Category Archives: Justice / Judgment

All Powerful / King of All, Justice / Judgment, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms

God of Justice: Trusting in the Righteous Judge (Psalm 94)

In a world filled with injustice and wrongdoing, where do we find hope?

Psalm 94 reminds us that God is the righteous judge who sees all, defends the oppressed, and will ultimately bring justice to the earth.

Key Verse: “For the Lord will not forsake His people; He will not abandon His heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.” – Psalm 94:14-15 (ESV)

Background Context: Psalm 94 is a prayer and a declaration of trust in God’s justice. The psalmist cries out against the wickedness and oppression that seem to go unpunished and calls on God to rise up and judge the earth. The psalm contrasts the arrogance of the wicked with the steadfastness of God, who is a refuge for the righteous. It reassures believers that, although injustice may prevail for a time, God will not forsake His people and will bring about justice in His perfect timing.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Psalm 94

The LORD Implored to Avenge His People.

     1O LORD, God of vengeance,
God of vengeance, shine forth!

      2Rise up, O Judge of the earth,
Render recompense to the proud.

      3How long shall the wicked, O LORD,
How long shall the wicked exult?

      4They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly;
All who do wickedness vaunt themselves.

      5They crush Your people, O LORD,
And afflict Your heritage.

      6They slay the widow and the stranger
And murder the orphans.

      7They have said, “The LORD does not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob pay heed.”

      8Pay heed, you senseless among the people;
And when will you understand, stupid ones?

      9He who planted the ear, does He not hear?
He who formed the eye, does He not see?

      10He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke,
Even He who teaches man knowledge?

      11The LORD knows the thoughts of man,
That they are a mere breath.

      12Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD,
And whom You teach out of Your law;

      13That You may grant him relief from the days of adversity,
Until a pit is dug for the wicked.

      14For the LORD will not abandon His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

      15For judgment will again be righteous,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.

      16Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?

      17If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.

      18If I should say, “My foot has slipped,”
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.

      19When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.

      20Can a throne of destruction be allied with You,
One which devises mischief by decree?

      21They band themselves together against the life of the righteous
And condemn the innocent to death.

      22But the LORD has been my stronghold,
And my God the rock of my refuge.

      23He has brought back their wickedness upon them
And will destroy them in their evil;
The LORD our God will destroy them.

Reflection on Psalm 94:

  • A Cry for Justice: The psalmist begins with a passionate plea for God to act against the wicked, who oppress the innocent and boast in their wrongdoing (Psalm 94:1-7). This cry resonates with anyone who has witnessed or experienced injustice. The psalmist’s words remind us that it is not wrong to cry out to God in the face of injustice. We can bring our concerns to Him, knowing that He hears and sees all.
  • The Arrogance of the Wicked: The psalm describes the wicked as arrogant and boastful, believing that God does not see or care about their actions (Psalm 94:7). This attitude reflects a common misconception—that because justice is delayed, it will not come. However, the psalmist reminds us that God sees everything, and He will hold the wicked accountable for their actions.
  • God’s Response to Injustice: The psalmist confidently declares that God is the righteous judge who disciplines nations and teaches wisdom (Psalm 94:8-11). God is not indifferent to injustice; He is actively involved in the world, and His understanding is infinite. The psalmist assures us that God will bring justice in His time, and the wicked will not escape His judgment.
  • God as a Refuge: In the midst of the psalmist’s lament, there is a beautiful affirmation of trust in God’s protection and care for His people (Psalm 94:12-15). God is a refuge for the oppressed, and He will not abandon His people. This is a source of great comfort, especially when it seems like the wicked are prevailing. The psalmist reminds us that God’s discipline is a sign of His love, and His justice will ultimately be restored.
  • The Assurance of God’s Judgment: The psalm concludes with a powerful declaration of God’s justice and the downfall of the wicked (Psalm 94:16-23). The psalmist affirms that God will rise up against evildoers and repay them for their deeds. This assurance of divine justice is a reminder that we can trust God to make all things right, even when we do not see immediate results.

Summary Key Points:

  • Cry Out for Justice: It is right and good to bring our cries for justice before God, trusting that He hears and sees the oppression in the world.
  • God Sees and Knows: The arrogance of the wicked, who believe they can act without consequence, is contrasted with the truth that God sees all and will hold them accountable.
  • God as Righteous Judge: God is actively involved in bringing justice to the world. He disciplines and teaches wisdom, and His understanding is perfect.
  • God as Refuge: In the face of injustice, God is a refuge and protector for His people. He will not abandon us, and His justice will prevail.
  • Assurance of God’s Justice: We can trust that God will bring about justice in His time, and the wicked will not escape His judgment.

Application: Reflect on areas of your life or the world where you see injustice. Have you brought these concerns before God, trusting Him to act as the righteous judge? Consider how the assurance of God’s justice impacts your response to the wrongs you see around you. Instead of becoming discouraged, take refuge in God’s protection and trust that He will bring about justice in His perfect timing. Pray for the strength to continue pursuing righteousness and justice, knowing that God is with you.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You, recognizing the injustice and oppression in the world around us. We cry out to You, the righteous judge, asking that You bring justice to the earth. Help us to trust in Your perfect timing and to take refuge in Your protection. Remind us that You see all and that no evil will go unpunished. Strengthen our faith as we wait for Your justice to be revealed, and guide us in our pursuit of righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Eternal, Faith / Trusting God, Father / Yahweh, Government, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Justice / Judgment, Purposeful / Intentional, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant, Visions, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Ancient of Days: Finding Hope in God’s Eternal Kingdom (Daniel 7)

In a world where kingdoms rise and fall, where chaos and uncertainty seem to reign, where do we find lasting hope?

Daniel 7 reveals a vision of God’s eternal kingdom, where the Ancient of Days reigns supreme and where His people find their ultimate hope and security.

Key Verse: “I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire.” – Daniel 7:9 (NASB)

Background Context: Daniel 7 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Daniel, shifting from historical narratives to apocalyptic visions that reveal God’s ultimate plan for history. Daniel sees a vision of four great beasts, each representing different kingdoms that will rise and fall. But the vision climaxes with the appearance of the Ancient of Days, God Himself, who judges the beasts and establishes His eternal kingdom. This chapter is filled with rich imagery and profound truths about God’s sovereignty, the fleeting nature of earthly powers, and the hope of God’s unending reign.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Daniel 7

Vision of the Four Beasts

      1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. 2Daniel said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3“And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. 4“The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it. 5“And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat!’ 6“After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. 7“After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8“While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts.

The Ancient of Days Reigns

9“I kept looking
Until thrones were set up,
And the Ancient of Days took His seat;
His vesture was like white snow
And the hair of His head like pure wool.
His throne was ablaze with flames,
Its wheels were a burning fire.

      10“A river of fire was flowing
And coming out from before Him;
Thousands upon thousands were attending Him,
And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;
The court sat,
And the books were opened.

11“Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. 12“As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time.

The Son of Man Presented

13“I kept looking in the night visions,
And behold, with the clouds of heaven
One like a Son of Man was coming,
And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him.

      14“And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.

The Vision Interpreted

      15“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. 16“I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18‘But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.’

      19“Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21“I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them 22until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.

      23“Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. 24‘As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. 25‘He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26‘But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. 27‘Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’

      28“At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

Reflection on Daniel 7:

  • The Vision of the Four Beasts: The chapter begins with Daniel’s vision of four great beasts emerging from the sea, each more terrifying than the last (Daniel 7:2-7). These beasts represent the kingdoms of the world, characterized by violence, power, and rebellion against God. They symbolize the temporary and often brutal nature of human empires, which rise in pride and fall in defeat. This reminds us that no earthly power, no matter how strong or enduring it seems, can stand forever.
  • The Ancient of Days: In contrast to the chaos of the beasts, Daniel sees the Ancient of Days take His seat on the throne (Daniel 7:9-10). The Ancient of Days is a majestic figure, representing God’s eternal and unchanging nature. His white garments and hair symbolize purity and holiness, while His fiery throne represents judgment and authority. This image of God seated on the throne reassures us that, despite the tumult of earthly kingdoms, God remains in control, sovereign over all history.
  • The Son of Man: As the vision continues, Daniel sees “one like a son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven, who is given authority, glory, and an everlasting dominion (Daniel 7:13-14). This “Son of Man” is a messianic figure, later revealed as Jesus Christ, who will reign forever in God’s eternal kingdom. His kingdom will never be destroyed, offering hope to all who trust in Him. This reminds us that Jesus is not only a suffering servant but also a victorious king who will establish God’s perfect rule on earth.
  • The Judgment of the Beasts: The vision culminates in the judgment of the fourth beast, which is destroyed and its power taken away (Daniel 7:11-12). The other beasts lose their dominion, but their lives are prolonged for a time. This judgment emphasizes that while earthly powers may seem dominant, their time is limited, and they will ultimately be held accountable before God.
  • The Saints’ Inheritance: The vision ends with the saints of the Most High receiving the kingdom and possessing it forever (Daniel 7:18, 27). This is a promise to God’s people that, despite persecution and suffering, they will share in Christ’s eternal reign. The hope of inheriting God’s kingdom gives us strength to endure trials and remain faithful, knowing that our ultimate victory is secure in Christ.

Summary Key Points:

  • The Temporary Nature of Earthly Powers: The vision of the four beasts reminds us that earthly kingdoms and powers are temporary, no matter how mighty they seem.
  • God’s Sovereignty: The Ancient of Days, seated on His throne, symbolizes God’s eternal reign and sovereign control over all history.
  • The Coming of the Son of Man: The “Son of Man” is a messianic figure, later revealed as Jesus, who will establish an everlasting kingdom where righteousness and justice prevail.
  • Judgment and Justice: The beasts are judged, showing that all earthly powers will ultimately be held accountable before God.
  • The Saints’ Inheritance: God’s people are promised a share in His eternal kingdom, giving us hope and strength to persevere through trials.

Application: In the midst of life’s uncertainties, where do you place your hope? Reflect on the temporary nature of earthly powers and the eternal reign of God. Are there areas in your life where you need to trust more fully in God’s sovereignty? Consider how the promise of God’s eternal kingdom can give you strength and hope to endure challenges and remain faithful. Let the vision of the Ancient of Days and the coming of the Son of Man inspire you to live with a kingdom perspective, knowing that God’s reign is eternal and unshakable.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the vision of Your eternal kingdom revealed in Daniel 7. Help us to trust in Your sovereignty, even when the world around us seems chaotic and uncertain. Strengthen our faith in the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, who will establish a kingdom that will never end. May this hope sustain us through trials and give us courage to stand firm in our faith. We look forward to the day when Your kingdom is fully established and we share in its glory forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassion, Faith / Trusting God, Humility, Intgegrity / Honesty, Justice / Judgment, Proverbs (Wisdom & Folly), Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Walking in Integrity: The Blessings of Righteousness (Proverbs 28)

Have you ever noticed the peace that comes from living with integrity, even when no one is watching?

Proverbs 28 provides us with wisdom on the blessings of righteousness and the consequences of choosing a path of dishonesty.

Key Verse: “Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.” – Proverbs 28:18 (ESV)

Background Context: Proverbs 28 offers a series of contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, highlighting the outcomes of both lifestyles. The proverbs emphasize the importance of integrity, justice, and humility while warning of the dangers of greed, pride, and rebellion. These timeless principles encourage us to choose the path of righteousness, trusting in God’s protection and provision.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Proverbs 28

Warnings and Instructions

1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2By the transgression of a land many are its princes,
But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

3A poor man who oppresses the lowly
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law strive with them.

5Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all things.

6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked though he be rich.

7He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.

8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

9He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.

10He who leads the upright astray in an evil way
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.

11The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

14How blessed is the man who fears always,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood
Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

18He who walks blamelessly will be delivered,
But he who is crooked will fall all at once.

19He who tills his land will have plenty of food,
But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.

20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

21To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth
And does not know that want will come upon him.

23He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “It is not a transgression,”
Is the companion of a man who destroys.

25An arrogant man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

27He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

Reflection on Proverbs 28:

  • Walking in Integrity: One of the key themes in Proverbs 28 is the blessing that comes from living with integrity. Verse 1 contrasts the boldness of the righteous with the fear of the wicked, noting that “the righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). This boldness stems from a clear conscience, rooted in honesty and a life aligned with God’s principles.
  • Consequences of Dishonesty: In contrast, those who live in deceit and rebellion are described as people who bring instability to their lives and the lives of those around them. The crooked ways of the dishonest will ultimately lead to their downfall (Proverbs 28:18). The path of dishonesty may seem advantageous in the short term, but it is unsustainable and destructive in the long run.
  • Justice and Compassion: Proverbs 28 also highlights the importance of justice and compassion, especially toward the poor and needy. Verse 27 reminds us that “whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse” (Proverbs 28:27). God calls us to act with fairness and generosity, recognizing that He blesses those who care for the vulnerable.
  • Humility and Trust in God: Another recurring theme is the need for humility before God. Verse 26 warns against trusting in oneself: “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26). True wisdom comes from relying on God and seeking His guidance in all things, rather than depending on our limited understanding.

Summary Key Points:

  • Blessings of Integrity: Walking in integrity brings boldness, peace, and God’s protection. A life of honesty and righteousness leads to stability and security.
  • Dangers of Dishonesty: Those who choose the path of deceit and rebellion will eventually face the consequences of their actions, leading to instability and downfall.
  • Justice and Compassion: God blesses those who act with justice and compassion, especially toward the poor and needy.
  • Humility and Trust in God: Trusting in God’s wisdom, rather than our own, is essential for living a life of righteousness and blessing.

Application: Reflect on your daily walk—are you living with integrity in all areas of your life? Consider how you can pursue righteousness, act justly, and show compassion to those in need. Ask God for the humility to trust His wisdom and guidance over your own. Remember, the path of righteousness leads to lasting peace and blessing, while dishonesty only leads to instability and destruction.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wisdom found in Your Word. Help us to walk in integrity, knowing that You bless those who live with honesty and righteousness. Give us the courage to act with justice and compassion, especially toward those in need. Teach us to trust in Your wisdom and guidance rather than relying on our own understanding. May our lives be a reflection of Your goodness and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Justice / Judgment, Protector / Deliverer, Seeking God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Trusting God’s Sovereignty in the Face of Opposition (Ezekiel 38)

Have you ever faced overwhelming opposition or felt like the odds were stacked against you?

Ezekiel 38 reminds us of God’s absolute sovereignty, even in the midst of great challenges and threats.

Key Verse: “And you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” – Ezekiel 38:16 (NKJV)

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 38

Prophecy about Gog and Future Invasion of Israel

      1And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him 3and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. 4“I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; 5Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you.

      7“Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. 8“After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them. 9“You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.”

      10‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan, 11and you will say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates, 12to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world.’ 13“Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, ‘Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?’”’

      14“Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? 15“You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army; 16and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.”

      17‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them? 18“It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD, “that My fury will mount up in My anger. 19“In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. 20“The fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground. 21“I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains,” declares the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. 22“With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone. 23“I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.”’

Reflection on Ezekiel 38:

  • The Gathering of Nations: Ezekiel’s vision reveals a powerful alliance of nations led by Gog, coming against Israel with overwhelming force (Ezekiel 38:1-9). This image of a massive army preparing to invade Israel symbolizes the significant threats and challenges God’s people may face in life.
  • God’s Sovereign Plan: Despite the apparent power of the enemy, God declares that He is the one who will bring Gog against His land (Ezekiel 38:4, 16). This statement is a powerful reminder that nothing happens outside of God’s control. Even when opposition arises, God is sovereign and uses these situations to fulfill His purposes.
  • God’s Judgment on the Nations: God assures that He will judge Gog and his allies with His fury and wrath (Ezekiel 38:18-23). The judgment includes earthquakes, pestilence, torrential rains, and hailstones—demonstrating God’s unparalleled power over nature and nations alike. This passage reassures us that God will ultimately bring justice and protect His people.
  • Revelation of God’s Glory: Through these events, God will make His name known among the nations (Ezekiel 38:23). This reveals that God’s ultimate purpose is to be glorified and recognized as the one true God. The challenges and opposition we face can become opportunities for God’s glory to be revealed in our lives and the world around us.
  • Faith in God’s Deliverance: The vision of Gog’s defeat is a powerful reminder to trust in God’s deliverance, even when circumstances seem dire. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God is in control and will bring about His purposes, no matter how strong the opposition may appear.

Summary Key Points:

  • God’s Sovereignty: Even in the face of overwhelming opposition, we can trust that God is in control and has a sovereign plan.
  • God’s Judgment and Protection: God will ultimately judge those who oppose His people, bringing justice and deliverance.
  • Glorification of God: The challenges we face can serve as opportunities for God’s glory to be revealed to the world.
  • Steadfast Faith: We are called to trust in God’s deliverance and remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that He will fulfill His purposes.

Application: Reflect on the challenges and opposition you may be facing in your life. Do you trust that God is in control, even in the midst of these difficulties? Remember that God’s sovereignty means that nothing happens outside of His will. Even when we face overwhelming odds, we can have confidence that God will protect and deliver us according to His purpose. Allow these challenges to deepen your faith and become opportunities to see God’s glory revealed in your life.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your sovereign control over all things, even in the face of opposition and challenges. Help us to trust in Your deliverance and to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that You are in control. May the difficulties we face become opportunities for Your glory to be revealed in our lives and in the world around us. Strengthen us to stand firm, confident in Your protection and justice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Eternal, Justice / Judgment, Learning To Pray Effectively, Psalms, Purposeful / Intentional

The Eternal God: Finding Refuge in His Timelessness (Psalm 90)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the brevity and challenges of life?

Psalm 90 invites us to find refuge and meaning in the eternal nature of God.

Key Verse: “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” – Psalm 90:1-2 (NKJV)

Background Context: Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses, reflecting on the eternal nature of God compared to the fleeting nature of human life. It contrasts God’s timelessness with our temporal existence, emphasizing the need for wisdom, repentance, and reliance on God’s mercy. This psalm calls us to find our security and purpose in God, who transcends time and provides everlasting refuge.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Psalm 90

God’s Eternity and Man’s Transitoriness.

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

1Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

2Before the mountains were born
Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

3You turn man back into dust
And say, “Return, O children of men.”

4For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
Or as a watch in the night.

5You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;
In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.

6In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew;
Toward evening it fades and withers away.

7For we have been consumed by Your anger
And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.

8You have placed our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

9For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.

10As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.

11Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?

12So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

13Do return, O LORD; how long will it be?
And be sorry for Your servants.

14O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,
That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us,
And the years we have seen evil.

16Let Your work appear to Your servants
And Your majesty to their children.

17Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

Reflection on Psalm 90:

  • God’s Eternal Nature: The psalm begins by affirming that God has been a refuge for His people throughout all generations, existing before the creation of the world (Psalm 90:1-2). This emphasizes God’s unchanging and eternal nature, providing a foundation of stability and security.
  • Human Frailty: In contrast, Moses reflects on the brevity and fragility of human life, comparing it to a dream or grass that flourishes in the morning but withers by evening (Psalm 90:3-6). This highlights our dependence on God and the transitory nature of our earthly existence.
  • God’s Righteous Judgment: The psalm acknowledges God’s righteous judgment and the consequences of human sin, recognizing that our secret sins are exposed in His light (Psalm 90:7-8). This calls us to humility and repentance.
  • The Brevity of Life: Moses laments the short span of human life, typically seventy or eighty years, filled with toil and trouble (Psalm 90:9-10). This underscores the importance of living wisely and purposefully.
  • A Prayer for Wisdom and Mercy: Moses prays for God to teach us to number our days, seeking wisdom to live rightly (Psalm 90:12). He also asks for God’s compassion, satisfaction, and favor to fill our lives with meaning and joy (Psalm 90:13-17).

Summary Key Points:

  • God’s Eternal Refuge: God is our everlasting refuge, providing stability and security through all generations.
  • Human Frailty: Our lives are brief and fragile, emphasizing our need for dependence on God.
  • Righteous Judgment: God’s righteous judgment calls us to humility, repentance, and a recognition of our sins.
  • Living Wisely: Understanding the brevity of life, we are called to seek wisdom and live purposefully.
  • Seeking God’s Mercy: We should pray for God’s mercy, satisfaction, and favor to fill our lives with meaning and joy.

Application: Let us find our refuge in God’s eternal nature, recognizing that He is our stable foundation through all of life’s changes. May we acknowledge our human frailty and seek His wisdom to live purposefully. Let us embrace humility and repentance, trusting in God’s righteous judgment and seeking His mercy and favor to bring meaning and joy to our lives.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our eternal refuge, unchanged through all generations. Teach us to recognize the brevity of our lives and to seek Your wisdom in living purposefully. Help us to humbly repent of our sins and to trust in Your righteous judgment. Fill our days with Your mercy, satisfaction, and favor, bringing meaning and joy to our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Government, Justice / Judgment, Peace / Rest

The Good Shepherd: God’s Care and Leadership (Ezekiel 34)

Have you ever felt neglected or lost, wondering if anyone truly cares for you?

Ezekiel 34 offers a comforting promise of God’s personal care and leadership as our Good Shepherd.

Key Verse: “I will seek the lost, bring back the strayed, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak.” – Ezekiel 34:16 (ESV)

Background Context: Ezekiel 34 contains a powerful message where God condemns the irresponsible and self-serving leaders of Israel, described as shepherds who have failed their flock. God then promises to take over as the true Shepherd, caring for His people with love and justice. This chapter underscores God’s commitment to seeking, protecting, and nurturing His people.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 34

Prophecy against the Shepherds of Israel

      1Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? 3“You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. 4“Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. 5“They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. 6“My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.”’”

      7Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8“As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; 9therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 10‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I will deliver My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.”’”

The Restoration of Israel

      11For thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12“As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. 13“I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14“I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15“I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord GOD. 16“I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment.

      17“As for you, My flock, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats. 18‘Is it too slight a thing for you that you should feed in the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pastures? Or that you should drink of the clear waters, that you must foul the rest with your feet? 19‘As for My flock, they must eat what you tread down with your feet and drink what you foul with your feet!’”

      20Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them, “Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21“Because you push with side and with shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns until you have scattered them abroad, 22therefore, I will deliver My flock, and they will no longer be a prey; and I will judge between one sheep and another.

      23“Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. 24“And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the LORD have spoken.

      25“I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26“I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing. 27“Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase, and they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28“They will no longer be a prey to the nations, and the beasts of the earth will not devour them; but they will live securely, and no one will make them afraid. 29“I will establish for them a renowned planting place, and they will not again be victims of famine in the land, and they will not endure the insults of the nations anymore. 30“Then they will know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people,” declares the Lord GOD. 31“As for you, My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, you are men, and I am your God,” declares the Lord GOD.

Reflection on Ezekiel 34:

  • Condemnation of False Shepherds: God rebukes the leaders of Israel for neglecting and exploiting the people instead of caring for them. These false shepherds have fed themselves rather than the flock, leading to their scattering and suffering (Ezekiel 34:1-10). This highlights the severe consequences of irresponsible leadership.
  • God as the Good Shepherd: In contrast to the false shepherds, God declares Himself as the Good Shepherd who will personally care for His flock. He promises to search for His sheep, rescue them from danger, and bring them to a place of safety and abundance (Ezekiel 34:11-16). This assures us of God’s proactive and loving care.
  • Restoration and Justice: God promises to bring justice to His flock by dealing with the fat and strong sheep who have oppressed the weak. He will ensure fairness and protect the vulnerable (Ezekiel 34:17-22). This demonstrates God’s commitment to justice and restoration.
  • Covenant of Peace: God declares that He will establish a covenant of peace, providing a secure and prosperous environment for His people. They will live in safety, free from fear and harm, experiencing God’s blessings and provision (Ezekiel 34:23-31). This covenant highlights God’s desire for a harmonious relationship with His people.

Summary Key Points:

  • Failure of False Shepherds: Irresponsible and self-serving leaders cause harm and neglect to those they are supposed to care for.
  • God’s Compassionate Leadership: God, as the Good Shepherd, actively seeks, rescues, and nurtures His people.
  • Commitment to Justice: God promises to bring justice, protecting the weak and dealing with those who exploit others.
  • Covenant of Peace: God’s ultimate desire is to establish a peaceful and secure relationship with His people, filled with blessings and provision.

Application: Let us take comfort in knowing that God is our Good Shepherd, who seeks us out, cares for us, and provides for our needs. May we trust in His leadership and protection, especially when we feel neglected or lost. Let us also strive to reflect His compassionate leadership in our own lives, caring for and nurturing those around us with love and justice.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our Good Shepherd. We are grateful for Your care, protection, and provision. Help us to trust in Your leadership, especially in times of feeling lost or neglected. Teach us to reflect Your compassion and justice in our relationships with others. May we always remember Your promise of a covenant of peace and live in the assurance of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Share the Good News

The Watchman’s Call: Responsibility and Repentance (Ezekiel 33)

Have you ever considered the weight of responsibility in warning others about impending danger?

Ezekiel 33 calls us to the crucial role of a watchman, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and repentance.

Key Verse: “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” – Ezekiel 33:6 (NKJV)

Background Context: In Ezekiel 33, God renews Ezekiel’s role as a watchman for Israel. This chapter highlights the responsibilities of the watchman to warn the people of impending danger and the need for repentance. It underscores the accountability of both the watchman and the people, calling for sincere repentance and a return to righteousness.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 33

The Watchman’s Duty

      1And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, ‘If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, 3and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, 4then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. 5‘He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning; his blood will be on himself. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his life. 6‘But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

      7“Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. 8“When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. 9“But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.

      10“Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have spoken, saying, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?”’ 11“Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’ 12“And you, son of man, say to your fellow citizens, ‘The righteousness of a righteous man will not deliver him in the day of his transgression, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he will not stumble because of it in the day when he turns from his wickedness; whereas a righteous man will not be able to live by his righteousness on the day when he commits sin.’ 13“When I say to the righteous he will surely live, and he so trusts in his righteousness that he commits iniquity, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but in that same iniquity of his which he has committed he will die. 14“But when I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and practices justice and righteousness, 15if a wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statutes which ensure life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16“None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has practiced justice and righteousness; he shall surely live.

      17“Yet your fellow citizens say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right,’ when it is their own way that is not right. 18“When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, then he shall die in it. 19“But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, he will live by them. 20“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.”

Word of Jerusalem’s Capture

      21Now in the twelfth year of our exile, on the fifth of the tenth month, the refugees from Jerusalem came to me, saying, “The city has been taken.” 22Now the hand of the LORD had been upon me in the evening, before the refugees came. And He opened my mouth at the time they came to me in the morning; so my mouth was opened and I was no longer speechless.

      23Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 24“Son of man, they who live in these waste places in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one, yet he possessed the land; so to us who are many the land has been given as a possession.’ 25“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “You eat meat with the blood in it, lift up your eyes to your idols as you shed blood. Should you then possess the land? 26“You rely on your sword, you commit abominations and each of you defiles his neighbor’s wife. Should you then possess the land?”’ 27“Thus you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “As I live, surely those who are in the waste places will fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves will die of pestilence. 28“I will make the land a desolation and a waste, and the pride of her power will cease; and the mountains of Israel will be desolate so that no one will pass through. 29“Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I make the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations which they have committed.”’

      30“But as for you, son of man, your fellow citizens who talk about you by the walls and in the doorways of the houses, speak to one another, each to his brother, saying, ‘Come now and hear what the message is which comes forth from the LORD.’ 31“They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain. 32“Behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not practice them. 33“So when it comes to pass—as surely it will—then they will know that a prophet has been in their midst.”

Reflection on Ezekiel 33:

  • The Role of the Watchman: God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman to warn Israel of impending judgment. If the watchman faithfully warns the people, he is absolved of guilt, regardless of their response. However, if he fails to warn them, he is held accountable for their deaths (Ezekiel 33:1-6). This illustrates the serious responsibility of those who are called to speak God’s truth.
  • Personal Accountability: The chapter also emphasizes personal responsibility. Each individual is accountable for their response to the warning. If they hear and heed the warning, they will save their lives. If they ignore it, they will bear the consequences (Ezekiel 33:7-9).
  • The Call to Repentance: God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that they turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 33:11). This highlights God’s compassion and His desire for all to come to repentance.
  • The Justice of God: The people question the fairness of God’s ways, but God insists that His ways are just and it is their ways that are unfair. He calls them to examine their actions and turn from their wickedness (Ezekiel 33:17-20).
  • The Urgency of the Message: Ezekiel delivers God’s message with urgency, reminding the people of the impending consequences of their actions and the need to turn back to God (Ezekiel 33:30-33). This underscores the critical nature of the watchman’s call and the people’s need to respond.

Summary Key Points:

  • Responsibility of the Watchman: Those called to warn others bear a serious responsibility to faithfully deliver God’s message.
  • Personal Accountability: Each individual is responsible for their response to God’s warning.
  • Call to Repentance: God desires repentance and life, not death, for the wicked.
  • God’s Justice: God’s ways are just, and He calls His people to examine their own actions and repent.
  • Urgency of the Message: The watchman’s message is urgent, and the people must respond to avoid the consequences of their sin.

Application: Let us embrace the responsibility of being watchmen in our own spheres of influence, faithfully warning others of spiritual dangers and the need for repentance. May we also examine our own lives, responding to God’s call to turn from sin and live righteously. Let us trust in God’s justice and compassion, knowing that He desires life and restoration for all.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the call to be watchmen, faithfully delivering Your message of repentance and salvation. Help us to embrace this responsibility with urgency and compassion. Teach us to examine our own lives and respond to Your call to turn from sin. May we trust in Your justice and desire for life, leading others to do the same. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Humility, Justice / Judgment, Pride

The Lament for Pharaoh: Reflecting on God’s Sovereignty and Justice (Ezekiel 32)

Have you ever pondered the fate of the powerful and prideful in light of God’s justice?

Ezekiel 32 offers a sobering reflection on the downfall of Egypt’s Pharaoh, reminding us of God’s ultimate sovereignty and justice.

Key Verse: “For thus says the Lord God: ‘The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you.'” – Ezekiel 32:11 (NKJV)

Background Context: Ezekiel 32 contains a lamentation for Pharaoh and Egypt, depicting the impending judgment and destruction that will befall them. This chapter is a continuation of God’s pronouncements against Egypt, illustrating the fate of nations that exalt themselves against God. Through vivid imagery and prophetic declarations, Ezekiel communicates the certainty of God’s judgment and the fall of the mighty.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 32

Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt

      1In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first of the month, the word of the LORD came to me saying,

2“Son of man, take up a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him,
‘You compared yourself to a young lion of the nations,
Yet you are like the monster in the seas;
And you burst forth in your rivers
And muddied the waters with your feet
And fouled their rivers.’”

      3Thus says the Lord GOD,
“Now I will spread My net over you
With a company of many peoples,
And they shall lift you up in My net.

      4“I will leave you on the land;
I will cast you on the open field.
And I will cause all the birds of the heavens to dwell on you,
And I will satisfy the beasts of the whole earth with you.

      5“I will lay your flesh on the mountains
And fill the valleys with your refuse.

      6“I will also make the land drink the discharge of your blood
As far as the mountains,
And the ravines will be full of you.

      7“And when I extinguish you,
I will cover the heavens and darken their stars;
I will cover the sun with a cloud
And the moon will not give its light.

      8“All the shining lights in the heavens
I will darken over you
And will set darkness on your land,”
Declares the Lord GOD.

9“I will also trouble the hearts of many peoples when I bring your destruction among the nations, into lands which you have not known. 10“I will make many peoples appalled at you, and their kings will be horribly afraid of you when I brandish My sword before them; and they will tremble every moment, every man for his own life, on the day of your fall.”

      11For thus says the Lord GOD, “The sword of the king of Babylon will come upon you.

12“By the swords of the mighty ones I will cause your hordes to fall; all of them are tyrants of the nations,
And they will devastate the pride of Egypt,
And all its hordes will be destroyed.

      13“I will also destroy all its cattle from beside many waters;
And the foot of man will not muddy them anymore
And the hoofs of beasts will not muddy them.

      14“Then I will make their waters settle
And will cause their rivers to run like oil,”
Declares the Lord GOD.

      15“When I make the land of Egypt a desolation,
And the land is destitute of that which filled it,
When I smite all those who live in it,
Then they shall know that I am the LORD.

16“This is a lamentation and they shall chant it. The daughters of the nations shall chant it. Over Egypt and over all her hordes they shall chant it,” declares the Lord GOD.

      17In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth of the month, the word of the LORD came to me saying, 18“Son of man, wail for the hordes of Egypt and bring it down, her and the daughters of the powerful nations, to the nether world, with those who go down to the pit;

      19‘Whom do you surpass in beauty?
Go down and make your bed with the uncircumcised.’

20“They shall fall in the midst of those who are slain by the sword. She is given over to the sword; they have drawn her and all her hordes away. 21“The strong among the mighty ones shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol, ‘They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’

      22“Assyria is there and all her company; her graves are round about her. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword, 23whose graves are set in the remotest parts of the pit and her company is round about her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword, who spread terror in the land of the living.

      24“Elam is there and all her hordes around her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who went down uncircumcised to the lower parts of the earth, who instilled their terror in the land of the living and bore their disgrace with those who went down to the pit. 25“They have made a bed for her among the slain with all her hordes. Her graves are around it, they are all uncircumcised, slain by the sword (although their terror was instilled in the land of the living), and they bore their disgrace with those who go down to the pit; they were put in the midst of the slain.

      26“Meshech, Tubal and all their hordes are there; their graves surround them. All of them were slain by the sword uncircumcised, though they instilled their terror in the land of the living. 27“Nor do they lie beside the fallen heroes of the uncircumcised, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war and whose swords were laid under their heads; but the punishment for their iniquity rested on their bones, though the terror of these heroes was once in the land of the living. 28“But in the midst of the uncircumcised you will be broken and lie with those slain by the sword.

      29“There also is Edom, its kings and all its princes, who for all their might are laid with those slain by the sword; they will lie with the uncircumcised and with those who go down to the pit.

      30“There also are the chiefs of the north, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who in spite of the terror resulting from their might, in shame went down with the slain. So they lay down uncircumcised with those slain by the sword and bore their disgrace with those who go down to the pit.

      31“These Pharaoh will see, and he will be comforted for all his hordes slain by the sword, even Pharaoh and all his army,” declares the Lord GOD. 32“Though I instilled a terror of him in the land of the living, yet he will be made to lie down among the uncircumcised along with those slain by the sword, even Pharaoh and all his hordes,” declares the Lord GOD.

Reflection on Ezekiel 32:

  • The Lamentation for Pharaoh: God instructs Ezekiel to raise a lament for Pharaoh, comparing him to a great lion and a sea monster thrashing in the waters (Ezekiel 32:2). This imagery depicts Pharaoh’s might and turmoil, but also his impending downfall.
  • Destruction and Desolation: The prophecy foretells the destruction that will come upon Pharaoh and Egypt by the sword of the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 32:11). This emphasizes that no power, however great, can withstand God’s judgment.
  • Darkness and Mourning: The imagery of covering the heavens and darkening the stars (Ezekiel 32:7-8) symbolizes the complete and utter desolation that will follow Egypt’s fall. It portrays a cosmic scale of mourning and judgment.
  • A Warning to Nations: The lamentation serves as a warning to other nations about the consequences of pride and defiance against God. Pharaoh’s fate is a testament to the fact that God’s justice will prevail (Ezekiel 32:9-10).
  • The Pit and the Fallen: Pharaoh and his multitude are described as being cast down to the pit, lying among the uncircumcised who have fallen by the sword (Ezekiel 32:18-21). This reinforces the finality of God’s judgment and the destiny of the proud.

Summary Key Points:

  • Inevitable Judgment: No matter how powerful, all nations and leaders are subject to God’s judgment.
  • God’s Sovereignty: The fate of Pharaoh and Egypt underscores God’s ultimate sovereignty over all rulers and nations.
  • Cosmic Mourning: The imagery of darkness and desolation illustrates the profound impact of divine judgment.
  • Warning to the Proud: The lament serves as a warning to other nations and individuals about the dangers of pride and defiance against God.
  • Finality of Judgment: The casting down to the pit symbolizes the final and irrevocable nature of God’s justice.

Application: Let us reflect on the sovereignty and justice of God, recognizing that no one is beyond His reach. May we humble ourselves before Him, acknowledging His authority over our lives and nations. Let us heed the warning against pride and defiance, striving to live in obedience and reverence to God. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and avoid the fate of those who exalt themselves against Him.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your sovereignty and justice over all creation. Help us to recognize the consequences of pride and defiance and to humble ourselves before You. Teach us to live in obedience and reverence, aligning our lives with Your will. May we be mindful of Your ultimate authority and trust in Your righteous judgment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Humility, Justice / Judgment, Pride, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Fall of the Mighty: A Lesson in Humility (Ezekiel 31)

Do you ever marvel at the strength and success of those who seem invincible?

Ezekiel 31 reminds us that even the mightiest can fall, calling us to humility and reliance on God.

Key Verse: “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have increased in height, and it set its top among the thick boughs, and its heart was lifted up in its height, therefore I will deliver it into the hand of the mighty one of the nations, and he shall surely deal with it; I have driven it out for its wickedness.'” – Ezekiel 31:10-11 (NKJV)

Background Context: Ezekiel 31 contains a prophecy against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, using the metaphor of Assyria as a towering cedar tree. This chapter illustrates how Assyria, once great and powerful, was brought low due to its pride. It serves as a warning to Egypt and to all who place their trust in their own strength and grandeur.

(Summarized and  continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 31

Pharaoh Warned of Assyria’s Fate

      1In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first of the month, the word of the LORD came to me saying,

2“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes,
‘Whom are you like in your greatness?

      3‘Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon
With beautiful branches and forest shade,
And very high,
And its top was among the clouds.

      4‘The waters made it grow, the deep made it high.
With its rivers it continually extended all around its planting place,
And sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.

      5‘Therefore its height was loftier than all the trees of the field
And its boughs became many and its branches long
Because of many waters as it spread them out.

      6‘All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs,
And under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth,
And all great nations lived under its shade.

      7‘So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches;
For its roots extended to many waters.

      8‘The cedars in God’s garden could not match it;
The cypresses could not compare with its boughs,
And the plane trees could not match its branches.
No tree in God’s garden could compare with it in its beauty.

      9‘I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches,
And all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God, were jealous of it.

      10‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Because it is high in stature and has set its top among the clouds, and its heart is haughty in its loftiness, 11therefore I will give it into the hand of a despot of the nations; he will thoroughly deal with it. According to its wickedness I have driven it away. 12“Alien tyrants of the nations have cut it down and left it; on the mountains and in all the valleys its branches have fallen and its boughs have been broken in all the ravines of the land. And all the peoples of the earth have gone down from its shade and left it. 13“On its ruin all the birds of the heavens will dwell, and all the beasts of the field will be on its fallen branches 14so that all the trees by the waters may not be exalted in their stature, nor set their top among the clouds, nor their well-watered mighty ones stand erect in their height. For they have all been given over to death, to the earth beneath, among the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit.”

      15‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “On the day when it went down to Sheol I caused lamentations; I closed the deep over it and held back its rivers. And its many waters were stopped up, and I made Lebanon mourn for it, and all the trees of the field wilted away on account of it. 16“I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall when I made it go down to Sheol with those who go down to the pit; and all the well-watered trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, were comforted in the earth beneath. 17“They also went down with it to Sheol to those who were slain by the sword; and those who were its strength lived under its shade among the nations.

      18“To which among the trees of Eden are you thus equal in glory and greatness? Yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth beneath; you will lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those who were slain by the sword. So is Pharaoh and all his hordes!”’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Reflection on Ezekiel 31:

  • The Mighty Cedar: The chapter begins with a description of Assyria as a magnificent cedar tree, towering above all others in the garden of God (Ezekiel 31:3-9). This imagery conveys the great power, beauty, and influence of Assyria at its height.
  • Pride and Downfall: The metaphor shifts to the heart of the message: Assyria’s pride led to its downfall. Because its heart was lifted up in pride, God delivered it into the hands of the mighty one of the nations (Ezekiel 31:10-11). This reflects the biblical principle that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
  • Judgment and Humility: The fall of Assyria serves as a stark reminder that no matter how great and powerful, all are subject to God’s judgment (Ezekiel 31:12-14). The purpose of this judgment is to humble the proud and exalt the sovereignty of God.
  • A Warning to Egypt: The prophecy against Assyria is directed toward Pharaoh and Egypt, warning them that their pride and reliance on their own strength will lead to similar destruction (Ezekiel 31:15-18). This serves as a universal lesson on the dangers of pride and the importance of humility before God.

Summary Key Points:

  • The Danger of Pride: Assyria’s fall illustrates that pride leads to downfall, regardless of one’s power and success.
  • God’s Sovereignty: All nations and individuals are subject to God’s judgment, emphasizing His ultimate authority.
  • Humility Before God: The prophecy calls us to humility, recognizing that true strength and security come from God alone.
  • Universal Warning: The message to Egypt serves as a warning to all who trust in their own power and grandeur.

Application: Let us examine our hearts for any traces of pride and self-reliance. May we recognize that all power and success come from God and can be taken away in an instant. Let us cultivate humility, acknowledging God’s sovereignty over our lives and placing our trust in Him alone. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and avoid the pitfalls of pride.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your sovereignty and power over all creation. Help us to recognize the dangers of pride and to cultivate humility in our hearts. Teach us to rely on You alone for our strength and security. May we live in a way that honors You, acknowledging that all we have comes from Your hand. Keep us humble and faithful, trusting in Your wisdom and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Humility, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Day of the Lord: A Call to Humility and Repentance (Ezekiel 30)

Do you live with an awareness of the Lord’s power and judgment?

Ezekiel 30 speaks of the “Day of the Lord,” a time of divine judgment that calls us to humility and repentance.

Key Verse: “For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near; it will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.” – Ezekiel 30:3 (NKJV)

Background Context: Ezekiel 30 is a prophecy against Egypt and its allies, warning of the impending judgment and destruction that will come upon them. This chapter emphasizes the certainty of God’s judgment and serves as a powerful reminder of His sovereignty over all nations. The “Day of the Lord” is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing a time when God executes justice and righteousness.

(Summarized and continued after scripture)

Ezekiel 30

Lament over Egypt

      1The word of the LORD came again to me saying,

2“Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,
“Wail, ‘Alas for the day!’

      3“For the day is near,
Even the day of the LORD is near;
It will be a day of clouds,
A time of doom for the nations.

      4“A sword will come upon Egypt,
And anguish will be in Ethiopia;
When the slain fall in Egypt,
They take away her wealth,
And her foundations are torn down.

5“Ethiopia, Put, Lud, all Arabia, Libya and the people of the land that is in league will fall with them by the sword.”

      6‘Thus says the LORD,
“Indeed, those who support Egypt will fall
And the pride of her power will come down;
From Migdol to Syene
They will fall within her by the sword,”
Declares the Lord GOD.

      7“They will be desolate
In the midst of the desolated lands;
And her cities will be
In the midst of the devastated cities.

      8“And they will know that I am the LORD,
When I set a fire in Egypt
And all her helpers are broken.

9“On that day messengers will go forth from Me in ships to frighten secure Ethiopia; and anguish will be on them as on the day of Egypt; for behold, it comes!”

      10‘Thus says the Lord GOD,
“I will also make the hordes of Egypt cease
By the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

      11“He and his people with him,
The most ruthless of the nations,
Will be brought in to destroy the land;
And they will draw their swords against Egypt
And fill the land with the slain.

      12“Moreover, I will make the Nile canals dry
And sell the land into the hands of evil men.
And I will make the land desolate
And all that is in it,
By the hand of strangers; I the LORD have spoken.”

      13‘Thus says the Lord GOD,
“I will also destroy the idols
And make the images cease from Memphis.
And there will no longer be a prince in the land of Egypt;
And I will put fear in the land of Egypt.

      14“I will make Pathros desolate,
Set a fire in Zoan
And execute judgments on Thebes.

      15“I will pour out My wrath on Sin,
The stronghold of Egypt;
I will also cut off the hordes of Thebes.

      16“I will set a fire in Egypt;
Sin will writhe in anguish,
Thebes will be breached
And Memphis will have distresses daily.

      17“The young men of On and of Pi-beseth
Will fall by the sword,
And the women will go into captivity.

      18“In Tehaphnehes the day will be dark
When I break there the yoke bars of Egypt.
Then the pride of her power will cease in her;
A cloud will cover her,
And her daughters will go into captivity.

      19“Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt,
And they will know that I am the LORD.”’”

Victory for Babylon

20In the eleventh year, in the first month, on the seventh of the month, the word of the LORD came to me saying, 21“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, behold, it has not been bound up for healing or wrapped with a bandage, that it may be strong to hold the sword. 22“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break his arms, both the strong and the broken; and I will make the sword fall from his hand. 23‘I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands. 24‘For I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put My sword in his hand; and I will break the arms of Pharaoh, so that he will groan before him with the groanings of a wounded man. 25‘Thus I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt. 26‘When I scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands, then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

Reflection on Ezekiel 30:

  • The Imminence of Judgment: The chapter opens with a declaration that the day of the Lord is near, bringing a time of darkness and turmoil (Ezekiel 30:1-3). This emphasizes the urgency and inevitability of God’s judgment.
  • Destruction of Egypt: The prophecy details the fall of Egypt and its allies, describing how they will be defeated and laid waste (Ezekiel 30:4-9). This serves as a sobering reminder that no nation, regardless of its power and wealth, is beyond God’s reach.
  • God’s Sovereignty: God declares that He will execute judgment on Egypt and break its pride (Ezekiel 30:10-12). This highlights His sovereignty and control over all events and nations.
  • The Purpose of Judgment: The chapter explains that the purpose of God’s judgment is so that the people will know that He is the Lord (Ezekiel 30:19). This underscores the redemptive aspect of divine judgment, intended to lead people to recognize God’s authority and turn to Him.

Summary Key Points:

  • The Day of the Lord: A time of divine judgment that brings justice and righteousness, reminding us of God’s sovereignty.
  • Certainty of Judgment: No nation or individual is beyond God’s reach; His judgment is inevitable and just.
  • Purpose of Judgment: God’s judgment serves to lead people to acknowledge His authority and turn to Him in repentance.
  • Call to Humility and Repentance: The prophecy against Egypt calls us to examine our own lives, repent of our sins, and humble ourselves before God.

Application: Let us live with a constant awareness of the Lord’s power and judgment. May we examine our hearts and lives, repenting of any sins and humbling ourselves before God. Let us recognize His sovereignty and authority over all things and strive to live in a way that honors Him. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and prepare for the day of the Lord.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your sovereignty and power over all nations and events. Help us to live with an awareness of Your judgment and to examine our hearts and lives. Grant us the humility to repent of our sins and turn to You with sincere hearts. May we recognize Your authority and live in a way that honors and glorifies You. Prepare us for the day of the Lord and keep us steadfast in our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.