Bible Pathway - September 9
Read Ezekiel 29 – 32
Highlights:
Another enemy and its destiny (29:3,13-15)! How quickly we forget the days of slavery (29:16)! A sad day for Egypt and its allies (30:2-8). Egypt, a prideful and arrogant nation (chap. 31). Look who God uses to bring down the Egyptians (32:11). Read the list of others who received the judgement of God (32:17-31).
But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt (Ezek. 30:25).
Scriptures such as this one can cause confusion to some believers. Many wonder why God would empower the king of one unbelieving nation to overcome the king of another unbelieving nation. They question why God would have involvement in such matters. Others wonder why God did not just make a move to have both nations overthrown. While it may be hard for us to accept, the answer to this is simple. God does things His way and we are not always meant to understand. For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion (Rom. 9:15).
The truth, in situations like these, is that there are normally much bigger things going on than what we are seeing with our mere mortal eyes. God may be moving one nation into a position of power for a reason that lies far in the future. Likewise, the nation that is being defeated is not always being wiped out. Perhaps they are just being placed on the sideline for a time. Let us think about the United States of America for a minute. Why has this nation been so blessed by God? One of the obvious reasons is that it is a place where people can find the freedom to worship God. The church and Christian leaders played a large role in the foundation of this nation. However, there was much more going on than could meet the eye. God helped establish a nation that would one day, over 150 years later, become a great ally to His people, the nation of Israel. The USA has been an ally to Israel since it once again became a nation in 1948.
If we can understand this, then we can at least begin to understand the question that has troubled believers since biblical times. Why do unbelievers often prosper while believers have such a difficult time? The answer, though not always easy to accept, can be found in the Word of God. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45).
There are often many things that happen as a result of the workings of the Lord that we don't understand. Life is kind of like a jigsaw puzzle. We put the pieces together daily, but only God has the box lid and knows what the final picture looks like. Most of the time we only see the jumbled mess, but every once in a while we catch a glimpse of the beautiful finished product as it comes together. If we follow God, we will eventually live in that finished product.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps (1 Pet. 2:21).
Thought for Today:
As you face a difficult problem, remember we can do all things through Christ.
Christ Revealed:
By the Word of the Lord (Ezek. 29:1). In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). God . . . Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (Heb. 1:1-2).
Word Study:
29:7 loins to be at a stand, legs to give way or stagger; 29:18 peeled, rubbed bare; 30:2 Woe worth the day, Mourn the coming day (of terror); 31:3 with a shadowing shroud, overshadowing the forest.
Prayer Suggestion: Ask for courage to praise the Lord before unbelievers (Ps. 96:3-5).
Optional Reading: Revelation 14
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 145:3
