Good day Believers in Christ. You are all welcome to another new day. We thank God for the gift of life.
In our today’s episode 557 of studying and understanding the Bible, we shall be looking into the book of Ezekiel Chapter 20 titled:
Israel’s History Of Disobedience Versus God’s Mercy.
Prophet Ezekiel received this message after spending 7 years already in exile. During this time, some leaders of Israel came to him asking for God’s will about their situation. The same way some elders also came to him in chapter 14. This shows they recognized Ezekiel as a true prophet, but their problem is their lack of interest in obeying God.
As usual, they were always fond of remembering God exists whenever they were faced with challenges. Their relationship with God was simply transactional – consulting God only when they needed help. This is also the habit of many people nowadays. They only remember God whenever they need solutions and miracles. This is why anywhere you see people testifying of miracles, whether genuine or fake, you will see people trooping there.
The same thing happened in Jesus’ time, after feeding the 5000 hungry souls with that miraculous five loaves and two fishes, people started looking for Jesus. He chastised them anyways. He said “…you are looking for me because you ate the bread and had all you wanted, not because you understood why I perform all these miracles…” You will see more details in John 6:26-27 (GNT)
In order words, they needed only the miracles but not the miracle giver.
So, Ezekiel gave them a severe reprimand on their wickedness and hypocrisy, the same way he did in chapter 14.
As a matter of fact, he took them through another history course, explaining how the attitude of disobeying God started with their forefathers right from the period they were in captivity in Egypt and how God brought them out for His name sake.
He said God showed their forefathers mercy even while they were still filled with wickedness and sinful habit. God did this for His name sake not minding their evil habit.
This is what Apostle Paul wrote about in his letter to the Romans chapter 5:8-9
But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!
9 And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God.
10 So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!
11 And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living reconciled to God—all because of Jesus Christ!
Good News Translations
When you ponder over this Good News, it will help you appreciate the Love of God more and appropriate His work of redemption in your life, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Praise God!
To be continued…stay tuned and stay blessed.
Let us pray:
- Some people are reading this piece right now and you have been wondering about what you were born to do on this earth. It got to a point where you have been thinking if you are on the right or wrong path. Listen please! I want to pray with you this morning that the Lord God will open your eyes to see into that particular vocation/calling you were born to achieve on earth and you will not miss it, in Jesus name.
- I declare, receive the capacity to recognize opportunities whenever they show up. Receive the capacity to leverage on the resources and provisions around you to perfect your calling and purpose on earth, in Jesus name.
- You will make positive marks and footprints on this world that many lives will be blessed through you, in Jesus name.
Bible Readings For Today: Jeremiah Chapters 28, 29 & 30 with Isaiah Chapter 20
I call you blessed now and always.
Tuesday October 6, 2020 (DDMI)
