from the margins

exploring faith’s foundations from the edge

Ezekiel, All Kirsten Trued Ezekiel, All Kirsten Trued

Plot Lines and Property Lines: Ezekiel's Divine Land Survey

Ezekiel ends not with fire and fury, but with a map. These final chapters sketch out a vision of land distribution that's surprisingly focused on fairness, accountability, and inclusion. From tribal inheritances to protections for outsiders, this isn't just divine zoning—it's a deeper look at what a just society could be.

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Drawing the Line: Sacred, Secular, and the Space Between

Ezekiel 43–45 outlines a world where sacred and secular spaces are carefully divided—but that idea feels far removed from today’s blurred boundaries. Why did ancient visions care so much about keeping things separate? This reflection explores how space, power, and meaning intertwine, even in a modern, secular world.

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Reputation Management, Divine Edition

Ezekiel 36 offers a surprising reason for divine restoration: not justice, not mercy, but reputation. What does it mean when even a god is concerned with public perception? This reflection explores the complex motivations behind good outcomes—and whether the “why” really matters.

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Blow the Horn, Not a Gasket: Responsibility Without Control

Reading Ezekiel 33:1–9 (NLT), I’m struck by how the watchman’s role is about clear warning rather than guaranteed results. The passage sketches a workable divide between responsibility and autonomy—say the hard thing, then let others choose. I’m asking where I need to speak plainly today, and where I need to release the outcome.

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The Reed That Bites Back: When Your Backup Plan Needs a Backup

Ezekiel 29–30 reads like a case study in backup plans that look solid until stress hits. The prophet compares Egypt to a reed that snaps and injures the one who leans on it (NLT 29:6–7), which maps neatly onto modern dependencies like platforms, networks, and savings. This piece explores how to right‑size our reliance—diversify supports, stress‑test confident claims, and stay alert to overconfidence—without confusing prudence for certainty.

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When Schadenfreude Shows Up in Scripture

Ezekiel 25–27 turns the spotlight on the nations that cheered Israel’s downfall—and it doesn’t hold back. These chapters explore not just actions, but emotional reactions: mockery, glee, and opportunism in the face of collapse. What does it say about us when we feel a little too satisfied watching others fail?

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Grief, Interrupted: When a Prophet Can't Mourn

When Ezekiel is told his wife will die and that he must not publicly mourn, the story takes a deeply personal turn. This moment of silenced grief raises questions about duty, performance, and the human cost of symbolic acts. What happens when private sorrow becomes part of a public message?

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Meltdown in Jerusalem: When Prophets Bring the Heat

Ezekiel 22 paints a vivid picture of Jerusalem as impure metal thrown into the fire—a city under judgment, not reform. The metaphor of smelting raises difficult questions about destruction, refinement, and whether anything valuable remains. It’s a stark and unsettling passage that doesn’t offer easy answers but pushes us to consider what it means when a society reaches its boiling point.

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Vines, Eagles, and Broken Promises: Politics in Riddle Form

Ezekiel 17 tells a riddle involving two eagles and a vine—a poetic way to talk about political betrayal and broken promises. Through symbolic storytelling, it raises questions about trust, leadership, and the consequences of shifting allegiances. This post explores how natural imagery becomes a lens for understanding power and responsibility.

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Behind Closed Doors: Secrets, Shadows, and Seventy Elders

In Ezekiel 8, a vision reveals religious leaders worshiping idols in secret chambers—far from the eyes of the public. It’s not just a story about ancient betrayal; it raises modern questions about what we keep hidden and why. This post reflects on the tension between our public image and private selves, without jumping to easy conclusions.

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Wheels, Wings, and Wild Visions: Ezekiel Doesn't Hold Back

Ezekiel’s opening vision reads more like a surreal painting than a straightforward message. With creatures bearing multiple faces and wheels full of eyes, it’s hard to know where symbolism ends and imagination begins. This post explores the strange beauty and lingering questions in Ezekiel 1, without trying to solve the mystery too quickly.

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