Prickly

 "And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.
Ezekiel 28:24 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.28.24.ESV

On the face of it, all the neighbouring countries of the modern state of Israel ought to be concerned. Is that what Ezekiel is alluding to however? The Bible is a spiritual book, not a socio-political textbook.

Israel in the Bible is never just a country, but a spiritual entity. Being ethnically Israeli doesn't automatically qualify someone for the Kingdom of God. True worshippers worship in spirit and in truth.

Spiritual Israel is everyone: Jew or Gentile, who believes in the Jewish Messiah Jesus. He warns us of persecution for our faith. Yet here, through Ezekiel, He promises a day when all who trouble us will be no more.

This verse is escatological, it's looking forward to the end of time when the enemies of God and His people will be no more. Sadly, there are plenty of 'thorns in our flesh'- spiky people- still around to this day.

'Heavenly Father, we look forward to the day when prickly people are no more. Please provide patience in the meantime, in Christ's name we pray, amen'

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