ALIGNING SOURCES

There are many things on my mind this morning - among them: the results of the elections; the result of 'justice' prevailing with the fallout meaning Joe Paterno, the icon of super-coach being forced to retire under a shadow of making a wrong decision about not reporting an assistant coach for allegations of child abuse; and Ezekiel. I will focus on Ezekiel!

I searched for the exact correlating date of Ezekiel 24, and learned that there are several sources with differing opinions as to the date referenced. I had accepted my ESV's information that the fall of Jerusalem was in 586 BC, and was just curious what date that would have been using our time. Two other sites I looked at state 598 B C, not 586 - and are very definite in both cases that the correlating date I was looking for is March 16, 598 B C.

What I realized with this exercise is that I cannot know with absolute certainty what that date of victory over Jerusalem was. I don't have the time or resources to do the research others have done to come to their conclusions. I have to take their word for it. And, ultimately, it doesn'tmatter. What matters is that it did happen. That is clearly corroborated by historical information - and God forewarned that it was coming in advance. That foundation is important for what is yet to come in Ezekiel. I am eagerly anticipating seeing how the pieces fit together from various prophets - seeing for myself from God's Word.

In chapter 24, my heart goes out to Ezekiel. God forewarned him his wife would die - the delight of his eyes - and that he was not to mourn but obey what God instructed. He reports he did as God commanded. God had a purpose and Ezekiel accepted God's will. Everything in me screams that this is not fair. But deep inside I know that I want the kind of relationship with God that Ezekiel had - complete trust in His sovereignty even in the darkest of circumstances. I know Ezekiel's obedience under those circumstances could only come from being infused with God's strength, but looking from the outside in, it looks unbearable.

When I meet Ezekiel in heaven I want to be able to tell him, "I am so very sorry for your loss! And even though you suffered such enormous personal loss, thank you for your faithfulness."