The union between Israel and Judah forshadowed!

Ezekiel in the most fascinating of ways in his oracles uses the attacks against the foreign nations as a prelude to the new covenant and the new blessing of the people when he brings them back from the exile. Over and over Ezekiel denounces the arrogant pride of Egypt and Tyre who think they are more powerful than Yahweh. Ezekiel’s actual words of hope to the people are not uttered until the city has fallen. When the word reached Ezekiel in Babylon that all was lost (chapter 33) he immediately turned to the future to find God's promises still alive. He foresaw a twofold plan of God. The first was to bring the exiles back from captivity and purify their sense of the covenant. (This too is what we are called to today as modern Christian’s continual conversion and change.) A new heart that Ezekiel talks about 36:22-32.


The second part of the plan is found in chapters 40-48. Once the people have returned to the covenant (made possible by God's power alone and not their own good will of which holds true today) then he shall give the land its order a new temple at the center of a renewed nation in which everyone has his or her place. At the center of this vision, parallel to the new heart (through conversion) are life-giving waters that flow from the temple to touch every living thing in the land (Ezekiel 47:1-12). The source of hope and prosperity both back then and today will be God alone truly worshipped.

Is this not the exact same formula God uses today to bring his people back from exile? When we live for the things of this world and get caught up in the temporal fleeting desires of the world we are truly in exile! When humanity worships the trinity of me, myself and I instead of the true trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit we are sent into spiritual exile. Exactly like the people of God in the times of the prophets were called to return to the Lord by conversion of heart. Called to lay down their own needs, wants and desires and to return to God from which all blessings flow. Our God is truly the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and the message of the prophets remains unchanged throughout all of salvation history.

God Bless,

Deacon Jim

Prophecy, Prophecy, Prophecy

I find it quite interesting that these books of the prophets are almost always dealing with the turmoil's of exile. Most of their warnings, at least from what I am absorbing seems to end in some sort of exile or displacement. Can you imagine what it would be like to be uprooted from family, friends and familiarity? To be put out on the road to a place of unknown cultural, climate and economic surroundings or availabilities? I also cannot imagine how dangerous the actual travel would have been through the wilderness, darkness, cold of the night and the heat and pillagers of the day. As a foreigner the local laws would not protect one and having been separated from family and friends the plight must have been utterly terrifying.

I cannot imagine that the people of the time felt very cordial when referring to these prophets? These stories very seldom referred to the personal experiences of these prophets, but they go into great detail about what was happening to everybody else? Did they experience exile? Were they torn from their home and families? Or at the very least did people whom they loved and cared get caught up in these daily trials and tribulations?

Amos seems to be prophesying about God's judgments, and I at one point do vaguely remember him complaining that it was not his choice to travel from so far from his home to preach, but it was God's will. Amos's message is one of repentance, but also of unity. Yahweh loves all the nations and unity under God is paramount. I find this interesting, I know that Dr. Lester pointed out that very rarely are the prophets prophesying about the future, but the message is the same. Our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and one thing is for sure, we today are just as "stiff necked" as the people of those days and we need to heed and listen to the same message as the prophets of not only the eighth century but of all time. Their message and mission is as vital and substantial to us today as it was throughout the history of the ancient world.

Amos and most prophets never directly mention the commandments, but the message is clear that these people are a sinful nation (same as today) in relationship to the law. I would like to point out for the sake of possibly argument itself that the message is always the same, because humankind never really seems to change. The big difference in the message of the eighth century versus today is that they were given the law to follow, but in today's society we have come to understand that the law was not given so we have to follow a bunch of rules, but the law is actually there to remind us how much we are in need of a Savior! Food for thought?

God Bless,
Deacon Jim

Test for Ancient Israel IPS 417 students

This is a test I hope you all can read this. I also request prayers for a mentor of mine that I have known my whole life died over the weekend and I will be be planning and performing his funeral and vigil on Monday and Tuesday which is cutting seriously into my normal study time. A little nervous and very sad , so I ask for all of your prayers this week.

God Bless,
Deacon Jim