Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Unity of the Church for the witness of life

Ezekiel 37: 15-22

V17 And join them one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.

         On succession of Solomon's son Rehoboam around the 930 BC, old testament accounts that, old Israel was split into two kingdoms. The Kingdom of Israel in north and the Kingdom of Judah in the south. Here in this scripture portion we see, how God is commanding Prophet Ezekiel be instrumental for a peacemaking accord between the two kingdoms. The Prophet had a vision to unite severed branches of Israel into one and enter into prosperity with one God and one King. God asked Ezekiel to get two sticks and write the names of Judah and Ephraim on each of the sticks which would become one in his hand.

          The unification should happen, first by bringing people to their own land, second, their purification from idolatry, install them as united into one nation, with one King, that leads to King David to the future messiah, third, establishment of Jehovah's peace, and permanent buildup of Jehovah's temple.

           This event is especially significant for the Israelites because it a fulfillment of Jehovah's declaration to all the descendants of Jacob who were heirs of His covenant. After centuries of prejudice and rivalry, God is extending His grace  to the whole house of Israel, not only for Judah but Joseph, Ephraim and his close tribes.

           What does the book of Ezekiel teach us?  God always want his people to purify themselves, come to his presence, leave idolatry of any form, and to be united each other, leaving all prejudice, rivalry, and obey his commandments. The prophet wants to tell people that the disintegration in the society, visualized as dead bones, may be revived itself to life and restoration, if you unite ourselves and obey His commandments.


PRAYER

Dear Lord, restore us from our dead state of prejudice, ego, rivalry, idolatry, and instill life into us, so that we may be useful vessels for your Kingdom.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
How can a church stand, with all the differences and rivalry, and promote love of Christ to  the world?

Dr. Jerry Varghese, Baltimore MTC MD

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more