The Six people around you. Ezekiel 25-29 Ezekiel is a prophetic book that reiterates the message of how and why God is pushing Isreal. In these chapters it discusses the nations that surrounded Isreal. It shows why they were doomed to distribution, and also why Isreal was spared from complete destruction. This can be a metaphor for those people we are around daily and us as well, and why we are showed mercy. In Ezekiel 25:1-7 we see our first example. Ammon represents all those who laugh off Christianity as a joke. They laugh at our faith in the unseen. Their laughter brings happiness for a time, but eventually their laughter will run out.(proverbs14:13) Our best action here is to simply be there to catch them with the Gospel when life gets tough, and they are willing to receive it. In Ezekiel 25:8-11 we have the Moabites. This nation is a mirror for many in our own county. Most in America they have a shallow knowledge of Christianity that they see in many of us, but because what they see is similar to them they see no reason to change. So they simply continue their lives as such. Praying to God that they barely even know. (Revelation 2:13-17) Our best tactics to overcome this mindset to live set apart. Cast off anything that unnecessarily makes us look like the world. Makes them see the difference in us. So they can make the change to accept Christ. Ezekiel 25 : 12-14 Here we the Isreal's brother nation of Edom. Descendants of Esau. They are the ones that may be brothers in Christ or simply those who hold a grudge against the Church. They were wronged by some christian in their life and now are vengeful against all things God. Think of how the character from the good samaritan parable. I doubt he would have been very receptive of a priest or a levite words. How can we overcome this level of hate? I Peter 2:11, 12, simply enough we live attractive gospel centered lives. Make yourself a servant to them win them over with love. Ezekiel 25:15-17 Here e we have the Philistia. They are the classic enemy of Isreal. They are naturally antagonistic to the Christians. Similar to many other characters on the Bible. Luke pharaoh refuses to free God's people, or the pharasies looking to trip up Jesus constantly. (Luke 6:27-36) so in defiance of their hate. Protest with love. You can not go to far to make the happy. Be kind almost to the point of shaming their malice. Do this any you have a chance to melt their hearts. Ezekiel 26,27 Tyre is one who is too busy with this life. As you can see Tyre is very invested in this world. Rich beyond measure by the toils of this life. Working hard to what goal tho? In Ecclesiastes 2 we see the futility of life's pursuits. In the end no one can find that "apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?" (vs25) Even if after hearing words as these they still cling to the fruit of their deeds. Do not worry their glory will run out with time. Be patient and wait for their gs and let the Truth of the Gospel catch them like a safety net. This glory will always be there waiting for them. (1 Peter 1:24, 25) In ch. 28 we see the King of Tyre go farther to say that he is a God. This could be considered to be the mindset of an atheist. They believe they are above belief in God. Their pride will not allow them to bow before God Almighty. David the man after God's heart has an answer he says in Psalm 53 it takes wisdom to follow God and only a fool will turn away from true divinity. What can we do? Hurling insults at them will do them no good. The riches of the gospel is wasted on their ears. (Matthew 7:6). The answer is found in a familiar passage (Romans 12:9-21). Let God soften their hearts. Pray for wisdom to find the right opportunity to speak to them wait on God's timing. We see the fate of those who have ears to hear in Ezekial 28:24-26. All those who accept His offer are like in grafted branches. Added to the nation of Israel we share in their blessings.(Romans 11:16-25). But alas those who do not take the opportunity are wood used for a different purpose. (Matthew3:10) This is a hard truth to accept, but it is justice. But most importantly it is a delayed, voluntary one. The truth is it is our responsibility to spread the good news. (Ezekiel 33)
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