His kingdom is radically different from the kingdoms of the world in that it does not originate from within the world

In Ezekiel eleven, judgment is proclaimed against Israel’s leaders.  “You haven’t obeyed my laws” YHWH complains.  “You’ve conformed to the standards of the nations around you.”

We were once the alien, as Ruth was, excluded from the promises of God. We sought refuge and redemption in Christ, as she did at the threshing floor. Ultimately, we became family in the household of God, as Ruth did in the home of Boaz.

Ezekiel 5-8 is, admittedly, difficult to read.  It’s a pretty graphic account of God impending judgment against the city of Jerusalem and his people, Israel. 

The folks that put up the signs want people to slow down and notice the beauty around them.

Ezekiel’s description sounds like something in a science fiction movie- 1:27-28 says: “ I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.  Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him

In Second Kings 9:22 Joram asks Jehu if he has come in peace.  Jehu responds, “How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”  Jehu is clearly communicating that peace does not come between God and evil.  Our application should be a bit cautious, but clear.

A Lunar-Solar calendar is synced to the cycle of the moon within the Solar year. This is why Hanukkah always moves in relation to Christmas, as the Jewish calendar is also Lunar-Solar.

Naaman seems to have some pretty simple, albeit specific, expectations of how God would show up in his life.  In his first statement, I wonder if Naaman feels a little ignored or slighted that Elisha did not come out himself to see him.  Naaman is a man of some importance within Aram but Elisha sends his messenger to Naaman rather than coming out himself.  This is a good lesson to us to not think too highly of ourselves as well (Romans 12:3).