Prophecy of ruin
Day 414, Monday, Sept. 29
Ezekiel Chapters 20 – 21
Today’s reading is mostly prophecies of ruin and destruction against Jerusalem and the people of Israel.
Embedded within these prophecies, though, are flickers of hope for the future and reminders that God’s vengeance works to the cause of justice for those who have been oppressed.
In 21:26-27 we read, “It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.”
There’s a glimpse of the ultimate return of the people to their land in 20:42, “Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Monday meditation

Job 40:1-14
The Lord said to Job: “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”
Then Job answered the Lord: “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more.”
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm: “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand. Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.

Prayer focus
We thank you, God, that you exalt the humble and humble the exalted.