Feb. 7 - A Timely Prophecy

From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 38:14-33

One thing that has seemed to ring loud and clear in the recent unrest in Egypt is the fear for the safety of Israel. The history of God's people has been rife with persecution and attack and the news from Egypt bears all the marks of impending antagonism again.

Ezekiel sees the persecution in his day coming from the north, "God." Gog and Magog are generally associated with some area in what is now central Asia and Caucasus region. "...say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee... And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land... when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."

In the case of Ezekiel's day, Israel was disobedient and unrepentant. Gog was to be God's instrument of judgment - "I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes."

How has God used non-Christians to judge me and call me to repentance?

I don't know if God is using the situation in Egypt to bring a spiritual awakening in Israel, but I know that God uses secular forces to both tempt me and to call me to repentance.

Today I watched a video on hunger in India and about a Hindu brahmin who feeds, clothes, bathes, and cares for the untouchables. His message is simple: everyone is a person of value and worth, regardless of their station in life. This Hindu, no doubt a good man, was fulfilling the law of Christ in ways I never have.

A promise comes through the prophecy as well: Though trials and judgment come, God remains faithful to His people - even when they are unfaithful to Him. "...it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel... in my jealousy [for Israel] and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel... and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD."

Like a parent who tells their child, "This is going to hurt me a lot more than it's going to hurt you," so is God's judgment on me.

Help me accept Thy judgments, Lord. Call me to repentance! Help me to turn from my own short comings to see Thy will and serve Thy people.