Readings for: 
Tuesday, September 10: Ezekiel 34 – 36
Wednesday, September 11: Ezekiel 37 – 39

In our recent readings we get a little bit of love, and a little bit of fun!

Some love . . .
Chapter 34 turns our attention to the image of a shepherd. I hope that when you hear that, your recall to Jesus’ bold words, “I am the Good Shepherd.” What a comforting and loving image for us as Christians. Here in Ezekiel, God is the shepherd that is good. Others have lost their way, yet God promises to “I will search for them . . . seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered . . . I will bring the out from the peoples and gather them . . . I will bring them into their own land.” (34:11-13 select portions) In these words there is compassion and love, like only a loving Shepherd can give. Compassion and love . . . that us God’s people disparately need.

Some fun . . .
The valley of the dry bones, in chapter 37 is always a fun on, especially as Halloween Decorations are starting to go up. Skeletons are everywhere. As I read, I kept singing, “Them bones, them bones, them drrrrry bones.” And the image of Disney’s “Silly Symphony” came to mind as well. New life is found in this valley of the dry bones. Flesh and breath is given to them, as a reminder of how God will rebuild the nation of Israel. Yet, I can’t help but wonder, what happened to those dry bones after all was said and done. They had flesh. They were filled with breath from the corners of the earth. Ezekiel says they “lived,” so what happened next? Did they return to dust. Were they real people full of mind and spirit? Were they some type of Halloween zombie created by God? Interesting image to wrestle with and ponder, when happened next to these dry dry bones!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Readings for the next few days: 
Thursday, September 12: Ezekiel 40 – 42
Friday, September 13: Ezekiel 43 – 45
Saturday, September 14: Ezekiel 46 – 48
Sunday, September 15: Daniel 1 – 3