When I think of loneliness in the ruins, the prodigal son immediately comes to mind. He had friends whilst he had money. Once he depleted his funds, they vanished. Except for the hogs, he was lonely in the hog pen, facing the ruins of choice and consequences. When Job was in the ruins of disease,... Continue Reading →

So far, we saw the disobedience and rebellion of the Israelites. We learned that God had sent prophets to warn, but also to encourage them. He gave them opportunities for repentance, but they reverted to the same sins of idolatry, irreverence and insubordination. God had to discipline them because “whom the lord loveth he chasteneth”... Continue Reading →

Ezekiel was called to serve when he was 30 years old; that is a landmark age.  It’s three decades of tasting life’s misery, beauty, pleasures and inadequacies; like us, he’d had his share.  I don't know what his plans for the future were, perhaps they were to get out of exile and start a new... Continue Reading →

Did God make Daniel for the lion’s den? Certainly! Did He make Moses for the wilderness? Certainly! Did He make Samson for the Philistines? Certainly! Did He make Ezekiel for the ruins? Certainly! Has God made you for this? Certainly! But what is “this?” It’s the summation of all of your experiences, whatever you are... Continue Reading →

I know lots of people who have, but I have never been bitten by a scorpion. Living in the Caribbean, I had some near misses,  lucky me! As expected, I’m scared of them…very scared. As for Ezekiel, God told him that he was going to encounter some scorpion like stings. If he was afraid, he... Continue Reading →

God's intention is to prepare us for His work and His world. Our world is contaminated with so many unholy things, that God has to strip us and rebuild us. Ezekiel went through this stripping stage. This week, we examined God's hand in preparing Ezekiel for the work ahead. After falling on his face before... Continue Reading →

We like to eat, most of us do. We like to taste and enjoy different dishes, unlike Ezekiel who had to eat something else. Right after God’s Spirit strengthened him, by lifting him from off his face of shame. God gave him something to eat. “Son of dust, eat what I am giving you—eat this... Continue Reading →

The announcement of judgement was one of Ezekiel’s main responsibility, but the message of redemption was at the heart of his call. The book of Ezekiel begins with an enthralling vision, perhaps too fascinating for words, but somehow Ezekiel was able to capture its essence and related it to us in chapter 1. One of […]

Lack of focus is a human problem. Many times,  we'll say, “I just can’t seem to focus.” With so many sensual distractions of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, how can we focus? There is so much to see, so much to listen to and so much to taste. Elements that appeal to the senses,... Continue Reading →

Being a mathematician, I can’t help but declare my fascination with the circle. It’s infinite, even mysterious. Each point ends where it begins and begins where it ends so that the circle is full of beginnings and endings. No wonder we sing, "the circle of life." A circle is a striking symbol of oneness. “Let’s... Continue Reading →

It’s so like God, to pronounce judgment but also to offer salvation. After, listing the repulsive sins of the Israelites and after expressing how angry He was to Ezekiel, in chapter 33, He compassionately says, “I desire that the wicked turn from his evil ways and live. Turn, turn from your wickedness, for why will... Continue Reading →

The announcement of judgement was one of Ezekiel’s main responsibility, but the message of redemption was at the heart of his call. The book of Ezekiel begins with an enthralling vision, perhaps too fascinating for words, but somehow Ezekiel was able to capture its essence and related it to us in chapter 1. One of... Continue Reading →

This week we compared the ruins of Jerusalem with the ruins of our world. We also examined the ruins of our own lives, while Ezekiel gave us the bold encouragement that God is Lord of the ruins. As you reflect on the ruins of our world and perhaps those of your individual life, read Ezekiel chapter... Continue Reading →

If there was one message God wanted to convey, it’s this, “they shall know that I am the Lord.” Throughout the book of Ezekiel, we see this statement of God over 50 times, wanting the people to recognize that He is Lord.  He took them from Egypt, brought them into “a good land, flowing as... Continue Reading →

Long before Christ, God called thirty year old Ezekiel to relay a challenging message to a rebellious people.  Can you guess where Ezekiel was when he received his call? He was in the ruins, sitting “among the exiles” (Ezekiel 1: 1).  God called Ezekiel to proclaim punitive messages and dramatize difficult demonstrations relating to God’s... Continue Reading →

Do you like your life?  For some of us, there are things in our lives that we like and things that we dislike. Many  people are satisfied with their life, just like many of the Israelites were. As far as they knew, they were living the life. They worshiped. They religiously practiced the rituals. They... Continue Reading →