Lift a Hand

O. T. #1895  "Lift a Hand"

March 5, 2021

Ezekiel 20-Part 2

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

LET IT GLOW

Wow! I just completely reading this long chapter. God instructs Ezekiel to review Israel's past history and prophesy their future. there are some good things and some not so good things discussed here. Let's begin with the good things I noticed.

We see the love that God had for Israel, His chosen people and nation in their past, present, and future.

1. God revealed to Israel what pleased Him. (verse 40) It included: serving God, giving Him all their offerings, choice gifts, and sacrifices.
2. God made Himself known to Judah/Israel. (verse 9)
3. He provided a way for them to live, which was obedience of God's statutes and judgments, and keeping the Sabbaths. (verses 11, 18-20)
4. He sanctified Israel. (verse 12) When they observed the Sabbath, that showed Israel's dependence upon  to supply their need as they did not work on the seventh day.

God reveals Himself today through nature, Christians, and His Word. We know what pleases our God when we read His Word to us and listen to it taught and preached. Jesus is the only way to eternal life in heaven. It is our faith that pleases God.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Friend, have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior? Believe in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of your soul, confess of your sins, asking Him to forgive you, and He will.

LET IT GROW

When words or phrases are repeated, I take notice. What is God saying to us?

1. God lifted up His hand. We find that in verses 5,6,15,23, and 28. To whom or where did God lift up His hand?

• When He chose Israel, the seed of the house of Jacob; (verse 5)
• When He brought them out of Egypt; (verse 6)
• When Israel was in the wilderness, after they had no faith to trust God to give them victory over the giants in the Promised Land; (verse 15)
• When Israel was in the wilderness, after the Babylonian army scattered them. (verse 23)
• When Israel worshiped idols on mountains, offered sacrifices burning their children to Molech, the pagan god. (verse 28)

When God lifted up His hand, good or bad things happened. He often conquered Israel's enemies with just His hand lifted up and His word. The good thing for us is that Jesus sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us. 

LET IT GO

May we please You, God, with our life, service, offerings, and gifts.

Grow our faith stronger and more abundantly in You.

Thank You Jesus that Your hand of mercy is upon us today.

May we lift up our hands in praise of Jesus.

May we lift a hand to help others.