Sun. Sept. 28, 2008 (J. Evan Kreider)

Last Sunday Evan Kreider described a tumultuous time of military activity and catastrophe in Israel. Nebuchadnezer conquered Jerusalem and the Israelites were taken into Babylonian captivity. In this setting Ezekiel, also in captivity, receives the call to become a prophet. Options, hope, personal responsibility, and the invitation to “turn and live” are the themes in Ezekiel 18. The prophet tells his people they are not in slavery because of their parents’ sin and behaviour, though there might well be generations-long consequences from that parental behaviour. Most of the prophet’s message centres on money and ethics: be fair to those who borrow money, don’t lend at extravagant interest rates, live honestly and equitably. This message is in sharp contrast to our current financial crisis that is driven by legal loopholes and greed. Even though the Israelites are enslaved, Ezekiel encourages them to turn and live. No matter how dismal the future, we are free to set out on a new way of life and thinking. Break the cycle; turn and live. [HN] Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday Sept. 28th, 2008 using your browser's preferred media player.