Good morning, folks. Sometimes in ministry, models are used. Ezekiel was called to a very difficult season in his ministry and called to model what was going on in Jerusalem as he reflected the Lord’s composure. Sometimes this is our lot as Christians.
Ezekiel 4: The Siege of Jerusalem Symbolized
1 "And you, son of man, take a brick and lay it before you, and engrave on it a city, even Jerusalem.
2 And put siege works against it, and build a siege wall against it, and cast up a mound against it. Set camps also against it, and plant battering rams against it all around.
3 And you, take an iron griddle, and place it as an iron wall between you and the city; and set your face toward it, and let it be in a state of siege, and press the siege against it. This is a sign for the house of Israel.
4 "Then lie on your left side, and place the punishment of the house of Israel upon it. For the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their punishment.
5 For I assign to you a number of days, 390 days, equal to the number of the years of their punishment. So long shall you bear the punishment of the house of Israel.
6 And when you have completed these, you shall lie down a second time, but on your right side, and bear the punishment of the house of Judah. Forty days I assign you, a day for each year.
7 And you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem, with your arm bared, and you shall prophesy against the city.
8 And behold, I will place cords upon you, so that you cannot turn from one side to the other, till you have completed the days of your siege.
9 "And you, take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and emmer, and put them into a single vessel and make your bread from them. During the number of days that you lie on your side, 390 days, you shall eat it.
10 And your food that you eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day; from day to day you shall eat it.
11 And water you shall drink by measure, the sixth part of a hin; from day to day you shall drink.
12 And you shall eat it as a barley cake, baking it in their sight on human dung."
13 And the LORD said, "Thus shall the people of Israel eat their bread unclean, among the nations where I will drive them."
14 Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I have never defiled myself. From my youth up till now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has tainted meat come into my mouth."
15 Then he said to me, "See, I assign to you cow's dung instead of human dung, on which you may prepare your bread."
16 Moreover, he said to me, "Son of man, behold, I will break the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and they shall drink water by measure and in dismay.
17 I will do this that they may lack bread and water, and look at one another in dismay, and rot away because of their punishment.
Things to think about…
1. The false hopes of the exiles in Babylon after 597BC were already spoken against by the prophet Jeremiah. But here Ezekiel is told to build a model of Jerusalem out of clay with siege works and battering rams, Ezek 4:3. This is exactly what happened in 587/6BC. Babylon took hold of Jerusalem. The walls and temple were destroyed. We often put our trust in our jobs, or our health or our finances. At the end of the day, earthly strength will never do. Only God’s salvation lasts. This is only found in Christ. Sin is obviously the thing that lays siege to our souls. Give thanks to the Lord right now for your salvation. He has destroyed the destroyer.
2. Ezekiel had to lie on his left side for 390 days and right side for 40 days, Ezek 4:5,6. This would be how long Israel and Judah would bear their punishment. This brings them to around the time the Maccabees, when they came to power and deliverance happened for a season around 160BC. Either way Jerusalem and Israel would be oppressed. Ezekiel’s arm was bare, indicating the Lord’s arm would be bare and outstretched against Jerusalem. It is a tragedy when the Lord’s arm is against His people. This has happened at various times in the Church’s history. The need to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth is not just a good idea, but a requirement. Discerning how that is done is the purpose of every follower of Jesus.
3. The Lord bound up Ezekiel all this time so he couldn’t move, vs 8, but he also provided for all his needs, Ezek 4:9-12. Do you ever feel constrained and uncomfortable with the Lord’s will for your life? Perhaps you are uncomfortable with your present financial situation. Or perhaps your health is constraining you. God is bigger. What are the lessons you are to learn during your period of confinement? Ezekiel was not enjoying himself here. Sometimes being a Christian and following the Lord’s will is simply hard work and the reward comes much later.
4. Have you ever felt your sentence from the Lord was similar to what Ezekiel had experienced in Ezek 4:16, 17? What was the lasting fruit from your experience? Only the hottest fires produce the finest gold.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “The desire of the bride” – Reading Song of Sol 3
1. Do you remember your first love? How did that affect your future relationships?
2. This young woman is devoted to her young lover. She will do anything to be with him. Why was she so attracted to him?
3. We are the bride of Christ, Rev 21:1-4. We are to be totally distracted and devoted to Jesus – our husband. What distractions get in the way. How can we maintain our first love of Jesus. Do you remember this first love?
4. Pray for each other and the outreach of the gospel
Prayer Points
1. John Ward passed into glory on the 30th Aug – 73yo. Please pray for the family as they prepare funeral arrangements. Funeral service will be held at CBC 10am Mon 12th Sept.
2. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
3. Some away through sickness.
4. Ministry leaders within the church.
5. Our One for Israel ministry.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful Potjie and Braai on Sunday. Thankyou especially to Shaun, Fred and Paul. You guys did an amazing job. Tasted wonderful.
2. Many returning back to full health.
3. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Beatty Boys and Maddison looking after Kidz at Church. Ben for rebooting after blackout. Fiona and Suzy in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for September...
Q. 8. What will happen to the righteous in the day of judgment? A. They shall live with Jesus Christ forever, in a new heaven and a new earth.
