Month: September 2025

September 4, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Ezekiel 25–27

Common Theme

God pronounces judgment on the nations surrounding Israel for their pride, mockery, and exploitation of Jerusalem’s downfall. He especially rebukes Tyre for its arrogance and trust in wealth, showing that no power is immune to God’s sovereign justice.

Questions

  • What causes God to act against nations like Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Tyre?
  • How do we respond when God tears down something we thought was untouchable?

God Shot

God is the jealous Defender of His people and the Sovereign Judge of the nations. He sees every proud heart, every scoffing word, and every act of betrayal, and He moves decisively to uphold His glory and defend His covenant.

Deeper✝

Ezekiel 25

The text contains prophecies from the Lord against the Ammonites, Moab, Edom, and Philistia. The Ammonites are condemned for rejoicing over the misfortunes of Israel and will be handed over to the people of the East, leading to their destruction. Moab and Seir are judged for equating Judah with other nations, resulting in their desolation. Edom faces punishment for seeking revenge against Judah, leading to the destruction of its people and land. The Philistines are also warned for their malicious actions, and they will experience severe vengeance. Each prophecy emphasizes that these nations will recognize the Lord’s authority through their impending judgments.

Ezekiel 26

The text presents a prophecy against Tyre, declaring that the Lord will bring many nations against it due to its arrogance towards Jerusalem. Tyre will face destruction, with its walls and towers broken down, becoming a bare rock and a place for fishing nets. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, will lead the assault, killing the inhabitants and plundering the city. The prophecy foretells the end of Tyre’s music and prosperity, leaving it desolate and uninhabitable. The coastlands will tremble at Tyre’s fall, and its former glory will be lamented by the princes of the sea. Ultimately, Tyre will be laid waste, submerged by deep waters, and will dwell among ruins, never to be found again. This serves as a warning of divine judgment and the consequences of pride.

Ezekiel 27

The passage is a lamentation for Tyre, a prosperous city known for its beauty and trade. The Lord instructs the prophet to mourn Tyre, highlighting its grandeur and the materials used in its construction, such as cedar from Lebanon and ivory from Egypt. Tyre was a hub of commerce, trading with various nations, including Persia, Syria, and Israel, exchanging goods like silver, horses, and spices. The city’s wealth and influence were immense, with skilled workers and a powerful navy. However, the lament forewarns of Tyre’s impending destruction, as the east wind will wreck it in the sea. The passage describes the devastation of Tyre’s riches, crew, and merchants sinking into the depths, leading to widespread mourning among its traders and allies. The inhabitants of the coastlands are horrified, and the merchants hiss at Tyre’s downfall, marking its end as a significant trading power. The lament emphasizes the city’s former glory and the tragic consequences of its destruction, leaving a lasting impact on those who once relied on its wealth and trade.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.

September 3, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Ezekiel 23–24

Common Theme

God uses a parable of two sisters, Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), to expose the deep spiritual adultery of Israel and Judah. Despite repeated warnings, their unfaithfulness leads to divine judgment, culminating in the sign-act of Ezekiel’s wife’s death symbolizing Jerusalem’s fall.

Questions

  • What does this passage reveal about God’s view of spiritual unfaithfulness?
  • How does the dramatic sign of Ezekiel’s loss reinforce the seriousness of God’s judgment?

God Shot

God is a jealous and just Husband who will not tolerate prolonged betrayal from His people. His holiness compels Him to judge sin, even when it breaks His own heart.

Deeper✝

Ezekiel 23

The passage describes the allegorical story of two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, representing Samaria and Jerusalem, respectively. Both women are depicted as engaging in promiscuous behavior, symbolizing the unfaithfulness of the Israelites to God through idolatry and alliances with foreign nations. Oholah, the elder sister, lusts after the Assyrians and ultimately faces judgment, leading to her destruction and becoming a byword among women. Oholibah, her sister, witnesses this and becomes even more corrupt, lusting after the Babylonians and engaging in similar acts of infidelity.

God expresses His anger towards Oholibah for her blatant whoring and idolatry, promising to bring judgment upon her through her former lovers, the Babylonians and other nations. This judgment includes violence, loss, and humiliation, as she will be stripped of her beauty and left exposed. The passage emphasizes the consequences of their actions, highlighting the severity of their sins, including child sacrifice and profaning God’s sanctuary.

God commands the prophet to declare their abominations and announces that righteous men will judge them for their adultery and bloodshed. A vast host will be sent against them, leading to their destruction and serving as a warning to others against such lewdness. Ultimately, the passage serves as a stark reminder of the repercussions of turning away from God and engaging in idolatry.

Ezekiel 24

In the ninth year, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the LORD instructed Ezekiel to note that Babylon had besieged Jerusalem. He was to deliver a parable about the city, likening it to a pot filled with meat and bones, symbolizing its corruption and bloodshed. The LORD declared woe to the "bloody city," emphasizing its uncleanliness and the inevitability of judgment. Ezekiel was also told that he would lose his wife, yet he was to refrain from mourning, symbolizing the fate of Israel. The people questioned his actions, prompting Ezekiel to explain that the LORD would profane His sanctuary and that their children would fall by the sword. He instructed them to act as he did, without mourning, as a sign of their impending judgment. On the day of their loss, a fugitive would bring news to Ezekiel, and he would finally speak, serving as a sign to the people that the LORD is God.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.

September 2, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Ezekiel 21–22

Common Theme

God announces judgment against His people and the nations through the image of a sharpened sword and a refining fire. These chapters portray God as both Judge and Refiner, bringing justice upon sin and purifying His people through discipline.

Questions

  • How does God’s use of a sword and fire reshape our understanding of His justice and mercy?
  • What does it reveal about God’s character that He exposes hidden sin rather than ignoring it?

God Shot

God does not tolerate corruption or injustice; He exposes sin publicly and decisively. Yet even in judgment, He refines rather than destroys, showing that His discipline is driven by a desire to purify, not merely punish.

Deeper✝

Ezekiel 21

In this passage, the LORD commands the prophet to direct his message towards Jerusalem and the land of Israel, declaring His intention to draw His sword against both the righteous and the wicked. The sword symbolizes impending judgment, and all people will recognize the LORD’s authority. The prophet is instructed to express deep sorrow for the coming calamity, which will cause fear and weakness among the people. The sword is described as sharpened and polished, ready for slaughter, emphasizing the seriousness of the impending judgment.

The LORD reveals that the king of Babylon will approach two paths, using divination to determine his course of action, which will lead to the siege of Jerusalem. Despite the people’s oaths, their guilt will be remembered, leading to their downfall. The passage also addresses the prince of Israel, indicating that his time for punishment has come, and a significant change in leadership will occur.

Finally, the LORD proclaims judgment against the Ammonites, stating that they too will face destruction. The imagery of the sword continues, highlighting the severity of the judgment, and the passage concludes with a declaration of the LORD’s wrath and the ultimate fate of those who oppose Him.

Ezekiel 22

In this passage, the Lord addresses the son of man, instructing him to judge the city known for its bloodshed and idolatry. The city is condemned for its guilt from violence and defilement through idols, leading to its disgrace among nations. The leaders of Israel are accused of promoting bloodshed, disrespecting parents, and exploiting the vulnerable, including the fatherless and widows. The people are described as engaging in various immoral acts, including sexual violations and corruption through bribery and extortion. The Lord declares that He will act against them, scattering them among nations and purging their uncleanness. The house of Israel is likened to dross, indicating worthlessness, and the Lord promises to gather them for judgment, akin to melting metal in a furnace. The passage further describes the land as unclean and highlights the corruption of its prophets and priests, who have failed to uphold the law and have misled the people. Despite seeking someone to intercede for the land, none were found, leading to the Lord’s decision to unleash His wrath upon them.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.

September 1, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Ezekiel 18–20

Common Theme

These chapters focus on personal responsibility before God, emphasizing that each individual is accountable for their own actions and not for the sins of their ancestors. Although Israel’s history is marked by persistent rebellion, God continues to call His people to repentance and offers renewal to those who turn from their wrongdoing.

Questions

  • How does God’s insistence on individual responsibility challenge assumptions about inherited guilt or blame within families and communities?
  • What do these chapters reveal about God’s patience with human failure and the possibility of restoration after repeated rebellion?

God Shot

God is revealed as unfailingly just, judging every person on their own merits, yet He is also abundantly merciful, repeatedly inviting repentance and return. His steadfast pursuit of His people even amid their disobedience highlights His unwavering commitment to both righteousness and mercy.

Deeper✝

Ezekiel 18

In this passage, the Lord addresses the people of Israel, challenging the proverb that suggests children suffer for their parents’ sins. He asserts that every soul belongs to Him and emphasizes individual responsibility for sin. A righteous person who follows God’s statutes will live, while a wicked person who commits various sins will die for their actions. If a wicked person repents and turns to righteousness, they will live, and their past sins will not be remembered. Conversely, if a righteous person turns to wickedness, their previous good deeds will not save them from death. The Lord questions the fairness of His judgments, asserting that it is not His ways that are unjust, but the people’s. He calls for repentance, urging them to abandon their transgressions and adopt a new heart and spirit. The Lord expresses His desire for the people to live rather than die, highlighting His lack of pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ultimately, He promises to judge each person according to their actions, encouraging the Israelites to turn from their sins to avoid ruin.

Ezekiel 19

The text is a lamentation for the princes of Israel, depicting their downfall. It begins by comparing Israel’s leaders to a lioness who raised her cubs, one of whom became a powerful young lion but was ultimately captured and taken to Egypt. Another cub also became a fierce lion, causing destruction and terror until he was ensnared by nations and taken to Babylon. The lament continues with a metaphor of a vine, once fruitful, now uprooted and withered, symbolizing the loss of strength and leadership in Israel.

Ezekiel 20

In this passage, the Lord addresses the elders of Israel, expressing His refusal to be inquired of by them due to their persistent rebellion and idolatry. He recounts how He chose Israel, made Himself known in Egypt, and promised to lead them to a prosperous land. Despite His guidance, the Israelites rebelled, clinging to their idols and rejecting His statutes. The Lord expresses His anger but refrains from complete destruction for the sake of His name, fearing that it would be profaned among the nations.

The Lord then speaks to the children of Israel, urging them not to follow the sinful ways of their ancestors. However, they too rebel, prompting the Lord to declare His intention to scatter them among the nations due to their disobedience. He emphasizes that their thoughts of wanting to be like other nations will not come to pass.

Despite their rebellion, the Lord promises restoration. He vows to gather them from their scattered locations and bring them into judgment, purging the rebels among them. He asserts that they will serve Him on His holy mountain in Israel, where He will accept their offerings and manifest His holiness. The passage concludes with a warning of impending judgment against the land of the Negeb, symbolizing the consequences of their actions, while the prophet expresses concern about being perceived as merely a storyteller.


✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.