Ezekiel 24 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 24.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/24/1/s_826001

Meditate on verse 13.  The LORD is speaking.

"In your filthiness is lewdness. Because

 I would have cleansed you,

yet you are not clean; you will not be

 cleansed from your filthiness again

until I have spent My wrath on you.” 

On the day the king of Babylon began his third and final siege of Jerusalem, God gave Ezekiel another parable (vs. 2-3). He compared the people to a rusty pot boiled so vigorously that its filthiness melted away; its rust was consumed (vs. 3-11). God gave the people every opportunity to return to Him, yet they refused; therefore, His wrath would cleanse them of their filthy sins (vs. 12-14).

Then, the LORD again made Ezekiel a living sermon illustration the day his wife died (vs. 16-18). Her death and the way Ezekiel handled it made such an impact, the people were finally ready to hear what the LORD had to say (vs. 19-24).

These words from God are sobering. Pray for those you love to repent before it is too late. Listen to God today, so He does not have to use a tragedy to get you to listen tomorrow.

Pray Ezekiel 24:13-14 in repentance, petition, and intercession over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, in our filthiness is lewdness.

  Please cleanse us so You do not

have to spend Your wrath on us.

 Relent and have pity on us. 

Please be sorry for us.  Cleanse us so

You do not have to judge us

 according to our ways and according to our deeds.

Because of Your salvation, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 23 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 23.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/23/1/s_825001

Meditate on verses 48-49.

“Thus I will make lewdness cease from the land,

 that all women may be admonished and

 not commit lewdness as you have done.

  Your lewdness will be requited upon you,

 and you will bear the penalty of worshiping your idols;

thus you will know that I am the LORD GOD.”

The LORD does not mince words; therefore, the shocking story of Oholah and Oholibah is in the Bible to illustrate the depravity of Israel.  The   two sister whores allegorically depict the harlotry of idolatry committed in Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, and in Jerusalem, the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah. And as their adulteries spilled throughout the kingdoms, the people were infected with unfaithfulness, bringing the wrath and judgment of God on their heads.

Words within the story like: “The sound of the carefree multitude was with her, and drunkards were brought from the wilderness” (v. 42) could describe people living today. Take to heart that God will not stand for unfaithfulness toward Him; His wrath is coming. Stand in the gap for those who need to repent of their harlotries, so they can walk wholeheartedly with Him.

Pray Ezekiel 23:48-49 as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, make lewdness cease from the land.

  Admonish us not to commit lewdness as we have done.

 May we repent before our lewdness is requited upon us,

and we bear the penalty of worshiping idols.

 May we know that You are the LORD.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 22 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 22.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/22/1/s_824001

Meditate on verses 30-31.

"I searched for a man among them who would build

 up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land,

so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. 

Thus I have poured out My indignation on them;

 I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath;

 their way I have brought upon

 their heads," declares the LORD GOD.

How important is it for you to be an unceasing prayer warrior for your family, church, community, and country? The LORD was about to completely destroy Jerusalem because no one cared enough to stand in the gap and beg God to change the hearts of their rulers, priests, and prophets. Righteous people would be destroyed with the wicked because not even they prayed for God’s holiness to rule and reign in His people (Ezekiel 21:3-4; 22:30).

This is a sobering Scripture passage. Would God describe you as standing in the gap for the sake of others? Commit to pray, pray, pray as if their lives depended on it.

Pray Ezekiel 22:30-31 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, You have searched for someone among

 the people who would build up the wall of prayers

 and stand in the gap before You for the land,

 so that You would not destroy it—LORD, You have found me!

 Do not pour out Your indignation on _________;

 do not consume us with the fire of Your wrath;

 do not bring our way upon our heads. 

Instead make our way holy in Your sight.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 21 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 21.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/21/1/s_823001

Meditate on verse 27.  The LORD is speaking.

“A ruin, a ruin, a ruin, I will make it. This also will be no more

until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him.”

The LORD spoke grievous prophecies over Jerusalem. Three times He said His sword would come out of its sheath against all flesh (vs. 3-5). Three times He said He would make Jerusalem a ruin (v. 27). Three sieges of Jerusalem—three waves of exile—the LORD was indeed pouring out indignation and wrath on His people because of their iniquities, transgressions, and sins (vs. 24, 31).

In the midst of such dismal words, there is a glimmer of hope, a Messianic prophecy—Jerusalem will be ruined, ruined, ruined until He comes who has the right to rule Jerusalem (v. 27). The only hope for the ruined is the Messiah. The only hope for you and those you love is Jesus the Messiah because without Him everyone is a ruin, a ruin, a ruin.

Pray Ezekiel 21:27 in confession and commitment to the LORD as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, ___________ and I are a ruin, a ruin, a ruin until You come

 and take Your rightful place in our lives. 

We give ourselves to You, LORD Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 20 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 20.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/20/1/s_822001

Meditate on verse 31.

"When you offer your gifts, when you cause

 your sons to pass through the fire, you are

 defiling yourselves with all your idols to this day.  

And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? 

As I live," declares the LORD GOD,

 "I will not be inquired of by you.”

Israel’s elders came to Ezekiel to seek the LORD for truth and information (v. 1). God refused to let them inquire of Him because they continued to appeal to their idols, sacrificing to them rather than trusting in the living God. God declared three times in this chapter, “As I live…” (vs. 3, 31, 33).

“As I live,” declares the LORD GOD, “surely with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, I shall be king over you” (v33). The Israelites would indeed know God is very much alive!

What about you? Do your actions show that you believe God lives? Where do you turn to make inquiries? The LORD has all the answers; He wants you to turn to Him.

Pray Ezekiel 20:8-9 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, do not let _________ and me rebel against You;

 let us listen to You and cast away the detestable things of our eyes.

 Let us forsake our idols.  Please do not pour out

Your wrath on us to accomplish Your anger against us,

but act for the sake of Your name, that it should

 not be profaned in the sight of others among whom we live.  

Make Yourself known through us to those around us.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 19 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 19.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/19/1/s_821001

Meditate on verse 1. 

"As for you, take up a lamentation

 for the princes of Israel.”

The LORD told Ezekiel to lament the last four kings of Israel. Their reigns were evil, and God used the Babylonians to severely punish them (2 Kings 23:28-25:30). In the lament, these kings were called lions, but instead of reigning victoriously, some were caged and hauled to Babylon as if they were beasts (v. 9).

Can you imagine the weeping as the Israelites and their leaders were taken in three consecutive waves to Babylon, and the Davidic promise of an everlasting kingdom seemingly died with each shackled step? But wait—

One of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold,

 the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,

has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals."

—Revelation 5:5

Jesus Christ, the eternal King of kings and LORD of lords, reigns supreme! And while it appeared there would no longer be a scepter to rule Israel (v. 14), hear these Words of the LORD:

But of the Son He says, "Your throne, O God,

 is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter

 is the scepter of His Kingdom.”

—Hebrews 1:8

Perhaps you or someone you love is in the midst of a lamenting time.  Use the words from Ezekiel 19:12-14 to appeal to the Lion of Judah as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, ___________ and I were plucked up in fury

and cast down to the ground.  The east wind dried up our fruit;

our strong branch is torn off so that it withered

 and fire consumed it.  And now we are planted in the wilderness,

 in a dry and thirsty land.  So we turn to You, our Strong Branch.

Let Your scepter rule in our lives, LORD Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 18 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 18.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/18/1/s_820001

Meditate on verse 23.

“Do I have any pleasure in the death

 of the wicked,” declares the LORD God,

 “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?”

What an incredible Old Testament passage full of rich truths about how to have eternal life! God is speaking in the entire chapter, and He clearly reveals His heart for all people “to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Each individual is accountable for his own sins; God will not punish a son for his father’s iniquity (vs. 14-20). If a wicked person turns from all His sins and walks in God’s righteousness, the LORD will not remember his transgressions (vs. 21-23).

Take seriously God’s Words that all souls belong to Him, and “the soul who sins will die” (v. 4). Pray fervently for the souls of those you know who will die in their sins unless they repent and practice righteousness (v. 22).

Pray Ezekiel 18:30-32 over those for whom you stand guard as a faithful prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please draw _________ to repent and turn

 away from all their transgressions,

so that iniquity will not become a stumbling block to them. 

May they cast away all their transgressions

which they have committed.  LORD, make them a new heart

and a new spirit so they will not die! 

LORD, You have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies;

therefore, let ___________ repent and live.

In Your name, Jesus~” 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 17 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 17.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/17/1/s_819001

Meditate on verse 24.

"All the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD;

 I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree,

dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.

I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will perform it."

The LORD gave Ezekiel another parable concerning the people of Israel in the first third of this chapter (vs. 1-10); He explained the parable in the second third (vs. 11-21), and He gave a great parable of promise in the last third (vs. 22-24).

The two eagles are Babylon and Egypt. The plucked twig is King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. In the midst of Babylon (the first eagle) besieging Jerusalem and exiling the people, Zedekiah sought the help of Egypt (the second eagle). He rejected God and His covenant, seeking the help of ungodly people to fix his problems. God promised judgment for his unfaithfulness (v. 20).

Zedekiah was the last earthly king of Israel, yet there is another twig plucked and planted by the LORD. It flourishes, becoming a stately cedar, providing nourishment and protection for all who nest in its shade. This parable is a beautiful picture of Messiah, King Jesus.

Use the words from Ezekiel 17:22-24 to acknowledge the LORD Jesus.

“LORD, You are planted on a high and lofty mountain.

 You bring forth boughs and bear fruit; You are a stately cedar.

 People of every kind can nest under You;

 they can nest in the shade of Your branches.

 LORD, You are where _________ and I choose to dwell.

 Let everyone know that You are the LORD. 

You will bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree,

dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. 

LORD, make us flourish!

 LORD, You have spoken, and You will perform it.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 16 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 16.  It is God’s allegory symbolizing the history of Jerusalem.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/16/1/s_818001

Meditate on verse 6.

"When I passed by you and saw you squirming

 in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!'

 Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!'’

God’s graphic story powerfully shows His involvement in every aspect of Israel’s existence. She had her beginnings in Canaan (present-day Israel). The Canaanites hated her and treated her like an unwanted newborn baby. God let her live and took her to be His own. He entered into a covenant relationship with her and bedecked her as a beautiful bride. She became famous among the nations, but sadly her fame went to her head, and she played the harlot with the idolatrous people around her. Forgetting the One who gave her life, she committed heinous acts against Him and broke her covenant vows (vs. 1-59).

Incredibly, the story ends with the lavishing love and undying commitment of God:

“Thus I will establish My covenant with you,

and you shall know that I am the LORD, so that

 you may remember and be ashamed and never open

 your mouth anymore because of your humiliation,

when I have forgiven you for all that

 you have done," the LORD GOD declares.

—Ezekiel 16:62-63

God established His everlasting covenant through the LORD Jesus Christ. His forgiveness of even heinous sins comes through Jesus, and it is available to Jerusalem, Israel, Canaanites, and you and your loved ones.

Pray Ezekiel 16:62-63 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, establish Your covenant with _________ and me;

we know that You are the LORD!

Thank You for forgiving us.

Because of You, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell