Claimed, gathered and sent

Throughout the passage Ezekiel 36:28-38 , I see God’s overwhelming, relentless grace in dealing with his wayward, rebellious people. He is doing all the work! Look at how many times “I” is used: “…the land I gave… I will be your God” (v. 28). “I will save… I will call” (v. 29). “I will increase” (v. 30). “I want you to know” (v. 32). “I cleanse…I…resettle) (v. 33). “I have rebuilt…I…have spoken…I will do it” (v. 36). “I will yield…I will make” (v. 37). “I am the Lord” (v. 38). In verse 36 alone it is God who rebuilds what was destroyed and replants what was desolate. He has spoken and he will do it. This is a concept I cannot escape. Our works are not good enough to win us salvation or to make us any better Christians. I have a better grasp now of why Luther was so excited by the revelation of his own inability. True restoration and change is nothing broken humanity can accomplish. Though made in the image of God, that image is tarnished by sin. Salvation and sa...

Ezekiel 34 hit very close to home for me. A few weeks ago, we heard of a pastor friend, who had married us, and a situation he was involved in. What the repercussions will be, only God knows, but it brought me up short, reminding me of the need for faithfulness in fellowship with Christ so I can be a faithful shepherd to whatever flock I am responsible for now and in future ministry. Good and godly leadership comes from the inside out. Leaders can only lead based on their values and who they are. I do not want to be as the shepherds Ezekiel addresses, indicted by God as faithless, careless shepherds. Blenkinsopp aptly notes, “Pastoral office is a response to needs that call out for selfless dedication and unremitting solicitude,” [1] leadership being a sacred trust. Leaders must be concerned for the “least of these” (Mt 25) . The issue is not orthodoxy or orthopraxy, but compassionate care, as modeled throughout Jesus’ ministry. It is all about God and his people, not about us...

Several things are striking about Ezekiel 20:1-32 . The first is God’s response via Ezekiel when the elders of the people came to “inquire of the Lord” (Ezek 20:1). It sounds like a good thing that they would want to seek God’s will. We are not told what they wanted to ask and “guesswork is pointless in view of Yahweh’s total repudiation of any right or privilege … to inquire of him about his designs.” [1] He responds with a detailed, painful history of disobedience despite God’s mercy and blessing. Things are not always, as they seem because “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart ” (1 Sam 16:7). Personally, to discern and not take things at face value is something perhaps we all need to work on. Repeatedly God blesses his ancient people and bestows grace upon grace, yet they spurn his overtures and rebel against him. He does not let go, however. This is even hinted at after the litany of disobedience and rebellion. “You say, ‘We want to be like the...