The Blame Game
You can vent any anger you may have in their direction
Ezekiel 21:1-32
Reference: I too will strike my hands together,
and my wrath will subside.
I the Lord have spoken. (Ezekiel 21:17 NIV)
Explore: It’s amazing how quickly we can blame someone else for the bad things that happen to us. Parents are usually the first to cop the blame for anything negative that we have experienced.
I would have to say that work colleagues, particularly those in higher ranked positions, probably come in a close second. Followed by anyone who has ever wronged us in the past. We may not even see them anymore, but surely they have had a hand in our disasters.
It often helps to have someone else to blame, because we can vent any anger we may have in their direction, rather than having to make changes in our own lives. However, no matter how good it feels, it’s never helpful and does not assist us in going through any kind of healing process.
Application: The prophet Ezekiel had a mighty big job. God’s people were making some majorly bad choices and the consequences were about to surface.
As God spoke of the future ramifications, I like how He got Ezekiel to clap to bring forth the disaster, whereas He clapped to make it stop. I think this is true in most situations. Humans tend to cause the trouble whereas God is the one who brings peace and rest.
This time of destruction in the Old Testament represents what can happen in our own lives. Due to our poor choices we are left with consequences, but that doesn’t mean that God leaves us.
Even in the greatest rebellion, God was still there for His people. Even after the constant rejection, God still waited for His people to return.
He is the same with us. He is the ever patient, loving God. It’s in our best interest not to turn from Him and it gives us hope to know that He is always there.
Prayer: Lord God, forgive us in our rebellion. May we not look to blame others but take responsibility for our actions. Amen.
Who do you tend to blame when things go wrong?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.