Title: The Sword of the Lord
Contents
Ezekiel 21:1-17 / The sword of the LORD
* In yesterday's Word, I would burn you with raging fire - God who spoke of judgment...
& In today's Word, God's judgment is referred to as [judgment of the sword].
- God drew the sword of judgment against Judah
& cut off all the righteous and the wicked in Israel
& I will strike from the south to the north of Israel.. - He says.
* Through today's text / What kind of God is... What are the lessons he gives me...
& Let's think about a few things.
1. Verses 3-4!
* Toward Israel - He draws the sword of judgment from its sheath.
- And then not only the wicked / even the righteous...
& I will cut off all flesh from the land - he says.
** How thorough the judgment is...
& from south to north / he will strike all flesh
& that the judgment of the sword - that it is the judgment of God - everyone will know
& says so.
** And to tell you how firm God's judgment will is
& ‘I will not put my drawn sword back into its sheath’ - It shows God’s will.
* Here, / especially first, to meditate...
& It is understandable that the wicked are judged... / Why must even the righteous be judged?
& will do.
** Because Israel is [a community of destiny] - yes.
- If the boat I'm on is stranded... // I do well on my own - I can't live on my own / not.
- We share our destiny.
- If the country is a battlefield... // Only our house gets bombed, and it's not okay
- same as - suffering and hardships of war.
** So, because we are a community of destiny - we must not be indifferent to [countries and peoples]
- So, we / should love [country and people] and pray for salvation /.
* Also, the community of destiny - what is it?
- That [church community] is - the community of destiny.
- It's so easy these days... // 'It's a church only here... a church elsewhere.'
& And - there are people who leave [church community] easily.
** If you do that - your faith will not grow.
- It's a little difficult. - Just move it /
& I don't like some other people - they go somewhere else...// You shouldn't do that.
- When it is difficult / when there is a conflict -- because of it /
& Come before God - struggle / pray / cry...
& You have to have such a fierce attitude of faith -- gradually your faith grows through it.
<However / If I keep avoiding opportunities for faith to grow - When will my faith grow?>
* Dear friends!
- The fact that the church is also a community of destiny!! / Please don't forget.
- You have to have this heart - You can fight fiercely
& When you have this heart - you will love the church more / and pray for the church.
2. God said he would never put a pulled sword back into its sheath
& expresses the firm will of the judge
* Still, what do the Israelites think?
- (Would you like to read only one verse?) Verse 10
** God's judgment with Babylon as an instrument
& very sharp / even as fast as lightning... //
& the people of Israel - thinking that it would only happen in the surrounding nations
& 'I'm rather happy.'
- They are God's chosen people
& because it is ruled by the dynasty of David, whom God promised to make the place permanent
& Neighboring countries are all
& They think they'll be fine.
** They don't think about their sins and deeds - they only think about God's promises.
- I do not obey the word of God
& God's promises won't change - you have false expectations.
* Dear friends!
- How about me? / - What are these times like?
- “I will be fine because I am a believer in Jesus
& Don't you think so?
** Before thinking of God's blessings and / God's promises...
& ‘Am I bearing fruit worthy of my name…’
& ‘Am I not like a fruitless fig tree…’ - You have to think about this first
- Even though the ax of judgment is already lifted (like a fig tree without fruit)
& 'Peace, safety, that's all you need' And...
& Still~ / I am living my life of faith / I am buried in the world - Aren't I?
* What does God want of us today / more than this vaguely optimistic attitude?
Verse 6
- He wants a heart that groans as if his back would be cut off.
- You want to mourn and cry.
Also, verse 12
- [Cry and weep bitterly]
<** This is also the heart of God our Father who judges Israel.
- Mourning, lamentation and tears!>
* Today God tells us / seeing God's judgment... - Looking at God's heart...
& He wants these prophetic mourning, lamentation and tears.
- The mourning and lamentation of regret that came out of this kind of love today
& To you and me today too - I hope / earnestly.