Ezekiel 34 ~ Showers of Blessing

 

The Babylonian priest Berossus, c. 290 BC described the Hanging Gardens. Berossus's original work is lost, and Judah's General Flavius Josephus, c. 70 AD, taken to Rome to be the historian for 4 Roman emperors. The preservation of this Berossus text is the primary historical link of Babylon's Hanging Gardens' construction of King Nebuchadnezzar II. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were an ascending series of tiered gardens featuring a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, resembling a large "green" mountain constructed of mud bricks.

Philo of Byzantium wrote because the water supply was continuous, from elevated sources, "the grass is permanently green" in the Hanging Gardens.

Ancient writer and Greek historian Herodotus described Babylon as a massive, glittering metropolis divided by the Euphrates River. Towering double-paved walls wide enough for chariots, a multi-tiered ziggurat temple matching the Tower of Babel legend. And lush ascending terraces of the Hanging Gardens.  King Nebuchadnezzar II built the garden to please his wife, Queen Amytis. She missed the green, mountainous hills of her Median homeland. High stone-pillared walls and lofty terraces planted with large trees to mimic a real mountain forest, referred to as a "pensile" (hanging or elevated) paradise. The Greek historian Herodotus claimed the outer defense walls stretched nearly 56 miles around, stood over 300 feet high. A grand, straight thoroughfare called the Processional Way ran through the center from the Ishtar Gates.

Diodorus Siculus, or Diodorus of Sicily, was an ancient Greek historian. He wrote the monumental universal history Bibliotheca historica, in forty books, fifteen of which survive intact, between 60 and 30 BC. The history is arranged in three parts. Describe Babylon as an engineering marvel of high-arched stone tiers layered with reeds, bitumen, lead, and thick soil so large trees could grow and be watered by hidden river-pumping machines.

Ezekiel 34

The Word of the Lord came to me: 

2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, 

Thus says the Lord God: 

Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 

5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts.

 My sheep were scattered; 6 they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. 

 7 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord: 

As I live, 

declares the Lord God, 

surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the Word of the Lord:

 10 Thus says the Lord God,

 Behold, 

I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. 

 11 “For thus says the Lord God: 

Behold, 

I, I Myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 

13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 

15 I Myself will be the Shepherd of My sheep, and I Myself will make them lie down, 

declares the Lord God. 

16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. 

 17 “As for you, My flock, 

thus says the Lord God: 

Behold, 

I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? 

19 And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? 

 20 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: 

Behold, 

I, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 

22 I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 

23 And I will set up over them One Shepherd, My servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 

24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David shall be prince among them.

 I am the Lord; I have spoken. 

 25 “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 

26 And I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.

27 And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. 

And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 

28 They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. 

They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. 

29 And I will provide for them a renowned place for planting so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. 

30 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, 

and that they, the house of Israel, are My people, 

declares the Lord God. 

31 And you are My sheep, human sheep of My pasture, 

and I am your God, 

declares the Lord God.”

Ezekiel speaks very boldly.  And brings the bar of excellence high for Ezekiel to obtain. Like Jesus Christ, Ezekiel is speaking to the the Children of Israel. Before Jesus is the Light of mankind. 

Today, do we know of shepherds who ignore, neglect, harm and avoid their duty and charge?  

This 34th Chapter of Ezekiel is about God rescuing His people. 

When the Lord has spoken His Word, we have His Promise.  He says if the appointed shepherds will create no path, God will make His Path and this will be

Salvation.

The Good News, God Saves.

 

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness!

    Come into His Presence with a song!

3 Know that the Lord, He is God!

    It is He who made us, and not we ourselves,

    we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

    and His courts with praise!

    Give thanks to Him; bless His Name!

5 For the Lord is good;

    His steadfast love endures forever,

    and 

His faithfulness 

to all

 generations.

John 10:9

 

 Jesus says, 

"I am the door. 

If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, 

and 

will go in and out 

and

 find pasture."

Ezekiel is not the only bold Child of God.  Daniel was equally as honest and bold. Daniel explains boldly to King Nebuchadnezzar about his dream in Chapter 2. And again in Chapter 7. Daniel really risks ire in Chapter 5, not explaining to King Nebuchadnezzar who loved to honor God and the different cultures. Daniel risks explaining the Belshazzar (probably in history Nebuchadnezzar's son in law). A new king usurping an ill Nebuchadnezzar.  Worried man.

Daniel 5

17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. 

19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. 20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. 

21 He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will. 

22 And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.

24 “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. 25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the matter:  Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; 28 Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Abba, Father

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;

 I will strengthen you, I will help you,

 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

2 Corinthians 3:5 

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Romans 15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, 

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit 

you may abound in hope.

Hebrews 10:35-36

Therefore 

Do Not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Showers of Blessing

We pray with hope for the

weather experienced in the

first two centuries Anno Domini,

will abate and be good weather again.

Praying for safety and prosperity in these days.

More of Jesus Christ's Holy Spirit. 

Please continue to pray for peace and the wishes of our parents and great and grandparents to be fulfilled in a peaceful and complete manner. 

 God is moving and working 

and the joy of finding answered prayers.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

Peace and the Joy God gives us.

And we will finish well, 

in Jesus Christ. 

Please, Father,

Bless Edward with healthy retinas

Today Edward found out

his eye is seeing far more

than anticipated, and his

good Surgeon

has done a good job.

With a God Bless, Edward, please

a necessary second eye 

to follow.

We Pray Glory

of God

to Heal Edward.

The Lord to bless us 

and ALL our family with health

and the dreams we have,

given to us by our great, grand, and parents.

Your Will and Peace

as the little baby has colic fairly intensely.

And slept through the night.

Help us seek and find 

and bring,

become,

 more Heaven

to this earth.

1 Peter 3:15

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as Holy,

always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

We can do absolutely nothing about Massachusetts killing babies. We can moan and cry and do absolutely nothing. And those babies will die badly. Or we can find life and grace. Blessing the great and grand and parents to find Love has made a path straight forward. 

Let's not prefer to draw vampire, bloody teeth on the people photographed surrounding the broken governor of Massachusetts and instead find Faith, Hope and Love. 

Life for preborn children. Human Beings. Babies.  Hoping for love and warmth to give and receive.  So many willing hearts and homes. Valid Adoption Agencies.  Hope for the biological mother, instead of a life of sadness.

In the Name of Jesus 

fill us

surround us

Embolden us

lead us

redeem us

and keep us forever.

Lord Jesus Christ

Only Son of God, our Father.

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE

IN
JESUS CHRIST

THE LORD

Father God, Dear Father God,

WE PRAY 

BLESSINGS 

for those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Jesus Christ

Shine on us

ALL

Let evil and practicing evil

depart 

far 

from us

and our children.

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as it is

in Heaven. 

And we will be blessed indeed. 

Jesus the Lord. Alleluia

and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You, Jesus

Yes, The Lord Fulfills His Purpose!

Matthew 6:16-18 ~ will reward you

In John 6:35, Jesus tells us He is the Bread of Life

Interesting, Jesus doesn’t suggest to us that we should fast, He says 'when' we fast.

Matthew 6:16-18

 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, 

for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. 

I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 

17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 

18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, 

but only to your Father, Who is unseen; 

and 

your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, 

will reward you."

He is the Bread of Life

Daniel 10:2-12

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 

James Tissot

The Waters of Babylon

Rivers Euphrates and Tigris

Psalm 137

Historical accounts from Herodotus and the Babylonian Chronicles record Persian troops under commanders like Gobryas and Ugbaru waited for floods and climbed the city walls with all their armies. Accounts differ. The waters surrounding Babylon are the rivers the Scriptures record flowing through the Garden of Eden. Eden vanishes only during the Flood of Noah that Babylonian Histories also record. This week the headlines have included the wonder that the top of Mount Everest has fossils of the ocean floor.  

Nebuchadnezzar was informed that by believing that Isaiah's 11th Chapter was written about Nebuchadnezzar II, Emperor of the Chaldean Babylonians, did not keep him from God's Wrath for invading Israel. He was informed his pleasant land and amazing Babylon, the Garden City would become desert for his 4 invasions of God's Promise to His Children. The waters of Babylon are a large part of the Babylonian Exile and the many Books of Scripture written surrounding the Exile. 

The British Museum has the Cuneiform History written by the Babylonians of the time, containing Biblical Confirmation and the names of generals, officers, kings and prisoners. Including the servant's name of Jeremiah. 

4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Tigris, 

5 I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: 6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 

8 So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. 

 10 And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, thou man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright; for unto thee am I now sent.

And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were Heard: and I am come for thy words’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Daniel 12:3

Those who are wise 

will shine like the brightness of the Heavens, 

and 

those who lead many to righteousness,

 like the stars 

for ever 

and 

ever.

Babylon's City Gate of Nebuchadnezzar II, Perfectly preserved in Archaeology. Today in Berlin. 

"I (Nebuchadnezzar) laid the foundation of the gates down to the ground water level and had them built out of pure blue stone. Upon the walls in the inner room of the gate are bulls and dragons and thus I magnificently adorned them with luxurious splendor for all mankind to behold in awe."

Inscription on the Gate of Babylon.

Daniel 12:2

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: 

some to everlasting life, 

others to shame and everlasting contempt. 

Why do we fast? Attitude adjustment. Hope. Faith. Love.

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

We belong to the day, let us be sober, 

having put on the breastplate of faith and love, 

and 

for a helmet the hope of salvation. 

9 For God has not destined us for wrath, 

but 

to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep 

we might live with Him.

 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, 

just as you are doing.

Abba, Father

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. 

Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with Glory

We pray with hope for the

weather experienced in the

first two centuries Anno Domini,

will abate and be good weather again.

Praying for safety and prosperity in these days.

More of Jesus Christ's Holy Spirit. 

Please continue to pray for peace and the wishes of our parents and great and grandparents to be fulfilled in a peaceful and complete manner. 

 God is moving and working 

and the joy of finding answered prayers.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

Peace and the Joy God gives us.

And we will finish well, 

in Jesus Christ. 

Please, Father,

Bless Edward with healthy retinas

Today Edward found out

his eye is seeing far more

than anticipated and his

good Surgeon

has done a good job.

With a God Bless, Edward, please

a necessary second eye 

to follow.

We Pray Glory

of God

to Heal Edward.

The Lord to bless us 

and ALL our family with health

and the dreams we have,

Your Will and Peace

as the little baby has colic fairly intensely.

And slept through the night.

Help us seek and find 

and bring,

become,

 more Heaven

to this earth.

1 Peter 3:15

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as Holy,

always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

We can do absolutely nothing about Massachusetts killing babies. We can moan and cry and do absolutely nothing. And those babies will die badly. Or we can find life and grace. Blessing the great and grand and parents to find Love has made a path straight forward. 

Let's not prefer to draw vampire, bloody teeth on the people photographed surrounding the broken governor of Massachusetts and instead find Faith, Hope and Love. 

Life for preborn children. Human Beings. Babies.  Hoping for love and warmth to give and receive.  So many willing hearts and homes. Valid Adoption Agencies.  Hope for the biological mother, instead of a life of sadness.

In the Name of Jesus 

fill us

surround us

Embolden us

lead us

redeem us

and keep us forever.

Lord Jesus Christ

Only Son of God, our Father.

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE

IN
JESUS CHRIST

THE LORD

Father God, Dear Father God,

WE PRAY 

BLESSINGS 

for those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Jesus Christ

Shine on us

ALL

Let evil and practicing evil

depart 

far 

from us

and our children.

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as it is

in Heaven. 

And we will be blessed indeed. 

Jesus the Lord. Alleluia

and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You, Jesus

Yes, The Lord Fulfills His Purpose!