“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “Because you* said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’ therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush.” (Ezek 29:8-10 ESV)
In this text, God has commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against Egypt. I am sure there are many reasons for which God would bring judgment against Egypt. But it is interesting to note the reason why God was going to judge Pharaoh. It was because Pharaoh took the credit for, and therefore the possession of the Nile River. He claimed to be the one who created it and owned it. Since it was God who actually created it, and therefore owns it, Pharaoh was taking glory that belonged only to God. He was a glory robber!
God does not take lightly when we take the glory for, and possession of the things that belong to Him. This will bring the judgement of God faster than anything I know.
This reminds me of another king in another era. King Herod allowed people to call him God.
“And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” (Acts 12:22-23)
Our wealth, our a abilities, our strength are all gifts from God, and not of our own making.
How we need to recognize all that God has done for us, and make sure that we are giving Him the glory and not taking it for ourselves.
3 comments:
Hi Pal,
Great thoughts:
“Our wealth, our a abilities, our strength are all gifts from God, and not of our own making.”-Aaron L. Turner
I enjoyed your blog! it brought to mind another thought concerning gifts. When is a gift a gift? Seems it is not in the giving but in the opening and the using. If one gives you a present and you put it in a corner is it still a gift? You did not open it and you did not use it. Yes it is still a gift but it is one that you did not appreciate enough to even open or use. What is worse? Claiming the Glory from the Gifts god has given one or not accepting or using the?
Point: The gifts of the Holy Spirit, where they be evangelism, words of knowledge, healing, tongues in church, increased levels of wonder working faith, prophetic dreaming etc., etc., they are to be used. If they are not used then one is not giving respect to the gift or the giver. How would you feel if someone rejected a simple gift you gave them? As such, how would God feel if he gives us gifts we do not use and use to His glory. What is even worse is those living in denial as to the reality of such gifts and refusing to accept the gifts God has given them and even worst standing in the gate stopping others from doing the same. Perhaps Faith is the greatest Gift and the lack of it is causing others to be lacking in all the rest. then again, Who am I to say? I believe in all the supernatural that God displays and intend to exercise every gift he gives to His Glory and for our good, regardless of the dissenters.
Your Friend
David
Wow, this was a powerful post. Very convicting! Thank you for your faithfulness to posting on this blog!
I love you!!
Post a Comment