Over and over God provided for His people, over and over He warned them to get rid of their idols, keep His commands and observe His Sabbaths.  Over and over Israel failed to obey God and experienced the consequences.  Over and over God was compassionate and loving and forgave His people and restored them to blessings.

The historic fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is well verified, but it means little unless it is personally experienced. A dynamic personal encounter with the risen Christ is key. But this personal encounter must be grounded in training. Until we “go to school” with Jesus, and are thoroughly taught truth by Him, we are not ready to serve Him.

Each person is responsible for their own actions.  Parents are not held responsible by God for the sins of their children, and children are not held responsible by God for the sins of their parents.  Each person is responsible for their own behavior.  In the same way, you don’t get credit for your parents good behavior if you do bad.  Each person is responsible for their own sin and will be judged accordingly.

Now in 8th grade, I was listening to the Math teacher, taking notes and totally absorbed in “math”. The teacher was talking about historical representations of Pi. Then I almost fell out of my seat when he said that the Bible said Pi was 3. I mean no one talks about the Bible in school, let alone Math.

The fact that God must punish Israel for her spiritual adultery is not surprising.  Israel is only getting what they deserve.  What is surprising is that God is going to restore Israel.  Not because Israel deserves it now any more than it deserved it when God first cleaned her up and made her His bride.  God is doing it because God is faithful to His Covenant promises. 

His kingdom is radically different from the kingdoms of the world in that it does not originate from within the world

In Ezekiel eleven, judgment is proclaimed against Israel’s leaders.  “You haven’t obeyed my laws” YHWH complains.  “You’ve conformed to the standards of the nations around you.”

We were once the alien, as Ruth was, excluded from the promises of God. We sought refuge and redemption in Christ, as she did at the threshing floor. Ultimately, we became family in the household of God, as Ruth did in the home of Boaz.

Ezekiel 5-8 is, admittedly, difficult to read.  It’s a pretty graphic account of God impending judgment against the city of Jerusalem and his people, Israel. 

The folks that put up the signs want people to slow down and notice the beauty around them.