Sun.’s Devo - God’s Signs

Read: Ezekiel 12:1-14:11; Hebrews 7:1-17; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 27:3 The people were not listening to the words of the Lord through Ezekiel, but God didn’t want them to have an excuse and say that they didn’t know. So, God sent another warning - another picture. *** God told Ezekiel to pack a bag with only a few things like a person leaving in exile. He was to bring his bags out in the day so they could see it and leave in the evening while they were watching. He was to leave carrying the bag over his shoulder as a sign for the people. *** The next morning he explained that all his actions were a sign to show them what was going to shortly happen to them. Zedekiah would leave through a hole in the wall and take only what he could carry with him. His face was to be covered and he would not be able to see the land he was leaving. He would be captured in God’s net and taken to Babylon but he would never see it. He would die there and his servants and army would be scattered all over the world. A few would be spared so they could be a witness of what happened to them in Babylon. *** Ezekiel was told to tremble when he ate his food and shake with fear as he drank his water. This was a picture of what they would be doing soon. *** God gave Ezekiel another message that there would be no more delays in his words. They had stopped listening because nothing was happening, but that was about to change. He told the false prophets that claimed they got their messages from God that they were liars and since God hadn’t said what they said, their predictions won’t come true either. They prophesied peace when it was not time for peace. *** God had Ezekiel speak out against the women and their magic charms that they wore on their wrists and the magic veils they wore on their faces. God would rescue the people from their spells. *** The leaders of Israel came and visited Ezekiel and while they were there, God gave them a message. They had set up idols in their hearts which led them into sin. His message to them was to repent and turn away from their idols and stop all their detestable sins. If they didn’t repent, they would be punished along with their false prophets and false advisors. *** In Hebrews, Chapter Seven is all about Melchizedek who was the king of Salem and also the priest of God. He was both the King of peace and the king of justice. He was eternal like the Son of God. *** Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek which meant that all of his descendants were affected by his gift. *** The question is asked: if man could have achieved perfection through the law, why did God need to establish a different priesthood with a priest after the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron. The answer is that the law could not make man perfect. So there has to be a different law since the priesthood has changed. *** Lord, thank you for changing the law for us and giving us the law of love and grace. May we walk in your justice and truth from the heart and not out of obligation.