According to Their Judgments I Will Judge Them

This meditation is based on a passage for June 7, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Ezekiel 7:10-15, 23b-27

Reflection and Question: You may remember the publicity last month about the end of the world, Judgment Day, prediction for May 21, 2011. Ezekiel is making a similar prophecy in this graphic poetry describing the fall of Jerusalem and the end of life, as Judah had known it for generations. I take to heart the conclusion Ezekiel reaches in this passage, echoing Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 7:2): “According to their own judgments I will judge them.” All declarations of the judgment are meant to humble us before God. Where do you see similarities between Ezekiel’s city and our country now?

Prayer: God of Israel and all the nations including our own have mercy on us for we are no better than our fathers and mothers who have gone before us, sowing violence, arrogance, anguish and despair. Regard not our sins, we pray, and spare us. Amen.