Judge Not

Ezekiel  Chapter 35

A message came to Ezekiel from the Lord, in which he tells Ezekiel to turn toward Mount Seir and prophesy against its people. He wants Ezekiel to tell the people there, that the Lord is their enemy and he would raise his fist against them and destroy them. For their continual hatred for the people of Israel, led the Edomites to butcher the Israelites when they were helpless. So the Lord would demolish the cities of Mount Seir and make the country desolate. He would give them a bloodbath of their own and kill off all who try to escape and any who return.

Further, the Lord would pay back the land of Edom (also known as Seir) for its angry deeds. And he would bring honor to his name by what he does to the evil ones. Then the whole world would rejoice when God makes Edom desolate. He would wipe them all out and they would know that he is Lord.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Ezekiel is probably using Edom to represent any nation that opposed God's people. And in destroying them, he destroyed their mountains and land also.  Their Seir mountains were the source of pride for the people of Edom, but God has a way of allowing treatment of others to bomerang on us.

In our times, we are often judgmental in our dealing with others. But we must be mindful that our treatment of others doesn't boomerang on us. Matthew 7: 1-5 says "Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how your are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend'seye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, "let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye, when you can't see past the log in your own eye?' Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye, then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye" In other words, judge yourself first. This applies in our lifetime too.

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.And for Garry’s wife Nancy who recently had a kidney transplant and is now experiencing some complications.

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.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

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. Pray for our nation’s teachers who face danger trying to protect our children from gunmen and pray for the children in these dire circumstances.