January 21, 2023: Haftorah - Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21
This week's Haftorah reading is from Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers as he discusses the cause by which Israel was sent into Babylonian captivity, and how these important warnings from ADONAI, pertains to us today!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftorah:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftorah Portion – Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21
Our haftorah portion begins with Ezekiel 28:25-26 saying, “Adonai Elohim says, “Once I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among who, they are scattered, once I have shown my holiness in them as the Goyim watch, then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Ya’akov. They will have security when they live there, building houses and planting vineyards; yes, they will live in safety, once I have executed judgments against all their contemptuous neighbors. Then they will know that I am Adonai their Elohim.”
Ezekiel is prophesying of the future days when Israel will once again be gathered from the nations and live in their own land which Elohim gave to Ya ‘akov. Even though Israel settled in their own land, they historically sought out Egypt many times to make an alliance in order to be strengthened against other nations that came against Israel. Again, instead of relying on Elohim for protection and strength they relied on foreign powers. This was strictly against the expressed command of Elohim proclaimed through His prophets. However, like other warnings, it went unheeded by the kings of Israel. Because of this Judah was defeated and exiled by Babylon.
Ezekiel 28 begins with a woe oracle against the king of Tyre and one against Sidon. Thereby, even as Almighty defeated Pharaoh and his armed forces, He will crush Tyre and Sidon. Elohim not only punishes them but every nation that despised His people, and triumphed in their calamities. When Elohim’s people are under His correcting hand for their sins, He still takes care for them, and despises those who help deliver the affliction. Even when they are being punished, He will not let men despise them. They are His children! Through their affliction Elohim will restore them!
Elohim will be glorified in the restoration of His people bringing them back to their former safety and prosperity. Though they have dishonored Elohim by their sins, He will now forgive them of their sins and ease them of their troubles. He will sanctify Israel in the sight of her enemies and will recover the honor of His holiness.
Ezekiel’s words are powerful traveling through time and becoming relevant for us today. This promise is for us today! We are living and experiencing the Living Word of Elohim as I write this haftorah. From the four corners of the earth, Israel is being returned to their land. The abandoned cities are being rebuilt, the borders are being defended by Israeli soldiers, but the enemy is still raging and trying to destroy Elohim’s people and land outwardly and inwardly. We know that Elohim’s Word will not return void. Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the Sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: it will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Elohim will have His way! Elohim will accomplish His will! If Israel again will not heed the Word of Elohim, then He will discipline her until she relents!
Yeshua is still revealing Himself to His people. He is waiting for them to teshuvah! Looking for them to return to the One true Yah and accept the Son of Redemption! However, we are a stubborn people! What will it take for His visitation to be seen and accepted? Is He still overlooking the city and weeping because this generation, like the others, are missing His visitation? Yeshua is waiting for His people, His disciples to “look up” and receive the coming King Yeshua.
Paul said, Romans 9:14-24, “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with Elohim? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. So, then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of Elohim who shows mercy. For the Scriptures say to Pharaoh, for this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. Therefore, He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to Me then, why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will? But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against Elohim? Will the then formed say to Him who formed it, why have you made me like this? Does the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if Elohim, wanting to show His wrath and to make His kingdom known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.”
It is not easy to see the hand of Elohim fulfilling His promises to Israel, to us, and to the world. But if you settle your flesh and spirit and ask Elohim to reveal the behind scenes of the events in the last two centuries after Yeshua and if you pray, meditate on the narratives of His Torah and look with a spiritual eye and understanding you will see what Elohim is doing. We thank Him that He redeems Israel past, present, and future!
When Elohim speaks a word, it will be done despite what we see in the natural. Yes, we live in a fallen world. Israel is full of idolatry, wickedness, and sin. Israel suffers from short-sightedness caused by focusing on themselves and where they have prospered. Their eyes need “eye salve” so they can truly see. Like us all! The Messiah of redemption has already come! All they need to do is accept Messiah Yeshua into their heart and life. They need to be looking for the 2nd coming of Messiah Yeshua, King of Israel, Prince of Jerusalem, the Lion of Judah! Elohim has not left them! He will get their attention one way or another.
We know the Book of Revelation describes plagues that will once again strike the earth. They will awaken the saved and lost, Jew and Gentile alike. Those events that happened in Egypt were a shadow and type of what is to come in the future. We have arrived at that time! However, this time it will be on a global scale, like no one has ever seen in their lifetime. These troubled times will awaken some and embitter others.
We are now at a time, as watchmen, to be heard blowing the shofar to both Jew and Gentile of the coming of the Messiah. The time is short…it is running out! We might be safe in the security of our holy covenant with Elohim, but we must be voices in the wilderness proclaiming the way of Elohim. Prepare the way of Adonai!
Israel has returned, turned away, exiled, returned, turned away and exiled many times over. The land is flourishing, the people are either home or returning but their return to Messiah and His Torah are few and far between. An exile is coming, a scattering of His people as prophesied. But at the end He will call them and they will answer. He will call them as a Shepherd and the sheep will follow His voice and return to their King. “Hear the Word of Elohim,” says Jeremiah, “You nations proclaim it in distinct coastlands; He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His Flock like a Shepherd.” (Jere. 31:10).
In all of this, the unflinching faithfulness of Elohim of Israel to keep His covenant promises is unparalleled! We may stand boldly on the unfailing love of Elohim and the love for His people. He has brought us close to Him through the work of his Son, our Messiah Yeshua! He has not forgotten His people! He will draw them unto Himself!
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha!
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Shalom and have a blessed Sabbath!
Blow the shofar!
Be the Watchmen!
See you at the altar!