When Ezekiel saw the dry bones, God instructed him to speak and prophesy to them. Then, God’s life came back into them.

When we see souls who are lost and dry, we can prayerfully begin speaking to them and asking God to breathe spiritual life into them. We can take this as an evangelism challenge … calling upon God’s Spirit to bring eternal life to the dead, dry lives of those we may see every day.

The fields (lost souls around us) are white unto harvest (ripe for the saving Gospel).

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 35-37

Although restoration through repentance is a prominent New Testament theme, Ezekiel declares that a sinner that turns from his sin will live. He exposes a foundational principle of God’s kingdom … stop sinning and turn away from it unto righteousness.

In that God’s is not willing that any perish, His nature is to reward the person who acknowledges the error of their ways and sets their course on the path to what is right.

It’s been said, “Make one right turn and keep going straight.”

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 33,34

Ezekiel’s prophecy gives the believer insight into God’s desire for souls to be in right relationship with Him. The use of the warning, preaching, exposure and ridicule of sin, restitution, pain and penalty in the afterlife … all help describe the fallen world God sent Christ to redeem us from.

Our job is to bring lost souls to Christ. Paul said, “we proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. This is what I am working at all the time, with all the strength that God gives me.” [Col. 1:28,29]

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 31,32

Ezekiel spends three chapters dealing with God’s indictment against Egypt, describing her downfall and the punishment of her pharaohs. God’s control of the nations and their leaders is apparent.

Contemporary leaders and their nations (Rocketman Kim Jung Un) are likewise on God’s leash, despite their power antics. The believer’s main concern is lost souls rather than global Monopoly moves. Prayers for these nations is the spiritual strategy that should shape our thinking.

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 29-31

Tyre experienced business success at unparalleled levels, such that their king became proud and considered himself a god. The True God brought him down in a story that actually described God’s indictment and punishment of Satan, an anointed cherub of high rank in His Kingdom.

Presently, there seems to be a pendulum swing in favor of ungodly, arrogant leaders. This will end because no man exalts himself against God and prospers.

The Psalmist questioned … “Why do the ungodly prosper?” Then, God showed him their end, and he understood that their brief season of success will erode tragically. He concludes that finding strength and success in God is the only safe goal in life.

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 27,28

In that God does nothing without revealing it to His sons, the prophets, Ezekiel was His messenger to voice His judgments upon nations that were malicious to His people.  With strong language identifying His wrath and vengeance, we see His protective nature toward His people.

In the New Testament, we see His protective nature revealed through the function of angels who have been assigned to minister to the heirs of salvation. “Guardian angels” keep a watchful eye on us as we navigate life. There’s no worry about how many angels there are. Scripture records that there are 10,000 times 10,000. That’s clearly plenty to go around. We are safe.

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 24-26

God used the analogy of promiscuity to describe Israel’s idolatry and disobedience. He sent prophets such as Ezekiel to confront their sin and uphold His righteous standard.

It does give the reader insight into God’s hatred of sexual sin.

Since He likens the Church to a Bride, His love and commitment to Her is a supreme motivation of His. Our earthly marriages likewise deserve similar respect and fidelity.

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 22,23

Ezekiel declared strong rebukes to God’s people because of their idolatry and disobedience. He said words that had to be uttered. God couldn’t wink at their rebellion after He had delivered them from the bondage of Egypt.

God deals with His children for their good.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [Heb. 12:6]

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 20,21

From cover to cover, this principle is stated … whatever sins must die. How can the created say to the Creator, “Why have you made me thus?” It’s all up to God.

It’s as though God made His point in the Old Testament, but provided, according to His plan all along, a solution to the sin problem. Christ Jesus! Stanza two from Martin Luther’s great hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God …

Sin brings death; Christ Jesus brings life.

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 17-19

Ezekiel spoke of Jerusalem as being a promiscuous woman whom the Lord loved but rebuked because she had many other lovers. Whenever other gods or philosophies are preferred over Him, His jealousy is exposed.

Since the Lord has been so good to us … removing our sin and guilt by Christ’s sacrifice … how can we bring pain to Him by chasing after the “good things in life” rather than pursuing Him?

The Psalmist said, “Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I don’t think about you above all else.” [Ps. 137:6]

PRAYER: Lord, be first in my heart and mind and desires.

READ/LISTEN: Ez. 16