Tag Archives: 7.9.24 Bible Study

September 8, 2024 Bible Study — God Shepherds His People

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Ezekiel 34-36.

Today’s passage begins with a prophecy against leaders who use their positions of leadership solely for their own benefit with no concern for the well-being of those whom they lead.  Leaders who failed to strengthen the weak, or bind up the injured.  God promises to remove such leaders from positions of authority and replace them Himself.  God will care for His people and seek out those who were scattered by the lack of care by the shepherds He had appointed.  However, Ezekiel is not finished after condemning the bad leaders who had led God’s people into sin.  He goes on to condemn those who made life difficult for others, those who drove people from God.  We cannot absolve ourselves of blame just because we were not in a position of leadership.  If we drove others from God because we made their life difficult, God will hold us accountable.  Ezekiel goes on to write about how God would gather Israel to Himself, gather His people.  He does do this because of the goodness of His people, but rather so that nations will see that He is Lord.  God has not called us because we have conducted ourselves in good and holy ways.  He has called us and put His Spirit in us in order to move us to follow His decrees and show people everywhere that He is Lord.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

September 7, 2024 Bible Study — We Are Accountable to Tell People God’s Message, Not for How They Respond to It

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Ezekiel 32-33.

Ezekiel continues his prophecy about the downfall of Egypt at the beginning of today’s passage.  And once more he repeats that when this disaster comes to pass, then those on whom it falls will know that God is Lord.  Those who look to someone or something else upon which to order their lives will face terrible suffering and destruction, and then they will learn that God is indeed Lord.  Once Ezekiel has concluded his prophecy concerning Egypt, he once more to his metaphor about the watchman.   The message given here to Ezekiel applies to us today.  If God gives us a message that someone’s wicked acts will lead to their suffering and death, He expects us to pass that message on to them.  He will not hold us responsible if they do not listen to that message, but if we do not speak that message to them God will hold us accountable for their suffering.  God does not wish for the wicked to suffer for their wickedness.  His desire is for them to turn to Him from their evil ways, and to do good.  We should share that desire.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.