The Lord talks about "the Pit"

EZEKIEL    CHAPTER 32

In this chapter, the Lord's message to Ezekiel concerns the judgement of Egypt. The Lord tells about how he will overthrow all evil and all rulers, like the Pharoah, will be accountable to him.

The Lord says he will send people to catch the Pharoahs in their nets and leave then stranded on land so the wild animals can eat them. And when he blots out these men, he will veil the heaven and blot out and darken the stars and there would be darkness everywhere across the land. Then the sword of Babylon would come and destroy all the warriors of the nations, and every flock and herd and animal.

Then on March 17th during the 12th year, another message came to Ezekiel in which the Lord said he would send the hordes of Egypt and other mighty nations down to the pit to lie with other outcasts. Down in the grave, mighty dead leaders would welcome Egypt and its allies and they would lay with all the victims of the sword.

He points out the people of Assyria laying there in the grave and also Elam who now lie in the pit and share the humiliation of those who have gone to the world of the dead. There they lie in shame in the pit. And Mesheck and Tubal are there too, who once struck terror in the hearts of all people. But none of these are buried in honor like fallen heroes. So too is Edom with its kings and princes and Sidonians with their princes from the north, they now lie there in shame in the pit.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The Hebrews believed in an afterlife for people good as well as bad. The Egyptians carried this belief to a new high, building pyramids to ensure the pharoah's comfort in the next life. The princes of the north were probably from the Phoenician city-states.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? For one thing, these people thought they could control what happened to them when they died. We know that only God controls our future and life after death. Another thing that  I find amazing is that God shows a glimpse of a "pit" and "underworld" that can only be HELL.

It is interesting that though God used Babylon to carry out judgments, Babylon is not mentioned in any of Ezekiel's judgments. Why? Could be because God wanted to have cooperation between
the exiles and Babylon in order to preserve his people and to refine them. Or perhaps God wanted to use Daniel to draw the Babylonians to him. We will find out more in the book of Daniel.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH:

Pray for my grandson Hunter who has been brought home, but needs counseling badly.

Pray for Garry and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Arlene’s niece Denise.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and who recently underwent major surgery.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

Pray for my son Brian, who faces financial ruin and is blind to what his priorities really are.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Ashley, Keeghan & Gunar

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our farmers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought. Pray for us consumers who will face higher grocery prices and the poor who won’t be able to adjust what little budget they have.