(a chapter from my book, Raising Kings)
We frequently start with a problem in hand. A problem presents itself and we are motivated into action to find a solution. Question number 1 … Is the problem the correct problem we should be solving? We touched on this in the chapter on Understand the Fundamental Issues. Is the issue the fundamental issue or the root issue? If we don’t solve the fundamental issue, we are just deferring the problem. Say, we arrive at the fundamental issue … Then we want to know the correct context of this fundamental issue. We can see a tree, but we need to take a step backwards to see the forest. We need to understand the bigger picture.
Take for instance our current global situation, e.g. extreme financial prosperity, followed by a sharp financial downturn causing a lot of people to experience financial hardship. Say, this is the initial problem statement. Does this ever happen in the Bible? Searching … searching … searching … What are the patterns in the Bible that we observe concerning financial prosperity? The Israelites experience cycles of prosperity, idolatry, then exile … Could this be it?
I have to give you an additional piece of information that the Lord just whispered in my ear – that the Old Testament applies to all descendants of Adam who have not been saved, not just Jewish people, or the followers of Judaism. Now that we know this, let us continue our exploration into the cycles of prosperity, idolatry and then exile experienced by the Israelites. We know that prosperity can be a snare and a trap.
Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare
and their prosperity become a trap.
I am searching when I stumbled upon Ezekiel 31. Ezekiel 31 starts with the Lord sending a message to the Pharoah of Egypt. Extreme prosperity for Egypt caused Egypt to become self-important. So the LORD GOD said through the prophet Ezekiel:
Let the tree of no other nation
proudly exult in its own prosperity,
though it be higher than the clouds
and it be watered from the depths.
For all are doomed to die,
to go down to the depths of the earth.
They will land in the pit
along with everyone else on earth.
Ezekiel 31 describes a nation, which became proud and arrogant because of its extreme prosperity. Read the whole chapter for yourself. The Lord says:
O Israel, stay away from idols!
I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.
I am like a tree that is always green;
all your fruit comes from me.”
I just took the initial problem statement as an example off the top of my head. I ended up in quite a different place from what I expected, as the Father leads. So, let Ezekiel 31 be a warning to those of you who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Repent, if that is you. I started out intending to teach, but I ended up as a prophet. The Lord is teaching us His ways, me included.
May the grace and peace of Abba Father the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Word Sabre, scribe for Abba Father, LORD GOD, Lord Most High, Lord Jesus Christ.