And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. (Ezekiel 36:23)

The 70 year captivity served a purpose in punishing Judah for her wickedness.  Yet, the captivity would prompt charges from the heathen nations that Jehovah was feeble.  Thus, God reveals a much nobler purpose in all of His working – i.e.  Jehovah’s name would be sanctified.  To accomplish this task we read of four things God would do for Judah.

"For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24)  He would remove them from heathen influences and give them the land.  God’s name is sanctified today by those who refuse to ally with the defilements of the world.  Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)  Such a change is a sign of genuine conversion.

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. (Ezekiel 36:25)  The law required the mixing of water with the ashes of a heifer for moral purification. (Num. 19:17-19)  Today, the sinner is cleansed by the blood of Jesus (Eph. 5:25-27) when he yields to the command of immersion in water. (I Pt. 3:20,21)  This is a necessary step to one’s being right with God.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)  God would remove the old unreceptive heart and give them a heart of flesh.  This Old Testament utterance anticipates one of the richest truths of the New Testament.  Folks sometime view salvation as purely a change of the soul’s destiny, but fail to see that real conversion involves a change in one’s nature.  By the power of the gospel, pride, and stubbornness are broken down.  The renewed heart is ready to receive the call of God.

"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekiel 36:27)  The renewed heart produces a new kind of walk.  It is manifested by a life devoted to keeping God’s judgments.  Peter says, “for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1-2) 

It is remarkable to find in Ezekiel’s prophecies an anticipation of the promises the New Covenant.  We live by the gracious assurance that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

By George Slover
 

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)

In George Reavis’  “Animal School”, the animals decide to organize a school.  They adopt an activity curriculum consisting of running, climbing, swimming, and flying.  To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals take all of the subjects. The duck is great at swimming, but a poor runner. The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but dropped out because of the make-up work in swimming.  The squirrel was an excellent climber, but was frustrated with his flying lessons.  The eagle was a problem child, because in climbing class he insisted on using his own way to get to the top of the tree.  The prairie dogs stayed out of school because there were no classes in digging and burrowing.  What is the moral of this fable?  Do you see any similarities between the fable and the passage above?

In the context Paul is speaking of the body of Christ. (vs.4) The members of the body must not argue with each other, nor envy each other over their relative importance.  Each part has a function no matter how prominent or hidden they may be.  An honest assessment of self, and recognition of the importance of others will hold vain pride in check. 

No matter what the gift, each one must recognize that such gifts come from God.  One may be quite gifted in public speaking, another in quickly making acquaintances, another in leading; others have a special touch with those who are hurting.  But each gift comes from God.  There is no room for pride or arrogance.  God wants each one to use their gift out of a sense of mutual service.  Our focus must be on meeting the needs of the body “for we are members one of another”.

Furthermore, our worth in the body must be solely viewed through the grace of God.  Without Christ we are worthless, hell bound sinners.  That applies to every one of us.  A reminder of our common dependence in the same Savior will promote humility rather that pride and arrogance.

Instead of thinking so much of your own worth, turn your attention to the ministry of your brother.  Acknowledge his efforts and see to his needs. “There is room in the kingdom of God, my brother for the small things that you can do; Just a small kindly deed that may cheer another is the work God has planned for you.”

By George Slover
 

"Thus they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, (Psalms 106:20-21)

It amazes me how often God revealed himself to Israel with mighty deeds.  It is frightening to read of how they rejected him.  The verses above remind us of the sin at Horeb (Exodus 32:1-10) when they made a golden calf.  Their sin was four-fold.

First, Israel disobeyed God’s command.  Israel was indebted to God for his delivering them from Egypt.  They had already pledged their allegiance to him.  Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient." And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words." (Exodus 24:7-8)  They were instructed to wait until they received a word from the Lord, but instead they acted without direction.  Such disobedience is often due to impatience with God.  (Exodus 32:1)

Second, Israel did not believe God.  Israel failed to trust God.  God had provided abundant evidence by his mighty deeds in Egypt.  However, Israel put their trust in an idolatrous image and rejected the one who was truly God, the Savior!

Third, the Israelites followed after their own devices.  This is a common pattern of mankind.  First, he rejects Jehovah.  Next, he fashions a god in his own likeness.  Finally, he follows the whims of his own heart.  They did what they wanted rather than what God approved.  This love of self is the root of all false religion.  The triumph over self-will is the objective of God fearing people.

Fourth, Israel dishonored God.  The command of God was plain.  "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; (Exodus 20:4)  The carnal mind walks by sight and not by faith.  Thus they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass. (Psalms 106:20)  And, they worshiped the image rather than God.  

Like Israel, many in modern times do not rightly value the power of Jehovah God.  Thus, they exchange him for a material god who serves their own worldly self-indulgence.  The result is tragic. 

BY George Slover 
 

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, (1 Peter 1:15)

The call to holiness is among the many admonitions found in this letter.  God calls upon these pilgrims to live holy lives.  To be chosen by God (1:2) involves great privileges and awesome responsibilities.

The word “holy” means to be different from ordinary things or to be set apart. The Christian is to be set apart in all his living.  In all that he does he is to be a reflection of God’s purity. (2:9) He no longer lives according to his “former lusts”, but by the will of God.  This duty is permeates every relationship from family, to job, to church.  He is determined to no longer live according his former lusts, but by the will of God.

Why is the Christian called to live such a holy life?  The answer is in verse 16: because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)  Note: God says be holy!  Why?  Because God says “I am holy”!  The Christian is commanded to walk away from his former ways and act like God!

This concept of holy living also has its roots in the Old Testament.  'For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.  (Leviticus 11:44)  Again we find the reason for which God called Israel to holiness; because He is holy.  This same command is repeated numerous times in Leviticus.  They are to be holy because Jehovah God is holy!

Our association with God should be the compelling reason for our holiness.  Most of us feel pressured by Christian friends or a fear of punishment to live sanctified lives, but we should want to holy, because God who called us to be his child is worthy.  Should we not love our holy God enough to bear his image?  It is a lofty calling!

By George Slover
 

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:16) One of man’s greatest needs is the wisdom that comes from God.  There seems to be a yearning in the hearts of all human beings for something better than what is offered in this fleshly world.  Unfortunately, man seems to look in all of the wrong places, and Satan is willing to fill the void. Such was true in the days of Jeremiah.  The people looked for answers and false prophets were willing to peddle their wares.  Their foolish counsel gave the people a false sense of security.  There are two characteristics of these false teachers that parallel those of the 21stCentury: 1) they received their counsel from the wrong source, and 2) they offered a false hope. Jeremiah says: They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD.  Their teachings came from private speculations and personal intuition.  Such subjective counsel is attractive to the masses.  In 2023 it is popular to be “spiritual”.  However, “spiritual” is loosely defined as whatever pleases the individual.  The modern “come as you are”, “live as you please” religion focuses on what pleases man rather than God.  It we intend to truly be spiritual we must acknowledge the commandments of the Lord. (I Corinthians 14:37)   Jeremiah then added:  They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace"'.  (Jeremiah 23:17)  Modern religions are designed to make one feel good about themselves. The counsel that comes from God offers peace only to those who painfully acknowledge their faults.  Truth can be painful, but beneficial. Thus, we must “test the spirits” (I John 3:1), For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it? (Jeremiah 23:18) By George Slover