DAY 319

FAITH—FAITH—FAITH

Ezekiel 1& 2, and Hebrews 11

Today we start the Book of Ezekiel. It contains a number of prophetic visions and oracles, which Ezekiel presented to the exiles, over a 22 year period. If we pause for a moment and review we see Isaiah prophesying about what would happen to Israel/Judah a few hundred years before the fall of Jerusalem. Then we have Jeremiah much closer in, prophesying decades before the fall and being there when it fell. Now we come to Ezekiel who is speaking to the people both before and after the fall in exile.

These 22 years were turbulent, especially for the people left in Jerusalem. The book has three clear pieces. Chapters 1-24 speak of the five years before the siege of Jerusalem. Chapters 25-32 contain a series of oracles against the nations that surround Jerusalem. Chapters 33-48 cover the 16 years after the fall and focus on the future.

No doubt some of this material, especially chapters 1-32, will sound the same. In a way isn’t it good news that God sent more than one messenger!

We will get more into the specifics later, but for now I want you to have an appreciation for the outline.

In Hebrews 11 we begin to read about the Hall of Fame of the Faithful—faithful people have faith. What is faith? Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. The chapter goes on to give example of people who have had faith and in verse 6 we read: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Having faith, it can sound trite. Today I was with someone when they died. It was a great privilege and honor to be there. It strikes me that today was not a day of abstract theology; no, today was a day of the terrible reality of faith. Without it and we would be undone and inconsolable. With faith we can get through. It is not easy, but there is a path of hope. Today, think about your faith. It is one thing to have faith when the world is being good to you, it is quite another when you are facing tremendous challenge.