OPPOSING FORCES by BILL BURNS
The Garden
Ezekiel 34:
26 "I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will
cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.
27 "Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall
yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I
am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from
the hand of those who enslaved them.
28 "And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the
land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them
afraid.
29 "I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be
consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore.
30 "Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and they, the
house of Israel, are My people," says the Lord GOD.’"
31 "You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,"
says the Lord GOD.
This is God’s promise to this generation in this time. The promise of blessings,
fruitfulness, safety and deliverance.
V27 “I will break the bands of their yoke and deliver them from the hands of
those who enslave them.”
In the Genesis pattern – God’s garden made for man:
1. Gives life (tree of life)
2. Gives fellowship – God walks in it.
3. Has a river – produces an atmosphere conducive to the anointing.
Genesis 2:15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to
tend and keep it.
The garden will be contended for; it must be kept from the spirit of Jezebel.
1 Kings 21:
1 And it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a
vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
2 So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it
for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will
give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you
its worth in money."
3 But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance
of my fathers to you!"
4 So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which
Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, "I will not give you
the inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his
face, and would eat no food.
5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, "Why is your spirit so
sullen that you eat no food?"
6 He said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him,
‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you
another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’"
7 Then Jezebel his wife said to him, "You now exercise authority over Israel!
Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of
Naboth the Jezreelite."
8 And she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent the
letters to the elders and the nobles who were dwelling in the city with Naboth.
In Revelation 2:20 Jesus refers to “that woman Jezebel”. He is referring to
those who are operating in the spirit of Jezebel.
The Spirit of Jezebel wants to control, using intimidation (anger) and
manipulation (usurping authority) – writing letters (communication) to
manipulate agreement.
Small Straws: The spirit of divination is on the rise. It has once again reared
its ugly head to control and manipulate apart from responsibility and legitimate
authority. Sharpen your discernment and watch for the manifestation of this
spirit to interrupt the flow of My Holy Spirit, says the Lord. Those who allow
this spirit to work through them have opened a door and made a way through
self-will and rebellion. Stand strong and unwavering in My guidance, for I will
direct your steps with the gentle nudging of My Spirit.
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as
iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also
has rejected you from being king.
Jezebel wants to take over God’s garden or spoil it if she can’t control it.
She will work the spirit of the anti-christ; opposes the river that comes out of
the garden and opposes the anointing – anti-Christ (the anointed One); opposes
the glory (presence of God) so the anointing won’t come; brings darkness
(spiritual opposition).
Isaiah 60:2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness
the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon
you.
Our Job is to tend the garden by keeping it out of the hands of the enemy – by
believing in the promise of God to establish His garden and by refusing to allow
divination to have its way and by walking with God in His glory.
God wants to give us a garden (an enclosed habitation) to dwell in where He
walks, and the glory is in abundance and the river flows!