October in Ezekiel and Daniel

1. Ezekiel 20
2. Ezekiel 21
3. Ezekiel 22
4. Ezekiel 23
5. Ezekiel 24
6. Ezekiel 25 & 26
7. Ezekiel 27
8. Ezekiel 28
9. Ezekiel 29
10. Ezekiel 30 & 31
11. Ezekiel 32
12. Ezekiel 33
13. Ezekiel 34 & 35
14. Ezekiel 36
15. Ezekiel 37
16. Ezekiel 38
17. Ezekiel 39
18. Ezekiel 40
19. Ezekiel 41 & 42
20. Ezekiel 43
21. Ezekiel 44
22. Ezekiel 45 & 46
23. Ezekiel 47
24. Ezekiel 48
25. Daniel 1 & 2
26. Daniel 3
27. Daniel 4
28. Daniel 5
29. Daniel 6
30. Daniel 7
31. Daniel 8

September in Jeremiah, Psalms, Lamentations, Habakkuk, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Ezekiel

1. Jeremiah 48
2. Jeremiah 49
3. Jeremiah 50
4. Jeremiah 51
5. Jeremiah 52
6. Psalms 85 & 102
7. Psalms 120 & 137
8. Lamentations 1 & 2
9. Lamentations 3
10. Lamentations 4 & 5
11. Psalms 116 and 71
12. Habakkuk 1 & 2
13. Habakkuk 3
14. 2 Kings 24 & 25
15. 2 Chronicles 36
16. Psalms 74 & 79
17. Ezekiel 1
18. Ezekiel 2 & 3
19. Ezekiel 4 & 5
20. Ezekiel 6 & 7
21. Ezekiel 8 & 9
22. Ezekiel 10
23. Ezekiel 11
24. Ezekiel 12
25. Ezekiel 13
26. Ezekiel 14-15
27. Ezekiel 16
28. Ezekiel 17
29. Ezekiel 18
30. Ezekiel 19

Put Ezekiel Back on the Prophets Shelf

You are done with all the major prophets!!! I have to admit that when I started out on this journey, I was most afraid of Ezekiel!

I had never studied it in-depth before. When I got to it in my Bible reading every two years, I was so tuckered out from the long books of Isaiah and Jeremiah that I just wanted to get through it!

I was also afraid of Ezekiel because it was coming during my very busy fall season, but it ended up anchoring me more than making me busier!

I ended up loving the time in this great book!

Ezekiel 48 - The LORD is There

LINK: Ezekiel 48

BACKGROUND

The final chapter of Ezekiel talks about dividing up the land between the 12 reunited tribes of Israel with the central band of land allotted to the prince, Levites, and the city of Jerusalem. The location of all 12 tribes will be different from their locations during Joshua's time (Joshua 13-19).

In the end, the city doomed for destruction will be restored, and this city will be given a new name, "Yahweh Shammah" which means . . .

"THE LORD IS THERE"

REFLECTION and APPLICATION

And the Lord is here. I cannot think of a better way of closing our reading of Ezekiel than by worshiping Him.

PRAYER

LORD, You are here, and we acknowledge that fact. Thank You for Your daily presence with us through Your indwelling Holy Spirit. Help us to live out Your presence to a lost world. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ezekiel 47 - The River from the Temple

LINK: Ezekiel 47

BACKGROUND

This river in this chapter has already been mentioned by Joel (3:18), and it will be mentioned when we study Zechariah. Zechariah recorded that this river would divide, with half going to the Dead Sea and half flowing to the Mediterranean (Zechariah 13:1; 14:8). It is also similar to the river in Revelation 22:1, 2.  Some commentators see it as a literal river and others as symbolic of the blessing that will flow from Jerusalem.

Ezekiel recorded that this river flows from the Holy of Holies to the Dead Sea and out into the Arabah which is the Jordan Valley that runs south from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea and to the Gulf of Aqabah. Each time the guide measured, it was deeper. The Dead Sea water that is six times saltier than the ocean will become fresh and the swamps and marshes will be left for salt. God will provide "fruit for food and leaves for healing" to His people (47:12).

Ezekiel 47 concludes with the boundaries of the land of Palestine. It will be similar to the boundaries promised in Number 34:1-12.

REFLECTION

Rivers are amazing. My town is situated on the mighty Willamette River here in Oregon. The last time I went to the river, I picked a bounty of blackberries from its life-giving shores. I love my time there. I have a more than 30-year history of going there when I need to get away and talk to God. I always come back refreshed and refocused.

Most cities were settled along rivers because they provided a dependable water supply. Jerusalem was the only great city of the ancient world that was not located on a river. Yet, Ezekiel's vision saw one of immensity, far beyond any other ever known. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as being like a river (John 7:37-39), and John had a vision of one in heaven (Revelation 22). Rivers give life to civilizations.

For years, my friend has jogged up in the hills behind her house and prayed for me every time she comes to "my spring/stream." Periodically, she gives me updates:

April 2: Just wanted to tell you that I am still praying for your Easter Talk. I stopped at your spot this morning. Kinda [sic] interesting what my eye was drawn to. The water that your spring feeds is flowing and has a beautiful sound, but I noticed that all the wind and storms have knocked a lot of trees down. Most are not really healthy, but there is new life all around the water coming from your stream. Life after the storms...hope. 

Made me very refreshed and hopeful. Certainly, your ministry is blessed and blessing others...many will remain unseen.

May 4: Passed your spot again and prayed over you today.

September 10: how does your stream stay so full...everything around it is dry and it's full...really full!! : ) hmm.. 

October 18: I will check your stream again tomorrow morning. It's the only one around with water in the heat of the summer...odd... 

November 18: I am doing a word study on rhema...word.... the spoken word lived out...thinking of how you keep your stream so full. Is not the faith and the Word lived out a big part of it?

This stream is indicative of how my life has gone lately. Not that I am an expert on living the abundant life, but I am growing in this area more and more. Since 1983, I have prayed for a moment-by-moment connection with God so that He would flow through me. It seems like every year it has gotten better and better. In 2006, God removed some major unhealthy trees in my life that have allowed my stream to flow even more! Being in His presence by staying in His life-giving Word has also continued to help the streams to flow.

It is all about being connected to Him and allowing His Spirit to flow through us. It is about overflow that through the years becomes an ever-deepening river meant to continue to flow to bless beyond its borders. It is living out the life of Jesus who proclaimed during the water ceremony of the Feast of Tabernacles, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’" (John 7:37b-38).

It has been an incredible year, not because I am anybody superior or sinless but because God is flowing. He always will if we let Him.

2023 Update: And it just gets better. My dear friend still prays for me at that stream, and now she sends me videos of it (I don't think she could do that when she first started sending me those messages.) 

APPLICATION

Do a "stream assessment" today. In what ways are you inhibiting the flow? What enhances it?

Living a life of overflow. It is my passion to encourage others to do the same. I love this quote by Bernard of Clairvaux:

“If then you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than as a canal. A canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, and a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus without loss to itself communicates its superabundant water. In the Church at the present day, we have many canals but few reservoirs.” 

PRAYER

Flow through us, God. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ezekiel 45 & 46 - Worship Central

LINK: Ezekiel 45 & 46

BACKGROUND

These chapters deal with the allotment of the land, the prince, and regulations for offerings and feasts.

The land would be at the present site of Jerusalem and would contain a sacred district 8.3 x 6.6 miles that would include the temple described in Ezekiel 40-43 and housing for the priests and Levites. This is different from their allotment in Joshua 21:1-42, where they were scattered throughout Israel. Adjoining this land was to be the city (1.7 x 8.3 miles).

The prince would have the land bordering this district. He would be a married man with sons (46:16-18). He would be a civil ruler, but most of his functions would be religious. He was not to oppress his people as in times past.

Ezekiel 45:13-46:24 contain instructions offerings and holy days. For the offering, specific amounts of produce were to be given to the prince who would turn around and use them for temple sacrifices. This prince could not be Christ, for he makes a sin offering for himself and the people of the land (44:3; 45:22). This is something Christ would not do. This prince provided sacrifices for the dedication of the sanctuary, the Sabbaths, Passover, Tabernacles, and the New Moons. An explanation of the temple sacrifices can be found HERE. The year of freedom (Jubilee) is explained in Leviticus 25.

REFLECTION and APPLICATION

Worship was to be the center of everything that Israel did. Is it the center of everything that you do?

PRAYER

Lord, be the center of everything that we do. Lead us into worship. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ezekiel 44 - Prince, Levites, and Priests

LINK: Ezekiel 44

BACKGROUND

Ezekiel was led out of the inner court altar area to the east gate of the outer court. This gate opened toward the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives. He had just seen the LORD enter through this gate as His glory filled the temple (43:4). Now, that gate was to be shut because the LORD had entered through it.

There is different speculation about who the prince could be in 44:3. Some commentators think it is Christ. Others say it could not be Christ because he offers sacrifices (46:4). Many commentators believe it is the literal King David based on 34:24 and 37:24-25. Some think it is an unknown just and fair ruler of the city (45:8). Others view it as a picture of Christ offering Himself as a sacrifice of His own life.

Ezekiel would go back into the inner court and see the glory of the LORD filling the temple again, and it caused him to worship! God reiterated here that only those prepared for worship could enter the temple. Therefore, no foreigners could come. In 47:22-23, we will see that aliens are allowed if they follow the Law (Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:29).

The remainder of Ezekiel 44 involves the instructions to the Levites and priests. Because of the sin of the Levites before the captivity, they would only be allowed to serve in secondary roles and not be allowed to serve as priests. See 1 Chronicles 15:16; 16:4; and 23:28-31 to see what their tasks were at the inception of Solomon's temple.

The only Levites who would be allowed to function as priests were the descendants of Zadok. He was the chief priest during Solomon's reign (1 Kings 1:32-35; 2:26-27, 35). The people had sinned, but this line had remained faithful through the years of idolatry leading up to the Captivity.

The remainder of the chapter covers priestly regulations originally given to God's people during the wilderness wandering in Exodus and Leviticus. All these regulations set the priest apart as holy and clean (44:23).

REFLECTION - Looking to God and Not the Culture

I want to be like the line of Zadok who continued to remain faithful to God even though the rest of God's people had gone AWOL! When we look to God for our standard of holiness, we can be like a fish swimming upstream, even among believers. That can be exhausting. How amazing that the line of Zadok continued to swim through all of those years of Israel's idolatry!

I had a mom over here the other day. She was sad that her daughter was pushing to go do something because "all the other Christian kids are doing it," but it was just not a godly thing to do! This mom kept saying, "We are so deceived in our culture." I had to agree.

The line of Zadok looked to God for their standard of measure to learn the difference between what is holy and common (profane). They were to teach this to others also (44:23), just as this mom can model and teach holiness to her teenage daughter regardless of what everyone else is doing.

APPLICATION

I have recommended this before, and I will recommend it again: The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

PRAYER

Lord, You are holy. Teach us how to live holy lives in today's world. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ezekiel 43 - Vision of God's Glory Filling the Temple

LINK: Ezekiel 43
 
BACKGROUND 

This is the climax of the whole book of Ezekiel, and it is one of my favorite chapters in all of prophecy!  It is the vision of God's glory (the Shekinah glory) returning to the temple's holy of holies.  

Just as God's glory had stopped over the Mount of Olives to the east of Jerusalem (11:23), it returned from the east. His voice was like many waters. This was mentioned in Ezekiel 1:24 and will be mentioned again in Revelation 1:15 and 14:2. 

Ezekiel was to describe the temple to the people so they would be ashamed of their sins as they got a clear vision of God's ideal plan. God wanted His people to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 19:1; 1 Peter 1:15,16).

This prophecy was not fulfilled after the Babylonian Captivity and still awaits future fulfillment. 

Ezekiel 43:13-17 describes the altar of burnt offering, and 43:18-27 describes the regulations for sacrificing offerings.  There is a seven-day ritual by the priests of Zadok to consecrate the altar for the LORD. This was like the services followed by Moses (Exodus 40:10,29) and Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:8-9). The results would be God's acceptance of His people. 

Why would there be a need for these offerings if Jesus has made one sacrifice for all times (Hebrews 10:12)? Warren Wiersbe believes that these sacrifices "will be offered in a memorial sense and as expressions of love and devotion to the Lord (Isaiah 56:5-7; 60:7). They will also bring people together for fellowship and feasting to the glory of the Lord" (Be Reverent, p.193).

REFLECTION/APPLICATION 

This is a perfect review of things we have already read about in the Bible Book Club!

God has always desired to dwell in the midst of His people. You can prove that with a quick review!

In the Garden of Eden, what was God doing in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8)? 

When the tabernacle was completed, what happened to show that God was there (Exodus 40:34-35)?

When Solomon's temple was finished, where was God to be found (2 Chronicles 7:1-3)?

What does 2 Corinthians 6:19-20 say about the temple (tabernacle, abode) of God today?

God's presence is once again abiding in the midst of His people. In the Old Testament tabernacle and in the temple, it was plain for all to see. Could that be said of your life? As you read the detailed plans of Ezekiel's temple, map out another plan and call it, "The plan for making my life a showcase for God's glory today." Your tongue, temper, work habits, leisure time -- each can show God's glory. (The Daily Walk, August 27, 2008, p. 29)

 PRAYER

Lord, may Your glory dwell in us today. Amen. 

Ezekiel 41 & 42 - The New Temple Described

LINK: Ezekiel 41 & 42  

BACKGROUND 

Ezekiel 40:48-43:12 contains the details about the heavenly temple.  I will not go into all the particulars about the different measurements, but I will point out just a few interesting points.

Ezekiel 41

First, nothing is said about the veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies in this heavenly sanctuary. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).  Since Jesus will be present among His people, the veil is not necessary. Before Jesus, the Holy of Holies was only entered once a year by the high priest who performed a ceremony to atone for the sins of the people (Exodus 26:33,34; Hebrews 9:6-7).  That is no longer necessary since Jesus is our High Priest, and His sacrifice atoned for the sins of all believers. 

Second, there is only one piece of furniture in this temple: a wooden altar 51 1/4 feet high and 31 1/2 feet long. It is called "the table that is before the LORD" (41:22). The dimensions are closest to the dimensions of the altar of incense (Exodus 25:23; 30:1-2). 

Thirdly, there are cherubim (mighty angels) and palm tree ornaments carved all over the interior. The cherubim represent guardians of God's dwelling place (1:4-28; 10). Some commentators believe the palm trees might represent fruitfulness and the blessing of God. These were also in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 6:29). 

Ezekiel 42

This chapter describes the chambers of the priests and the measurements of the temple.

No REFLECTION or APPLICATION today. Keep reading!

PRAYER

Thank You that through Jesus, we have entrance into Your presence. Amen. 

Ezekiel 40 - A Refocus on God

LINK: Ezekiel 40

We are on the home stretch of Ezekiel! The last nine chapters of this book explain the restoration of the temple and its ministry, the boundaries of the tribes in the land, and the return of God's glory.

BACKGROUND

God's people had defiled the temple because of their evil practices, and the glory of the Lord had departed. Israel needed to return to the worship of the one true God. God gave Ezekiel all the details of this temple to focus the attention of His people on His holiness and to bring them back to a place of repentance for their evil practices.

So far, Israel has had two sanctuaries: the tabernacle of Moses (Exodus 35-40) replaced by the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6). Both times, the glory of the Lord filled them (Exodus 40; 2 Chronicles 5:14; Ezekiel 43) and left them (1 Samuel 4:19-22; Ezekiel 9:3; 10:4; 11:22-23). Solomon's temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

The third sanctuary (temple) was built after the Captivity in 516 B.C. and did not meet Ezekiel's plan (Haggai 2:3; Zechariah 4:10). After this, it was renovated during Herod the Great's reign around 19 B.C. and was the temple during Jesus' time. This temple was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. The present-day Islamic shrine known as the Dome of the Rock (built in A.D. 691) sits there now. There is no evidence that the glory of God resided in either of these two temples, and neither of these seems to be the temple Ezekiel envisioned.

The vision of Ezekiel's temple has been interpreted in several ways:

1) This is the temple that should have been built after the Captivity in 516 B.C., but the plan was not followed due to disobedience (43:2-10).
2) It is a literal temple to be rebuilt during the millennial (1000 years) reign of Christ.
3) It parallels John's vision in Revelation 21.
4) It is symbolic of the true worship of God by the Christian church.
5) It is a spiritual representation of the church.
6) It is symbolic of the future when God will reign eternally and His presence and blessing will fill the whole earth (Habakkuk 2:14).

While I could take one of these positions, I will not. I think getting lost in the details would lose the point of the vision upon which we can agree:

 It is a vision of God's perfect plan for His people where. . . 

1) Worship is at the heart of everything we would do
2) His presence is part of our everyday existence
3) Blessing to the whole world would come out of the above two!

Ezekiel had his vision in 573 B.C., twenty-five years into the captivity and fourteen years after the fall of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. It was either April 28 (the first day of Passover) or October 23 (the Day of Atonement). He saw a man with a measuring rod that was about 10 1/2 feet long (based on a long cubit of twenty-one inches). When one measured property, it meant you were claiming it for yourself. Zechariah also saw a man measuring the temple meaning that the temple and the city would one day be restored (Zechariah 2). God also commanded the Apostle John to measure the temple in Jerusalem before it was run over by the Gentiles (Revelation 11). The temple was God's and would one day be restored no matter what man would do to it.

Who was this man with the measuring rod? Some commentators believe he was the angel of 9:1-11 or one like him. Others believe he may have been Christ because he speaks like God spoke to Ezekiel by calling him the "Son of man." Regardless, the man led Ezekiel on a "tour" of the future temple giving precise details. In this temple, the women's court and "court of the Gentiles" with a separating wall (Ephesians 2:14) were not mentioned. In Herod's temple, there was an inscription on the separating wall that forbid Gentiles from entering the temple. This temple did not have a dividing wall because it has been God's desire that His house be a house of prayer for men and women of all nations (Mark 11:17; Isaiah 56:7). Apparently, this would be true in this temple!

Some commentators do not believe this was a description of a Millennium temple because the sacrifices were mentioned (40: 38-43) and Christ did away with the need for Levitical sacrifices. Others argue that the sacrifices never took away human sin and only Christ could do that (Hebrews 10:1-4, 10). They point to Jewish believers who continued to take part in temple worship (Acts 2:46; 3:1; 5:42) and offer sacrifices (Acts 21:26) and viewed them as reminders of Christ's death. All good points!

REFLECTION

We could get lost in the minutia of details and debate points about the timing of this temple and miss the point that the purpose of the temple was to focus the attention of His people on His holiness and to bring them back to a place of repentance for their evil practices. It was the place where God's glory dwelt, and the Jews were to focus all their life around it.

We are to focus and center our entire life around God too. It has been the goal of my life and the cry of my heart since the early 80s to live a 24/7/365 kind of focus on God. 

It has been a long journey, but the book, Letters by a Modern Mystic, has really encouraged me:

It records Frank Laubach's spiritual experiment to live in a conscious moment-by-moment communion with God. It speaks to the heart of this whole passage.

Here is a PDF Version of the book: Letters by a Modern Mystic

APPLICATION

Try focusing your whole day around God today! It might be helpful to read just the first one or two letters on Frank's journey. These short letters will encourage and inspire you.

My challenge to live in God's presence from a challenge I gave to people a couple of years ago:

Connecting to His Presence Blog Post

PRAYER

Lord, we acknowledge You as Lord and King. We invite You to be the center of everything we do today. Be our focus of worship. Make us aware of Your presence in every waking minute of today. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ezekiel 39 - Judgment of Gog and His Allies

LINK: Ezekiel 39

BACKGROUND

The story of the battle continues. God will miraculously intervene in this battle so that His holy name will be "known . . . among my people Israel . . . and the nations" (39:7). The nations aligned against Israel will be annihilated. Then, Gog and his hordes will be properly buried there. Anything not buried will be eaten by carrion-eating birds and beasts. Consequently, the land will be made holy (Number 19:14-16).

God destroyed this invading army to protect His people and to demonstrate His glory among the Gentiles. He said He will "show Himself holy through them in the sight of many nations (39:27). Finally, God will pour out His Spirit on the house of Israel (36:27; 37:14; Joel 2:28). "The ultimate result of the battle with God will be Israel's national repentance and spiritual restoration" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, p. 1302). 

We do not know when this will be, but I cannot wait!

MEDITATION

Here is a meditation I have of just verse 29a if you want to personalize this chapter:

REFLECTION

Whew! It was chapters like Ezekiel 38 and 39 that made me a little leery of tackling Ezekiel. We do not know the exact location of Magog. We do not know when these things will happen. We do not know a ton of things, but we do know that God is in control, and He wants us all to know that He will show Himself holy in the sight of all nations and that HE is the LORD! That is enough for me to just respond in worship rather than speculation. How about you?

APPLICATION

Do not waste your time in speculation and short-change God on the worship He deserves today!

PRAYER

You are the LORD our God! We worship You because You are 100% holy and 100% mighty and 100% sovereign in and over all people and world events. We humbly acknowledge that You are God and we are not. Teach us to tremble and be in awe of You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ezekiel 38 - Attack of Gog and His Allies

LINK: Ezekiel 38

BACKGROUND

Ezekiel described an alliance between Magog (a great power from the north, 38:15) and Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer (Ukraine), and Togarmah (southeast of the Black Sea, probably Armenia and part of Turkey). There has been great speculation about where Magog might be located, but we do not know! We do know that Noah's son, Japheth had a son named Magog (Genesis 10:2). Magog means the "land of Gog" and is located somewhere north near the Caspian and Black Sea. Present-day Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia are in this general area. Meshech and Tubal are mentioned, and these two places are located in eastern Asia Minor (Central Turkey). These nations will ally and be brought together against Israel, but this is so that the Lord can show His might and power over these strong nations: "O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes" (38:16). He will also bear witness to a watching world:". . . so I will show My greatness and My holiness, and I will make Myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD" (38:23).

Some have tried to say that these are events at the end of human history, but there are too many differences between Revelation 20 and Ezekiel 38 to make that kind of case. No matter what your view, I think the point of this chapter is that God will make His greatness and holiness known to all!

REFLECTION

Here is another verse that points to God's desire for "many nations" to know His might and power. Take note, and we will finish this up tomorrow.

APPLICATION

Pray for many modern-day countries mentioned in this chapter:

Iran

Ethiopia

Libya

Ukraine

Armenia

Turkey

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Georgia

Russia 

PRAYER

We praise You as the Lord almighty. We acknowledge Your rule and reign over all the earth. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Ezekiel 37 - "The Foot Bone's Connected to the Ankle Bone . . . "

LINK: Ezekiel 37

BACKGROUND

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones is a great summary of the whole book! The people in captivity were spiritually disconnected and dry. This was the valley of judgment because they did not turn and repent from their sins, but there would come a future day when they would become spiritually connected and God would breathe new life into them as they united under one King and as one nation (the two "sticks" of 37:15-17 are the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah). This would be both a spiritual and physical restoration, and the King would be the Messiah, Jesus. The Messiah was often called "David" (37:24) because he was David's descendant, but, unlike David, He would be a perfect King (Revelation 17:14; 19:16; 21:1ff).

REFLECTION and APPLICATION

The "word of the LORD" breathed life into this valley of dead, dry bones, and He can breathe life into our lives as well:

Of course, there’s a spiritual application in this vision for any individual or ministry that is in need of new life from God. Too often God’s people are like that standing army, lifelike but not alive. How does the life come? Through the Holy Spirit using the faithful proclamation of the Word of God. Said Charles Spurgeon, “Decayed churches can most certainly be revived by the preaching of the Word, accompanied by the coming of the heavenly breath from the four winds" (The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 10, 426). From time to time, in response to His people’s prayers, the Lord has seen fit to send a new “breath of life” to His church and His servants, and for that blessing we should be praying today. (Wiersbe, W. W. Be Reverent, p. 166)

Let's pray toward that end for all of us!

PRAYER

Let the song "Dry Bones" lead you into worship and prayer.

Lord, we thank You that Your Word is life to us, and You have given it to us in print, video, and audio form. We pray that You would breathe life into anyone who is reading this who is dry and disconnected. Would You draw them to Yourself by the Holy Spirit and through Your Word? We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ezekiel 36 - Mountains of Israel to be Blessed

LINK: Ezekiel 36

BACKGROUND 

In contrast to Mount Seir being cursed (Ezekiel 35), the mountains of Israel would be blessed. The mountains were symbolic of Israel's strength. They may be experiencing suffering at the present time, but they could look forward in hope to a time of restoration, return to the land, and regeneration of their hearts. 

First, he would judge the nations used to punish Israel (36:1-7). Then, He would restore His chosen people and the land would be fruitful, safe, and secure (36:8-15).

Most importantly, the Lord would purify them spiritually and would remove their rebellious, stubborn "heart of stone" and give them a "heart of flesh" which would be a "new heart and a new spirit" to follow Him (36:25-37; Jeremiah 24:7; Deuteronomy 5:29).

According to the Mosaic Law, those who had been defiled would need to bathe in running water or be sprinkled with water to be cleansed (Leviticus 14:1-9; Numbers 8:5-7; 19; Hebrews 10:22).  

They would be restored to the land, cleansed, and regenerated. Then they would know that He is the LORD!

The next chapter will be a vision illustrating this promise!

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

God declared "I will [do something]" 20 times in this chapter! The word of God is full of promises for us. Do you stand on the promises of God to give you hope in times of discouragement and doubt!  God is faithful to fulfill His promises (Numbers 23:19). 

May I encourage you to start standing on some promises today?

Here are a few of my favorites:

Matthew 6:14; 7:7-8 

Luke 6:38 

John 14:2-3 

Philippians 1:6; 4:6-7; 13 

2 Timothy 3:12 

James 1:12; 4:7-8; 5:16

It really helps to memorize them and have them always in your heart!

PRAYER

Thank You God that "You are not a man, that You should lie, nor a son of man that You should repent; You have said it, and You will do it! You will speak, and You will make it good" (Numbers 23:19 is in the Topical Memory System by the way)! We stand on Your promises today to give us hope in uncertain times. Amen. 

Ezekiel 34 & 35 - Judgment on Shepherds and Edom

LINK: Ezekiel 34 & 35

BACKGROUND 

Ezekiel 34

The shepherds of Israel (this means both the northern and southern kingdoms) were feeding themselves instead of looking after and feeding the flock of God. Therefore, they would be judged.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Ezekiel prophesied of a true shepherd who would take care of the sheep. This is the Messiah, "my servant David," Jesus! He will set up a kingdom of justice, righteousness, and peace (Psalm 23, Jeremiah 23:5,6; John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20, 21; Revelation 21). 

Ezekiel 35

This is the second prophecy against Edom (25:12-14) placed in the middle of the section of Ezekiel about the restoration of Israel. Most commentators believe it is there to represent any nation that would oppose Israel in the spirit of the promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 in cursing any nation that cursed Israel.

Mount Seir is Edom's geographical name. It helped destroy Jerusalem and rejoiced when it fell. Therefore, it would be judged. 

REFLECTION 

Yesterday, we were visiting with my good Thai friend, Dang, and her husband, Chris, visiting from Pittsburgh. We were talking about George's job situation, and she said, "You two should be 'pleasts'!" 

We all, including her husband, looked at her and said, "What?"  

After several times of saying it, her husband figured out she was trying to say "priests."  

Being a Buddhist, she does not know that we could never be priests, but what she meant to say is that we should become ministers for pay. We asked her why, and she said, "Because they make a lot of money!"

We discovered that the neighbor behind them was a worship pastor (or "priest") of a mega-church in their area. He lived in a $700,000 house, had house cleaners who came to clean for him, ate organic food, and dined out all the time.

She said, "There is good money in that business, and you already do it anyway." (She knows because we have studied the Bible with her and her friends.) 

We laughed. What we do is all for free. We are not full-time "priests," but we are full-time shepherds. I pray we would never just feed ourselves and ignore the flock and the lost sheep in our midst. 

Isn't it sad that her concept of someone in that line of work was someone rich? I think this was definitely a case of a shepherd feeding (or overfeeding) himself. 

(Apparently, he disappeared overnight. The house was empty, and he is no longer listed as a pastor at the church. No one knows where he disappeared to.)

APPLICATION 

What does your lifestyle portray to the lost world around you? 

PRAYER

Lord, shepherd us so that we might shepherd others into a right relationship with You. Amen. 

Ezekiel 33 - Watchman Calls for Turning

LINK: Ezekiel 33

(The original post was 11/14/2009. I left it here to record the obstacles that resulted from trying to write the original post!)

Saturday: I got up very early this morning to complete the Saturday installment of the Bible Book Club, and I gashed my toe. So, I am going to proclaim this a free reading day because I have to go and get stitches (according to my brother-in-law who is a doctor and staying with us for the weekend). I'll try to do something brief later on in the day because I love this chapter! I finally get to the hope part of Ezekiel, and I get a gashed toe. Go figure!

Sunday: I just spent the last hour doing a post for Ezekiel 33, and I came back to find it had totally disappeared. I was to the application portion. There seem to be many obstacles to getting this post done! I will start again and try to recreate it.

July 8, 2012: the gashed toe resulted in surgery and recovery that extended many months as my back went totally out because of the surgically placed pin coming out and me not being able to exercise. This led to my back going out, so I was in bed for five weeks. It is 2 1/2 years later, and I am FINALLY back to the same fitness I was on 11/14/09.  

November 18, 2014: Five years and four days later, that injury led to me discovering issues with my back that would have been discovered much later. I had worn orthotics since my days of playing college basketball, and they were doing more harm than good. Because of that injury five years ago, I was eventually led to a physical therapist and osteopath that encouraged me to get rid of them. I am now orthidic-free with my back realigned, and I am even running again. The orthotics were doing more to hurt than help me in the long run!

November 19, 2014: The NEXT day, my back blew out! Go figure! :) 

2023 Update: I became certified in Pilates and Personal Training in 2015. This taught me so much about how to keep my back healthy and happy!!!

BACKGROUND

Ezekiel was to be the watchman on the wall. A watchman was to warn the people in a walled city of approaching enemies. If he failed in his responsibilities, he would be responsible. Ezekiel was a faithful watchman. He proclaimed judgment from Ezekiel 1-32. Now, he was to proclaim hope for restoration from Ezekiel 33 to the end of the book. 

You will see "turn" mentioned eight times in this chapter. It occurs sixty-two times throughout the book (Jeremiah has 111 occurrences). As I mentioned in a previous post, the Hebrew word, "šûb," is translated as "turn" in English. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says, ". . . better than any other verb it combines in itself the two requisites of repentance: to turn from evil and to turn to the good" (p. 909). Sadly, the people heard Ezekiel's words but did not "put them into practice" (33:32).

You might have noticed that much of this chapter repeats what has been said in previous chapters (3:15-27; Ezekiel 5 and 6; 11:14-21; 18:1-32; 20:1-8; and 24:25-27). Nobody could say that they did not hear what the Lord said with this reiteration of many of the truths that Ezekiel has already spoken about!

REFLECTION

Not only are we to be hearers of the Word of God but also doers of it by putting what it says into practice. I want to live the Word of God by applying its truth to the nitty-gritty grind of everyday life. How about you?

APPLICATION

Meditate on James 1:21-27 today and talk to God about being a doer of the Word rather than just a hearer:

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:21-27)

Here is a handout about applying the Word to your life:

APPLICATION

PRAYER

Lord, open our ears to hear Your Word and will for our lives. Then, give us the strength to put it into practice. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ezekiel 32 - More Bad News for Pharaoh

LINK: Ezekiel 32

BACKGROUND

This sixth prophecy against Egypt was given on March 3, 585 B.C. The captives had received news of Jerusalem's fall just two months earlier (33:21). The fall of Egypt was imminent so Ezekiel took up a lament for Pharaoh (Hophra) King of Egypt. Ezekiel had already done laments for Judah (Ezekiel 19), Tyre (26:17-18; 27), and the king of Tyre (28:12-19).

Pharaoh is compared to a sea monster (crocodile) that would be caught in a net and put upon the land where he would die. Ezekiel brings up imagery similar to the ninth plague on Egypt where darkness would cover the land (32:7-8; Exodus 10:21-29). The image of the waters being calm (32:14) muddied by man and beast (32:2, 13) refers to the devastation of Pharaoh's army so that he can no longer "muddy the waters" through international intrigue.

The last of the seven prophecies against Egypt came on March 17, 585 B.C. Egypt and her people would be destroyed. She would be forced to go down in death with "the uncircumcised" (32:19, 21, 24-30, 32) which typically describes a death of shame and defeat (28:10; 31:18). Egypt was mighty, but it would be humbled like all the rest. This section is more poetical and not meant to be a doctrinal treatise on the afterlife, but it does point out that a person cannot change their destiny after death.

Ezekiel mentions several nations in 32:24-27. We have already discussed Assyria and Edom in previous chapters. Elam was a nation of warriors east of Assyria. They were conquered by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 49:34-39) but regained power and became part of the Persian Empire. Meshech and Tubal were in the eastern region of Asia Minor in present-day eastern and central Turkey. They were described as allies of Gog in Ezekiel 38-39. They carried on a long battle with the Assyrians for control of the land south of the Black Sea. The princes of the north were probably princes of the Phoenician city-states who held great maritime power. Along with Egypt, these were all included in the evil nations that would be judged because they fought against God's chosen people.

Whew! This concludes messages of judgment on the seven nations surrounding Judah. The rest of Ezekiel (chapters 33-48) looks ahead to days of comfort and restoration for the Babylonian captives. 

I don't know about you, but I am so happy to be done with this judgment section! I cannot wait to get to the valley of dry bones that comes alive!!!! Stay tuned!

REFLECTION (written in 2009)

While this chapter is not a doctrinal treatise on the afterlife, it does tell us that death is inevitable for all of us. Saturday, my church lost a wonderful family man to melanoma, and our whole congregation mourns. Yet, we know He is with Jesus. For some, this is not true.

Death is the great leveler; and as John Donne reminded us, when the funeral bell tolls, “it tolls for thee.” There are no “kings and commoners” in the land of the dead, and we can’t enter that land in peace and safety without faith in Jesus Christ. “ ‘O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55–57, NKJV). (Wiersbe, W. W. Be Reverent, p.143) 

Read the whole meditation by John Donne HERE.

APPLICATION

Perhaps you can pray for those in your life who do not place their faith in Jesus Christ. Thank God that death has no sting in your life because of Jesus!

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for the gift of eternity with You through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thank You that we can enjoy peace and life in the Kingdom now because Jesus has made a way for us. We pray for those who do not know that Jesus is the straight path to Your Kingdom. Help us to be sensitive to Your Spirit and boldly share with them, and we ask that You would open their minds and their hearts to hear and receive the Good News. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.