Ezekiel 18
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:
“‘The parents eat sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?
3 “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 4 For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.
What an important scripture. Later it says that if a wicked man changes his ways his sins will be remembered no more. All of us have the chance to be pleasing to God. God is just and merciful.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
August 18th
This has been a very powerful day of reading for me.
First, how powerful was the part where God said that even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in Jerusalem, they could not save it, but they themselves would be saved. More powerful was the part that even their children could not be saved from the punishment that was coming. This reminds us of Sodom and Gomorrah. What a powerful statement that Jerusalem had become so wicked that it was worse than Sodom!
Secondly, I had not remembered the story in Ezekiel where God compares Israel to an abandoned child that he found and rescued. She grew with His help and became beautiful. He entered into a covenant relationship with her (married her) and gave her fine cloths and shoes, fine food and drink, perfumes, gold jewelry and a crown. She became beautiful and renowned with God's care. Then God says that she gave herself away to any one that would look at her. She used all of the good things that God had given her to build and worship idols. She was worse than a prostitute, because she refused pay, but instead chased after all of her lovers (other nations) throwing all of her wealth at them like a starved for love, depraved, lewd degenerate. How very hurt God was by all of this! This is so powerful to me, because it tells me that we can really hurt God when we are unfaithful to Him. Let us ever be careful to really be true to him.
First, how powerful was the part where God said that even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in Jerusalem, they could not save it, but they themselves would be saved. More powerful was the part that even their children could not be saved from the punishment that was coming. This reminds us of Sodom and Gomorrah. What a powerful statement that Jerusalem had become so wicked that it was worse than Sodom!
Secondly, I had not remembered the story in Ezekiel where God compares Israel to an abandoned child that he found and rescued. She grew with His help and became beautiful. He entered into a covenant relationship with her (married her) and gave her fine cloths and shoes, fine food and drink, perfumes, gold jewelry and a crown. She became beautiful and renowned with God's care. Then God says that she gave herself away to any one that would look at her. She used all of the good things that God had given her to build and worship idols. She was worse than a prostitute, because she refused pay, but instead chased after all of her lovers (other nations) throwing all of her wealth at them like a starved for love, depraved, lewd degenerate. How very hurt God was by all of this! This is so powerful to me, because it tells me that we can really hurt God when we are unfaithful to Him. Let us ever be careful to really be true to him.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
August 16th
In today's reading I was fascinated by God's taking Ezekiel by means of a vision to the Temple in Jerusalem to watch the detestable things that the people and elders were doing there. I was also impressed with the story of how God removed His presence from the place. The stories of retribution of terrifying. It's an awful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. Indeed, how could he have left it there any longer? I still wonder what happened to the Ark.
Monday, August 15, 2011
August 15th
Amazing things in today's reading:
-Ezekiel 1
25 Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
What an awesome description of God! God wanted to impress upon the people just how powerful He was.
-Ezekiel 3
16 At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18 When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for[b] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.
What a heavy burden that he and we have when we know the truth! If we don't let them know of their sin, then part of the guilt rests upon us as well. What a convicting concept.
-Ezekiel 4
God has Ezekiel lie on his side for over 300 days! The pain that he must have endured to be obedient! God required a lot from him and somehow I think that He wants total devotion from us as well.
-Ezekiel 1
25 Then there came a voice from above the vault over their heads as they stood with lowered wings. 26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
What an awesome description of God! God wanted to impress upon the people just how powerful He was.
-Ezekiel 3
16 At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18 When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for[b] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.
What a heavy burden that he and we have when we know the truth! If we don't let them know of their sin, then part of the guilt rests upon us as well. What a convicting concept.
-Ezekiel 4
God has Ezekiel lie on his side for over 300 days! The pain that he must have endured to be obedient! God required a lot from him and somehow I think that He wants total devotion from us as well.
August 14th
Several things that I like about today's reading:
-God reveals that it is the Medes that will bring about Babylon's downfall and it actually happens.
-God says that the capital of Babylon will be completely destroyed and never rebuilt. I thing that Sadam was trying to excavate and rebuild the capital, but was stopped by the war. Is this true?
-God reveals that it is the Medes that will bring about Babylon's downfall and it actually happens.
-God says that the capital of Babylon will be completely destroyed and never rebuilt. I thing that Sadam was trying to excavate and rebuild the capital, but was stopped by the war. Is this true?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
August 13th
Jeremiah 23
33 “When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, ‘What is the message from the LORD?’ say to them, ‘What message? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.’ 34 If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, ‘This is a message from the LORD,’ I will punish them and their household. 35 This is what each of you keeps saying to your friends and other Israelites: ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What has the LORD spoken?’ 36 But you must not mention ‘a message from the LORD’ again, because each one’s word becomes their own message. So you distort the words of the living God, the LORD Almighty, our God. 37 This is what you keep saying to a prophet: ‘What is the LORD’s answer to you?’ or ‘What has the LORD spoken?’ 38 Although you claim, ‘This is a message from the LORD,’ this is what the LORD says: You used the words, ‘This is a message from the LORD,’ even though I told you that you must not claim, ‘This is a message from the LORD.’ 39 Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your ancestors. 40I will bring on you everlasting disgrace—everlasting shame that will not be forgotten.”
I'm starting to gain new understanding as to why God hates false teachers and prophets. They drown out the truth that God is trying to get to his people. A few days ago in the reading Jeremiah complains that no one is listening to anything that God is saying to them, because they have all of these false prophets running around. This gets to why it is a serious thing to be a teacher. It is a sin to mislead the people.
33 “When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, ‘What is the message from the LORD?’ say to them, ‘What message? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.’ 34 If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, ‘This is a message from the LORD,’ I will punish them and their household. 35 This is what each of you keeps saying to your friends and other Israelites: ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What has the LORD spoken?’ 36 But you must not mention ‘a message from the LORD’ again, because each one’s word becomes their own message. So you distort the words of the living God, the LORD Almighty, our God. 37 This is what you keep saying to a prophet: ‘What is the LORD’s answer to you?’ or ‘What has the LORD spoken?’ 38 Although you claim, ‘This is a message from the LORD,’ this is what the LORD says: You used the words, ‘This is a message from the LORD,’ even though I told you that you must not claim, ‘This is a message from the LORD.’ 39 Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your ancestors. 40I will bring on you everlasting disgrace—everlasting shame that will not be forgotten.”
I'm starting to gain new understanding as to why God hates false teachers and prophets. They drown out the truth that God is trying to get to his people. A few days ago in the reading Jeremiah complains that no one is listening to anything that God is saying to them, because they have all of these false prophets running around. This gets to why it is a serious thing to be a teacher. It is a sin to mislead the people.
August 12th
Jeremiah 23
23 “Am I only a God nearby,”
declares the LORD,
“and not a God far away?
24 Who can hide in secret places
so that I cannot see them?”
declares the LORD.
“Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
declares the LORD.
God's omnipotence. God's omniscience. God's omnipresence.
23 “Am I only a God nearby,”
declares the LORD,
“and not a God far away?
24 Who can hide in secret places
so that I cannot see them?”
declares the LORD.
“Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
declares the LORD.
God's omnipotence. God's omniscience. God's omnipresence.
August 11th
Jeremiah's letter to the captives in Babylon speaks of hope. God has not forgotten them even though it seems like they are being so harshly punished. Remember that these are people like Daniel. He instructs them to pray for the land that they are in, because if it prospers so will they. I think that there are many lessons here for us as well.
August 10th
In today's reading it says that Nebuchadnezzar hauled off all of the Temple treasures away from Jerusalem. Does this include the Ark? I have always been fascinated with where it ended up. Is it in Egypt? Is it buried in Babylon? Did God take it up to heaven? I wish I knew!
August 9th
Jeremiah 49:
12 This is what the LORD says: “If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it. 13 I swear by myself,” declares the LORD, “that Bozrah will become a ruin and a curse,[b] an object of horror and reproach; and all its towns will be in ruins forever.”
This gets to a hard truth. There were many faithful people that had to endure this punishment of going into exile. In fact, if I understand the scriptures correctly, most of the people that went were the most faithful. In that way God protected them to bring them back after 70 years. Those left behind were wiped out. It's a hard truth that sometimes all of us have to endure the Lord's discipline, but we must remember that we are the clay and He is the potter.
12 This is what the LORD says: “If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it. 13 I swear by myself,” declares the LORD, “that Bozrah will become a ruin and a curse,[b] an object of horror and reproach; and all its towns will be in ruins forever.”
This gets to a hard truth. There were many faithful people that had to endure this punishment of going into exile. In fact, if I understand the scriptures correctly, most of the people that went were the most faithful. In that way God protected them to bring them back after 70 years. Those left behind were wiped out. It's a hard truth that sometimes all of us have to endure the Lord's discipline, but we must remember that we are the clay and He is the potter.
August 8th
Some days are filled with the best reading and this is one of these days.
Nebuchadnezzar has always fascinated me. He was so powerful and also really intimidating. This whole thing where he demanded that the wise men tell him the dream that he was dreaming or they would be put to death exemplifies this attitude. He was a hard man. This gives more of a chance for Daniel to shine through with the Lord's true power of foretelling the future. This dream and interpretation is so powerful, because the dates of these books can so accurately be established through the dead sea scrolls. I heard a man say the other day that the most powerful thing to show nonbelievers is prophesy and this one really brings that home.
Nebuchadnezzar has always fascinated me. He was so powerful and also really intimidating. This whole thing where he demanded that the wise men tell him the dream that he was dreaming or they would be put to death exemplifies this attitude. He was a hard man. This gives more of a chance for Daniel to shine through with the Lord's true power of foretelling the future. This dream and interpretation is so powerful, because the dates of these books can so accurately be established through the dead sea scrolls. I heard a man say the other day that the most powerful thing to show nonbelievers is prophesy and this one really brings that home.
August 7th
It took a lot of guts for Jehoiakim to burn the scroll that Jeremiah had written to him from the Lord. As each page was read aloud he then had it burned. It just goes to show that you can have unabashed courage that is often misplaced. Perhaps he was mostly arrogant and impressed with himself and his idols. Or perhaps he listened to all of the false prophets that were saying, "Peace and safety." I'm sure that the Lord will bring this matter up to him again some day soon.
August 5th
Hab. 2
18 “Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman?
Or an image that teaches lies?
For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation;
he makes idols that cannot speak.
19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’
Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’
Can it give guidance?
It is covered with gold and silver;
there is no breath in it.”
20 The LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him.
The last verse really strikes me. So many people of yesterday worshiped idols and today we worship ourselves and money. Very few of us take time to stop and be silent before the Lord. Oh Lord, help us to truly understand (as best we can) who you are so that we will be silent before you.
18 “Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman?
Or an image that teaches lies?
For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation;
he makes idols that cannot speak.
19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’
Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’
Can it give guidance?
It is covered with gold and silver;
there is no breath in it.”
20 The LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him.
The last verse really strikes me. So many people of yesterday worshiped idols and today we worship ourselves and money. Very few of us take time to stop and be silent before the Lord. Oh Lord, help us to truly understand (as best we can) who you are so that we will be silent before you.
August 3rd
As I have said before, I love Josiah for his commitment to God. I was sad to see him killed in battle especially after being warned from the Pharaoh, but I wonder if God didn't just call him home because of the punishment that He had in store for Judah.
August 2nd
Today's reading shocked me with how far the people of Israel had fallen. They had Baal and Asherah idols in the Temple and even had male shrine prostitutes in the Temple. How did God hold back from raining fire down from heaven to wipe that place out. How could all of that detestable stuff be in such close proximity of the Ark of the Covenant which was so holy. I can just imagine the terrible anger of God smoldering about this. His chosen people desecrating everything that He had said was holy was just too much to bear.
August 1st
Jeremiah 18:
I like how God reminds us that He is the potter and can make any nation conform to the purpose He has in mind. How awesome and powerful God is!
I like how God reminds us that He is the potter and can make any nation conform to the purpose He has in mind. How awesome and powerful God is!
July 31st
Jeremiah 15
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go! 2 And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says:
“‘Those destined for death, to death;
those for the sword, to the sword;
those for starvation, to starvation;
those for captivity, to captivity.’
I have never noticed this powerful statement from God. How very upset God is with His disobedient people!
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go! 2 And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says:
“‘Those destined for death, to death;
those for the sword, to the sword;
those for starvation, to starvation;
those for captivity, to captivity.’
I have never noticed this powerful statement from God. How very upset God is with His disobedient people!
July 29th
Jeremiah 9
23 This is what the LORD says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the LORD.
Truth!
23 This is what the LORD says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the LORD.
Truth!
July 28th
Jeremiah 7
21 “‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.
Legalism is easy to fall into. It gives us the idea that we just have to do a few things to be good enough for the Lord, but He really wants our hearts (this is the devotion of obedience that Jesus spoke of when he said if you love me you'll obey my commandments).
July 27th
Jeremiah 5
20 “Announce this to the descendants of Jacob
and proclaim it in Judah:
21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes but do not see,
who have ears but do not hear:
22 Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD.
“Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it.
23 But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts;
they have turned aside and gone away.
24 They do not say to themselves,
‘Let us fear the LORD our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’
25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away;
your sins have deprived you of good.
God says, "Should you not fear me?" He is all powerful, but they and we don't take Him seriously. Most people in America do not fear God. They have come to think of Him as some fictitious white haired man in the sky that is an invention of the weak minded. The last verse really gets me. Our sins deprive us of the good that the Lord wants to do for us. Oh that we would just be obedient!
20 “Announce this to the descendants of Jacob
and proclaim it in Judah:
21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes but do not see,
who have ears but do not hear:
22 Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD.
“Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it.
23 But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts;
they have turned aside and gone away.
24 They do not say to themselves,
‘Let us fear the LORD our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’
25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away;
your sins have deprived you of good.
God says, "Should you not fear me?" He is all powerful, but they and we don't take Him seriously. Most people in America do not fear God. They have come to think of Him as some fictitious white haired man in the sky that is an invention of the weak minded. The last verse really gets me. Our sins deprive us of the good that the Lord wants to do for us. Oh that we would just be obedient!
July 26th
Jeremiah 3
1 “If a man divorces his wife
and she leaves him and marries another man,
should he return to her again?
Would not the land be completely defiled?
But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers—
would you now return to me?”
declares the LORD.
What must the Lord think about our Hollywood and all that goes on there and elsewhere across the nation. God punished Israel with lack of rain and other hardships. I know that they were in a covenant with God, but I wonder if God might not also treat us to the same doses of discipline. Seems likely.
1 “If a man divorces his wife
and she leaves him and marries another man,
should he return to her again?
Would not the land be completely defiled?
But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers—
would you now return to me?”
declares the LORD.
What must the Lord think about our Hollywood and all that goes on there and elsewhere across the nation. God punished Israel with lack of rain and other hardships. I know that they were in a covenant with God, but I wonder if God might not also treat us to the same doses of discipline. Seems likely.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
July 25th
Jeremiah 2
In verse 10-12 God makes the assertion that even the pagan nations around Israel were more faithful to their gods that Israel was to the one true God. How very sad!
In verse 10-12 God makes the assertion that even the pagan nations around Israel were more faithful to their gods that Israel was to the one true God. How very sad!
July 24th
Zephaniah 1
17 “I will bring such distress on all people
that they will grope about like those who are blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.”
that they will grope about like those who are blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.”
In the fire of his jealousy
the whole earth will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live on the earth.
the whole earth will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live on the earth.
We recently visited Pompeii. The terrible destruction was palpable. There was one man that died trying to escape with a bag of gold and silver coins. They laid with his bones for centuries and weren't any help at all. So it is with all of us who trust in our riches rather in God.
July 23rd
I love Josiah. He was a person who came into power and had the guts and moral courage to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. God bless him!
July 21st
Isaiah 65:
I will create a new heaven and earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind!
What a promise!
Isaiah 64:
We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hands. ...don't remember our sins forever!
I will create a new heaven and earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind!
What a promise!
Isaiah 64:
We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hands. ...don't remember our sins forever!
July 20th
What a glorious time to live in the year of the Lord's favor! Isaiah prophesied it, Jesus announced it. We witness to it.
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
The Year of the LORD’s Favor
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
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