Ezekiel

Ezekiel 7: God brings the day of judgment

Begin in prayer

Before reading of the day when wealth cannot save, let us acknowledge our need before God. Ask Him for still hearts, His presence with this family and eyes to see Christ as we read Ezekiel 7.

Behold, the days come,” says the Lord Yahweh, “that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing Yahweh’s words.

Amos 8:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Open our eyes to Your righteous judgment and help us see Jesus as the Savior we need. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD announces that the end has come upon the whole land of Israel. He will pour out His anger and judge people according to their ways. The trumpet sounds, but no one goes to battle, while sword, famine and disease bring death. Those who escape mourn on the mountains, and silver and gold cannot rescue or feed them. God will give their possessions to strangers and turn His face from them, and robbers will profane His secret place. As disaster follows disaster, rulers mourn and the people lose peace, instruction and counsel.

As you read Ezekiel 7, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God will judge people according to their ways, and wealth cannot rescue them.

God repeatedly announces that the end has come upon the land of Israel. This is His judgment against its wicked ways, reaching throughout the land rather than leaving a safe corner. Buying and selling will lose their ordinary importance because His wrath comes on the whole multitude. The trumpet cannot bring them to battle, because His wrath prevents the defense they need (verse 14). Those who escape mourn their own iniquity, and people throw away silver that cannot save or feed them. Wealth has become a stumbling block, drawing them into the sin for which they now face judgment. God will give their possessions to strangers and turn His face from them, and robbers will profane His secret place. Peace, prophetic vision, priestly instruction and wise counsel will fail them as the LORD judges according to their ways.

How does Ezekiel 7 show us that God will judge people according to their ways, and wealth cannot rescue them?

God judges the ways people have chosen.

God announces the end throughout Israel's land and says He will judge according to their ways (verses 1 to 9). Their abominations call forth His anger. He will show no pity, and they will know He is the LORD who strikes (verses 4 and 9).

God's judgment makes wealth helpless.

People will cast silver into the streets when God's wrath comes (verse 19). Their gold cannot deliver them or fill their hungry stomachs. The wealth that drew them into sin cannot rescue them from its judgment.

God brings down the supports of rebellion.

The land is full of bloody crimes and the city full of violence (verses 23 and 24). God brings the worst of the nations against them. Houses and holy places will fall into hostile hands. Even rulers and counselors will be helpless before the Judge.

Memorize

Their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of Yahweh’s wrath.

Ezekiel 7:19

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I trusting to save me, and have I come to Jesus?

Ezekiel warns that silver and gold cannot deliver anyone in the day of the LORD's wrath. Possessions cannot buy a different verdict from the holy Judge. Neither can they take away the sins that bring His anger. That warning reaches the things we trust for safety.

Our rescue must come from God Himself. Jesus paid the whole debt of His people's sins when He died on the cross for them. His finished work provides all they need for salvation. God raised Him from the dead, and the risen Lord offers mercy to guilty people.

Please come to Him, turning from sin and believing His promise. Forgiveness is given freely to every sinner who trusts Him. Bring your need to Christ instead of trying to secure your life with possessions. He can reconcile sinners to the God before whom money is helpless.

Parent's note

Tell your children that wealth cannot rescue them from judgment, and Christ saves through His finished death and resurrection. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for exposing the false safety of wealth, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

1 Timothy 6:17

Father, thank You for telling us the truth about judgment and for sending Jesus to save sinners. Forgive our trust in possessions and help each one repent and believe in Him. Please teach us to use what You give with humble thanks, remembering that we must answer to You. Amen.