I must confess I dread reading the major books of prophecy. I'm not saying the minor ones are full of joy, but they are at least short. It doesn't take as long to finish them. The major prophets are hard, full of woe, and oh-so-long!
It's like weeding a massive garden of thorns to find a tiny bud worth treasuring. And yes, the whole book ought to be a treasure, but I'm being honest here. The books of prophecy feel more like a book of thorns than roses.
So, I was reading Ezekiel, and rather glad I was in the last major book of prophecy even if I was only in chapter 7. I'd already finished the minor prophets, and the New Testament awaited me next, my favourite books to read.
It was 11pm at night. I'd missed my devotions all day, despite multiple opportunities and moments when I'd meant to read. The house was dark. I had a single lamp to read by, but I didn't want the day to end without God. I didn't want to put Him off and say, "I'll do better tomorrow." (Because I knew that would be a lie.)
Is Ezekiel chapter 7 an easy read? No.
Is it a pleasant read? No.
Is it important? Yes
I was three verses in when God whispered, "Do you know why it's important to read the major prophets?" And just like that I knew why.
So often we think nothing will come of our sins because God is patient. Prophets like Ezekiel remind us how grievous, how awful our sin truly is.
I needed to read Ezekiel to remember that my sin ought not to be swept under the carpet. I should not wink at it or pretend it's not so bad. Judgement does come.
Behold the day: behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth: the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded. Ezekiel 7:10 KJV
The fruit of pride is destruction. Just the picture of that needled me. We can think pride isn't so bad. It's a 'bud' after all, and my head thinks 'rosebud!' But when pride buds it's ruinous. More like that plant that smells like rotten meat when it finally blooms every seven to nine years (the titan arum or more commonly called the corpse flower).
Pride is a corpse flower.
To many of us idolize it when there is nothing pleasant about being anywhere near it.
I need to remember that.
Ezekiel reminds me that God's patience is long but not forever. God will judge. He will make sure we know "that I am the Lord." v. 27
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