God knows the future when he moves us

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

What’s so scary about change? We know that sometimes it works out all the better for us. But we can probably think of times when it hasn’t. Change brings uncertainty, and that can paralyse us with fear when we prefer to stick with what we know.

But imagine change guided by someone who knows the future. Would that be as scary? If we could somehow follow a path laid down by someone who knew everything ahead, if we could trust them, if they really knew things we could only guess: would we go with them?

I love the way God sets out Israel’s future here. He knows it! He isn’t just talking the talk of a visionary, idealistic person. He actually knows not just the way he would like things to go, but the way they will work out, including who will try and disrupt their way of life.

That’s unfortunate for the land of Magog who will, “in future years,” invade a recovered, restored, peaceful Israel, believing its people to be “unsuspecting… without walls and without gates and bars.” Is this a warning so Israel can prepare their weapons for an ambush?

No – and this is where it gets even more amazing! God promises that in this future invasion, he will make the land itself fight back, backed up by all the forces of nature. Poor Magog doesn’t stand a chance, and all Israel will have to do is “go out and use the weapons for fuel”, which will last them years, plus a bit of clearing away the dead bodies.

That is quite the reassurance that things will work out if they trust God. Given that, would you?

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God wants his people to know that he knows them and their past, present and future. This is a unique thing about God we will naturally struggle to get our heads around. But if we can believe it, and that he has our best interests in mind when he guides us, a little faith will go a long way.

God’s plans for his people lead up to restoration of life with him. One sign of that for Israel was a restored temple, mapped out in detail in a vision God chose to show only to Ezekiel.

God chooses not to reveal every bit of the future to everybody but entrusts certain things to people he knows can handle them faithfully. A prophet like Ezekiel was known by God to be observant and obedient. If we want God to tell us things which will guide our future, we have to be just as faithful, not solely focused on ourselves and willing to accept whatever God says.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I want to get better at hearing and faithfully passing on words from God, which might be about the past, present or future. I need to trust and rely on God more to grow both my sensitivity to hear him and my resilience to pass on his words lovingly and faithfully.

Who am I going to share this with?

My family and other people I follow Jesus with.