Egypt the Great Tree, Cut Down

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 31:1-18

 

Ezekiel 31:10-11

Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have increased in height, and it set its top among the thick boughs, and its heart was ^[d]lifted up in its height, ¹¹ therefore I will deliver it into the hand of the mighty one of the nations, and he shall surely deal with it; I have driven it out for its wickedness.

(NKJV)

 

The text of the Bible contains many historical accounts whose accuracy gives credibility to scripture, especially when it foretells future events that transpired just as the prophets foretold. Such is the case with the writings of Ezekiel concerning Egypt. In this text, the word from the Lord given to Ezekiel compares the fall of Egypt to the fall of a great cedar tree in Lebanon. The cedars of Lebanon were used in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem for their strength, alluding to the strength of Egypt but pride and wickedness brought down this great kingdom. Since history is there to teach us a lesson, let this be a lesson to avoid a prideful heart.

 

Ezekiel receives a word from the Lord with the specific time of his receiving it documented in Scripture (Ezekiel 31:1). The word is directed at Pharaoh and asks him who compares with him in greatness (Ezekiel 31:2). The Lord then gives Pharaoh the example of Assyria a great cedar in Lebanon, so great that it fed all the other trees of the field (Ezekiel 31:3-4). So great was this tree that the birds nested in its long branches and animals gave birth under its shade (Ezekiel 31:5-6). This beautiful tree surpassed the beauty of all the trees in the garden of Eden (Ezekiel 31:7-9).

 

However, this great tree became prideful because of its greatness with God delivering it up to destruction at the hand of the mighty one of the nations for its wickedness (Ezekiel 31:10-11). The once mighty cedar of Lebanon has fallen with all the people who once found shelter under its shadow, fleeing (Ezekiel 31:12). All the birds that once nested there and the animals that once found shelter under its branches will come to the branches that have fallen (Ezekiel 31:13). The fall of this great tree is a warning to future trees that might become prideful for their greatness (Ezekiel 31:14).

 

The Lord declares that when the great tree representing Egypt went down to hell, He caused mourning with Lebanon even mourning its fall and all the trees, or nations, wilting (Ezekiel 31:15). The nations shook at Egypt’s fall with those falling with it finding comfort in the depths of the earth (Ezekiel 31:16-17). The Lord then directly addresses Pharaoh asking him which of the great trees of Eden he would compare his greatness when he lies in the depths of the earth with the uncircumcised (Ezekiel 31:18).

 

A word for Pharaoh comparing the fall of Egypt to the fall of a great cedar of Lebanon due to its prideful heart. Instead of giving credit to the creator God, the cedar tree of Egypt becomes prideful with God vowing to drive Pharaoh and the people out of their land for their wickedness (Ezekiel 31:11). This passage is a visual illustration of what is going to happen to Egypt that Ezekiel foretold in Ezekiel 30. The people of Israel and Egypt knew of the strength of the cedars of Lebanon for they were used in the construction of the Temple (1 Kings 5:5-6). However, with this illustration, God is telling Egypt and Israel that even the tall and strong who are like the cedars of Lebanon will fall under the weight of pride and wickedness (Proverbs 16:18). We must guard our hearts against pride.

 

Great nations, organizations, and even Churches will fall when they have prideful hearts. This is because pride that glorifies self, replaces God in one’s life. However, we must not mistake boasting in what the Lord has done for us and through us as pride for even the Apostle Paul boasted about what God had done. For example, Paul boasted about Christ in him and his weaknesses which caused him to rely on Christ more (2 Corinthians 11:10; 12:9). The difference is that Paul boasted in Christ, giving glory to God whereas Pharaoh boasted in himself and his army. Believers, and especially those in leadership in the Church must guard their hearts against pride so all that the ministry does brings glory to God and not self or some leader in the ministry.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

The Fourfold Witness

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 5:31-47

 

John 5:39-40

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. ⁴⁰ But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

(NKJV)

 

This text records Jesus’ response to the persecution of a group of Jews due to Jesus healing a lame man on the Sabbath (John 5:16). Deuteronomy 19:15 sets the standard of the insufficiency of one witness in accusing one of some iniquity so Jesus presents a fourfold witness. These legalistic Jews believe they are persecuting a sinner, but they find themselves persecuting God.

 

Jesus begins by letting His accusers know He is aware that His witness of Himself is not sufficient (John 5:31). Jesus then lets them know there is another man bearing witness of Him, John the Baptist (John 5:32). Jesus then reminds them that they inquired of John who bore witness of the truth but Jesus also tells them He does not receive the testimony of a man (John 5:33-34). John was a burning and shining lamp the Jews were willing to believe for a while (John 5:35).

 

However, there are even greater witnesses of who Jesus was. The first of these is His works (John 5:36). Then there was the testimony of God the Father, declaring that Jesus was His Son (John 5:37; Matthew 3:16-17). Finally, there is the testimony in the Scriptures that speak of Jesus but these legalistic Jews have hardened hearts and refuse to listen (John 5:38-40).

 

Jesus does not receive honor from men but knows these Jews do not have the love of God in them (John 5:41-42). Ironically, these Jews do not receive Jesus despite the evidence for who He is and instead receive those bearing witness of themselves which is not true (Deuteronomy 19:15; John 5:43). Jesus questions how they can receive honor from each other and reject honor that comes from the only God (John 5:44). It is not Jesus who will accuse these Jews to the Father but Moses in whom they trust (John 5:45). Jesus then accuses them of not believing Moses in whom they trust because Moses wrote of Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 5:46). However, if they do not believe the teachings of Moses, How can Jesus expect them to believe His words (John 5:47).

 

Jesus provides a fourfold witness of His identity to fulfill the legal requirement of Deuteronomy 19:15 requiring the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish a matter. Jesus’ fourfold witness includes,

 

1. The testimony of John the Baptist (John 1:29) – John the Baptist was the first to call out Jesus as the lamb of God who came to save the world, but Jesus does not seek the testimony of men (John 5:33-34).
2. The works of the Father Jesus was sent to do (John 5:36) – The miracles Jesus performed also bore witness of who He was for they were unlike anything done previously. However, even John the Baptist had his doubts and sent messengers to Jesus from prison with Jesus citing the works he did as a witness to who He was (Matthew 11:1-5).
3. The Father Himself (Matthew 3:16-17) – If these two witnesses did not convince people, a thundering voice from heaven declaring Jesus as the Son of God should.
4. The Scriptures (John 5:39) – As written and documented proof of who He was, Jesus encourages these Jews to search the scriptures because if they do, they will discover the scriptures testify about Him.

 

Jesus presents a solid case to the Jews persecuting Him with credible witnesses, a track record of good works, and a documented written history as recorded in the words of the prophets. However, even a solid fourfold witness does not persuade these Jews with them vowing to kill him (John 5:16).

 

Scripture warns us to avoid false teaching or as Peter states it, destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1-3). To test a doctrine or teaching we must,

 

• Does the teaching align with the mission of the Church to spread the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) – Spreading the Gospel message and making Disciples is the mission of the Church and all teaching should have as its purpose, advancing the mission.
• Does the teaching glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31) – Teaching from the pulpit in the Church must have as its purpose the glorification of God but all too often it glorifies self and is not based on sound doctrine but the satisfaction of the itching ears of the congregation (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
• Is the teaching according to Scripture (Acts 17:10-11) – After he was run out of Thessalonica, Paul and those with him found themselves in Berea (Acts 17:5-9). In Berea, they encounter a group of believers who searched the scriptures checking to determine if what they were hearing was true (Acts 17:10-11). When testing a doctrine we must follow the example of the Bereans and search scripture to test its truth.

 

Just like in the early Church, false teaching is present today. However, in the information age, this false teaching can spread rapidly, and why we as believers must be even more diligent in testing all that we hear. The good news is that while false teaching can spread rapidly in the information age, the good news of the Gospel can also spread rapidly. The Church must repent of its adoption of false teaching and with the same diligence begin spreading the good news of the Gospel.

 

I want to invite anyone reading this post who has not prayed for salvation from their sins and to make Jesus the Lord of their life through the confession of their belief in Jesus as their Savior to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

The Fall of Pharaoh, the Rise of Babylon

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 30:20-26

 

Ezekiel 30:25

 Thus I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; they shall know that I am the Lord, when I put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt.

(NKJV)

 

We live in the age of the mega-church or churches with massive congregations. While these churches may have had a great harvest of souls, the truth is many of these churches, and I use the term loosely, grew on a message designed to make congregants feel good and not challenged to draw closer to God. In many of these churches, God fills the role of Santa Claus, giving people whatever they want by saying it, claiming it and contributing to the Church. Our sinful world needs more churches that declare the truth of God’s word with lives transformed. Biblical Church growth is not growth in numbers but growth in transformed lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord, this time directed at Pharaoh the king of Egypt (Ezekiel 30:20). The word to Pharaoh is that the Lord has broken his arm and not bandaged it or put it in a sling so Pharaoh is not strong enough to hold a sword (Ezekiel 30:21). The Lord lets Pharaoh know He is against him by breaking both his arms so the sword falls out of his hand (Ezekiel 30:22). This loss of the sword for defense means the Egyptians will be scattered among the nations and dispersed throughout the countries (Ezekiel 30:23). This prophecy foretells the fall of Pharaoh.

 

The Lord then foretells the rising of another kingdom. While the arms of Pharaoh are broken and unable to handle a sword, the arms of the king of Babylon are strengthened and with the sword of the Lord in his hand causes Pharaoh to groan before the king like a mortally wounded man (Ezekiel 30:24). The stretching out of the sword of the Lord by the king of Babylon to Pharaoh will cause the Egyptians to know the Lord is God (Ezekiel 30:25). The Lord will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries where they will come to know the Lord is God (Ezekiel 30:26).

 

Once again, we see God speaking to Egypt about the coming conquest by Babylon, but with Israel contemplating fleeing to Egypt for protection, this prophecy also warns Israel not to put their trust in Egypt. The prophet Isaiah also warned Israel not to turn to Egypt for help (Isaiah 31:1). The prophet Jeremiah prophesied safety and peace for Israel in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:4-14). The irony here is that the people looking for safety in Egypt are seeking to escape Babylonian captivity, only to escape to a place the Babylonians will destroy. The purpose of exile for Israel was to bring them to repentance and trust in God and not the might and riches of the world.

 

Believers in Jesus as Savior want to see the Church grow in numbers for it can indicate a harvest of souls. However, Church leaders must resist the temptation to achieve numerical growth through the compromising of truth and stick to the mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Pastors are shepherds of a flock of individuals they are to lead and teach according to the principles of the word of God.

 

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy of a time when people would have itching ears that are not interested in truth but in what helps them fulfill their own desires (2 Timothy 4:3). The Church in Laodicea became lukewarm because it was full of pride in its riches and wealth, believing it needed nothing when we all need a Savior for we have all sinned (Revelation 3:14-22; Romans 3:23). Is this any different than the wealth and prosperity gospel taught in many churches today? Those preaching this message amas large congregations with an appearance of success but the teaching uplifts self more than Christ. I pray that pastors and leaders of the Church would repent of such false doctrine and return to the mission of the Church given to it by Christ (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). The harvest of souls is indeed plentiful but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37).

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

Life and Judgment in Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 5:16-30

 

John 5:16-17

For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, ^[a]and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. ¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

(NKJV)

 

The theology of the Church must achieve a balance between cheap grace that believes God’s grace covers sin so one can continue in sin and legalism requiring one to adhere to a strict set of rules to earn salvation. The Gospel is a balance with one receiving salvation through the finished work of the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9) and bringing life to their faith through their works (James 2:14-17). The mission of the Church is to spread the Gospel and make disciples (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). My prayer is that the Church does this with a balance of God’s grace and works done not to earn salvation but out of love for what God has done.

 

Because Jesus healed a lame man on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted and sought to kill Jesus (John 5:16). Jesus answered these Jews by telling them His Father had been working until then and He had been working also (John 5:17). This answer enraged the Jews even more for not only did Jesus heal on the Sabbath, but he now called God His Father, making Himself equal to God (John 5:18), Jesus then tells them that the Son does nothing by Himself but does what He sees the Father do (John 5:19).

 

Jesus continues by telling these Jews that the Father loves the Son, showing Him all the things He does with greater works to come so the Jews may marvel (John 5:20) The Father raises the dead, giving them life with the Son giving life to whomever He will (John 5:21). God the Father has committed all judgment to the Son and why all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father because he who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:22-23).

 

Jesus continues by saying that one hearing His word, believing in the Father who sent the Son has everlasting life, escaping judgment for he has passed from death into life (John 5:24). In fact, a day is coming and even here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God with those hearing living (John 5:25). God the Father has granted the Son to have life and given the Son authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man (John 5:26-27). This is not something to marvel at for a time is coming when all will hear His voice and come forth with those doing good to the resurrection of life and those doing evil the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28-29). Jesus can do nothing of Himself, judging as He hears from the Father in righteousness, seeking the will of God the Father (John 5:30).

 

While Scripture does not specifically identify this group of Jews, they were most likely Pharisees or Sadducees due to their legalism regarding the Sabbath. These legalistic Jews take pride in placing themselves on a pedestal to sit in judgment of anyone they perceive as breaking any portion of the Law. While these Jews expected Jesus to defend healing the lame man on the Sabbath, He instead identified Himself as the Son of God (John 5:19), infuriating His persecutors even more. Jesus is letting these legalistic Jews know that they are persecuting God, accusing Him of breaking His own law. This accusation of God, accusing God of violating the Sabbath, dishonors God and places these Jews in violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:1-3). What does a legalist do when someone confronts him or her with their own violation of the law?

 

Legalism represents a works-based righteousness where one believes he will attain righteousness due to his or her good works. Granted, James stated that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-17), but James is talking to Christians who have received salvation through God’s grace, urging them to live their faith through their works. When one truly realizes the extent of the love of God the Father who sent his only Son to die for the sins of humanity, taking upon Himself our judgment for sin, the response should be to serve God out of love (John 3:16).

 

However, we must not become legalistic like the Jews in this text, so caught up in obeying every letter of the law that they missed a miracle of God happening right before their eyes. We must not become like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son, so caught up in his own righteousness that he missed a demonstration of his Father’s grace and love towards his brother (Luke 15:11-32). God is indeed a just God expecting obedience to His Word, but He is also a loving God willing to forgive anyone coming to Him seeking forgiveness (1 John 1:9). This is because God gave the World His only Son to save humanity, not to condemn it (John 3:16-17).

 

I want to invite anyone reading this post who has not prayed for salvation from their sins and to make Jesus the Lord of their life through the confession of their belief in Jesus as their Savior to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

Trust in God and Get Out and Vote

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 30:1-19

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall ^[a]direct your paths.

(NKJV)

 

As believers in Jesus as our Savior, we are to trust God and not lean to our own understanding but depend on God to direct our path (Proverbs 3:5-6). However, this is not an excuse for Christians to stay home on election day, using trust in God as an excuse. In Romans 13:1-7, we are reminded to submit to government because governing authority is appointed by God, even those authorities we may not agree with. However, in countries with elections, like the United States, Christians have an opportunity to voice their Godly values by voting for the candidates for office that best support these values, keeping in mind none of the candidates are perfect. We must continue to trust in God but also get out and vote.

 

The Lord gives Ezekiel another word from the Lord, this time a word bring wailing and woe (Ezekiel 30:1-2). The day is near even the day of the Lord, a day of clouds and the time of the Gentiles (Ezekiel 30:3). The word speaks of the sword coming upon Egypt and great anguish in Ethiopia with many slain in Egypt, the loss of wealth, and the foundations of Egypt broken down (Ezekiel 30:4). Nations allied with Egypt will also fall by the sword (Ezekiel 30:5).

 

The word of the Lord continues by warning those upholding Egypt they will also fall by the sword, becoming desolate with their cities laid waste (Ezekiel 30:6-7). When there is a fire set in Egypt and Egypt’s helpers are destroyed, they shall know the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 30:8). In this day, messengers shall go out in ships, making the careless Ethiopians afraid with great anguish (Ezekiel 30:9).

 

The word of the Lord continues with the Lord telling the Egyptians Egypt will cease by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:10). Nebuchadnezzar and his people, the most terrible of the nations will destroy the land and slay many with their swords (Ezekiel 30:11). By the hand of aliens, the Lord will make the rivers dry, sell the land into the hand of the wicked, making the land a wasteland (Ezekiel 30:12).

 

The word of the Lord continues with the Lord vowing to destroy the idols of Egypt along with the images from Noph. There will no longer be princes from the land of Egypt and fear in the land of Egypt (Ezekiel 30:13). The word of the Lord then names specific places in Egypt that will become desolate (Ezekiel 30:14-18). The Lord will execute these judgments upon Egypt so they will know that the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 30:19).

 

In the Bible, Egypt symbolizes the world and its system. While this text foretells the fall of Egypt to the Babylonians, it is also a foretelling of the fall of the corrupt world system and all those aligned with it when the Lord returns (Revelation 19:11-16). At the time of this word of the Lord, some in Israel were seeking protection from Egypt (Isaiah 30:1-7) with this passage telling them the might of Egypt has an expiration date, with the people still going into exile in Babylon or dying in Egypt. Trust in the might of armies of the world or one's wealth may provide security for a time, but these things have an expiration date and will disappoint and fail us in the end. Eternal trust and security are in the Lord, and how we overcome the trials of the corrupt world we live in (Hebrews 11:30-40).

 

By faith, we must trust in God and not be tempted to trust in the apparent security in wealth or the might of earthly armies. This is an election year in the United States offering Christians an opportunity to voice their opinions by voting their Godly values. While all the candidates for office are sinners (Romans 3:23) we still must vote and vote for the candidate that most represents Godly values. However, we cannot vote according to Godly values unless we are in the Bible, the word of God, to become familiar with these values.

 

In this election year, God’s people must,

 

1. Read and study the Bible to recognize Godly values.
2. Pray to be connected to God.
3. Fellowship with other believers at a local Church to see Godly values in action.
4. Vote!!!

 

Most of all, no matter the results of an election, we must place our trust in God remembering Psalm 23.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

Jesus Brings Hope in Hopeless Situations

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 5:1-15

 

John 5:6

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

(NKJV)

 

We live in a corrupt and fallen world and as such may find ourselves in a hopeless situation like the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:7; 16:33). The account of the healing of the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda should bring anyone facing a hopeless situation hope for Jesus Christ is the same today as He was them (Hebrews 13:8). I hope that this study of John 5:1-15 will bring hope to anyone facing a hopeless situation.

 

After the healing of the noblemen’s son, Jesus returns to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews (John 5:1), In Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate, there is a pool with five porches called Bethesda (John 5:2). On the porches of this pool, there are many sick, lame, blind, and paralyzed people waiting for the moving of the water in the pool (John 5:3). This is because at a certain time, an angel would stir up the water and the first one in the pool would receive healing (John 5:4). Among those around the pool was a lame men who had been afflicted for thirty-eight years (John 5:5). When Jesus saw the lame man, knowing he had been in that condition a long time, He asked him if he wanted to be made well (John 5:6).

 

The lame man answers by letting Jesus know he had no one to put him in the pool so another always got in ahead of him (John 5:7). After hearing this, Jesus tells the man to take up his bed and walk and the man is immediately healed with the miracle occurring on the Sabbath (John 5:8-9). Some legalistic Jews approach the man to remind him it is not lawful for him to carry his bed on the Sabbath (John 5:10).

 

The once lame man tells these Jews that the one who healed him told him to take up his bed and walk (John 5:11). When asked by the Jews who the man was who told him to carry his bed, he could not tell them because Jesus had withdrawn into the multitude (John 5:12-13). Jesus later found the man in the temple and told him to sin no more lest a worse thing come upon him (John 5:14). The once lame man then departed to tell the Jews it was Jesus who had made him well (John 5:15).

 

The miracle at the Pool at Bethesda shows that Jesus can and will bring hope to a hopeless situation despite opposition. In this miracle we see

• The compassion of Jesus (John 5:6) – Jesus as God knew this man’s situation and when he saw him lying by the pool, out of compassion asked if he wanted to be healed despite it being the Sabbath. Of course, the question is a rhetorical question for a desire for healing was why the man was there. Perhaps believing he finally had someone to put him in the pool when the water moved, he told Jesus his situation but instead of being thrown in the water, Jesus told the man to walk (John 5:7-9).
• The power and authority of Christ (John 5:8-9) – Those, including the lame man, who was waiting for an angel to come and stir the water was about to witness one with greater authority and power than the angel who would bring about a miracle, even during the sabbath.
• Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath and will not allow that to stop Him from healing a lame man (John 5:9; Luke 6:1-5) – The questioning of the healed man by Jesus on the Sabbath leads to the logical question, did they also question the angel who brought healing to the first one in the water. Of course, they were not about to question an angel from God, but this illustrates their lack of understanding of who Jesus was, the Son of God, Messiah, who possessed greater power than the angels.

 

This text still brings hope to anyone facing a hopeless situation in their lives for Jesus is still the same as he was for this man at Bethesda (Hebrews 13:8). Perhaps someone reading this, like the lame man face an illness for which there is no hope of a cure. I encourage anyone in that situation to not stop praying and seek others to pray for them for where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, He is with them (Matthew 18:20). The miracle-working Jesus of the pool of Bethesda may not physically be present but is with us when we find ourselves in a hopeless situation (Psalm 23:4).

 

The greatest miracle in anyone’s life is the miracle performed by Jesus on the cross where he said “It is finished” meaning our debt of sin was paid in full (John 19:28-30). This miracle restores our relationship with God and gives us eternal life (John 1:12, 3:16). I want to invite anyone reading this post who has not prayed for salvation from their sins and to make Jesus the Lord of their life through the confession of their belief in Jesus as their Savior to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

Trusting God v. Trusting the World

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 29:1-21

 

Romans 5:3-4

 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces ^[a]perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, ^[b]character; and character, hope.

(NKJV)

 

As Christians, we profess faith and trust in God. However, the testing of where we place our trust lies in who we trust when some trial or struggle comes about. In Romans 5:3-4, the Bible reminds us that tribulations bring glory as they produce perseverance, character, and hope in us. This is true if we place our trust in God during the trial but if we instead place our trust in some worldly program, person, government, or organization to save us, we will be disappointed. Let us not make the mistake of Judah who trusted Egypt to save them from the Babylonians who would also invade Egypt and instead, trust in God.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord that is directed to Pharaoh and all of Egypt (Ezekiel 29:1-2). The word begins with the Lord declaring that He is against Pharaoh and all of Egypt, calling Pharaoh a great monster lying in his rivers, claiming them as his own even though they were created by the Lord (Ezekiel 29:3). Ezekiel uses the image of hooks in Pharaoh’s jaws, stating that he intends to pull him from his rivers with all the fish, the people of Egypt, sticking to him (Ezekiel 29:4). The Lord then will leave them in the wilderness where they will not be picked up but become food for the beasts and birds (Ezekiel 29:5). Thus shall all the inhabitants of Egypt know the Lord is God because they broke Israel who had placed their trust in Egypt (Ezekiel 29:6-7).

 

Therefore, the Lord will bring a sword against Egypt, making the land desolate and a wasteland because Pharaoh claimed the river was his when it was the Lord who made it (Ezekiel 29:8-9). The Lord is indeed against Egypt and will make their land desolate and uninhabited for forty years (Ezekiel 29:10-11). Egypt will be desolate in the midst of countries that are also desolate and scatter the Egyptians among nations throughout the countries (Ezekiel 29:12).

 

Yet, after forty years, the Lord will gather the Egyptians from the nations in which they are scattered (Ezekiel 29:13). However, Egypt will be a lowly kingdom that never again attains its status of greatness among the nations (Ezekiel 29:14-15). Because of this, Israel will never again place their trust in Egypt and also know the Lord is God (Ezekiel 29:16).

 

The Babylonians are the ones who will attack and plunder Egypt because they invaded Tyre but did not receive plunder with which to pay their army and plundered Egypt to pay their army (Ezekiel 29:17-19). The Lord has given the Babylonians the land of Egypt for their labors because they were working for the Lord (Ezekiel 29:20). In the day of the Babylonian invasion and plunder of Egypt, the horn of Israel will spring forth and God will open the mouth of Ezekiel to speak so that Israel will know that the Lord is God (Ezekiel 29:21).

 

Some in Israel believed they could find refuge and safety in Egypt with Egypt’s army helping them defeat the Babylonians. However, we have the benefit of hindsight with the Bible recording the defeat of the armies of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:24-25; Jeremiah 46:2). Not only did Israel and Judah sin by committing idolatry and the worship of other gods, but they also did not trust God to save them and instead turned to Egypt for protection. This is why God needed to put Israel and Judah in the timeout of exile so they could reflect on and repent of their sins and turn back to God and live (Ezekiel 18:19-32).

 

In the Bible, Egypt symbolizes the world and this text points out the futility of Judah believing Egypt was their source of security and safety. However, many in the world, including many in the Church, are like Judah and believe they can find safety and security in the world. In fact, some believe compromise with the world, including remaining silent or even condoning the ungodly abominations of the world is a path to safety and security through avoiding conflict. Jesus did not compromise to avoid conflict and confronted people with the truth with some accepting it and some rejecting it.

 

Jesus experienced a falling away when he taught that He was the living bread and that one must eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood for eternal life (John 6:48-59). Perhaps believing Jesus was condoning cannibalism many left but they missed the point. Jesus was not condoning cannibalism but referencing what would occur on the cross when His body was broken, and His blood shed to forgive sin (Luke 22:19-20). This was a hard message for many to understand because it required faith at the time Jesus said it knowing He would never condone cannibalism. We can only hope that some of those who walked away came back after Jesus rose from the grave.

 

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore, when we encounter some truth from the Bible that is difficult for our fleshly minds to understand, we must accept it in faith, trusting God that it is true. Understanding will come when God brings to light the hidden things (1 Corinthians 4:5). We should also seek Godly counsel for understanding (Proverbs 1:5)

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.