Ezekiel 17:19-21
“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: As surely as I live, I will repay him for despising my oath and breaking my covenant. I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there because he was unfaithful to me. All his choice troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to the winds. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken.’”
This is part of a word the LORD had given to Ezekiel pertaining to Zedekiah in the land of Judah. After Nebuchadnezzar came in and carried out the LORD’s judgment on idolatrous and wicked Judah, he made Zedekiah king in place of Jehoichin. Zedekiah then took an oath to be subject to Nebuchadnezzar, and according to the above Scriptures, he must have made it in the LORD’s name. So not only did Zedekiah break the oath he took but he also rebelled against the LORD’s righteous judgement by seeking help from Egypt. I say all that to say this: he was unfaithful to the LORD; by breaking his oath and despising what the LORD had righteously decreed, Zedekiah brought death and judgment to himself and those around him.
In the same way, when we despise what the LORD has decreed and break the covenant we have made with Him, we also welcome in these same judgements. Now God is merciful, patient, and kind to us – far more than we deserve, but if we continue to rebel against Him, then what is left but judgement? Each of us has a choice we must make each day: will I serve God or serve something else? Just like Zedekiah, no one can make that choice for us, but those around us may pay for the choices we make. We must realize that our lives affect more than just us, that each one of us has some influence on those around us, and we must choose if that influence will be for life or for death.
Lord, please help me and help us to faithfully obey and follow You so that we may spread life and not death.
Psalm 139:24- Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
God bless! I love you all, but His love leads to life, both now and forever. Praise, glory, and honor to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!
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