Exploring and Enjoying God's Word Ezekiel 28:20
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Exploring and Enjoying God’s Word Ezekiel 28:20-26, Chapter 29 VERSES 20-24: Sidon was Tyre’s close neighbor. God proclaims judgment against this people because they rejected Him and oppressed Israel. Like all other nations who reject Him, He will pour out judgment. VERSES 25-26: In the midst of God’s proclaimed judgments against Israel, the Lord promises to regather His people and to restore them. This is a promise that God will ultimately fulfill when Jesus returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom. He is in the process of working this restoration today. The fact that we can see the physical restoration of Israel happening before our eyes shows us that Jesus’ return is drawing near! CHAPTER 29:1-9: God now uses Ezekiel to proclaim judgment against Egypt and its leader, the pharaoh. While Israel was able to flee to Egypt for survival when Joseph served Pharaoh, Egypt also had several leaders who were oppressive to the Jewish people. King Shishak of Egypt raided the Temple in 926 BC (1 Kings 14:25-26). When Babylon came to attack Judah, Judah’s Kings reached out to Egypt for help but did not receive any assistance. In fact, righteous king Josiah was killed by Neco II when he tried to stop the Egyptians. God is going to avenge the Egyptians’ spurning of Him and their oppression of Israel. VERSES 10-16: God proclaims that Egypt would be invaded and its people scattered for forty years. After they are allowed to return to the land, Egypt would be a shadow of its former self. This is a judgment for their rejection of God and for their poor treatment of Israel. VERSES 17-20: God proclaims that when Nebuchadnezzar is unable to get the material bounty he desired from Tyre, he will turn to Egypt. Material wealth was Nebuchadnezzar’s main motivation for invading Egypt. God will allow Babylon to have Egypt because, even though they are pagan, they are still being used by God to accomplish His purposes. We cannot forget that every leader in world history has been put in place and will be taken out of power by God in His way and in His time. He does this to accomplish His purposes. Exploring and Enjoying God’s Word Ezekiel 28:20-29, Ezekiel 29 | Wednesday, February 28, 2018 VERSE 21: God proclaims that eventually, Israel will return to the land and will become a prominent power once again. We are seeing the fulfillment of this prophesy coming to pass before our eyes today! WHAT THIS PASSAGE MEANS TO US God wants us to worship Him. He is serious about wanting us to know Him and to give Him glory. Nations that bless Israel will be blessed. Nations that curse Israel will experience judgment. God is faithful to do everything He has said He will do. He will accomplish every last aspect of what He has planned! Signs are appearing that God is putting into place the final events before the return of His Son, Jesus. We must live with urgency, passion, excitement, and intentionality! God wants us to be living in a way that leads people to Jesus. Exploring and Enjoying God’s Word Ezekiel 28:20-29, Ezekiel 29 | Wednesday, February 28, 2018 .