“Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. And they shall know that I am the Lord; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.” vv.8-10
Read chapter 6
Ezekiel now is to prophesy to the mountains of Israel which specifically were defiled by high places and also to the hills, vines and valleys- everywhere in the land of Israel there were abominations to the Lord. Of all this prophesy of the Lord having all of Israel wiped out, He says He'll leave a remnant. The remnant is why there are believers today. This remnant will remember the True and Only God. The will realize their sin and the penalty of that sin. They will loathe themselves of the abominations they committed, hating what the Lord hates. When one truly hates sin, they hate themselves. Do you hate the sin in your life? How can you learn to hate it instead of enjoy it's short term pleasure or enticement?
All this talk is not in vain says the Lord. Laboring in vain is a believers mystery and misery until the rewards for our work our given. What the Lord has said is of His own purposes and decrees. Today it seems there is just a small remnant of believers on earth, yet it's worth being the minority and holding strong for Christ. Is it hard for you to feel like the only believer in your family, community, job, etc? What helps you to remember the Lord and His words when you're immersed in the world?
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
Ezekiel 5
“And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair." v.1
Read chapter 5
So we have another symbolic sign of what Ezekiel is to do as a prophesy to the Israelites. He's to shave his head and beard and divide up the hair into three sections. Shaving of the head was usually a sign of mourning. With Ezekiel being a priest by the law priest were forbidden to shave their head or beard (Lev. 21:5), so this wasn't just a guy who happened to shave and play with his hair but an obvious sign of judgement. What he does with each section is what will be done to Israel. One third of the people will die of pestilence being consumed by famine (v.12), one third will die by the sword as they escape the siege and one third will be scattered through other nations yet pursued by the sword. There is to be a small number that is to be hidden or kept safe (v.3). This shows that not one can hide from God's wrath and judgement.
Read chapter 5
So we have another symbolic sign of what Ezekiel is to do as a prophesy to the Israelites. He's to shave his head and beard and divide up the hair into three sections. Shaving of the head was usually a sign of mourning. With Ezekiel being a priest by the law priest were forbidden to shave their head or beard (Lev. 21:5), so this wasn't just a guy who happened to shave and play with his hair but an obvious sign of judgement. What he does with each section is what will be done to Israel. One third of the people will die of pestilence being consumed by famine (v.12), one third will die by the sword as they escape the siege and one third will be scattered through other nations yet pursued by the sword. There is to be a small number that is to be hidden or kept safe (v.3). This shows that not one can hide from God's wrath and judgement.
In many ways, this action of Ezekiel "the priest" is significant of calamity and ruin. The sword indicates the avenging power; the shaving of the head the removal of grace and glory; the scales and weights the determination of divine justice. (Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Ezekiel 4
“Also take for yourself wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them into one vessel, and make bread of them for yourself. During the number of days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days, you shall eat it...Then He said to me, “See, I am giving you cow dung instead of human waste, and you shall prepare your bread over it.” vv.9,15
Read chapter 4
Ezekiel eats poop! Ok well he doesn't exactly eat it but has to cook his food over poop which probably get some remanent in the food. At first the Lord tells him to cook it over human poop but then Ezekiel says how he's never defiled himself with food his whole life and won't do such a thing, so the Lord tells him to use cow poop instead (a common fuel for fire among Arabs). Because they would soon be in a siege there would be no wood or be scarce for their needs and have to resort to other options. Even in hardship, Ezekiel will not defile himself. How do you or you see others lower standards for evil in hard times?
We also see that Ezekiel has to lay on his side for 390 days. I have a hard time laying on my side for just a full nights sleep, I can't even imagine my body and restlessness doing that for that long. Most likely Ezekiel didn't do this 24/7 but a times of the day when the people most likely were to see his conduct. The laying on his side is symbolic for the siege that would be laid on them, the settled resolution of the besiegers till Jerusalem was taken.
How often do actions speak louder than words! We just need to pay attention and understand. What actions of others have been speaking to you lately whether it be a warning, calling out of your sin, or challenge to do good?
Read chapter 4
Ezekiel eats poop! Ok well he doesn't exactly eat it but has to cook his food over poop which probably get some remanent in the food. At first the Lord tells him to cook it over human poop but then Ezekiel says how he's never defiled himself with food his whole life and won't do such a thing, so the Lord tells him to use cow poop instead (a common fuel for fire among Arabs). Because they would soon be in a siege there would be no wood or be scarce for their needs and have to resort to other options. Even in hardship, Ezekiel will not defile himself. How do you or you see others lower standards for evil in hard times?
We also see that Ezekiel has to lay on his side for 390 days. I have a hard time laying on my side for just a full nights sleep, I can't even imagine my body and restlessness doing that for that long. Most likely Ezekiel didn't do this 24/7 but a times of the day when the people most likely were to see his conduct. The laying on his side is symbolic for the siege that would be laid on them, the settled resolution of the besiegers till Jerusalem was taken.
How often do actions speak louder than words! We just need to pay attention and understand. What actions of others have been speaking to you lately whether it be a warning, calling out of your sin, or challenge to do good?
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Ezekiel 3
Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. vv.1-3
Read chapter 3
Ezekiel literally ate a scroll. We will see Ezekiel do many strange things as signs to Israel from God. It's weird, but in this case we can take it as applicational as a metaphor that we would eat up God's words, that "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Ezekiel was eating the word of God so that it was in him internally, "he was taking it into his own life so that it became a living, breathing, burning passion, fire within his own soul" (Nancy DeMoss).
I love that it says it tasted like honey in sweetness. The Word of the Lord is a sweet treat, it can be hard to stomach at times but is always good to our soul. Ezekiel took delight in having God's secret counsel and being chosen to be an instrument of God to the people, yet later realizing the weight of the message and the divine judgements he felt grief and anguish.
How has God's word tasted sweet to you? How has it caused you anguish? Does God's word have burning passion inside you? What are you doing about it?
Friday, June 17, 2016
Ezekiel 2
And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me. vv.1-2
Read chapter 2
With clarity, Ezekiel received a Divine summons accompanied by Divine preparation. Ezekiel did not call himself to this position but was called by God, "stand." The Spirit entered him with the word. He started off in a position of reverence (1:28) but was called to stand to receive and go with he commissions God was about to give him. He stood then as ready to do whatever the Lord commanded.
The title "Son of man" is used of Ezekiel over 90 times. The title is used only of the prophet Ezekiel (once of Daniel). There is no article "the" in front of it as we know Jesus is called "THE son of man." The title for the Messiah is to show His lowliness as becoming a man and His exaltation as being manifest as the Representative of man. As reference to Ezekiel who was a prophet during the captivity, it's a title of the common language of common people, adam. A title to show the frailty of man and keep him humble as he received Divine visions. Ezekiel is sent to Israel, a rebellious people who may or may not heed God's voice, but will know that a prophet has been sent to them by the way Ezekiel is to speak to them.
How can you bow down and stand ready for who we are in the presence of God and the will God has command for you? How can you take the title of being a sinful, mortal man still to be used by God? How can you tell what are God's words?
Read chapter 2
With clarity, Ezekiel received a Divine summons accompanied by Divine preparation. Ezekiel did not call himself to this position but was called by God, "stand." The Spirit entered him with the word. He started off in a position of reverence (1:28) but was called to stand to receive and go with he commissions God was about to give him. He stood then as ready to do whatever the Lord commanded.
The title "Son of man" is used of Ezekiel over 90 times. The title is used only of the prophet Ezekiel (once of Daniel). There is no article "the" in front of it as we know Jesus is called "THE son of man." The title for the Messiah is to show His lowliness as becoming a man and His exaltation as being manifest as the Representative of man. As reference to Ezekiel who was a prophet during the captivity, it's a title of the common language of common people, adam. A title to show the frailty of man and keep him humble as he received Divine visions. Ezekiel is sent to Israel, a rebellious people who may or may not heed God's voice, but will know that a prophet has been sent to them by the way Ezekiel is to speak to them.
How can you bow down and stand ready for who we are in the presence of God and the will God has command for you? How can you take the title of being a sinful, mortal man still to be used by God? How can you tell what are God's words?
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Ezekiel 1
"As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went." vv.10-12
Read chapter 1
The book of Ezekiel starts off pretty crazy to us; visions of God that appeared to him during the captivity of Israel and Judah. Ezekiel was a priest by birth and a prophet by call of God. His name means "God is strong." So we read of these creatures that he sees that are nothing like we see today. They are not angles but called seraphim. Seraphim, or burners, we read of in Isaiah 6.
Try drawing this creature and see what you come up with? How can you reflect the characteristics of these four faces and what they signify whether it be understanding, excelling in boldness, diligence, strength, patience or how you choose to move with the spirit firm and straight and ready for action?
Read chapter 1
The book of Ezekiel starts off pretty crazy to us; visions of God that appeared to him during the captivity of Israel and Judah. Ezekiel was a priest by birth and a prophet by call of God. His name means "God is strong." So we read of these creatures that he sees that are nothing like we see today. They are not angles but called seraphim. Seraphim, or burners, we read of in Isaiah 6.
They have the understanding of a man, and far more. A lion excels in strength and boldness. An ox excels in diligence and patience, and unwearied discharge of the work he has to do. An eagle excels in quickness and piercing sight, and in soaring high; and the angels, who excel man in all these respects, put on these appearances. The angels have wings; and whatever business God sends them upon, they lose no time. They stood straight, and firm, and steady. They had not only wings for motion, but hands for action... Whatever service they went about, they went every one straight forward... They turned not when they went. They made no mistakes; and their work needed not to be gone over again. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
Try drawing this creature and see what you come up with? How can you reflect the characteristics of these four faces and what they signify whether it be understanding, excelling in boldness, diligence, strength, patience or how you choose to move with the spirit firm and straight and ready for action?
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
2 Thessalonians 3
"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." v.13
Read chapter 3
When does doing good exhaust you and why?
Paul knows the Thessalonians are doing good, but tells them to not grow weary in doing so. He just finished talking about the lazies, those that are disorderly and busybodies so goes in to contrast of them that are not those things but to be aware of how those can cause weariness. Sometimes when you're surrounded by others that are busybodies you get tired feeling all the work fall on you or you're doing all the work, so Paul says don't grow weary or exhausted, don't let that focus of others actions cause you to stop or wear out.
He says in the verse before to work in quietness and eat their own bread. "It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people's" (Matthew Henry's Commentary).
How can you not grow weary in doing good? How can you avoid being brought down by those around you that are lazy, disorderly, or busybodies?
Read chapter 3
When does doing good exhaust you and why?
Paul knows the Thessalonians are doing good, but tells them to not grow weary in doing so. He just finished talking about the lazies, those that are disorderly and busybodies so goes in to contrast of them that are not those things but to be aware of how those can cause weariness. Sometimes when you're surrounded by others that are busybodies you get tired feeling all the work fall on you or you're doing all the work, so Paul says don't grow weary or exhausted, don't let that focus of others actions cause you to stop or wear out.
He says in the verse before to work in quietness and eat their own bread. "It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people's" (Matthew Henry's Commentary).
How can you not grow weary in doing good? How can you avoid being brought down by those around you that are lazy, disorderly, or busybodies?
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