Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 22
Theme : The Cause for the Sword of Death
Defilement in Jerusalem (1-16)
The Jews are unfaithful to God and His covenant. They practice idolatry and commit all kinds of evil, such as, sexual perversion, incest, rape, murder, extortion, oppression of the poor and defenseless, and not observing God’s other covenant laws.
Purification in Jerusalem (17-22).
Jerusalem is filled with evil, so God will turn Jerusalem into a furnace where He will burn away all the dross or waste in Jerusalem. God’s judgment is also a purifying judgment that cleanses the land of evil. The remnant who returns to the land will obey God by not committing idolatry.
Evil Leaders in Jerusalem (23-31).
This passage repeats the evil of the leaders in Jerusalem, especially false prophets. It is because of their evils, that God must send a purifying fire to cleanse the land.
Praying the Scripture
Community leaders bear special responsibility for the maintenance of justice and the welfare of its citizenry. The call to leadership is primarily a call to responsibility, not privilege (cf. Deut. 17:14–20). The Lord will rise up against those who use the office for personal advantage, especially those who run roughshod over the rights of the most vulnerable people. [1] Pray that the leaders of our communities are just and that they are accountable for their actions. If you desire to be a leader, the ultimate motivation should be for service and responsibilities, not privileges.
[1] Block, The Book of Ezekiel.
经文：以西结书22
主题：在刀下死亡的原因
耶路撒冷的玷污（1-16）。
犹太人对神与神的约都不忠。他们拜偶像并行各样的恶，如淫乱、乱伦、强奸、谋杀、勒索、欺压贫困与无助的，也不遵守神约定中的其他律例典章。
耶路撒冷的洁净（17-22）。
耶路撒冷尽都是恶，因此神将使她变成火炉，烧尽城中的一切渣滓（或废物）。神的审判也像一场洁净的审判，要荡涤罪恶之地。归回耶路撒冷的余民将服从神，不拜偶像。
耶路撒冷的邪恶首领（23-31）。
这段经文重述了耶路撒冷众首领的恶行，尤其是假先知的。正因为他们的恶，神必须降洁净之火清除这地。
用经文祷告
社区首领必须为他们居民的公平待遇和福利负起特别的责任。作领导的呼召主要是叫人背负责任，不是享受特权（参：申17:14-20）。神必然会与凡为自己谋取利益而利用职位的人，尤其是为此欺压无助、无依无靠之人的权利的。[1] 当为我们区域的首领祷告他们行事公正，能为他们的所为交账。倘若你渴望作一名领导，你心里的主要动机当是事奉人，愿意挑起责任，而不是为享受特权坐上职位。
[1] Block, The Book of Ezekiel.
