Saturday, October 26, 2013

The speck in your brother's eye

"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you.  If you forgive others, you will be forgiven.  If you give, you will receive.  Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.  Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you."
 
This was Jesus' teachings from Luke 6:37-38.

I'd been reading the book of Ezekiel from the Old Testament of the Bible, on and off, for the past couple of months. Ezekiel was called and commissioned by Yahweh during Judah and Israel's exile in Babylon. Prophet Ezekiel's commission was to be the watchman for Israel calling them out for their sins against their God. His commission was to say to them, whether the Israelites listened or not, what God told him to tell them.  We read, "Son of Man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first.  Listen to them carefully for yourself.  Then go to your people in exile and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says!' Do this whether they listen to you or not." Ezekiel 3:10-11.  "Son of Man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel.  Whenever you receive a message from me, pass it on to the people immediately." Ezekiel 3:17.

Ezekiel prophesied against the Israelites as and when God spoke to him. From chapters 4 through 24 of the Book of Ezekiel, we read several prophesies against Israel, God's chosen people.  The prophecies, time and again warn them of God's coming judgment and punishment for their sins against God. But then from chapter 25 onwards, God told Ezekiel to prophesy against Israel's neighboring kingdoms about God's judgment that was to come upon them. The reasons for God's anger are worthwhile to consider...
A message for Ammon -"Give t he Ammonites this message from the Sovereign LORD! Because you scoffed when my Temple was desecrated, mocked Israel in her desolation, and laughed at Judah as she went away into exile, I will allow nomads from the eastern deserts to overrun your country..." Ezekiel 25:3-5.  "And the Sovereign LORD says: Because you clapped and stamped and cheered with glee at the destruction of my people, I will lift up my fist against you.  I will give you as plunder to many nations. I will cut you off from being a nation and destroy you completely.. Then you will know I am the LORD." Ezekiel 25:6-7.
A message for Moab - "And the Sovereign LORD says: Because the people of Moab have said that Judah is just like all the other nations..." Ezekiel 25:8-11.  Moab marginalized Israel when it was down.
A message for Edom - "And the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Edom have sinned greatly by avenging themselves against the people of Judah..." Ezekiel 25:12-14Edom avenged themselves when Israel was weak from God's punishment.
A message for Philistia - "And the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Philistia have acted against Judah out of revenge and long-standing contempt..."  Ezekiel 25:15-17.
A message for Tyre - "Son of man, Tyre has rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, saying, 'Ha! She who controlled the rich trade routes to the east has been broken, and I am the heir! Because she has been destroyed, I will become wealthy!" Ezekiel 26:1-2.  Chapters 26, 27 and 28 go into detail on God's coming judgment against the great trade cities of Tyre and Sidon who were once trade partners of Israel and Judah during the times of David and Solomon. Tyre and Sidon looked to expand their territory at Israel's misfortune, though well deserved.
A message for Egypt - "...for you collapsed like a reed when Israel looked to you for help.  Israel leaned on you, but like a cracked staff, you splintered and stabbed her in the armpit.  When she put her weight on you, you gave way, and her back was thrown out of joint..." Ezekiel 29:6-8.  Chapter 29, 30, 31 and 32 go into more details on reasons for the judgment against Egypt. It took advantage of Israel's misfortune and helped to speed up Israel's destruction.
When we break the law of the land that we live in, the law punishes us for it.  But when it comes to breaking God's commands, it is God who punishes people for their shortcomings, their sins against God. You and I should not presume, it is our God given right to pass judgment on others. Even to Ezekiel, God's appointed watchman over Israel, God warns him to first listen to His (God's) words for himself (Ezekiel), and then to go and point out to the Israelites what God had told Ezekiel. Let us not stand aside in self righteous contempt as our brother or sister  stumbles, for God himself says, "I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people.  I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live.  Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?" Ezekiel 33:10-11. Believers in Christ are the new Israelites! As we correct our brothers and sisters, let us be careful to not let hypocrisy and self righteous contempt creep in to us. Let us examine ourselves to see what "logs" lie in our eyes before pointing to the speck in our brothers and sisters' eyes.  Be careful of what you do to and for others, it will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.

Let us uphold each other in prayer!

Turn your eyes...
 


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