Mon.’s Devo - The Vision

Read: Ezekiel 7:1-9:11; Hebrews 5:1-14; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 26:28 Ezekiel was shown it was over for them. Their sins had brought them to the point of no return. God was turning his face from them and would punish then for their sins. Their wickedness and pride had come to fullness and none of them would survive. No one twisted by sin would recover their losses. They will not be able to buy themselves out of this. War was coming outside the walls and famine and disease within. *** During the sixth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity while Zedekiah was king, the leaders of Judah had come to Ezekiel’s home. God took Ezekiel into a trance. A man from God took him by the hair and transported him to Jerusalem. He was taken to the north gate of the inner courtyard off the Temple where there was a large idol standing near the altar of God. Ezekiel had seen this same idol in the valley. God said this made him very jealous. *** Next, God showed him a secret doorway through the wall. All along the walls were engravings of detestable creatures and idols that the people of Israel worshipped. Seventy priest with incense burners stood with Jaazaniah in the center. They thought the Lord couldn’t see them down there. *** Ezekiel was then taken to the north side of the altar and there were women weeping for Tammuz. From there, he was taken to the inner court between the entry room and the bronze altar where about 25 men were bowing to the east to worship the sun. *** All of these things were why God was responding in fury. Even if they cried for mercy, God will not hear. *** God called the men that would come and destroy the nation. Six men appeared carrying deadly weapons. With them came a man dressed in linen who carried a writer’s case. They all went and stood beside the altar. The man with the writer’s case case was sent to walk through the city of Jerusalem and mark the foreheads of the ones who weeped for the sins of the city. The six men were then sent to kill all who were not marked. They began with the 70 leaders. When Ezekiel saw this he fell on his face crying out for the people. God told him that the whole land was full of murder and injustice. He would have no pity. *** In Hebrews, the writer explains that the high priest is chosen to represent the people because, being human himself, he understands their weaknesses. He is called by God to this position just like Aaron and Jesus was. *** Jesus prayed and interceded for us when he walked the earth and God heard his prayers for us. Jesus learned to obey just like we do - through sufferings. Jesus was the perfect high priest and became our salvation. God appointed him to be the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, God’s High Priest in heaven. *** God wanted to tell them so much more but they were not able to understand since they hadn’t matured to eat the solid meat of God’s Word. *** Lord, may we mature to eat the solid meat of your Word. May we weep for what makes you weep and rejoice for what makes you rejoice. May we bring salvation to those we meet today.