This is my second reading of this section, as my first time through notes were written in a notebook that I lost! Praise the Lord! This must be an important section and God wants me to read it twice!
Lamentations 1
I wonder what would happen if we as God's people really weeped over America like Jeremiah weeps here for Israel. I wonder if any Christians really think there is something to cry about here?
:15 – God is trodding down the mighty men, the young men, and the virgin daughter of Judah.
Lamentations 2
:1 – Being covered with a cloud is not always a good thing. Clouds surrounding is the same as fog, which can be dreamy, but also cause accidents at the same time for unclear visibility.*This will preach.* And God hides himself in dark clouds, I have read.
Lamentations 3
:21 -:28 - This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
~As beautiful as the Psalms. Rather than talking about it, I thought it appropriate to just quote it. King James Version isn't copyrighted except in UK, where it is considered property of the crown.
The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769.
Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.]
Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.]
:44 – Another covering cloud.
Lamentations 4
:2 – sons of Zion are the gold
Lamentations 5
:16 – Jeremiah personally identifies with the sins of Israel.
Ezekiel 1
The Living Creatures chapter. What can I say about this? I had to read it .at least 4 times already. A good project for an abstract artist. What an interesting picture this chapter would turn into! 4 faces, wheels going wherever they go, wings with hands on the end, but somehow having the likeness of a man, a lion, an eagle, and an ox.
Ezekiel 2
God prepares Ezekiel to prophesy to the rebellious house of Israel.
Ezekiel 3
:17 – The prophet becomes a watchman.
:23 – That Chebar river must have been something. It is not mentioned before Ezekiel.
Chebar = a Babylonian river near which many Israelite exiles settled; maybe the 'Habor' or the 'Royal Canal' of Nebuchadnezzar
Ezekiel 4
Ezekiel has to lay on his left and then right side for extended periods of time to bear the iniquities of the people. What a ministry!
:8 – God chained him on his side! I have never heard this mentioned in any sermons.
:9 – fitches = spelt =a wheat-like crop planted and harvested in the fall or spring ~My naturopathic doctor recommends this for people allergic to wheat. You can actually buy spelt bread.
Ezekiel 5
Parable with the hair. Shaving, weighing, separating into parts, burning, binding in the skirt (men wore them back then), smite with a knife, scatter in the wind. God is a hands-on God!
Ezekiel 6
:8 – Promise of a remnant.
Ezekiel 7
Sword, pestilence, famine, death. Judgment.
Ezekiel 8
6-5-6 – How interesting to have a new calendar every time a new ruler took over the land. To have a dating system based on the king.
:3 – the image of jealousy, which provoked to jealousy- The second “jealousy” in this section actually is from the Hebrew Strong's word number 7069, which does not even mean jealousy. Strange.
Strong's H7069 – qanah - 1) to get, acquire, create, buy, possess
a) (Qal)1) to get, acquire, obtain
a) of God originating, creating, redeeming His people
1) possessor
b) of Eve acquiring
c) of acquiring knowledge, wisdom
2) to buy
b) (Niphal) to be bought
c) (Hiphil) to cause to possess
:8 - “Alice in Wonderland” moment. It reminds me of that story because when Ezekiel dug into the wall, he found a door.
Ezekiel 9
The cherub is sent to tell the man in linen with the inkhorn to go into the earth to mark people that are sorry for the abominations.
Ezekiel 10
:9 – the wheels were the color of a beryl stone
:12 – the wheels are full of eyes
:20 – Ezekiel realizes that the living creatures he keeps envisioning by the Chebar river are cherubims.
Ezekiel 11
:17 – God promises to gather them from where they've been scattered...the house of Israel, that is.
:19 – 20 – remove the heart of stone and give the heart of flesh ~ Famously quoted. Somewhat rarely witnessed.
Ezekiel 12
Many references to digging through the wall. Still working on that meaning or significance.
:28 – A good scripture to meditate upon and call forth when waiting on the Lord for a LONG TIME for something.
Ezekiel 13
God rebukes false prophets.
:18 – 20 - women sew pillows to make souls fly.??
Ezekiel 14
:14 – Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God.~ First reference I've seen to these three names together.
Ezekiel 15
Vine tree vs. the other trees.
Ezekiel 16
If one ever needs reminding of the wrath of God against idolatry, read this chapter. A good reminder that God means business with judgment. Especially vs. 35-52.
