Righteous Judgment is Not Skin Deep

John 7:23-24  
23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Many believe that if you do good in ways that do not fit religious tradition that you are doing wrong.  Even in the way we are "supposed to" dress to truly honor God.  Jesus for for instance healed on the Jewish Sabbath to do good, but hypocrites tried to say He was evil.  In Hebrews 4 we are told to rest (Sabbath) in Him every day, doing His work and not ours.  Also, the Scriptures never say Jesus had pomegranates on long pharisaical robes in the synagogue either.  So righteous judgment sees the difference between imposed "laws" of religion and God's word cut rightly in love for Him and others. 

Those He Calls will be Brought Out

Ezekiel 14:22-23  
22 Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. 23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it,” says the Lord God.

Before the new covenant in Jesus Christ, prophets warned God's people of continual sin and worshiping idols until a day was set to take action to punish them.  But even then, a way was given for those who came through by living God's way - morally and obediently - to give a future and hope.  He has a purpose in all He does.  It is never without a cause.  So now we all have a choice to repent, believe, and receive Jesus Christ, and those who do not believe God in Him will face the justice of Hell.  He has just cause, and we have a choice.  Those He calls will be brought out. 

God's People Depart from Iniquity

Ezekiel 13:22-23   

22 “Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life. 23 Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

When false teachers and prophets catch the ears of those in churches - both believers who do not know God's word well, and the religious unbelievers attending - then the lies can sadden true believers when faith is shattered when healing does not happen that a man (not God) claimed must happen.  Also, those who use grace and peace to hide sin are encouraged to sin more by the misleading ones.  God will deliver those who are His, so "let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."  He will deal with the liars; we must deal with the truth, speaking it in love. 

A Word of the Lord

Ezekiel 13:3-10   
6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord!’ But the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.  8 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord God.  10 “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace—and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar—

As in the times of Israel's demise, so now false prophets come into the church to claim a word of The Lord, yet only hope it will come true to prove themselves.  God calls this nonsense and lies, and so should we.  So many now only talk of peace, love, and making ourselves improve along with the world - yet Jesus told us there will be wars and difficult times, not as these ear tickling tales would mislead us into believing.  There IS hope in Christ for eternity, but in this world we will have trouble.  False prophecies against God's word only delude and keep us from true happiness.  A word of the Lord is only so if the scriptures say so! 

His Word and Will Be Done

Ezekiel 12:2, 28.  
2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.  28 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done,” says the Lord God.’ ”

As Jesus told the Pharisees, religious people do not use their eyes and ears for God's words and work to perceive.  They rebelled against Christ as their Lord and God.  There will come a time when there is swift judgment on the world for our sin of rebellion against God, and then time to choose will be gone.  As God draws a man to Himself, he must allow both eyes and ears to seek Him and respond in repentance and faith. 

His Spirit an Heart of Flesh for Stone

Ezekiel 11:19-21.  
19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

God calls, seals, and guides His people in Christ to live alongside Him with both the desire and ability to obey.  He makes us His very own people, adopting us as sons and daughters!  Ah, but those who live for themselves and seek the things God says are detestable, sinful, and offensive by His standards - they only get what justice deserves.  Oh that they would listen and turn to be made new. 

Judged or Saved?

Ezekiel 7:13, 17, 27

13 No one will strengthen himself Who lives in iniquity.  17 Every hand will be feeble, And every knee will be as weak as water.  27 I will do to them according to their way, And according to what they deserve I will judge them; Then they shall know that I am the Lord!’ ”

Isaiah 35:3-5

3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees.  4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”  5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Are we to be judged or saved? Rebellion and sin against God leads to certain judgment with God's anger, and we truly get what we deserve.  But when we see this coming, our weak and shaking knees find strength in God's vengeance on sin through the cross, and He opens blind eyes and deaf ears to hear good news of forgiveness and reconciliation in Jesus Christ! 

Gospel's Warning and Responsibility

Ezekiel 3:19-27  
19 Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul... 21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.”… 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

We are to tell the good news, to bear witness to all God has said and done in Jesus Christ.  Like Ezekiel, all we can do is plead that they turn from sin to Him to believe and receive life from here to eternity.  If unrighteous people hear and do not turn, they face Hell; but if they turn, they find forgiveness.  If those who know Christ and want to do right fall into sin, we must exhort to correct in love; we must warn them also.  We must always be ready to give a defense of what we believe from God's word, and He will enable the words we speak, remembering the sin nature is rebellion against what God says. 

Hear With the Ears of the Heart

Ezekiel 3:10-12 
10 Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears. 11 And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.”  12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place!”

Do I really listen to all things God says in His word, or just what I think is "most" important?  I must be ready to speak the truth of the gospel, in love, even when many will not hear what He says.  But to listen and obey brings awareness of His presence and glory; may I bring Him glory as it must be, thundering greater than a thundercloud pouring down overhead. 

Eat and Speak His Word

Ezekiel 2:2, 7, 3:1  
2 Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.  7 You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.   3:1 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

God gives His Spirit to all who are His now, not just to certain prophets like Ezekiel as in the past.  So when we are told to stand up and speak the good news from what we find in the Bible, the issue of whether or not they will listen is not our responsibility.  They will listen if called, rebel if opposed, or consider for the future as a seed is planted.  As for us, we must daily eat of His word to be ready to clearly give that message of hope so as many as are appointed to eternal life may believe. 

Facing God to Listen

Ezekiel 1:26 - 2:1   
26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around.  28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.   2: 1 And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.”

Ezekiel was shown a reflection or vision from God where the Son of Man and God came in a wheeled living transport that showed the glory of God, much like John was revealed in Revelation chapter 1.  The fearfully awesome ones moving like lightning amidst the fiery chariot had a throne with the One showing God's glory.  And this was so Ezekiel would hear the words and take them to heart - to bring God's message to His people.  Now Christ has come as a man and we have the revelations in the Bible, finished and sealed.  This is the message we bring to others now. 

Turned to Turn to Him

Lamentations 5:19-22 
19 You, O Lord, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation.  20 Why do You forget us forever, And forsake us for so long a time?  21 Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old, 22 Unless You have utterly rejected us, And are very angry with us!

Jerusalem was overthrown and God's people carried away as slaves to Babylon for years because they kept walk in away from Him.  It seemed they were completely rejected by God in His anger for their constant and unrepentant sin.  Yet because He is eternal and sovereign at all times, He brought them back, punishing their enemies.  So with us He offers a way out of the Babylon of our sin and the captivity of the death we are enslaved to - His Son.  Turn back to God in Christ and you will be free indeed! 

Sorrow for the Lost

Lamentations 3:48-49, 57-58  
48 My eyes overflow with rivers of water For the destruction of the daughter of my people.  49 My eyes flow and do not cease, Without interruption, 57 You drew near on the day I called on You, And said, “Do not fear!”  58 O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life.

Do I cry over those lost from God's mercy and grace as I see them heading to destruction in their sin?  I think of how He came to me and took away my fears as He pleaded my case on the cross by which He bought my life back from sin, death, and justly deserved Hell.  How can what He did for me not drive me to my knees for others? 

Woe and Well-Being, Complaint or Confession?

Lamentations 3:37-40  
37 Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, When the Lord has not commanded it?  38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That woe and well-being proceed?  39 Why should a living man complain, A man for the punishment of his sins?  40 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord;

Words spoken in God's name can be for either good or bad.  If someone is continuing in sin, then the bad of judgment and hell must be told in love.  If there is good, then that also must be told as God would say.  We are all liable for judgment, and it is only by the mercy and grace of God in Christ that the good news brings sadness and joy - sadness for our offenses and joy in forgiveness.  So when self-proclaimed prophets speak only of joy and grace without living to put to death sin by His Spirit within, beware.  Only what The Lord has said already in the Bible is ground to stand on. 

Turn the Cheek, Trust His Mercy

Lamentations 3:30-33 
30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him, And be full of reproach.  31 For the Lord will not cast off forever.  32 Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies.  33 For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.

Jesus told us to turn the cheek to those who attack for any reason, letting the scorn and shame (reproach) settle where it may.  Through the grief we find His compassion and mercy.  God does not plan to grieve us anymore than He makes evil; rather, we in our sin we are born with continue to choose badly and suffer due consequences.  The God of all love, mercy, and grace waits for us to come through Jesus and then to walk by trusting Him in every step. 

Wait with Hope, Seek Him

Lamentations 3:25-26   
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.  26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

We must seek and run after God as Paul told of running the race to the end goal - but we must also quietly and patiently wait for our final redemption from physical death at the resurrection.  There is to be no spiritual laziness, yet also no working to earn the unmerited favor of grace that is ours in Christ alone.  He is our hope, strength, wisdom, and purpose Who holds us on the palm of His almighty hand.  Let us run after Him as the direction of our lives! 

Infallible Compassion and Hope

Lamentations 3:18-24   
18 And I said, “My strength and my hope Have perished from the Lord.”  21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.  22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.  23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.  24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

When all seems to go wrong and God appears to be doing nothing to relieve the attacks and suffering, then we need to remember His faithfulness in His promises for good and not for evil.  His infinite mercy in Jesus Christ keep us - God is compassionate.  Every day begins with His merciful compassion - this is why we must start each day in His word, to remember these things and find our portion, our inheritance which is in Him alone.  This time with Him brings out the hope that is already given to us! 

Delusional Prophets and Visions

Lamentations 2:14  
Your prophets have seen for you False and deceptive visions; They have not uncovered your iniquity, To bring back your captives, But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.

This same pattern that was in Israel of old is repeating in the church today; people look for false visions of fantastic sounding words they label as prophecies, even speaking as if they are Jesus to speak lies and ramblings contrary to Scripture.  Instead, real servants of Christ should be revealing sin and error in love, daring to confront what the Bible tells us so men and women may be free from sin's bondage reaching to pull them back in.  Delusions of great things have replaced walking by faith and living by God's word.  This is a lamentation for the church. 

Mercy and Gratefulness

Jeremiah 52:31-34   
31 ... king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison. 32 And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 33 So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life. 34 And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king of Babylon, a portion for each day until the day of his death, all the days of his life.

The king of Babylon had mercy on the king of Judah and set him free from prison, lifting him up from a humble cell, and gave him a place to sit and dine with the king.  In so much better way we are set free from the bondage of sin and brought before the King of Glory to dine with Him forever (Rev.3:20).  As children of the Most High King, we have an inheritance as well as His presence from now and past the defeated death that imprisoned us before.  We are free and have more than we could ever ask for! 

Wisdom and Power of Creation are the Lord's!

Jeremiah 51:15-16 
15 He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, And stretched out the heaven by His understanding.  16 When He utters His voice— There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: “He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”

God created the universe, to include us as His crowning jewels of work - made in His image.  By infinite understanding and wisdom we see DNA woven into so many living things, and the rain cycle sustaining life here with cool winds and flashes of lightning echo glory in thunderous applause to the Creator.  Oh Lord our Lord, how marvelous are Your works in all the heavens! 

Our Eternal Covenant with God in Christ

Jeremiah 50:4-5, 20, 34  
4 “In those days and in that time,” says the Lord, “The children of Israel shall come,They and the children of Judah together; With continual weeping they shall come, And seek the Lord their God.  5 They shall ask the way to Zion, With their faces toward it, saying, ‘Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord In a perpetual covenant That will not be forgotten.’   20 In those days and in that time,” says the Lord, “The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; And the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I preserve.   34 Their Redeemer is strong; The Lord of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case,

Our Redeemer is strong; He pleads our case to be our substitutionary advocate, seeing our tears of repentance and coming to the new covenant in Christ so God sees our sin no more.  What mercy and grace to set us free forever!  So we magnify His name in worship today together as everyday before Him.   This is our eternal covenant made by God for us in Christ! 

Pride, Judgment, and Restoration

Jeremiah 48:42, 47;  49:4,6 
42 And Moab shall be destroyed as a people, Because he exalted himself against the Lord.   47 “Yet I will bring back the captives of Moab In the latter days,” says the Lord.  Thus far is the judgment of Moab.   4 Why do you boast in the valleys, Your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter?  Who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’  6 But afterward I will bring back The captives of the people of Ammon,” says the Lord.

Moab was judged for pride, yet promised restoration from sin's captivity.  Ammon boasted in riches and possessions (as if they did not receive everything from God, but their own effort) - yet God also promised liberation from sin's captivity.  This is why God never changes; He sees and will judge our prideful selfish sin against Him that we have continually in our hearts and thoughts and on our lips.  But He offers absolution and reconciliation in Christ Jesus alone - not a priest or church or our good deeds, which are polluted efforts of pride in the end.  Thank God He provided the lamb of God in our sacrificial altar's thickets! 

False Trust in Abilities and Treasures

Jeremiah 48:7, 29  
7 For because you have trusted in your works and your treasures, You also shall be taken.  And Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, His priests and his princes together.  29 “We have heard the pride of Moab (He is exceedingly proud), Of his loftiness and arrogance and pride, And of the haughtiness of his heart.”

Pride comes before a fall.  Moab was an arrogant and proud nation that trusted in its own ability and possessions (riches).  God took them down, sending armies to conquer and humble them.  Do we need humility at sword point, do we trust in what or who we know, confident in ourselves?  Or do we put all trust in the God who saves and gives all knowledge and righteousness solely in Christ?  A broken and contrite heart He will not despise. 

Humility: Our Life is a Prize

Jeremiah 45:5 
And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.”

When God calls and uses a man, he should not count himself special or seek rewards, but instead rejoice that he has been given life abundant in Christ for eternity.  Wherever we go in this life, humility should and must precede us. 

Hardened Complaints or Godly Contentment?

Jeremiah 44:10, 16-17 
10 They have not been humbled, to this day, nor have they feared; they have not walked in My law or in My statutes that I set before you and your fathers.’   16 “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you! 17 But we will certainly do whatever has gone out of our own mouth, ... For then we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble.

Hardened necks to do our own will and hardened hearts to love all else but God - especially ourselves - this is what leads to the bondage of sin and its just consequences.  So many say that they are better off without Christ, that they will not listen to God as He speaks through the Bible, instead listening to teachers and speakers who lie against God to do what they want instead of our Creator. 

Hypocrites or Prayers?

Jeremiah 42:20 
For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the Lord your God, saying, “Pray for us to the Lord our God, and according to all that the Lord your God says, so declare to us and we will do it.’

Do we ask others to pray for us just so they can tell us what to do, or do we ask they pray that we would know and understand Him and so His will, that we are changed from the inside as His Spirit opens His word to us?  If we so know all we have in Christ, we will desire to do all that pleases a him, and not hypocritically try to get a list of works from another to check off each good deed by.  Ephesians 1:15-19. 

Trust for Deliverance

Jeremiah 39:17-18  
17 But I will deliver you in that day,” says the Lord, “and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 18 For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the Lord.’ ”

God will deliver those from sin, death, and Hell who trust and act in belief on what He has said and done in Jesus Christ.  Just as the offer to those here through the prophet, so now to all to the one over all prophets, the Son of God.  Our life eternal is the prize freely offered to us... Trust, believing and receiving Him. 

Humility in Light of His Sovereignty

Job 42:2-6 
2 “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

Job found out that his own knowledge and goodness that he thought he was and did meant nothing in the light of the Most High Holy God.  As Jeremiah warned and pleaded for the people to see and admit their sinful falling short of His holy standards, so God told Job here.  So we must humble ourselves as far from God's righteousness and turn from all that angers Him, finding forgiveness and peace only in Jesus Christ through our repentance and reconciliation.