QT 6/22/2023 Ezek 11:1-4, Trust in God, not in the external things of self

Ezekiel 11:1–4 (ESV) —

1 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the house of the Lord, which faces east. And behold, at the entrance of the gateway there were twenty-five men. And I saw among them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. 2 And he said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity and who give wicked counsel in this city; 3 who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses. This city is the cauldron, and we are the meat.’ 4 Therefore prophesy against them; prophesy, O son of man.”

 

NOTE: The two city officials identified are real people whose insignia on documents have been found in a room preserved because of the fall of Jerusalem in 586BC, just as and where Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch's insignia also were found. Jeremiah told the people to surrender and build houses in Babylon, but the leaders are giving the opposite advice. They are saying (and some might be in idioms), that it is not the time to give up (leave and build houses in Babylon), because the city is a cauldron and we are the meat. A cauldron protected the choice pieces of meat from the fire. Yes, it would get hot, but they would survive. They were putting their hope in the city walls and not in God. The believed in their own ability to rescue themselves. It is a lesson that God has taught men over and over again through the ages (the best examples are Job, Jacob, and Joseph). Men are not saved by their wealth, wisdom, schemes, or abilities. Men (and women) are saved by their trust in God. God is more powerful than any foe. God is wiser and more knowledgeable than any foe. We must trust him in our greatest need. We must not fight with God.

 

PONDER:

1. What do I really put my trust in? Is it my bank account, my 401K, my degree, my skills, my knowledge?

 

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me if I have put any trust in things instead of in you. I know I do it repeatedly. I truly am sorry and repent. I know I must be prudent, but I must give all my worries and concerns to you. I must trust you to provide. I must give you thanks for all that I have, and I do.