Hello friends! Today's reading is another one of those kinda glum readings similar to Monday to be honest. It's another denigrating day full of slamming women for their sexual desires and promiscuity. While I do think there is a glimpses of heaven to be found in this text, you will really need to get out your magnifying glasses to see it. But, as Jesus says, we long to see even just a little bit more of heaven on earth. So let's dive in and see where that is!
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach me about God?
What does this reading reveal the people were struggling with at the time?
What about this text feels applicable today for me and the larger world?
- My Thoughts -
Ahhh.....Zeek. Zeek my buddy, my pal, my boi. You need some therapy, my dude. Ezekiel is back to classic Ezekiel relating Jerusalem / Samaria to a woman, but not just any woman, a heartbreaking awful wife who only longs for "genitals the size of a donkey and emissions like a horse" WWWWWWHHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTTT? I'm sorry but I had to do a few takes of this one as I just couldn't stop laughing. I've heard plenty of penis jokes in my time and probably made 14 too many but never in my life did I think I would I find one in the Bible.
On a more serious note, I am again perturbed by the connection between sexual desire and fury or punishment that resonates from the prophet's words, especially in light of what has happened in Atlanta this past week with 8 Asian-American women dead because a deranged man "wanted to remove a temptation." As I read the words of Ezekiel describing God's wrath on the women personified to be Jerusalem and Samaria I couldn't help but think of the women that were killed. I want to be crystal, diamond, extremely clear here...I am NOT AT ALL suggesting that the slain women were promiscuous or whatever (even if they were, whatever - you do you!) But I'm making the connection between the times throughout history where men have combined their fury with their lust to do destructive things. I'm reminded of the many men (including a President!) that forced themselves upon slaves they owned to carry their children or satisfy their desires. I'm reminded of the rape of the Native American women by the colonialists, and I'm now reminded of the slain women at the hands of a man who wasn't racist, just "had a very bad day." (BOI GET OUT HERE WITH THAT CRAP) Now I read a story from thousands of years earlier of a man throwing a temper tantrum because a woman has sexual desire like himself, except she's made the villain of the story. The Bible is a great book, but it ain't always good ya'll.
In the wise words of Pastor Andy Call at Church of the Savior who shared, "Just to be clear: treating Asian women as sexual objects is also racism." We can just as easy substitute Ezekiel into that statement and feel called to challenge the prophet as well. If you work with someone, have someone in your family, or are friends with someone of Asian descent take just a moment to let them know they are loved, they are valued, and they are safe in your presence. It's a small gesture and can go a long way. And, as difficult as it can be, lift up the gunman in prayer to that his heart can be softened and he can come to repent this wicked thing. Lord in your mercy, amen.
Prayer
1 There's a spirit in the air, telling Christians everywhere:
Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world!'
2 Lose your shyness, find your tongue, tell the world what God has done:
God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow's life today!
3 When believers break the bread, when a hungry child is fed,
praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world.
4 Still the Spirit gives us light, seeing wrong and setting right:
God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow's life today!
5 When a stranger's not alone, where the homeless find a home,
praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world.
6 May the Spirit fill our praise, guide our thoughts and change our ways.
God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow's life today!
7 There's a Spirit in the air, calling people everywhere:
Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world.
Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.
^ I've seen people get frustrated with that concept because they see wicked people not facing justice (granted, we aren't the final judges of wicked, and our version of justice can differ from God's) and that makes them frustrated with religion in general.