November 13, Reading Notes

Ezekiel 27-28

In Ezekiel, we are in some very spooky territory. God is pronouncing judgment on the surrounding "minor" neighbors that encouraged Israel to join their alliance against Babylon, who now would rejoice in the destruction of Jerusalem. One of these minor nations, Tyre, was minor in size, but major in world influence. In chapter 28 when God describes the pride and influence of Tyre, the description takes on very cosmic proportions.

Ezekiel 27

Vs. 1-2 If only it was always this easy to understand the point of a chapter.

Vs. 3-25 Besides the other things you can observe here, underline the nations and peoples who came to Tyre.

Vs. 26-36 This is the lament of the nations because of the ruin of Tyre. The hissing in verse 36 is still in lament for Tyre, not some sort of righteous indignation. Notice that the sadness of the nations here is very similar to how the nations react in Revelation to the destruction of that nation called "Babylon" in Rev. 19:11-19. There is clearly something going on here regarding world influence and world corruption that ties these two events together. You might also notice that for a small nation, God is giving it three chapters of judgment.

I often wonder what nation in the world, during the tribulation, will have so much influence in the world in commerce and culture and influence and corruption, that when it is destroyed "in an hour," all the nations will weep because of the "stuff" they will lose. Sometimes I think it could be the ol' US of A.

Ezekiel 28

Vs. 1-10 This is directed against the human ruler of Tyre. Notice how often this man is mentioned in thinking he is a "god" because of his influence and wealth. We'll see where he is getting this. Just for trivia, I think this connection is more than coincidence, look at what happens in Acts 12:20-23.

Vs. 11-19 This is a description of the one who really ruled Tyre. In Daniel 10, we'll see that there are angelic "guardians?" that are over nations. Now that mankind has fallen, it appears that they have more authority than would have been the case if they had stayed true to God. The lead angel in this order, the guardian cherub, is fallen and we know him as Satan. In Isaiah 14:12-14 it appears that Satan didn't like the idea of serving mankind, particularly because he was so beautiful, so he found a way to rule over mankind and receive worship himself.

Vs. 20-23 Sidon is always associated with Tyre and receives the word of coming judgment.

Vs. 24-26 Yet, at the coming of Christ to establish His kingdom on earth, Israel will be reestablished and secure. Even in all of this, the purpose is that all the nations will know that the Lord is God.

Hebrews 11:17-31

Now, in this section of the "hall of faith," the trick is really to understand what is being said about this faith. We are covering hundreds of years of people living and suffering on this dusty planet. Notice that there was sacrifice, suffering and danger involved in almost all of this. This "faith in difficulty" is some of what the writer is trying to make clear to his weak and wobbly readers.

Underline the names. When it says, "by faith Moses," notice that one of those is not Moses.

Following Jesus in the harvest is by faith, and in order to serve Him and receive His promises, it means turning our backs on a lot of things just as these people did. To serve Christ without having to turn our backs on little or nothing, might just be the way the enemy is fooling us and placating us with a comfortable Christianity. The harvest is dirty and the work is hard. Real faith gets the job done, but it is not easy.

Psalm 111

This is a great song. For your information, there are three words, repeated five times each (one without an "s") and when you put them together, they make a great little title for this psalm: The _____ ______ ______! Or you could add a word here or there to make a smoother title like: Praise the ________ of the ________ _______!

Notice too, that verse ten is from the proverbs, 1:7, 4:7 and 9:10.

Have fun.

Working off of the word "forever," I was thinking of putting Chris Tomlin's "His Love Endures Forever." But when I thought of all the things of the Lord that will endure forever, I thought of the love of those whom He has, and is, saving. His love toward us is forever, and so is/and will be, our love for Him. That's another thing He's done. He's awakened a love within us that will burn forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxtl4SQcVP8&feature=related

Proverbs 27:15-16

It is hard to find any order to these thoughts if you only go one or two verses at a time. I would suggest that this is a block from verses 11 to 16, and that verses 11-12 hold the leading thought. Verses 13-16 show things that a person suffers if he is not prudent from the beginning in entering into relationships.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.