229 - Refined, and purified

Chareen's Thoughts

• The Lord calls Ezekiel to look at the sword and it's uses. 
• He explains that Babylon is coming.
• Thus says the Lord God: Remove the [high priest’s] miter or headband and take off the [king’s] crown; things shall not remain as they have been; the low is to be exalted and the high is to be brought low. Ezekiel 21:26
• He gives Ezekiel a prophesy about the Ammonites, 
• The Lord speaks about Jerusalem's sin, His furnace and the sin of Israel's leaders.
• When I read this verse it made me think of how we still are this way today.  This caused the wrath of God upon a city. In you have they treated father and mother lightly; in the midst of you they have dealt unjustly and by oppression in relation to the stranger; in you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow. Ezekiel 22:7 The people of the land have used oppression and extortion and have committed robbery; yes, they have wronged and vexed the poor and needy; yes, they have oppressed the stranger and temporary resident wrongfully. Ezekiel 22:29
• And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30 Are we willing to stand in the gap and pray ?  Will we fill the gap for our families, friends, politians, our land ??
• The Lord uses a picture of two sisters to explain the adultery of Israel and Egypt.  

In today's readings we see how the Lord loved and yearned for His people.  He was frustrated but He continued to reach out and send them through the fires of refining.  

For You, O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined, and purified. Psalms 66:10

Blessings
Chareen