teaches us that God desires worship that is gathered, consistent, and orderly. InContinue reading “3 pitfalls of Evangelical Christian worship – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 4”
God’s heart for worship: participation and…atonement? – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 3
As we continue seeking for descriptions of God’s heart in Ezekiel 45-48, we notice that the next section, Ezekiel chapter 45, verses 13-25 is a retelling of the Jewish sacrificial system. What would that show us about God’s heart? That God wants us to sacrifice animals at a temple? No. Remember that famous saying ofContinue reading “God’s heart for worship: participation and…atonement? – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 3”
God’s heart to stop oppression – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 2
This week as we study Ezekiel 45-48, we are following these chapters as a map to God’s heart. In Ezekiel 45, verses 8-12, we see God’s heart very clearly in another way. Notice verse 8 where we read God say that the princes must not oppress the people. Who were the princes? God is referringContinue reading “God’s heart to stop oppression – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 2”
How not to be holy – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 1
There’s a spot on the Conestoga River near my home where a tree leans way out over the river. Someone attached wooden steps on the tree, so you can climb out on the trunk, over the river. They also attached a rope to the tree. One end of the rope is tied to the tree,Continue reading “How not to be holy – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 1”
God has plans for his dream house – Ezekiel 40-44, Part 2
There have been a few times when the hand of God transports Ezekiel in some kind of vision. In chapter 1, he saw the flaming lighting throne chariot of God. In chapter 8, God took him to Jerusalem to the temple to see the ways the people of Jerusalem were defaming the temple. In chapterContinue reading “God has plans for his dream house – Ezekiel 40-44, Part 2”
What is the difference between a relationship with God and a building where people worship God? – Ezekiel 40-44, Part 1
Over the years, as I’ve talked with numerous people about their relationship with God, what often comes up is church. If the person feels a distance from God, they often begin to talk about attendance at worship service. A phrase they share is “Yeah, I want to get back to church.” Of if a personContinue reading “What is the difference between a relationship with God and a building where people worship God? – Ezekiel 40-44, Part 1”
The filling of the Spirit – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 4
Nearly 600 years after the time of Ezekiel, Jesus taught his disciples about the soon-coming Spirit of God. In John 14, after telling his disciples that he was going to leave them, he promised that God would send another counselor to be with them, the Spirit of truth. Jesus said in John 14:17 that thoughContinue reading “The filling of the Spirit – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 4”
The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3
What does Ezekiel’s Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones mean? God explains it to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37, verses 11-14. How about that? The entire vision is symbolic. Ezekiel wasn’t at the scene of battle from years earlier. The vision of the valley of dry bones, God says, symbolizes the people of Israel, whoContinue reading “The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3”
My nephews and the skeleton – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Preview
A couple years ago my extended family went on vacation together to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. My immediate family arrived a day after the rest. After getting settled in, I was playing wiffleball with my nephews in the yard when a foul ball meandered its way through an opening under a porch. WeContinue reading “My nephews and the skeleton – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Preview”
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