Tag: Ezra

Operating Outside the Box

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It has been my observation while reading Ezekiel that the initial vision in chapter 1 has many implications for how God interacts with us during ‘real life’. Even something as obscure as the wheels that the angels ride provides us with a subtle backstory on how God gets things done.

Ezekiel 1:19-21 says — When the living creatures [the four angels] moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures [four angels] rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. Wherever the spirit [Spirit of God] would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures [Spirit of God] was in the wheels. When the creatures [four angels] moved, they also moved; when the creatures [four angels] stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures [four angels] rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures [Spirit of God] was in the wheels [NIV].

In general, the wheels appear to move in a steady stable motion, consistent with the nature of God. However, there may be times when the wheel appears to be out of synch with God’s power (recall the time when Jesus wondered who touched him in Luke 8:45). During these times of ‘out of sync’ power, I suspect the angels were engaged in service that was outside the normal course of nature’s laws and of human interaction. What appears to be a disconnect, an ‘out of sync’ event, is simple normal operations from God’s perspective. One might think the occasions where the gifts of the Spirit as supported by angelic operations could fall into this model of thought.

One could say that when the angels are lifted up by the rims, they have been elevated to service outside the normal course of natural law and human interaction. This type of lifting was mentioned twice, see Ezekiel 1:19 and Ezekiel 1:21. I think it is safe to say that we humans move and act as we are directed or influenced by God. I recall God telling us he uses all people, their faith status is not the deciding factor, his decision to use somebody is the deciding factor (see Ezra 1 concerning Cyrus).

Furthermore, the things we see and hear are governed by things we cannot see or hear. The Spirit of the living God is the Spirit driving the living creatures in Ezekiel’s vision. They are tapping directly into the wisdom, power, and holiness of God. They are getting the plan direct from the source, ungarbled truth so they know exactly how to proceed.

God is on his throne and driving the wheels of the throne room. He controls the whole so the components move in perfect unison. Just as our body moves in unison, so do the wheels, angels, platform, throne, and all the visuals surrounding the angels and hardscape. It all moves as a unit in accordance with God’s will as he purposes things to be accomplished. These angels move exactly in accordance with his plan, not one thing is done incorrectly. No errors. The angels are persuasive. As needed, they move us to serve the intention of God. Even Cyrus was moved as directed (see Ezra 1).

Pondering on this thing with the eyes on the rim and God using anyone to achieve his objectives takes us to a new place. The eyes of the rim are on all things in his creation. They see it all. They are part of the inner sanctum; they are one small step away from the God of this universe. One of the eyes is looking at you right now even as you read this. God can use anyone. He is looking for a few people who are willing to serve God. The big wheels are turning (yes, I smiled with this phrase, a glib reference to the song Proud Mary). The Holy Spirit will speak the will of the God who is there. Angels are moving. It is time to get in step, to find the river (opps, I still have that song in my head).  I choose Jesus.

The Clay City (Part 2)

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It has been my observation that the Clay model of Jerusalem built by Ezekiel in the fourth chapter was an interesting tool to illustrate the 390 years of apostacy within the House of Israel and the 40 years of sin for the house of Judah. First, he was asked to lay on his right side for 390 days. Then he is asked to lay on his left side for 40 days. You might wonder how he managed to eat. Well, God provided explicit instructions on provisions and food preparation. Everything was planned for Ezekiel to be successful for the 430 days (390 + 40) of hanging out on display with the clay model of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 4:4-8 says — Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So, for 390 days you will bear the sin of the people of Israel. After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the people of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year. Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm, prophesy against her. I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege [NIV].

In my essay titled ‘The Clay City (Part 1) I outlined the creation of the clay model and the 390 days of lying near the model on his left side to display the sin of the House of Israel. Now we take a look at the 40 days he laid on his right side to bear the sin of the House of Judah. This 40-year period demonstrated the reign of King Josiah.

In 2 Kings 23:27, we read — I will banish Judah from my presence just as I have banished Israel. And I will reject my chosen city of Jerusalem and the Temple where my name was to be honored [NIV].

I think this suggests that in spite of Josiah’s meager effort to turn the nation back to God, the House of Judah was already too deep into rebellion. The judgement of God was moving forward, the actions of the few could not hold back the judgement for the actions of the many. Their corporate sin and rebellion had set the course.

Ezekiel was told to set his face. This suggests he was to exude commitment and assurance of his actions; in much the same way the Babylonians were aggressive because Zedekiah broke his agreement with Nebuchadnezzar. This entire theatrical display was a sign to the House of Israel (the captives in Babylon) who were eyewitness to the actions of Ezekiel. I think the prophet was directed to use this imagery (theatrical display) in much the same way that Jesus made use of parables. Jesus constantly spoke about hearing things they might not fully understand, seeing things they might not fully perceive (see Matthew 13:14-15). In time, the apostles would gradually learn the meaning and then generate an understanding of what was plain, yet difficult to accept.

The message in this Clay City presentation from Ezekiel was designed to help the people see their sin and find the path to repentance. He was not saying the hand of God would be stayed, he was clear on the cause of their trouble. But he was saying there would be an eventual end to the trouble for those who repented. He was calling them to engage in sorrow, lament the cause of their trouble, reject the sin that pulled them away from God. As they embraced the shame of their sin, they started on the path towards God’s mercy.

These periods (390 years for Israel and 40 years for Judah) were the time of sorrow. They both ended with the emancipation by Cyrus and return of the Hebrews to Jerusalem (see Ezra 9:13). This display demonstrated why the Hebrews were bound by the cords of their sin (see Lamentations 1:14). But later

in Ezekiel’s ministry, he tells them of the redemption coming. As we continue through the analysis of Ezekiel in coming essays, we will soon see their sorrow does not last forever. I choose Jesus.

The Things We Never See

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It has been my observation while browsing Ezra — he was instrumental in restoring the use of the Jewish scripture and temple practices to the Israelites after returning from Babylon. Ezra was a contemporary of Cyrus. It was Cyrus who conquered Babylon, facilitated the return of the Israelites to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity, and Cyrus who ordered Babylonian people to furnish the Israelites with necessaries, so that they did not go out empty handed from Babylon any more than from Egypt (implied in Ezra 1:4).

Cyrus told the Israelis — The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me (Cyrus) all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with gold, goods, livestock, and freewill offerings for the new temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:2-4 paraphrased)

As word traveled amongst the nations, the gentiles, trapped in their old ways, came to the Israelis seeking freedom. They approached the Israelis and fell before them saying – surely God is in you – we see what he has done. They wanted to be a part of this migration (Isaiah 45:11-14). They humbly begged to go with the Israelis – they were able to see God moving. This interest by the gentiles is a glimpse of what happened when the New Covenant was put into place.

Zachariah 8:14-23 (paraphrased) says — Just as I had determined to bring disaster to your ancestors and showed no pity when your ancestors rebelled against me, says the Lord Almighty, so now I have determined to do good again to you. As of today, do not be afraid. Speak the truth to each other, render true and sound judgment in your courts. Do not plot evil against each other. Rather, you should love the truth and live peacefully. Many people and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to seek the Lord and petition the Lord Almighty. Many people and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to find the Lord Almighty. In those days, many people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you (NIV).

This promise to Cyrus and the Israelites was a forerunner of the gospel message. We are encouraged in this Zachariah passage to not be afraid, we are told to speak the truth, respect each other, help each other. How do we implement this passage in our life? Consider the incredible potential of the Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit upon our daily life. Go back and review the Zachariah passage above. Many of the elements of life in Judah after Babylon are the type of things that the Fruit of the Spirit and Gifts of the Spirit cultivate in us. We are told to live peacefully and avoid creating friction with other people. This is the Holy Spirit in action. This is the focus of the new covenant. Love each other!

Imagine a world where people are seeking the one true living God, they are helping each other and worshiping the God they serve. Their prayer is focused on others rather than themselves, seeking help to fix issues. People within all stratifications of life from the immensely powerful to the lowliest are seeking the counsel of God (Gifts of the Spirit). For those who are speaking God’s word into others, people clamor to hear and learn. This is an amazing vision of what could be. What ought to be. What can be.

We the redeemed are enabled by God. His Spirit infuses us, always leading us to do things that help others. We may see three things done for us by God, but rest assured there are ten thousand things accomplished for us that we never see. It is in that context we are encouraged to be helpful to others.

I choose Jesus.