Ezekiel 4, 5 [The Message]

Ezekiel must have been the forerunner of contemporary Christian church drama. God had him do out-of-the ordinary things to communicate a message to the backslidden Jews. The point: God CAN speak through staged drama.

For many years, I prepared and performed big dramatic music productions at Christmas and Easter and even on the 4th of July. Each had a poignant message to communicate some aspect of the Gospel. Many hearts were touched and drawn further into God’s Kingdom.

Use drama.

Ezekiel 3 [The Message]

God instructed Ezekiel to “eat the Book,” His Word. He said “Make it your own.” God’s Word can displace our corrupt thinking and establish Kingdom thought patterns and values that yield us a vessel God can use. Opinions? What good are they if they’re grounded in our finite understanding?

As Headmaster of Trinity Christian School, my greatest desire was that each student, faculty member, or parent would read God’s Word EVERY DAY. I continue to pray that this could happen.

Ezekiel 2 [The Message]

God knew His Chosen Nation was a bunch of rebels. Still, He loved them with an eternal love and sent messengers to them such as Ezekiel. The prophet was instructed to relate God’s message to them, but “Don’t become like them.”

You may know a rebellious person or have a rebellious son or daughter. Do what God did. Give them the message they really need to hear, i n a loving and merciful tone.

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. [Pr. 25:15

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [2 Tim. 2:24, 25]

Lam. 4, 5; Ezekiel 1 [The Message]

Try reading or listening to Ezekiel in a contemporary translation. If an Old Testament prophet had never seen or heard a jet airplane, I think that’s how he would have described it.

Living as we do in the U.S., we never see or feel the sting of abject poverty or hunger as described by Jeremiah in his lament. Yes, there are countries such as Haiti who live in very bad conditions, but we probably have never seen it ourselves.

First, we should be extremely grateful for the blessings we consider normal. Secondly, we can pray for those in suffering right now and support benevolence organizations who provide aid. Although it’s inconceivable, we should pray for our future and that of our offspring that they will escape suffering in future days.

The Lord looks after His own.

Lam. 3 [The Message]

In absorbing Jeremiah’s lament, its clear to me that he felt pain for the sinful condition of Go[s people. This association with the nation’s condition put his emotions into an accurate frame of reference when he declared God’s messages to them. 

If we love our country, maybe we should also take up a lament for the moral and spiritual decline we see all around us. If we don’t, WHO WILL?

Lam. 2 [The Message]

Chapter two actually describes human slaughter like what the Jews suffered on Oct 7. When you read about such horror, it seems like a scary movie so bizarre, it can’t be real. This is why Christian need to keep praying for Israel. No person should suffer death in such a brutal way. Pray!

I also have a prayer request. Someone dear to me is suffering some issues in their health. Please pray!

Jer. 52; Lamentations 1 [The Message]

God allowed Babylon to devastate and burn Jerusalem because of the repeated rebellions His People pained Him with. It’s no different today. The rebellious nature of many Jews comes back to haunt them.

If they would only accept Christ as their Messiah. His mercy and forgiveness could spare them all their pain. His blood cleans us and keeps us clean before the Father.

Devastation gives way to RESTORATION!

Jer. 51 [The Message]

Although Jeremiah was focused primarily upon the Babylonian dynasty, the world has seen many come and go. They are a family or group that maintains power through several generations. The House of Windsor, Britain’s ruling family, is an example of a dynasty.

They are judged on the character of their rule. God deals with each in the way they deserve.

Our allegiance and membership in God’s Family is an association with an eternal dynasty that will trump them all. We can be grateful that Christ Jesus is an all-powerful, yet meek and kind king who truly loves and sustains His subjects.

All Hail, King Jesus!

Jer. 50 [The Message]

Seemingly invincible nations eventually fall. Babylon ruled the world and sat on top of the heap. But, God always has the last word. Jeremiah predicted that she would fall and NEVER AGAIN be inhabited. Saddam Hussein tried to resurrect the city and reputation but failed.

Once God has doomed something, it’s over. Then, He takes over.

… there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. [Rev. 11:15]

Jer. 47-50 [The Message]

Jeremiah’s usual message was hard but redemptive. There was more correction than direction. More warning than warming. His was often a harsh, but necessary word from God.

If you are headed somewhere, and you are on a tight schedule, don’t you appreciate someone telling you, “You’re headed in the wrong direction?” It’s like a football team that is trying to reach the opposite goal line. Correction is a necessary component of being correct.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. [Pr. 27:6]