Ezekiel 30 vs 1-26

Ezekiel Chapter 30 Verses 1 – 4
•The language used here, the phraseology, points to one event and yet two events. Ezekiel is prophesying specifically about Egypt and the destruction that will come upon that nation, to the point that even today, they are only a shadow of what they once were in terms of power, authority, influence and splendor. But there is also speak about the time of the Gentiles and the Day of the Lord…and I believe this is here because Egypt is likened to the world in the Bible.
•And so, as we read of what is to befall Egypt, or better said, what did happen to Egypt, there is yet a coming application of this prophecy on the world as a whole. This phrase, “Woe to the day,” is key, and oddly, it is key to the hope we have in Jesus. You see, Jesus spoke of peace within the heart of those that are His. John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.” And before being taken up into heaven after His resurrection Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, “Hey, I am with you always, even to the end.” But this day, this coming day, Ezekiel says, “Woe to the day.”
•Here’s my point…there is a coming judgement upon the world and that judgement is called in the scriptures, “The Great Tribulation.” It is to commence once the acceptable day of the Lord draws to a close (Luke 4), the Dispensation of Grace draws to an end and the Dispensation of Judgment commences. And yet the woe that is pronounced upon the world, woe to the day, has already been overcome for the Christian by the blood of Jesus Christ.
•We do not wail, or pronounce woe to that day, the Day of the Lord…we await it! We expect it! We long for it! Because for that day, we are prepared. It is the day of our Homecoming, the day of our release and eternal freedom, where one breath will be taken on planet earth and the next breath will be taken on planet perfect…ha! In the forever presence of Jesus. And so, our hope, in an odd way, lies in this phrase, “Woe to the day,” because we know that is not applicable to Christians…Jesus has removed the “woe.”
•One more application. It is easy to get out of bed every morning right now or maybe even in your life and have some woe towards the day ahead. Spend some time with the Lord. He will do much more than sustain you…He will fill you with joy, purpose, practical positivism…even if you don’t know how to show it on the outside, your heart will rejoice. He has promised, He is with you to the end…
Ezekiel Chapter 30 Verses 5 – 9
•When Babylon invaded, which was the tool of the Lord used to bring about Egypt’s destruction, not only Egypt fell. This is a really important point! It wasn’t just Egypt that was destroyed but also all of those who were allied with her. So too will be the fall of this world and there are two things I’d like to point out relevant to this for your consideration.
•First, in what ways am I, or are you, an ally to this world? To be in alliance with the world and the thrust of it, the interests of it, the ways of the world, well you can’t walk with God and hold hands with the enemy… This gives me pause…and doesn’t cause me to want to take up torches and pitchforks against the world and the people in it…this makes me want to personally draw nearer and nearer to the Lord as I contemplate and realize my own ways in which I am at home with the world and consequently not with God.
•Romans Chapter 1, after laying out a list of alliances with the world, Paul writes in verse 32, “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” There’s the alliance. Not that even these things are physically done…but rather just approved, allied with. It’s a sobering thought. So, when it comes to the world, in what ways are you in agreement? Allied? Hopefully none.
•The second thing is that understand when you venture into the flesh and spend yourself in sin, the consequence will not only come upon you but upon those who care for you. You may say, “Well, they don’t know. No possible way for them to know…this secret sin that I am in…” And you may be right…but that secret sin is robbing you of the righteousness in your heart and life that would bear fruit for them. Feed them. It doesn’t matter if they never find out what you did or what you’re doing, they are still hurt…so stop thinking that your sin is a victimless crime. You’re wrong.
•And let this also be a warning to you to be watch out and to not yoke with those that walk in the flesh. Judgement is coming for them. Ditches, holes, traps and holding hands, you’ll fall in them as well. That is exactly what happens with the allies of Egypt, although the judgment is upon Egypt and not specifically them. This is why God is very clear in several passages to steer clear when you see certain issues. For example…
•Four types that God is clear about NOT allying with in the scriptures. First, the carnal Christian. 1 Corinthians 5:11, “Do not keep company with anyone named a brother who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, not even to eat with them.” Second, divisive people. Those that stir up problems. Titus 3 and Romans 16:17-18, “Note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly.” Third, false teachers. 2 John 1:10, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him.” And fourthly, simply bad influences. 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” So, watch out…these should not be in your squad. Which certainly doesn’t mean you hate them or never speak to these or whatever but rather that you confront these things with correction, teaching, exhortation and perhaps even rebuke. But definitely, no alliance, because their whirlwind in their future will sweep you up as well.
Ezekiel Chapter 30 Verses 10 – 13
•What’s interesting to me is why would they not have learned nationally when God sent such clear and miraculous signs when bringing His people out of Egypt? I mean Pharaoh, their god, and his armies, didn’t come back. Ten plagues had come upon the nation…all confronting certain gods of Egypt…what are they being judged for now? Essentially for not recognizing God and for turning on Israel. How did they not learn the first time? Or the second. Or the third. Or the tenth!?
Ezekiel Chapter 30 Verse 14
•HA! There’s a place no one could name. HA! They asked Pharaoh one day, “Hey, do you know what you want to name this area?” He replied, “No.” And they said, “DONE!?” HA!! I tell you, an elementary principle I thought of here though was that God will one day execute judgement on “No.” I actually think this is quite a serious matter, perhaps just for me personally. When the opportunity to serve the Lord or to serve others comes up, is your answer always “no.”
•We have a move coming up, an event at the church, a youth lock in, a cleaning party, a Bible study…a trip to UTurn, a call for the meals ministry…is your answer always no? I personally always want to start at yes and work back…much easier and I believe and much more what God would have me to do than to start at no and have to claw my way forward to actually ever doing something.
Ezekiel Chapter 30 Verses 15 – 19
•These things we are reading sound harsh and no doubt they are but the reason behind them all is that God might be revealed to them. Mark 9:47 says, “It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than have two eyes, to be cast into hell.” God is serious about saving people…and He is serious about bringing maturity into the life of His kids…I know that, I see that, I recognize and acknowledge that…but more importantly, rather than live a life crippled that I might slow down and humble myself, I embrace this truth about God…that I might live life fully capable and facultied simply following His ways and growing up without Him having to deal with me time and time again.
Ezekiel Chapter 30 Verse 20
•Ezekiel is so blessed to have the Word of God come to him over and over again. To be out of his country, uprooted from his home and yet still know that God is with him…even speaking to him and using him. We’ve read that several times, that the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel but you know what…we are in a better place than Ezekiel because at our own discretion, the Word of the Lord can come at any moment to any of us if we would just get into His Word.
Ezekiel Chapter 30 Verses 21 – 22
•The arm is a symbol of both usefulness and power. God breaks both of them in terms of Egypt. I want here, at work, but especially in my home to be useful and powerfully good. I cannot do that without following the Lord…and I know that its my flesh, I know that it’s the strength of sin that squanders those things for me but I also know (other side of the coin) that God is my very present help…and how much more will I be useless and powerless not coming to Him for leadership and direction.
Ezekiel Chapter 30 Verses 23 – 26
•There it is…that’s really the ultimate judgment…we started chapter 29 with God telling us that Pharaoh placed himself above God…made himself to be the creator…and the end of the work of God in his life will be the revelation that he is just a mortal man and that God is God.
•Look, this can be the biggest blessing in your life…this realization…. Or, it can be the absolute end of you. Not because it’s all about you…but rather because this is just reality. God is God…and I am just a man. He is perfect, I am drastically flawed. He is life, in my heart is the darkness of death. If I submit to Him on my own then man, I receive the promises, the blessings of God…but if I live my life waiting for Him to submit to me…then I know, I will be submitted. It’s just reality…
•Do you know what God wants for you? Eternal life and a life that you love. Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “To live is Christ.” And you know what…that means you can adore your life… I am constantly aware of the elements of my life that can be better and I am working with God towards them. God has the best plan for you, the best path for you, the best promises for you, the best filling for you, the best character for you, the best purpose for you, the best strength for you…He has the absolute best for you…and His desire is for you to have it…and it all comes as a package deal when you give your whole life over to Jesus!