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Ezekiel 21:1–22:31

Ezekiel continues to warn the people – judgment is coming. The Sword of the LORD, is the sword of Babylon. 

But not everyone who died was unsaved, we read those words in:

Ezekiel 21:4 (NKJV) “Because I will cut off both righteous and wicked from you…”

The sins of the wicked DO affect the righteous. Today the sin of Adam, and the sins of our generation have brought death, and even days of greater death in Covid-19 to both the saved and unsaved. The difference however, is their eternal destiny in heaven or hell.

Matthew 13:41–43 (NKJV) “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

In Ezekiel’s day the Babylonians would strike for the third time – we read that explicitly in:

Ezekiel 21:14 (NKJV) “You therefore, son of man, prophesy, and strike your hands together. The third time let the sword do double damage. It is the sword that slays, the sword that slays the great men, that enters their private chambers.”

Jerusalem was conquered in 3 sieges; the third and final siege Ezekiel predicted took place in 586 B.C..

605 B.C.	Some captives are taken to Babylon, including Daniel.
597 B.C.	More captives are taken to Babylon, including Ezekiel.
586 B.C.	Jerusalem is burned.

Ezekiel also wrote of the judgment of Ammon (Ezekiel 21:20; 28-32).

But it’s not all bad news. Although the scepter would cease for a season (Ezekiel 21:13) and Jerusalem would be overthrown…eventually the Day would come when Jesus would rule as King.

Ezekiel 21:27 (NKJV) “Overthrown, overthrown, I will make it overthrown! It shall be no longer, until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him.”

Aren’t you looking forward to that Day when Jesus rules the world from the city of Jerusalem? He has earned the right to wear the crown via the cross.

In Ezekiel 22 Ezekiel gets specific by listing some of the sins the people were guilty of, including those that had made Jerusalem a “bloody city.” There were idols in their hearts, there was murder on their hands. They did not honor mother and father, oppressed the foreigners, mistreated the helpless orphans and widows; they despised the holy things, profaned God’s Sabbaths, and their slander was so severe, it led to bloodshed. The men slept with their father’s wife, and violated women in their impurity, there was actually a slew of sexual sin. Then of course the God of Mammon, the bribes, high interest, the extortion. They had caused the Day of Judgment to come (Ezekiel 22:4)

Ezekiel simply shares the truth – God’s judgment was inevitable!

Ezekiel 22:14 (NKJV) “Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the LORD, have spoken, and will do it.”

It’s sad that it came to this, but God saw the people He loved deteriorate to dross – worthless, rubbish, impure – they needed the refiners fire. We all do from time to time, so God “tests” us. At times it’s because we’ve done something wrong, and at times it’s because we’ve done something right, such as Job, who penned these words:

Job 23:10 (NKJV) “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Much of the blame for the fall of Jerusalem, was due to the complete corruption of her so called “leaders.” Her princes were wolves, her prophets were false, and her priests had no discernment whatsoever, they did not live or give the Word.

Ezekiel 22:26 (NKJV) “Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.”

God looked for someone to stand in the gap. A leader the people would follow. Apparently He couldn’t find one, so God brought His judgment.

Ezekiel 22:30–31 (NKJV) “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD.”

Bible Knowledge Commentary, “The corruption was so complete that when God searched for a man who could stem the tide of national destruction (build up the wall and stand … in the gap), none could be found. No one in a position of authority in Israel had the moral qualities to lead the nation aright. Obviously Jeremiah had these qualities, but he lacked the authority to lead the nation from the brink of disaster.”

Warren Wiersbe, “God is still looking for people who will not only build strong walls but become walls by standing in the gap in the hour of danger. In the history of Israel, God raised up “gap people” to stand in the breach and stay off the judgment. Moses and Phinehas were such men (Ps. 106:23, 30), as were Joseph (Ps. 105:17) and Samuel (1 Sam. 3). Had the people heeded the messages of Jeremiah, God would have spared them, but they refused to obey. Today, God needs “gap people” with the courage to stand for what is right, even if they must stand alone.”

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Hebrews 10:1-17

In Hebrews 10:1 we come across that word “shadow” again, something we saw back in Hebrews 8:5. The Jewish Old Testament Law was merely a shadow of the substance; the substance was Christ. For that reason, the Old Testament sacrifices were insufficient, they could never cleanse anyone completely from their sins, for they were only shadows of Jesus.

The blood of bulls and goats couldn’t wash us – it had to be the blood of God (Acts 20:28).

Some might ask, “Why?” Why did it have to be the blood of God?

It’s because our sin is against an infinite God and therefore the just penalty must be an infinite punishment. It’s for that reason the only way to satisfy God’s holy justice was for the sacrifice to be infinite – it had to be God on the cross. It could not be an angel or any other created being.

The writer to the Hebrews quotes from Psalms 40:6-8; how ultimately God was not pleased in the sacrifices and offerings of animals; there would one day be the One who would come, and the whole Old Testament (volume of the book) pointed to Him. The writer is redundant, he wants to make it clear, God takes away the first so that He may establish the second – the New Covenant replaces the Old (Jeremiah 31:31).

Under the New Covenant there’s no condemnation, there’s not even a consciousness of sin, in the sense that I don’t wonder if I’m saved, free, or forgiven – I know I am. Under the Old Covenant however (and any other type of works-oriented righteousness) there’s not a remission of sins, it seem that on the contrary there’s only a reminder of sin. 

Warren Wiersbe put it this way, “The sacrifices under the Old covenant brought a reminder of sin, not a remission of sin. The blood of God’s Son took care of sin once and for all. Because there is no more offering for sin, there is also no more remembrance of sin (Hebrews 10:17; Jeremiah 31:34), and we can rejoice that we have a righteous standing before God.”

Jesus finished the work, which is why He is able to sit down (see also Hebrews 1:3; 10:2; 12:2). He’s just waiting for His enemies to become His footstool; the day is coming when Jesus will reign (Psalm 110:1).

Until then, we wait…as believers washed completely clean in the blood of Jesus!

Doesn’t it bless your heart and give you peace to read Hebrews 10:17?

Hebrews 10:17 (NKJV) “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Thank You Jesus!

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Psalm 108:1-13

A large part of David’s battle plan had to do with prayer and praise.

Apparently this Psalm was written after a momentary setback or struggle with Edom. We read in:

Psalm 108:10–11 (NKJV) “Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies?”

David’s wondering, Lord, if You don’t help us, who can?

So he prays and worships. He’s not anxious or afraid, his heart is steadfast (Psalm 108:1). He’s not sweating, he’s singing. He acknowledges the greatness of God’s mercy and truth – this is not something we earn, we are promised victory because of the covenant we have with a gracious and loving God.

David longs for God to be exalted in their victory.

David knows God loves Israel (He call them His “beloved”)

David knows that without God they can do nothing, but with God there’s nothing they can’t do. Psalm 108:13 is the Old Testament version of Philippians 4:13.

Psalm 108:12–13 (NKJV) “Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. 13 Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.”

Amen!

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Proverbs 27:12

Proverbs 27:12 (NKJV) “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished.”

This Proverb is identical to Proverbs 22:3. Why do you think it’s repeated? Did Hezekiah’s men make a mistake in writing it again – verbatim?

I would say it’s “Repeated so we won’t be defeated.” “Repetition teaches a donkey.” 

Here we’re reminded again, that the prudent person looks ahead to see if there are any potential dangers or pitfalls in order to avoid them; but the naive person just plows through all the red flags of warning, falls into the enemies’ evil trap, and suffers the consequences.

In Matthew 3:7-12 John the Baptist warned the people about their future in the lake of fire if they simply passed on and kept doing what they were doing. The prudent man considers his eternal destiny, repents of his sin, believes in and receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Ezekiel 20:1-49

Ezekiel remembers the exact day, it was in the seventh year, the fifth month, on the tenth  day of captivity that the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, they wanted to hear from God through the prophet of God. But God said, “No,” He was not willing to speak to them because of their sin.

Ezekiel then covers the history of Israel – their gracious and sovereign selection by God as a nation, their time in Egypt, their time in the wilderness, their time in the Promised-Land, after all God had done for them every step of the way, they were rebellious and ungrateful.

And then those indicting words to the elders:

“Even to this day…”

Ezekiel 20:31 (NKJV) “For when you offer your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols, EVEN TO THIS DAY. So shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will not be inquired of by you.

Warren Wiersbe said something simple and yet critical, “Repeated rebellion against God’s will is serious.”

Early on in my Christian life a friend gave me a passage to memorize, it was:

Isaiah 59:1–2 (NKJV) “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

The truth is, if I’m living a life of unrepentant sin, repeated rebellion, God won’t hear my prayers. We read the same thing in:

Psalm 66:18 (NKJV) “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”

The word “regard” means, “to harbor or hold on to.”

These elders on that memorable day with Ezekiel would be informed of this.

As you read through the chapter, besides the goodness of God and the sinfulness of man, one thing stands out in the midst of it all, that in God’s actions He considers His witness. 

Ezekiel 20:9 (NKJV) “But I acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the Gentiles among whom they were, in whose sight I had made Myself known to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt.”

We read this repeatedly in this chapter – that the Lord acted for His name’s sake. If He wiped Israel out, what would the nations think about the LORD? His name might be marred.

God did discipline His people, but He didn’t destroy them. As a matter of fact, Ezekiel 20:33-44 is all about the restoration of Israel. God would regather them from all over the world.

Ezekiel 20:34 (NKJV) “I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.”

As God disciplines Israel (and us too), it’s for the purpose of growth and refinement.

Ezekiel 20:37–38 (NKJV) “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; 38 I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

The most important thing in life, is knowing the Lord (John 17:3). To know who He is, how He is – to know Him intimately, and personally; to enjoy this fellowship after having established a relationship with God. We are then to grow in this relationship for the rest of our lives. I’ve always loved that passage in:

2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

You see? It’s all about knowing Him. Even in the chastening – “…then you shall know that I am the LORD” – that’s God’s heart!

Ezekiel 20:44 (NKJV) “ Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways nor according to your corrupt doings, O house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 20:45-49 closes the chapter with a prophecy against Judah. It was the coming fiery judgment of the Babylonians upon Jerusalem in 586 B.C.. 

The people in Ezekiel’s day were so blind, they didn’t understand the simple illustration and saw it as a perplexing parable (1 Corinthians 2:14).

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Hebrews 9:11-28

There was a time when the people could not enter in to God’s special presence. But Christ came and changed everything (Hebrews 9:11).

That’s why the entirety of the law pointed to Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29; Revelation 5). Jesus entered in to the true tabernacle, not with the blood of an unwilling animal, but with the blood of a willing God, and He died in our place, suffering for our sins, absorbing the wrath of God and the judgment we deserved. He redeemed us – forever. Acts 20:28 reminds us that we’ve been purchased by the blood of God. I think also of the passage in Revelation 1:5 which speaks of Jesus’ love, and the way He’s washed us from our sins in His own blood.

As I search my heart, I know the wretched man I am, but Hebrews 9:14 lifts me up and gives me hope on how I can serve my Savior, how the blood of Christ cleanses my conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

In one sense part of the “testament” is similar to a will, in that it doesn’t really take effect until the death of the testator takes place. This is why we see so much blood and death in the Old Covenant. As a matter of fact, the blood is so important that we read in:

Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV) “‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’”

And then in Hebrews 9:22, “…without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” (no forgiveness).

Today there is no Tabernacle, or Temple to offer blood sacrifices, so how do the Jews hope for remission (forgiveness). The Jews hope that by their good works they can earn their righteousness with God, but according to the Scriptures, there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. No one will ever be good enough to go to heaven. This is why Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He appeared before God to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once (no, there’s no such thing as reincarnation), so Christ only had to die once, to bear our sins and save our souls.

Do you believe? I pray you do! (John 3:16)

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Psalm 107:1-43

This is another thanksgiving Psalm in which we read repeatedly:

Psalm 107:8 (NKJV) “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”

(See also Psalm 107:1, 15, 31)

Have I given Him appropriate thanks for the many ways He’s delivered me throughout my life? For the way He’s been so good to me?

The Psalmist writes of how the Lord led them, fed them, and “spread” them out when they sinned. But God also protected them and directed them back home throughout the ages – whenever they cried out, He delivered.

When we speak of the goodness of God we always return to such passages as Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28. The goodness of God does NOT mean that everything that happens to us is good, it simply means that God works it all together for good.

For example, we read in this Psalm about a tough time in the sea, in Psalm 107:23-30. If you go out and down to the sea you will see the works of the Lord, and the wonders in the deep.

What does he mean by that? In part, it speaks of the beauty of the ocean and all that is in it. But also in part, the Psalmist speaks of the troubles on the ocean and those times when it appears we’re about to sink. We reach our “wits end” (Psalm 107:27) we’ve tried everything on our own strength and wisdom to get our own way, it’s not working…so we pray. And God shows up, He makes the storm still, and accomplishes His will. 

We would have never seen it, unless we went down to the sea…it’s there that we see.

So yes, we can (and should) thank God for the times of trouble. It’s there we learn about the one who will take us safely to our desired haven. (heaven) (Psalm 107:30)

The Psalmist closes in an appropriate way:

Psalm 107:43 (NKJV) “Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

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Proverbs 27:11

Proverbs 27:11 (NKJV) “My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.”

We saw a lot of this type of father talk earlier in the Proverbs, but this is the only verse in chapters 25–29 that includes the phrase “my son.”

It’s good to keep that context, a father speaking to his child. I may not have wealth, or the things of the world, but if I have a wise child, it brings joy to the journey, it brings happiness to my heart.

As a matter fact, notice what John the Beloved wrote: 

3 John 4 (NKJV) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Church children who walk right bring joy, but I have a hunch that biological children who walk in truth, bring even more joy.

So, it’s a Proverb from parents, challenging their children – please be wise. It’ll make my heart glad, and not only that, I’ll have something good to say when my critics accuse me of incompetence, “By the grace of God, My family has kept the faith, my boy’s a believer, and my daughter is a disciple.”

If you have children that have strayed, just keep praying and loving.

That’s the heart and part of a parent.

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Ezekiel 18:1–19:14

The Jews were spreading a “Proverb” among the people, it may have been something they picked up along their worldly ways; the Lord asks them:

Ezekiel 18:2 (NKJV) “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?’”

In this Proverb they were accusing God of being unfair, by saying they were being punished for the sins of their parents. It’s as if the parents had eaten a ton of candy, and the children were getting cavities as a result.

God responds by simply saying, it’s not true! Every person is accountable for their own lives and will be judged or rewarded accordingly

Ezekiel 18:4b (NKJV) “The soul who sins shall die.”

Ezekiel 18:9 (NKJV) “ If he has walked in My statutes— and kept My judgments faithfully— He is just; he shall surely live!” says the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel goes on to get very practical. If a saved man has an unrepentant sinful son – that sinful son shall not live (Ezekiel 18:13). But if that sinful son, has a child, and that child sees the sins which his father has committed and chooses NOT to go that route, but instead he walks according to God’s Word (Ezekiel 18:17), “he shall not die for the iniquity of his father; he shall surely live!” 

God is fair. The fruit of our life proves the root of our life; behavior reflects belief.

Something else Ezekiel elaborates on, which is also very practical, is what happens if a wicked man turns from his wicked ways and begins to live according to God’s Word? Good news, “he shall surely live; he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:21)

But what happens if a righteous man turns away from God? Again, Ezekiel makes it completely clear – that man shall die (and this is not just physical death).

Ezekiel 18:24 (NKJV) “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.”

One thing is certain, Ezekiel did not believe in once-saved-always-saved; he was not a Calvinist! Ezekiel knows the truth and loves the people, so he warns and woos.

When a righteous man turns away from God, he will die.

When a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and turns TO God, he will live.

It’s pretty simple. God is fair.

God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, He even died to make us righteous, if only we’d follow Him!

Ezekiel 18:31–32 (NKJV) “‘Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘Therefore turn and live!’”

In Ezekiel 19 we discover that Jeremiah wasn’t the only one to write a lamentation, Ezekiel does as well. This was actually written 5 years before it happened, before Jerusalem fell.

The Egyptians came and carried away King Jehoahaz (2 Chronicles 36:2-4) he’s the first “lion” Ezekiel wrote about (Ezekiel 19:1-4). But the Babylonians would come and carry away King Zedekiah (Jeremiah 39) he’s the second lion Ezekiel wrote about (Ezekiel 19:5-9).

Imagine being put in a cage and carried away!

After the lion illustration, Ezekiel uses the vine. Ezekiel speaks to King Zedekiah reminding him of the glory years when Israel dominated the region with royal kings, enjoying her pinnacle at the top for 80 years under the reigns of David and Solomon, they were like a fruitful vine. But now they had sunk so low, they were like a dried up vine and barren, about to be burned.

A sad and tragic condition for this nation, for a people with such awesome potential unrealized; these are God’s covenant people!

A  suitable lamentation, by the prophet Ezekiel!

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Hebrews 9:1-10

Hebrews 9:1-5 describes the furniture found in the Holy Place, and Most Holy Place in the Old Testament Tabernacle. Every detail and every piece of furniture has Spiritual significance – sermons could be preached on each of them, but the writer to the Hebrews doesn’t have time to elaborate – instead he focuses on Jesus’ sacrifice and contrasts it with the sacrifices the Jewish priests offered.

Under the Old Covenant the descendants of Levi were able to minister in the Holy Place daily, but only the High Priest (who was to be a descendant of Aaron) was able to enter the Most Holy Place – and he was only allowed to enter in once a year, on the Day of Atonement. The Most Holy Place had the Ark of the Covenant which symbolized the throne of God, it symbolized the very presence of God.

This indicates that there wasn’t a way for every believer to enter in to the presence of God. This meant that all the laws, ordinances, sacrifices, and offerings couldn’t truly cleanse the people from their sin, it only provided a temporary covering.

Hebrews 9:8 (NLT) “By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.”

It sounds like really bad news, unable to enter in to God’s presence; but the good news is, it doesn’t end there…the rest of the chapter explains how Jesus has made a way for all of us, any day…to enter in before the very presence of God!

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Psalm 106:32-48

In looking back over the history of Israel, there were many, many failures. Like us, Israel struggled with the fallen flesh, the influences of the wicked world, and even the forces of darkness (demons).

The congregation of Israel constantly complained against Moses, which led him to losing his temper, misrepresenting God, and closed those doors for him to enter the Promised-Land.

Once in the land, Israel refused to rid themselves of the sin and sinful influences – they mingled with non-believers (it seemed harmless, perhaps they thought they were strong enough) until the day came when they were doing the unthinkable.

Psalm 106:37 (NKJV) “They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.”

As Solomon said, in all reality there is nothing new under the son, they were killing babies even back then; the equivalent of modern-day abortion (125,000 babies are offered down every day).

Apparently at the time of the writing of this Psalm, the people of Israel were in bondage, scattered throughout the world; it was God’s discipline upon the nation – – but even there, God was merciful, preserving them, and even favoring them at times.

The Psalmist records his confession of sin, and asks God to gather the people back into the land. God has done this numerous times with Israel, most recently on May 14, 1948 when they became a nation again, fulfilling Ezekiel 36 and 37 (reborn in one day – Isaiah 66:8).

Never underestimate the importance of confession and repentance, and never underestimate the power of prayer, and praise. That’s what this Psalm is – a prayer answered – the restoration of a nation.

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Proverbs 27:10

Proverbs 27:10 (NKJV) “Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.”

I believe the context here speaks of friends in our neighborhood, or vicinity; take advantage of that blessing, don’t abandon them, hold on to your friends.

That bond may not be as thick as blood, but it’s a blessing to have friends who are close, if your family is far.

One commentary put it this way, “This proverb is designed more to exalt long-term friendship than to denigrate family ties. Normally in times of adversity, a brother (relative) is helpful (17:17). But if the brother lives a great distance away, a neighbor may be far more helpful (cf. 18:24).” – Bible Knowledge Commentary

Something else that might be good to mention here, I thought it was interesting the way he speaks of “your father’s friend.” Maybe our father’s friend became like an adopted uncle, or someone special to us, we should care for him, because of his relationship with your parent.

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you as we grow forward in 2021.

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Ezekiel 16:42–17:24

Sodom and Gomorrah were gone. Israel had been carried away captive by the Assyrians in 722 B.C.. You would figure the southern kingdom of Judah would learn their lesson from what happened to them, but they didn’t. As a matter of fact Judah’s sins were even worse. God indicted them sharply, “…you became more corrupt than they in all your ways.” (Ezekiel 16:47)

And again in:

Ezekiel 16:52 (NKJV) “You who judged your sisters, bear your own shame also, because the sins which you committed were more abominable than theirs; they are more righteous than you. Yes, be disgraced also, and bear your own shame, because you justified your sisters.

One day God would repopulate all of these lands, in Israel’s case He would bring back the Jews, but not before they’d “paid” for their sins.

Ezekiel 16:59–60 (NKJV) “For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I will deal with you as you have done, who despised the oath by breaking the covenant. 60 Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.’”

In Ezekiel 17 God communicates through the illustration of illustrious trees and flying eagles.

Babylon had lopped off the cream of the crop, the top from Jerusalem and taken them captive. Jerusalem was to keep its covenant with Babylon and the LORD, in yielding to His chastening hand, but they didn’t. Instead they rebelled and looked to Egypt (a typology of the world), rather than looking to God and submitting to His Word.

Therefore, Babylon would come again, and carry away the king and many captives in 586 B.C.. 

Ezekiel 17:19–20 (NKJV) “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘As I live, surely My oath which he despised, and My covenant which he broke, I will recompense on his own head. 20 I will spread My net over him, and he shall be taken in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and try him there for the treason which he committed against Me.’”

Warren Wiersbe communicates the specifics, “The great eagle (Nebuchadnezzar) came to Jerusalem (Lebanon) and took to Babylon the top branch of the cedar (King Jehoiachin). He left some of the seed (King Zedekiah), which grew into a low vine. Zedekiah made a covenant to be loyal to Babylon, but then he broke it (vv. 15, 16, 18) and turned to Egypt for help (vv. 7–8; Jer. 37). The result? The king of Babylon will come back and destroy the lowly vine of Judah (vv. 9–10).”

Jerusalem would be judged.

But thank God it doesn’t end there, for one day Israel would be exalted forever. In the Millennial Kingdom Jerusalem will not only be the capital of Israel, Jerusalem would be the capital of the world…and King Jesus will reign over all the people – from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

Ezekiel 17:23–24 (NKJV) “On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it.”

Warren Wiersbe, “The cedar represents the Davidic dynasty. One day God will take a lowly young twig from David’s line (Jesus Christ) and will establish His glorious kingdom (Isa. 11:1–9). But before He can enter into that glory, He must suffer for the sins of the world.”

Revelation 5:9 (NKJV) “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

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Hebrews 8:1-13

Jesus is an infinitely “better” High Priest, establishing a better covenant, with better promises.

It’s interesting how the writer to the Hebrews emphasizes the fact that this is the “main point,” – – that we have a Mediator who is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, in the true Temple of God, Jesus Christ.

Back in the day, every one of the Jewish priests would offer sacrifices and offerings for themselves and the people; that’s the heart of their ministry. Jesus also had something to give, but it wasn’t according to the Levitical or Aaronic Priesthood, His offering wasn’t of this world, for all those individual offerings were merely shadows of the substance, they all pointed to Jesus.

It’s fascinating that when Moses was commanded to build the tabernacle, he was commanded to build it according to the pattern that was shown to him (Exodus 25:9, 40; 26:30). There’s a perfect model of all this in heaven!

So now, Jesus establishes a better and final covenant for His people.

In Hebrews 8:8-12 the writer quotes from Jeremiah 31:31-34 where God gives an amazing prophecy of the new covenant He would one day establish with His people; it would be a covenant written on their hearts, not on stone, it would be very intimate with all the people, not simply the priests. It would be a personal relationship (they will “know” the Lord) and by the blood of this one final, formal sacrifice for all, God would wash away, ALL their sins…imagine that, He remembers them no more!

This new covenant makes the old obsolete…and hence the transition from Judaism to Christianity. Jesus didn’t destroy the law, He fulfilled it. Christianity wasn’t some new invention by Christians, it was God’s intention all along, with clear-cut prophecies in the Old Testament, all about this, this is just one of them in the book of Jeremiah (there are hundreds of others).

Why would any Christian ever even think of going back to Judaism, to religion, or anywhere else for that matter?

I can’t help but think of:

John 6:67-69 (NKJV) “Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

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Psalm 106:13-31

What a contrast between Psalm 105 and 106. Psalm 105 is all good. It mentions none of the failures of Israel in chronicling its history. But Psalm 106 is pretty much the opposite. It’s a list of the failures of Israel in history. The common thread, however, in both Psalms is the grace and faithfulness of God.

Israel had a bad memory; they had a tendency to forget the works of the LORD (Psalm 106:13, 21). There were many examples of this.

Rather then just thanking God for His daily provision of manna, they got picky and lusted for food (meat). As often happens in life, they got what they wanted, what they kicked and screamed for, but O what a price they had to pay! Notice what we read in;

Psalm 106:15 (NKJV) “And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.”

It’s tragic that many in the camp envied and opposed Moses, so God swallowed up the rebellious offenders.

Not long after their redemption from Egypt they fashioned their gold into the image of a calf, called it the LORD, and worshipped it; they included sexual immorality with their act of idolatry!

They despised the Promised Land through, complaining in their tents, but God heard.

They couldn’t be cursed by others but had no problem cursing themselves through more idolatry and blatant sexual sin.

Thankfully Moses and Aaron interceded, thank God for men like Phinehas who intervened…and thank God for His mercy in not giving us what we deserve (Psalm 103:10-14).

Can you relate at all to any of this? A few failures along the way? Prayerfully we learn from their mistakes and especially our onw. Let’s learn NOT to forget God and all He’s done for us, let’s learn NOT to do the things they did.

But let’s also learn that if we do stumble and fall, there’s still hope. God is willing to work in our lives and wash away our sins, if we turn from our sins and REturn to Him.

Let’s also learn to intercede for others…as Moses and Aaron did.

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Proverbs 27:7-9

Proverbs 27:7 (NKJV) “A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

We’ve all been there, for sure on Thanksgiving, when we’re stuffed, we’ve had enough, we’re so full we can’t eat another sliver of pumpkin pie.

On the flip side, if you’re hungry enough, you’ll eat pretty much anything. I don’t want to gross you out, but read 2 Kings 6:29 and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

The primary point of this Proverb, however, is not food for the body, it’s food for the soul. If we’re satisfied with the love of the Lord and the sweetness of our Savior, we’re good. But if we’re not looking to Him to fill our lives, we’ll start looking to others to fill the void, even from some we should avoid.

We wonder sometimes, why is that beautiful girl hooking up with that jerk? It’s not always, the case but sometimes it’s because she doesn’t have a right relationship with God, she doesn’t get the attention from her father, and she’s craving it from someone, anyone. It breaks your heart to realize that even the bitter beatings are sweet to them. (remember the woman at the well?)

John 4:13–14 (NKJV) “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’”

Proverbs 14:14 (NKJV) “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.”

There’s a true maxim that, “God is most glorified, when we are most satisfied in Him.”

Proverbs 27:8 (NKJV) “Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.”

This definitely applies to a man or woman abandoning his or her family responsibility. It also applies to someone wandering away from the Lord.

We read back in: 

Proverbs 21:16 (NKJV) “A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.”

But in all reality, it predominantly speaks of when our children leave the nest too soon.

“Just as a bird wandering from its nest too early or too far brings hardship on itself, so a young person leaving home too soon may find himself unable to care for himself (e.g., the prodigal son, Luke 15:11–32).” – Bible Knowledge Commentary

So – you don’t want it to be too late – but neither do you want it to be too early when those kids leave the nest.

Proverbs 27:9 (NKJV) “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.”

Imagine living in a culture where life solely consisted of working hard in the field, sweating under the sun,  bathing was rare, and deodorant was non-existent. Let’s just say you didn’t have money for ointment, perfume, or cologne, but then someone gifts it to you – or maybe you smell it on them. You get a whiff. Man that smells good!

That good sensation is the a picture of what it’s like when you get good, solid, sound, biblical counsel from a friend.

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Ezekiel 14:12–16:41

Ezekiel 14:12-23 communicates the point that the rebellion was such, that it wouldn’t matter who intercedes, it can be the godliest of men such as Noah, Daniel, or Job, if the people refused to repent, if they continued in “persistent unfaithfulness” (Ezekiel 14:12) then God was forced to judge. The only thing that could prevent the sword, the famine, the wild beasts, and pestilence would be genuine repentance on the part of the people.

God did eventually judge, but by His grace, He left a remnant. When it comes to Israel He always does. It brings comfort even in the midst of calamity. Even in wrath, God remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

Warren Wiersbe shares this commentary on Ezekiel 15, “The vine was a familiar emblem of Israel (Ps. 80:8–13; Isa. 5:1–7). Vines are good for only two things: bearing or burning. You do not build with wood from the vine because it does not lend itself to being cut and shaped. If the vine does not bear fruit, it is useless, and that was the condition of God’s people in Ezekiel’s day.”

In Ezekiel 16 God goes back to the beginning, the day Israel was “born” – she was left helpless, destined to die. But the LORD chose to show Israel favor, cut the cord of paganism, and wash them in the water of the Word…God had pity on Israel. We read His beautiful words:

Ezekiel 16:6 (NKJV) “And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’”

Ezekiel 16:8 (NKJV) “‘When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,’ says the Lord GOD.”

God went on to bless Israel beyond measure. Adorned with gold and sliver; fine clothes and food; her favor from God brought fame, from all around the world. 

But she fell, and she fell hard. Her fall from grace reminds me of Lucifer’s fall, who also was in perfect in beauty (Ezekiel 16:14; 28:17). 

Israel forgot the God who saved her, chose her, loved her, and blessed her beyond measure. Israel played the harlot to the point that SHE was guilty of soliciting other gods and actually paid and pursued THEM for her acts of spiritual adultery. 

A nation and world reaches the bottom of depravity when they start sacrificing their children, which is exactly what Israel did. Such behavior can only be explained by a dark and demonic influence! Abortion is purely Satanic!

Ezekiel 16:20–21 (NKJV) “Moreover you took your sons and your daughters, whom you bore to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your acts of harlotry a small matter, 21 that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to pass through the fire?”

Israel mingled with the gods of Egypt, so the living God disciplined His children at the hands of the Philistines, Assyrians, and Babylonians, but still her heart did not change.

Ezekiel 16:30 (NKJV) “How degenerate is your heart!” says the Lord GOD, “seeing you do all these things, the deeds of a brazen harlot.”

Jerusalem continued to commit spiritual adultery, even when she was abused by her lovers. They had come a long way, down the wrong way…after all that God had done for them.

It’s the history of Israel. They would eventually be carried away in the third Babylonian siege. Will I learn from them? May it not be my history, or yours. After all that God has done for us, may we love Him, for He first loved us; may we live a life of gratitude, surely God deserves it!

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Hebrews 7:18-28

The writer to the Hebrews explains that if the Levitical Priesthood was sufficient, there wouldn’t have been any need for a new Priesthood spoken of in Psalm 110:4 according to the order of Melchizedek. This new priesthood annuls the former Covenant (the Law made nothing perfect ) and ushers in the fresh and final New Covenant, by which we can draw near to God (remember Hebrews 4:16?).

This is a better covenant for many reasons, but one which is mentioned here is the fact that the priests of the old covenant all died and were unable to continue, but this Priest (Jesus) never dies, He continues forever. He has an unchangeable priesthood and is therefore able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.

This High Priest who is holy sinless and perfect, unlike the other priests, was able to offer up one sacrifice, once and for all, the sacrifice of Himself, and in doing so He has finished the work of perfecting us…forever.

Wow!

How beautiful are Jesus’ words in John 19:30, He finished the work, it was always His heart! (John 4:34).

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Psalm 106:1-12

This is another one of those historical Psalms in which the writer wants God to move, again, as He had done in the past. He mentions the mighty acts of the LORD, in order to praise Him, thank Him, and plead for divine intervention.

Notice his prayer in:

Psalm 106:4–5 (NKJV) “Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation, 5 That I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, that I may glory with Your inheritance.”

The Psalmist longs for the Lord to move once again, that he would see God’s hand, spiritually, nationally, and even globally, with his believing family (inheritance).

It was written in a time when Israel had committed some sort of iniquity (Psalm 106:6), just as Israel has done throughout the ages. He takes us back to that moment in Exodus 14 after God had redeemed them from Egypt with the ten all-powerful plagues, but the Egyptian army was on the attack. What did the people of Israel do? Did they do good? Did they trust God? No! They attacked Moses. They had absolutely no faith in the LORD. They were convinced they were about to die and that they would have been better off if they had stayed in Egypt (Exodus 14:11-12).

But what did God do? We read of His gracious intervention in:

Psalm 106:8–10 (NKJV) “Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power known. 9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10 He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.”

We don’t deserve it, we cannot earn it, but, “Lord, please intervene, and show us that same power in our lives today. The power You’ve shown countless times in the past.”

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Proverbs 27:4-6

Proverbs 27:4 (NKJV) “Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?”

Usually, anger subsides, but jealousy resides, until it gets its revenge.

Proverbs 6:34 (NKJV) “For jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.”

You might remember that Cain was jealous of Abel, because God looked upon him with favor because of his faith. God then told Cain, “Don’t be discouraged, all you have to do is believe as he does.”

And what did Cain do? He killed Abel.

Beware of jealousy; beware of jealous people.

Proverbs 27:5 (NKJV) “Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

In the Proverbs, we have twenty “better”  verses. Here we read that, “Open rebuke, is better than love carefully concealed.”

If we as Christians see a person in a dangerous situation, let’s just say they’re a couple living together, but they’re not married, or maybe you work with non-believers, sometimes we think that by never saying anything, we’re being nice and loving. But what good is that type of love carefully concealed?

I know it’s hard, but if we want to help them, we’re gonna have to hurt them, lest we harm them.

Imagine going to the doctor, he sees something wrong but he doesn’t want to tell you because he doesn’t want to discourage you. What if you have a tumor inside, but the surgeon doesn’t want to cut you, ‘cuz he doesn’t want to hurt you. We’d call them crazy, and sue them for malpractice.

The same is true spiritually.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, people who tell us the truth, even if it hurts.

Now, having said that in a simple and clear way, I also need to tell you that you don’t have to rebuke them every time you see them. If you’ve said it at least once your hands are clean – from that point on God might want you to shine a little more before you share. From that point on it’s just being sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

That saying is true, “Sometimes they don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Be wise, be fishers of men (Proverbs 11:30).

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Ezekiel 12:1–14:11

Ezekiel continues to prophecy verbally and visually. The people had eyes to see, but only saw the surface; they had ears to hear, but refused to take in God’s Word, to truly listen, learn and live for the Lord. The same thing was true in Isaiah’s day, during Jesus’ earthly ministry, and even nowadays, wouldn’t you say?  (Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:15-16; Romans 11:25). For this reason 7 times in the book of Revelation Jesus challenges us to effectively use our ears, to hear, not just audibly, but spiritually, to truly listen to God

(NKJV) “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29: 3:6, 13, 22)

Ezekiel was commanded to act out and demonstrate what it would look like to be carried away in captivity. After showing them visually, he explained, verbally:

Ezekiel 12:10–11 (NKJV) “Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are among them.’’ 11 Say, ‘I am a sign to you. As I have done, so shall it be done to them; they shall be carried away into captivity.’”

Pastor Chuck Smith, “This prophecy was fulfilled 5 years later when King Zedekiah attempted to escape through the wall of Jerusalem but was caught and blinded by Nebuchadnezzar’s troops (2 Kings 25:7).”

The second “visual” of this chapter was Ezekiel eating his food, and drinking his water while trembling with anxiety. This represented the fear the people would have in seeing their land surrounded and then violently decimated.

The people mocked at the likes of Jeremiah and Ezekiel who predicted the judgment of God, but the time was near, and God is faithful to keep all of His promises.

Ezekiel 12:28 (NKJV) “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘None of My words will be postponed any more, but the word which I speak will be done,’ says the Lord GOD.’ ”

People say the same thing today:

2 Peter 3:3–4 (NKJV) “…knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’”

But Jesus will come – as Judge; we need to be ready.

In Ezekiel 13 he addresses the false “prophets,” and Israel’s daughters of divination. 

The false prophets were claiming to speak from the LORD, when in all reality they were speaking from their own hearts. The message of the day was to be a word of warning, to turn the people from their sins and bring them back to God, but the false prophets’ message was one of peace…when there was no peace (Ezekiel 13:10).

The false prophets had a false security in the walls they built with untempered mortar, which is sand without any lime. It looks solid and strong but it’s not; not strong enough to avert God’s judgment…only repentance can do that.

But it wasn’t just the men, there were also women who claimed to speak supernaturally, with magic charms, and divination. Ezekiel likens these women to hunters, they hunted the people down killing them with their lies. Make no mistake about it, the enemy is out and about on the prowl.

God would judge the false prophets who claimed to speak in the name of the LORD, as well as these daughters, diviners, who spoke under the influence of demons. Why do people pay attention to them? Why do so many listen to those who dare to share their own message and not the Word of God? Is it because they’re good communicators? Is it because they tell them what they want to hear? Why are so many seduced? (Ezekiel 12:10). I suppose ultimately it’s because they do not know the Lord, but one day they will, but it will be too late.

Ezekiel 13:14 (NKJV) “So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 13:23 (NKJV) “Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

In Ezekiel 14 the elders come to inquire of the LORD, but God shows Ezekiel that these men have idols in their hearts. 

Ezekiel 14:4–5 (NKJV) “Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols, 5 that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols.’”

We need to know that God wants ALL of our heart. 

Proverbs 23:26 (NKJV) “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

We must beware of any form of idolatry!

1 John 5:21 (NKJV) “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

An idol is anyone or anything we put before God, or make equal to God. I must always check myself! It can be the unholy trinity – me, myself, and I; it can be family, the ministry, food, sports, television, money, you name it. It doesn’t have to be a statue or an organized religion, idols come in many forms. God sees what’s going on in our hearts.

Is He really #1 without any rival thrones?

God’s only answer to these types of people who inquired of Him was to get right. If the prophets answered anything else to these idolaters, then God would deal with them as well (14:9-10). It’s not just because God is mad, it’s because God loves the people and longs to restore them.

Ezekiel 14:11 (NKJV) “‘that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me, nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be My people and I may be their God,’ says the Lord GOD.’”

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Hebrews 7:1-17

We now enter-in to a more detailed study of this mysterious figure named Melchizedek who is first mentioned in Genesis 14:18-20. He appears to be an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament. God had given Abraham victory over his enemies and then, after the battle, seemingly out of nowhere, appears the King of Salem (King of Peace) who also happens to be the Priest of God Most High. 

Interesting!

About 1,000 years later Melchizedek is mentioned in: 

Psalm 110:4 (NKJV) “The LORD has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

This is a Messianic Psalm, written by David, telling us that the Messiah would be a perpetual priest according to a different priesthood, the order of Melchizedek. He had no beginning and no genealogy – definitely sounds like God to me! Abraham tithed to Him (again…sounds like God to me). And something not mentioned in Hebrews but found in Genesis, is that while this brief interaction was taking place, Melchizedek appears with the bread and the wine (where have we seen that before?) looks like communion to me.

And then there’s that passage in John 8:56, Where Jesus said to the Jews that, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” When did Abraham see Jesus? When he saw Melchizedek. 

I believe that Melchizedek was none other than Jesus Christ appearing in the Old Testament (scholars refer to this as a theophany, or a Christophany).

The writer to the Hebrews explains that if the Levitical Priesthood was sufficient, there wouldn’t have been any need for a new Priesthood spoken of in Psalm 110:4 according to the order of Melchizedek. This new priesthood annuls the former (the Old Covenant) and ushers in the fresh and final covenant, by which we can draw near to God (remember Hebrews 4:16?).

This is a better covenant for many reasons but one which is mentioned here is the fact that the priests of the old covenant all died and were unable to continue, but this Priest never dies.

Hebrews 7:17 (NKJV) “For He testifies: ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

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Psalm 105:37-45

This Psalm definitely focuses on God’s gracious wonders and purposely leaves out Israel’s foolish blunders. The writer sees the bright side of history, the goodness of God.

The nation of Israel was redeemed from Egypt Al-mightily, victoriously, triumphantly, they were blessed with quail for meat in the wilderness, manna for daily bread, water from the rock – it ran like streams in the desert. God fulfilled His promise to Abraham –  innumerable descendants and the Promised-Land. What an awesome God He is! And notice what the proper response should be:

Psalm 105:45 (NKJV) “That they might observe His statutes and keep His laws. Praise the LORD!”

Obedience to His Word…and praise to our God.

As I look back on my life, I’ve made many mistakes, but God has washed them all away. Although I do my best to learn from my many failures, I don’t focus on them, I try to focus on the Lord.

Look what He’s done! 

It should lead me/us – to do as He says. He’s saved me to serve, and observe…His Word.

This Psalm reminds me of the story of Balaam and Israel:

Numbers 23:21 (NKJV) “He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them.”

Even though Israel failed, fell, and sinned big time, when God looked at Israel, He saw no iniquity, He saw no wickedness, God was with them, and worked through them; eventually David, and ultimately Jesus would come.

All by grace!

Psalm 105 doesn’t mention any of Israel’s sins – it’s a very unique Psalm. It shows us (from a positional standpoint) how God sees us believers – without sin. It reminds us how awesome He is. We read it early on in this Psalm:

Psalm 105:1–2 (NKJV) “Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! 2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works!”

Talk of His work (not ours). God has fulfilled His word to Abraham which consisted of three things.

1. The land

2. The descendants

3. The Messiah/King – Jesus

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Proverbs 27:3

Proverbs 27:3 (NKJV) “A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.”

The Hebrew word translated “wrath” is often translated “grief” or “provocation.” A fools wrath definitely takes its toll, it can weigh heavy on us, like stones and sand on our souls.

It’s an observation, a declaration, and even a word of caution. Don’t be a fool…and avoid them if you can. If you can’t (maybe you live with one, or work with one) pray for them and do what you can, not to fire them up even more!

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Ezekiel 10:1–11:25

In Ezekiel 10 the prophet has a vision of God’s throne, surrounded by God’s glory. At first glance we might think this to be a good thing, but it wasn’t, for God was giving Ezekiel a vision of His glory departing from the Temple.

Not only does Ezekiel see the glory of God, he also sees the angelic scribe described as a “man clothed in linen,” who was to take coals of fire from among the wheels of the cherubim and scatter them over the city (Ezekiel 10:2, 6)

Warren Wierbe, “Coals from the altar brought cleansing to Isaiah (Isaiah 6:6–7), but they brought judgment to Jerusalem. The altar is the place where sin is atoned for because sin is judged.”

The glory of the LORD went up from the cherub and paused over the threshold of the temple (Ezekiel 10:4) but it was only a pause, for the glory of the Lord then departed from the threshold, stood over the cherubim who lifted their wings and mounted up from the earth in Ezekiel’s sight. God’s glory “flew away.” This was an indicator that the people, including their Temple, were about to be judged.

This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened to Israel.

Bible Knowledge Commentary, “God’s worship center at Shiloh was removed shortly after His glory had departed from it (1 Samuel 4:1–4, 10–11, 19–22; Jeremiah 7:12–14); and the same fate awaited the Jerusalem temple.”

The Cherub are intricately involved in all this, and they were taken away – gone is the angelic protection. The wheels are symbolic of the fact that God is moving and working, His “wheels” are spinning and they’re not turning aside (He’s not changing His mind).

In Ezekiel 11 the account continues, beginning with Ezekiel’s call to counter the false prophecies being propagated in Jerusalem, especially from the lying lips of Jaazaniah and Pelatiah. These “prophets” were spreading a message that said the people of Jerusalem were safe, like meat protected in a pot. 

Jeremiah shared the truth, the citizens of the city were NOT safe, they were about to be judged by the Babylonians, they would be carried away from the city, delivered into the hands of strangers…they would die by the sword. God’s judgment would extend even to the borders. Ezekiel explains the reason for this:

Ezekiel 11:12 (NKJV) “And you shall know that I am the LORD; for you have not walked in My statutes nor executed My judgments, but have done according to the customs of the Gentiles which are all around you.”

While Ezekiel prophesied Petaliah, the false prophet died. I’m reminded of a two specific passages:

Deuteronomy 18:20 (NKJV) “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.”

James 3:1 (NKJV) “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

But (and how many times have we seen this) God is not done with Israel or those who had been exiled. The people in Jerusalem were discarding the Jews who had been carried away. Notice what they said:

Ezekiel 11:15 (NLT) “Son of man, the people still left in Jerusalem are talking about you and your relatives and all the people of Israel who are in exile. They are saying, ‘Those people are far away from the LORD, so now he has given their land to us!’”

But after 70-years of exile, God would  regather the people to the land.

Ezekiel 11:16–17 (NKJV) “Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’ 17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’’”

God was not only going to regather the people to the land, He would one day give them a new heart. Gone would be the hard-heart, not open to God’s love or God’s Word; it would be replaced with a soft heart inclined to obey God’s statutes and judgments.

Of course there will always be the defiant (Ezekiel 11:21), for God will never FORCE Himself upon anyone, the key is us yielding our lives to Him.

In the meantime the glory has departed (Ezekiel 11:22). This would be true until the days of Jesus’ first and second coming. Not only would the temple be burnt, the city would be leveled.

Bible Knowledge Commentary, “As God’s glory left Jerusalem, it passed over the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives. This departure signaled Jerusalem’s doom. The city would be devoid of God’s blessing till the glory will return via the Mount of Olives (Ezekiel 43:1–3). It is no coincidence that Christ ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9–12) and promised to return to the same place (Acts 1:11; cf. Zechariah 14:4).”

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Hebrews 6:1-20

Warren Wiersbe said, “The ABC’s of the Christian life are important, but they must be a launching pad and not a parking lot, for the challenge is, ‘Let us go on to maturity.’”

I like to say that the best way not to go backward, is to “grow forward.” The writer to the Hebrews has already pointed out the fact that by this time they ought to be teachers (Hebrews 5:12) but instead, they needed to relearn the basics of their Christian faith.

These Hebrew Christians had gone so far backward, that a heavy warning is issued to them, because not everyone who backslides is so easily reached; for some it’s actually impossible to return.

There are those who say that the writer of Hebrews is not speaking to true believers, but notice the list he gives…those who:

1. Were enlightened

2. Tasted the heavenly gift

3. Were Partakers of the Holy Spirit

4. Tasted the Good Word of God

5. Tasted the powers of the age to come

I’m of the opinion that this letter is written to Christians who were going back to Judaism, they were drifting away and on the very verge of falling away.

The writer warns them, and then offers a word of encouragement – of optimism by saying in: 

Hebrews 6:9 (NKJV) “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes things that accompany salvation.”

By giving them this vote of confidence the writer is saying that I believe you’re going to navigate through these difficult waters, stay the course, and keep believing to the end. God would be there to help them (and us) every step of the way because He’s seen our labor of love toward the people of God.

This faith and hope is something we need to hold tight to…until the very end. Sometimes Christians get sluggish or lose patience (endurance), they run the risk of not inheriting the promise. May it never be us!

The author closes the chapter with the assurance that the promises of God are true. We already know God is not a liar (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2) but He’s also sworn by His name. He’s issued an oath, and we can therefore be even more certain of every promise He’s ever given to us, especially our home in heaven. The fact that God cannot lie, that He’s sworn, and He’s given us His Word as an anchor for the soul to keep us sure and steadfast in all the stormy seasons of life should bring peace. It keeps us in that intimate fellowship with God, “behind the veil” in the holiest of holies, where Jesus has gone before us, of whom the High Priest Melchizedek has much to teach us.

Coming soon.

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Psalm 105:16-36

As the Psalmist continues his chronicle of Israel’s history, we pick it up at a time of world-wide famine, but no need to worry for God had “sent” Joseph ahead, sold as a slave, tested, tried and trained. When the time was right, Joseph would be raised up to rule, sent ultimately to save (a picture of Jesus).

When Joseph died, the nation of Israel became slaves in Egypt, but God sent Moses and Aaron as instruments for the deliverance of His people – signs and wonders were done to defeat all the gods of Egypt. Water to blood, light to darkness, frogs, flies, lice, fire, hail and in the end, the final blow was the death of the firstborn in all the land of Egypt. This was another picture of Jesus!

Imagine that…a bunch of slaves set free from the vise-grip of the most powerful nation on earth!

Israel would look back to these things – and praise the Lord.

We should too. We can also look back to the time of Christ, and what He did to redeem us from the power and penalty of sin – and praise the Lord. What about your personal story? Do you ever look back to see how He set you free? It’s good to do – and just praise Him.

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Proverbs 27:1-2

Proverbs 27:1 (NKJV) “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

I’m not sure if you’d classify it as a Proverb, but it’s a well-known saying, “Tomorrow is guaranteed to no man.”

They say that on the average, 164,000 people die each day on planet earth. One day, if the Lord tarries, I will be among the 164,000. So I must not boast about tomorrow, as if I’m guaranteed to have it.

The half-brother of Jesus wrote about this in James 4:13–16. He basically said it’s wrong to say, “Hey, tomorrow I’m going to Bakersfield, to buy a field, grow some grain, bake some bread, make some bread, bring home the bacon, and live high on the hog for years to come.”

No, James said, “Our life is a vapor, that vanishes away before you know it. Instead, you ought to say, ‘Lord willing, we’ll go to Bakersfield, and this is the game plan.'”

Jesus rebuked the man who didn’t make his plans with this understanding. 

Luke 12:20b (NKJV) “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”

Proverbs 27:2 (NKJV) “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”

“Not only should a person refrain from boasting about what he will do (Proverbs 27:1); he should also refrain from boasting about what he has done.” – Bible Knowledge Commentary

It’s interesting how in the Hebrew language, we have the exact same word translated “boast” in v. 1 and “praise” in v. 2. If you’re boasting about yourself, you’re praising yourself. We see it a lot with some of these celebrities, athletes, and politicians, but let it not be so of Christians.

It’s different if someone else gives you a good word, a compliment, or a pat on the back. If that happens, that’s okay, simply say thank you knowing that any good in me, is just Jesus

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Ezekiel 7:1–9:11

Ezekiel was taken to Babylon in the second siege. The Jews were under the impression that they were about to be restored and delivered by God, but they were wrong, dead-wrong. Ezekiel was carried away  in 597 B.C. and 11 years later the Babylonians would level Jerusalem, in 586 B.C. 

We read about the judgment upon the land and cringe at the severity of it, but it’s important to realize that it’s simply the justice of God.  God declared in;

Ezekiel 7:27b (NKJV) “I will do to them according to their way, and according to what they deserve I will judge them; then they shall know that I am the LORD!’ ”

Disaster, doom, destruction, death, “the time has come, the day draws near.” (Ezekiel 7:12)

God would see it all, but His eye would not spare; the God whose love and compassion are such that He would give His Son to die for us, would not pity the people at this point. It’s critical to understand that God is both Savior and Judge.

The people would die in the field by the sword, in the city by famine and pestilence – their money would be meaningless, their idols would be defiled.

There will be no leadership, meaning the people will be completely lost and without hope. God will give them what they’d always wanted, life without Him.

Ezekiel 7:26 (NLT) “Calamity will follow calamity; rumor will follow rumor. They will look in vain for a vision from the prophets. They will receive no teaching from the priests and no counsel from the leaders.”

I sigh…so much unnecessary heartache, for most – doom is their destiny.

In Ezekiel 8, we find the prophet sitting in his house with the elders – it “appears” that all is well, until the Spirit of God carries Ezekiel away to show him what’s really going on in the Temple of the LORD and in the hearts of the elders. God is jealous because His bride has been committing spiritual adultery!

Ezekiel 8:12 (NKJV) “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.’’”

The abominations only increased, the more Ezekiel probed into those “walls” and saw behind closed doors, as they worshipped Tammuz (see article on Tammuz) and even worshipped the sun. God pronounced His just judgment:

Ezekiel 8:18 (NKJV) “Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.”

In Ezekiel 9 we have a glimpse behind the heavenly scenes, just prior to the judgment of Jerusalem. It appears to be angels, one of whom is sent in advance to “mark” those who would be spared. This practice is similar to what we see in Revelation 7:2-3; 9:4; 14:1.  It’s insightful as we discover the reasoning for the special identification marks.

Ezekiel 9:4 (NKJV) “and the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’”

There was still a remnant, who wept over the wickedness of the world they lived in. They sighed and cried over all the abominations that were done. It reminds me of the words of the Psalmist:

Psalm 119:136 (NKJV) “Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law.”

After the people were ‘marked’ the judgment began, and that judgment began in God’s sanctuary (with those elders), judgment always begins there, but it doesn’t end there.

1 Peter 4:17 (NKJV) “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

Ezekiel was able to foresee the judgment of God’s people, so he falls on his face in intercession. Ezekiel should have known, God would NOT destroy all the remnant of the people (that’s what that mark was all about) but from Ezekiel’s perspective, it sure looked that way.

One day, the Day will come, the Day of the Lord, and the only way “out” is through  Jesus Christ. Friend, are you ready? I pray we’d all be ready for that day, by completely yielding our lives to the Lord.

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Hebrews 5:1-14

The writer to the Hebrews had closed chapter 4 by alluding to Jesus as our High Priest.

He now shares a little more on that prominent priestly position. The High Priest was to be a direct descendant of Aaron. He was called and appointed by God to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. He was to deal gently with those who sinned, since he himself was also a sinner. As a matter of fact, not only was he to offer a sacrifice for them, but he was also required to offer sacrifices for himself.

Pastor Chuck Smith comments on this, “None of us is perfect and we should have compassion for others. Sometimes we become very judgmental and God then forces us to see our own failures, so we can be more understanding.” (see also Galatians 6:1)

The position of High Priest was a high and holy calling from God, it wasn’t something anyone just took to themselves. And such is the case for Christ also. The Father appointed Him (Hebrews 5:5-6).

Jesus is now our High Priest, called and anointed by His Father, but according to a different Priesthood. The writer quotes from Psalms 2:7 and 110:4 and points to a mysterious figure in the Old Testament by the name of Melchizedek (His name means “King of Righteousness”). Who is this person? 

I believe He is a theophany, an appearance of God, and more specifically, a Christophany a literal appearance or visitation of Christ to earth (we’ll see a lot more of Melchizedek in Hebrews 7).

In speaking of Jesus, the writer gives us insight into His prayer life, it wasn’t nominal, or casual, He prayed vehement cries, He shed heartfelt tears, He learned to be the perfect High Priest, through the things He suffered. 

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Jesus had to prepare for His priestly ministry by experiencing the trials His people experience as they walk by faith (4:15). Because of the life that He lived and the death that He died, He is able to identify with your needs and give you grace to see you through. He understands!”

Not only did Jesus become the author of salvation by dying on the cross and rising from the dead, He’s also the finisher of salvation as He sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us, ready to help at any time.

These Hebrew Christians were having a hard time understanding the modern ministry of Jesus because they were going backwards, back to legalism, back to Judaism, back to the baby-believer basics.

By this time (after all these years) these Christians should have been teachers of God’s Word, but legalism had stunted their growth, and now they had to go back to the elementary things, the A, B, C’s of the Christian life, they needed milk instead of solid food. Milk is necessary in the beginning stages of life, but we need go on and mature, to be skilled in the Scriptures, we should grow and be able to consume, enjoy, and digest solid food, even the meat of the Word.

Hebrews 5:14 (NKJV) “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Sandy Adams comments on this passage, “How do you graduate from milk to meat? Obedience is the spiritual growth hormone. Take what you learn, apply it to your life, and you will learn more. The more you exercise your spiritual reflexes the sharper they become.”

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Psalm 105:1-15

This Psalm is primarily an expression of praise for all the good God had done for Israel – their history of overall victory.

Give thanks, call upon His name, make known His deeds, sing to Him, talk of all His wondrous works, glory in His name, let hearts rejoice to seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face forevermore!

There’s the Abrahamic covenant – consider it, when he had nothing, God promised him a land flowing with milk and honey, descendants as the stars in the sky and the sands of the sea.

Even when Abraham and Isaac ventured out and failed in foreign lands, we read in:

Psalm 105:14–15 (NKJV) “He permitted no one to do them wrong; yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, 15 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.”

I praise God for the grace He’s given to Israel, to His church, and even to me. He’s called us and will carry us through life, and all the way “home.”

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Proverbs 26:28

Proverbs 26:28 (NKJV) “A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

How we need to be so careful not to speak negatively or inaccurately about others; it’s not just passing conversation, it’s hatred, and hatred is actually murder (in God’s sight) (Matthew 5:21-22).

When it comes to flattery, our best rule of thumb is not to say to a person’s face what we wouldn’t say behind their back.

Let’s not lie and let’s not flatter, and let’s be determined not to listen to either.

Flattery is a form of manipulation. I’ve learned over the years that sometimes a person will tell you you’re the best thing since sliced bread, only because they want a piece of the pie.

So much ruin happens through those types of tongues, the immoral messages from those types of mouths.

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Ezekiel 3:16–6:14

Ezekiel was appointed not only as a prophet – but also as a watchman. Watchmen were stationed on the city walls, or in places of significance in order to warn the people of imminent danger, such as invading armies. But what if the watchman saw the danger and yet said nothing? The LORD speaks to Ezekiel and in essence warns the “warner.” 

In reading Ezekiel 3:16-21 we discover some pretty heavy truths. The watchman DOES make a difference, souls are hanging in the balance. The blood of those who perish, because they were not warned, will be required of such “prophets,” or “preachers,” who do not share the full counsel of God. But if the watchman does his job and calls sin sin, and warns of the judgment to come, it doesn’t matter whether or not the people listen, God says to that spokesman, that watchman, “…you will have delivered your soul.” What a heavy accountability, pastors, preachers, and teachers of God’s Word have! Paul the Apostle was well aware of this truth.

Acts 18:6 (NKJV) “But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’”

Acts 20:26–27 (NKJV) “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

I thought it was interesting in reading the rest of the chapter (Ezekiel 3) that he would be unable to speak, until God spoke to him, and opened his mouth. What a beautiful balance between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man.

The last four words of Ezekiel 4 are heavy words of warning, “…because of their iniquity.”

It didn’t have to be this way, but Israel and Judah refused to turn from their sin, even in captivity, even after multiple sieges from the Babylonians!

Ezekiel was a prophet who not only spoke the message, but whose life was a message. Imagine lying down on your left side for 390 days! And then, lying down on your right side for 40 days. What if your diet during that time was reduced to eight ounces of food each day, and one jar of water from time to time? Not only that, what if the fuel you used to cook your mini-meals was cow dung! That was the life of Ezekiel (and we think we have it bad).

People probably thought this skinny prophet was extremely weird, but if they opened their hearts to the Holy Spirit they would know, his message was true, and they needed to take it to heart. It was a heavy warning that Ezekiel issued:

Ezekiel 4:16 (NKJV) “Moreover He said to me, ‘Son of man, surely I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem; they shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and shall drink water by measure and with dread.’”

Ezekiel once again is called by God in chapter 5 to offer to the people a visual illustration of the message at hand. Ezekiel was to cut off his hair including his beard, with a sword, and burn 1/3 of it, strike 1/3 of it, and the remaining 1/3 would be scattered to the wind. We read the meaning in:

Ezekiel 5:12 (NKJV) “One-third of you shall die of the pestilence, and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter another third to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.”

The Jews had not only committed the sins of the pagan nations around them, they had surpassed them in their sins, “by doing wickedness MORE than the nations…” (Ezekiel 5:6).

Therefore God Himself was against them; the famine would be so severe and their depravity so deep, that fathers would eat their sons in the siege, and sons would eat their fathers…it pains me to type these words – but such is the devastation of defiant disobedience to God. I don’t want to spiritualize something that literally took place, but consider the damage done to families in today’s society…all because we won’t do things God’s way. How we desperately need the Lord!

Malachi 4:6 (NKJV) “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

One last thing, one last word, before we leave Ezekiel 5…it’s that word “pestilence” in verse 17. Most of us today know people who have died due to pestilence, but has our world taken it to heart? In the midst of all the politics of Covid-19, we must not be distracted. It might be wise to realize that God has allowed it – we are living right smack dab in days of worldwide discipline. Am I any different now?

In Ezekiel 6 the prophet continues to pronounce judgment upon the people of God, particularly pointing out their blatant idolatry. It was at these mountains, these altars, these trees and high places where they offered incense, and pagan practices of worship to their idols. They would therefore be slain by God.

After all God had done for them, this is how they showed their gratitude.

But what about us? After all God has done for us. He made us. He maintains us. He loves us and never leaves us. The God of the universe is willing to have a PERSONAL intimate relationship with us, but how many times do we put other people or things before Him? This is idolatry…and it breaks His heart. Did you catch what Ezekiel wrote? 

This is God speaking:

Ezekiel 6:9b (NKJV) “…because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols…”

God is not some unemotional force or inanimate object. He can be grieved by our sin. Scholars tell us that Jesus died of a broken heart. Here in Ezekiel we see something similar, how the LORD was hurt, grieved, even crushed by their unfaithful heart; how with their eyes they lusted and longed for idols. Paul wrote in:

Ephesians 4:30a (NLT) “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live.”

God help us to learn from these things, to learn to live wholeheartedly for God.

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Hebrews 4:1-16

The writer to the Hebrews is both wooing and warning the people to make sure they’ve entered-in and that they’d stay in God’s rest.

Religion is tiring. The concept of having to work for our salvation or somehow earn God’s favor, has nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The recipients of this letter were in a state of flux. It’s challenging to discern whether they were people who were on the brink of salvation and had not entered-in, or if they had experienced salvation and were on the brink of going back to Judaism (please see Hebrew 10:38). I believe if you read this book with an open heart, you’ll see both types of people being addressed. This chapter emphasizes the former, those who have not yet entered in. These people heard the gospel, but they didn’t mix it with faith – and yet, without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

The writer emphasizes the fact that the work is done. In one sense the work was done from the foundation of the world. This is seen in the creation account, when God rested on the seventh day and ceased from all His works. This is not just creating but also redeeming. A solid parallel passage would be Revelation 13:8 which tells us that the Lamb (Jesus) has been slain from the foundation of the world. The work is done – creation – the cross – salvation – redemption, the work is done, all we have to do is believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ; this is how we enter in to that rest.

It’s not something that Moses, or Joshua, or any of the other patriarchs could have given, otherwise David wouldn’t have been writing about a future rest in Psalm 95. This rest comes only under the new covenant – under the cross Christ.

The writer to the Hebrews exhorts the people to make sure to enter that rest, to be diligent to do so (Hebrews 4:11).

We learn all this by the living Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit. It can also be likened to a scalpel, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit. How can we distinguish if something we experience is emotional or spiritual? The Word of God! His Word reveals the intricate details of life, things we need to see and things we cannot hide from God’s sight. It’s critical to remember that God sees everything! We are naked before His eyes of omniscience and one day we will give an account of our lives. Let this truth purify us, but let it also encourage us to go to Him for help. This is how the chapter closes. We have Jesus, our great High Priest who has gone before us – He’s the Son of God – so let’s hold tightly to Him and our confession of faith in Him. As we’re temped day by day, keep in mind that we don’t have a God who doesn’t have a clue of how we’re feeling, of what we’re experiencing – He knows and He’s been there, He Himself has been tempted in every way…and therefore able to help us every single time.

Be bold to run to Him, understanding it’s God’s throne of grace, the only place to find help in time of need.

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Psalm 104:24-35

We continue with this Psalm of praise to God for the beauty and variety of His creation, for all the earth “possesses,” and all that’s in the sea. There in the deep, creatures like the Leviathan “play” and are fed by God.

Leviathan is mentioned five times in the Scriptures, and the opinions as to what it is, ranges from a crocodile to a fire-breathing dragon (Job 41:1-34). The primary point the Psalmist is making is how everything, and every living thing is in the hands of the Lord, made and maintained by Him – He truly is an awesome God!

The Psalmist deals with God’s “relationship” with the earth and then God’s relationship with us (mankind). He ends with a prayer of personal determination, a prayer for holiness on earth, and an honest expression of praise.

Psalm 104:33–35 (NKJV) “I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD. 35 May sinners be consumed from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!”

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Proverbs 26:27

Proverbs 26:27 (NKJV) “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.”

You’ve probably heard that saying, “What comes around, goes around.” Or, “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.” Jesus said something similar.

Matthew 26:52 (NKJV) “But Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.’”

In those days digging pits and rolling stones from the top of a hill were methods of warfare.

Bible Knowledge Commentary, “Destruction by one’s own devices is the subject of this verse and of Psalms 7:15; 9:15; 35:8; 57:6. If Proverbs 26:27 is related to verses 23–26 the point is that attempts to trap or destroy others will eventually turn on the schemer (cf. 1:18–19; 28:10). Many times Proverbs affirms that sin boomerangs.”

Eventually what happened to Hamaan will happen to them. We read in:

Esther 7:10 (NKJV) “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided.”

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Ezekiel 1:1–3:15

Ezekiel was a prophet to the Jews, and with the Jews while in captivity. He was taken to Babylon in the second deportation.

Warren Wiersbe, “While Jeremiah was ministering to the people in Judah, Ezekiel was ministering to the exiles in Babylon. He was taken to Babylon in 597 B.C. with the second deportation; and five years later, he received his call to ministry (592 B.C.). Like Jeremiah, he was a priest who was called to be a prophet; and also like Jeremiah, he preached action sermons that caught the attention of the people.”

Ezekiel was younger than Jeremiah, but preached the same message among the exiles that Jeremiah was preaching in Jerusalem – the certainty of God’s judgment upon Judah. I wonder if the two ever crossed paths. 

Pastor Chuck Smith, “During the time of Ezekiel many false prophets predicted that Jerusalem would not be destroyed and that the captives would soon return to the land. The people held out hope that this captivity would be short-lived, but both Ezekiel and Jeremiah predicted a long captivity and tried to prepare God’s people for that future.”

By the time Ezekiel arrived in Babylon, Daniel had been there at least 8 years and had risen to great prominence in the kingdom. Daniel ministered in the capital city of Babylon, in the palace, while Ezekiel was out in the country.

Warren Wiersbe, “There are four sections to the book: (1) God’s call of Ezekiel (chaps. 1–3); (2) God’s judgment on Jerusalem (chaps. 4–24); (3) God’s judgment on the nations (chaps. 25–32); and (4) God’s restoration of His people (chaps. 33–48).”

A phrase we find throughout the Book of Ezekiel is God’s promise, in both good and bad times: “They shall know that I am the LORD” (26 times), “You shall know that I am the LORD “(27 times).

In Ezekiel 1 we have a glimpse behind the scenes, behind Ezekiel’s commission as a prophet. Ezekiel was 30 years old when he was called, it was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity (592 B.C).  It’s difficult for us to understand the significance of all the details in chapter 1, but the overall message has to do with God working out His plan for the Jews and for all mankind. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all woven within the chapter, as well as angels, and even prophets, like Ezekiel. The wheels symbolize work, in this case, God’s work…they stayed on track, they did not turn to the “right or to the left.”

From man’s perspective it may have seemed like King Nebuchadnezzar was on the throne, but Ezekiel was given this vision and clearly reminded that even though it was chaos and heartache on earth, God was still seated upon the throne and in complete control. Not only that, it’s imperative for prophets and all of God’s people to be overwhelmed with the holy and awesome God we serve (see also Isaiah 6:1-8).

Ezekiel 1:28 (NKJV) “Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.”

Warren Wiersbe, “Usually you see the rainbow when the storm is over (Genesis 9:8–17), and only an arc at that. Ezekiel saw the rainbow during the storm, and it completely encircled the throne!”

In Ezekiel 2, after humbling the prophet, God lifts him up by His Spirit and prepares Ezekiel for the work. The nation had transgressed, the nation was rebellious, and it didn’t matter whether they listened or not, Ezekiel was to boldly share and declare the truth. It wouldn’t be a popular message, especially when the other “prophets” were preaching peace.  Eventually the people would know that Ezekiel was a prophet of the LORD, for his words came to pass. 

Like John the beloved, who was commanded to eat the scroll (Revelation 10:9-10), Ezekiel did the same. Before we give God’s Word out to others, we must first internalize it to ourselves.

God’s preachers and teachers are to be leaders, different, we are not to be rebellious.

Ezekiel 2:8 (NKJV) “But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”

We see the same thing in Ezekiel 3 – even to the heart!

Ezekiel 3:10 (NKJV) “Moreover He said to me: ‘Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.’”

Ezekiel obediently ate scroll, but it’s heartbreaking to discover that the house of Israel would not be obedient, they would not listen to him, because they would not listen to the Lord (Ezekiel 3:7). It didn’t matter, Ezekiel was called and commissioned to keep preaching the message, to NOT be afraid. Jeremiah was given the same type of commission.

Imagine being sent out by the Lord, anointed and appointed by Him in such a glorious way, and yet with the promise, that the people won’t listen, you’ll be hated by them Ezekiel, you will see it in their faces.

He didn’t amass a great following, but Ezekiel’s ministry was clearly Spirit-led.

Ezekiel 3:14–15 (NKJV) “So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. 15 Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.”

Spirit led to sit where they sat. I like what Ezekiel said, “…I sat where they sat…”

A good word to pastors and prophets and anyone who has a desire to minister to others.

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Hebrews 3:1-19

The writer to the Hebrews continues to point these Christians to Christ. Why would they return to the law considering the superiority of Jesus? Moses was indeed faithful in all his house (calling and ministry) but Jesus is the one who built the house! Indeed Moses was faithful as a servant, but Jesus as the Son! As a matter of fact, Jesus is the builder and owner of the house (the people of God). We Christians prove to be the people of God if we hold tight and continue to believe in Jesus firm to the end.

This chapter serves as a warning to Christians – even today – listen, if you hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you…don’t harden your hearts as they did in the “rebellion.” Even though the children of Israel saw God’s wonderful work they hardened their hearts, resisted the Spirit, persisted in unbelief…so that generation was slain in the wilderness.

If you take these words at face value, you realize that the writer is addressing “brethren” and warning them not to depart from the living God! It’s a heavy, heavy warning. He repeats the warning for TODAY (Hebrews 3:7, 13) don’t wait until tomorrow to get your heart right, to hold tight, we need to believe today, and continue to believe till the day we see Him face to face.

Again, the writer goes back to the example of Israel in the wilderness, who heard God, were redeemed out of Egypt with His strong arm of 10 plagues. He provided for them in the wilderness, took care of them, showed Himself strong to them, but they hardened their hearts. They went astray and ended with an evil heart of unbelief. Their corpses therefore fell dead in the desert…they did not enter God’s rest.

Why?

Hebrews 3:19 (NKJV) “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

God help us to continue to believe in Jesus, the good news of this glorious gospel, until the day we see Him face-to-face.

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Psalm 104:1-23

What a beautiful Psalm that begins in celebration of the LORD and the wonders of His creation! It’s good to get out of our “concrete jungles” from time to time; to open our eyes and see how creation reveals the majesty of our Creator.

Can you imagine Him stretching out the galaxies of heaven curtains? The clouds as His chariot? God walking on the wind? He made the angels His first ministers and then there’s the “foundation” of our floating earth. The ocean waters, covering all those mountains and valleys in the deep sea. In case you’re wondering the world’s largest underwater mountain is Mauna Kea, which is a dormant volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. Mauna Kea rises 19,678 feet or 5,998 meters from the ocean floor before breaking through the surface and then rising another 13,796 feet or 4,205 meters to its peak.

Consider the springs that provide water for the beasts and the birds, the wild and domesticated animals, the grass, the vegetation, the fruit of the vine; the trees, the hills, the moon, and the sun…and there we are in the middle of it all, soaking it in, cooperating with His creation as we work the fields of our Father.

I’ve noticed that when people get saved, they appreciate creation even more, and the One who made it all for us to enjoy.

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Proverbs 26:24-26

Proverbs 26:24-26 (NKJV) “He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; 25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; 26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.”

Haters are often-times the best deceivers, even able to deceive themselves. The pretension behind their “kind” words are not to be believed for their intentions are actually seven abominations (seven is the number of completion).

Bible Knowledge Commentary, “This verse warns against being taken in by a malicious person whose words are charming (Proverbs 26:23–24) but whose heart is filled with seven (i.e., numerous) abominations (Proverbs 6:16–19).”

In Jeremiah 40:13-41:18 Gedaliah was warned by Johanan regarding Ishamel, and other men who intended him harm. Gedaliah didn’t listen and paid the ultimate price. Winston Churchill warned the people about a man named Adolf Hitler…they didn’t listen and 75 million people died in WWII. It’s heartbreaking to consider the 20 million military personnel and 40 million civilians, many of whom died because of deliberate genocide, massacres, mass-bombings, disease, and starvation.

Verse 26 reminds us that eventually the truth comes out.

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you!