Wealth and Things

O. T. #1863  "Wealth and Things"

January 19, 2021

Ezekiel 7-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Something interesting that I found in verses 10-14. It is the word multitude (crowd), which appears 4 times. As I looked it up in the Greek and Hebrew, it meant the same thing. It appeared numerous times in the gospels (Matthew-John). Jesus spoke to multitudes/crowds of thousands throughout His ministry. The interesting thing is that He taught them in parables (a fictious narrative, of common life conveying a moral). He used common situations and things to teach them a moral lesson. Doesn't a story with a specific meaning seem to stick with us longer than just points in a sermon? The prodigal son returning, the sower of seed on different ground, the lost coin, the man who built many barns for his abundance, the kingdom of heaven just to name a few. Such great lessons for life-God accepts us back when we have strayed away from  Him; the sowing of the gospel falls on various hearts; seek Jesus diligently; share our wealth with those in need, for we can't take it with us.

I hope you will study the New Testament while we continue in the Old Testament. It reassures us that Jesus is in control even when situations seem bleak.  He taught us so much and imparted wisdom for us for life.

LET IT GROW

 Well, getting back to our key verses (10-14), God's Word speaks of the multitudes, crowds:

• When the time came for the Babylonian army to wipe out the crowds of Jews in Jerusalem (their day of judgment), none of the proud and wicked people would survive. (verse 11)
• All their wealth and prestige would be swept away. Buyers, sellers, and merchants would be gone. (verse 12)
• The vision of God's anger touched the whole multitude in Jerusalem. (verse 13)
• The army of the Jews would not go into battle for they would not listen to the trumpet call. God's fury was upon the disobedient Jews.  (verse 14)

What can we learn from this?

Their wealth could not help the people when God's judgment came. Pride in their buildings was going to be brought down as they were destroyed. Judah trusted in its prosperity and possessions instead of in God. The wicked and proud will finally get what they deserve. A day of judgment will come as it did for the people of Judah. God is waiting for sinners to repent. (2 Peter 3:9) When we trust in jobs, economy, political system, or military might for our security, we put God in the back seat.

The people of Judah spent their money to make idols and purchase them. Money has a strange power to lead people into sin. Paul said the love of money was the root of all evil (1Timothy 6:10). Isn't it ironic that we can use the gift that comes from God, wealth, to buy things that separate us from Him. Isn't it a tragic when we use money to seek satisfaction for ourselves and so little time seeking God, the true source of satisfaction? Then we spend our time maintaining those things instead of seeking God.

Even the houses, sacred places, and Temple (because they put idols inside) were destroyed when the Babylonians came. Their pride was crushed when evil came. If we are going through a humiliating experience, God may be using that to weed out our pride in our life. Maybe you know someone going through this. Pray that they would turn to God.

Is our hope in eternal life with Jesus instead of things we have done or provided here?

Is Jesus first place in our heart? What good is things when our soul is lacking Jesus?

LET IT GO

Keep us loving You, Jesus, more than things.

Discipline us when we get our priorities messed up.

Thank You for being a forgiving and loving Father.

Like the prodigal son, we need our father.