Ezekiel 34-36
Oct. 18th, 2010 08:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wolfpurplemoon posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
wolfbiblemoonAnother analogy that equates the people who follow God with sheep, I'm still not sure this is a good thing to be seen as. Also, it's a little odd, he is saying that there were some bad shepherds who didn't feed their sheep (yet, ate the meat and wore the wool, not sure how you get those things if you don't look after your sheep, but anyway) and now God is going to gather all the lost sheep/people and protect them. But if God is their shepherd then does that mean he's the one with the terrible sheep-herding skills?
God seems to be punishing one of Israel's enemies for killing them, but didn't God just send them after Israel?
God isn't rescuing his people from their enemies for their own good, he's concerned that they've all been bad mouthing him and setting a bad example to the people of other nations and he needs to protect his reputation by making everything liveable again and providing everything his people need.
God seems to be punishing one of Israel's enemies for killing them, but didn't God just send them after Israel?
God isn't rescuing his people from their enemies for their own good, he's concerned that they've all been bad mouthing him and setting a bad example to the people of other nations and he needs to protect his reputation by making everything liveable again and providing everything his people need.
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Date: 2010-10-19 08:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-19 08:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-19 11:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-20 08:02 am (UTC)This prophecy says that Israel's leaders were living a life of excess, taking the wealth of the nation for themselves through various means (perhaps high taxes which went into their pockets, or corrupt fines/judgments), but not living up to their responsibility to help out those who couldn't help themselves.
God says that these shepherds (leaders) will be removed from their position and that a new shepherd will be raised up. This new shepherd will search for all lost sheep and will help the weaker ones. The sheep who use their power to harm the weaker will be separated from the flock. The imagery here is that of the Messiah. A good new shepherd who will deal fairly with all of the flock to strengthen all of them wherever they may be.
The final portion of this prophecy is that of the end times when God will establish Israel as a place for all believers.
God has Ezekiel prophecy against Edom. Edom was the tribe founded by Esau, so they should have had some familial ties (certainly they did when the Israelites had their Exodus from Egypt). Unfortunately, by this time, The Edomites were rivals of Israel (they wanted Israel's land), they had completely abandoned any pretense of worshiping God and were worshiping idols and exporting that practice and all of the practices that went along with it to Israel. God is letting them know that they would be held accountable and wouldn't remain a nation.
During the time of the exile to Babylon, God has Ezekiel prophecy that Israel will be readied for the return of the people. Certainly, people from other nations mocked the Israelite people after their fall. God is preparing the land to show that the Israelites were still being provided for by God. When they return, God will continue to support them. It was a common belief in these times that if a country lost a war, that their deity had turned against them permanently (or was never a real deity in the first place). Typically, people in this situation would adopt the worship of the idols of their conquerors. God is making a statement that God had not turned against the Israelites permanently and that they would once again have blessings when their exile was over. That would run counter to conventional wisdom from other nations. The Israelites who heard this may have already been considering worship of Babylonian idols (some likely already had). Ezekiel is telling them that they are to continue their worship of God and God would continue to take care of the Israelite people. Note that even though they were in exile, God still cared for them and ensured that they would be in position to return when their captivity ended. For example, Nehemiah was in position to talk to Cyrus and get permission to reestablish Israel (a pretty risky move for Cyrus because allowing a conquered people to band together again would often lead to rebellion).
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Date: 2010-10-20 10:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-20 03:35 pm (UTC)It does seem to me that if you feel suicidal because of your religion then perhaps that religion isn't the best thing for your well being, but either way I hope you manage to get help before it's too late.
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Date: 2010-10-21 12:27 am (UTC)I do not know the services offered in your community (I live in the United States), but if you'll tell me where you are, I can do some research on local people or places that may help. Certainly the Samaritans that wolfpurplemoon recommended are a good group to talk with, you can find other Christian links for suicide help at walking wounded.
http://www.walking-wounded.net/html/suicidal__places_of_help.html
Please feel free to respond either on this board or privately with any questions you may have or prayer requests.
-- Jeff
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Date: 2010-10-22 01:45 am (UTC)DON'T give up on God, cuz He WON'T give up on YOU...HE IS ABLE!!!!
Sincerely,
With Love.
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Date: 2011-01-24 07:00 pm (UTC)And I'm sorry I don't understand what makes you think you can possibly understand and out wit the Maker of the universe? That's beyond me but good luck trying to.
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Date: 2011-01-24 07:07 pm (UTC)-Galations 6:7
I don't understand why you think you can figure out the God who MADE you but good luck trying...