November 6, Reading Notes

Ezekiel 14:12-16:42

Chapters 14 and 15 belong together, then chapter 16 will introduce a very disturbing image that will be used by God in Ezekiel again.

Ezekiel 14:12-23

Vs. 12-20 The message here is very straight-forward. The people who remain in Judah and Jerusalem (these people in Babylon were part of that crowd) are so sinful, that if these three men were there, by their own righteousness they could only save themselves.

So, who were these men? We understand Noah being in this group. He was the most righteous man on earth during his lifetime. Job was the most righteous man on earth at the time he lived and the only one that could have faced that kind of testing. This must mean that at the time of this writing, Daniel was the most righteous man on earth. Wow! What company to be named in. Daniel will be next and you'll never be able to think of the first six chapters as disjointed children's stories again.

Vs. 21-23 Apparently the people in Babylon had already begun to reform a little. Even though they are praying for those left in Jerusalem, those in exile don't quite remember how bad their conduct was. When these people are brought from Jerusalem to Babylon, these exiles will be appalled to see how idolatrous and evil their conduct is and they will understand why God had to bring such cleansing to the city and the land.

Ezekiel 15

This is a very simple message. These people are so corrupt, they can't be used for anything, even as a peg in the wall to hang your coat.

Ezekiel 16:1-42

I only have a few notes here.

This image of a whore expresses God's jealousy and sense of betrayal by Israel. We'll see it again in a few chapters.

V. 15 is interesting. In Ezekiel 28:11-17 we'll find one of those passages that seems to rise above the description of a human, to a description of Satan and his fall. There too, it is because of his beauty and privilege.

V. 26 Israel not only committed "adultery" by taking on the gods of the surrounding nations, but rather than depending on God, they looked for help from these other nations in terms of treaties and security. You see this in Solomon's marriages and particularly with King Asa when he sent gold to have Syria attack the northern kingdom rather than take the matter to God. (2 Chr. 16:1-10)

Hebrews 7:18-28

Vs. 18-22 You can tell this was written to believers, because the Jews we see in the NT would have gone nuclear if they had heard this. When Jesus made the new covenant with the bread and the wine, we know He could do it because He is God. Here, it is also stated that on the human side, He could do it because of God making Him a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Notice how Psalm 110 is being relied on again. Who knew those words would be so important? God Himself made an oath.

Vs. 23-25 Since Jesus lives forever, you only need this one priest and He intercedes continuously for His people. This is something good for them to remember in the situation they are facing. Hey, that's good for me to remember too.

Vs. 26-28 Why would they want to go back to the law knowing this? They would have to deny Jesus Himself.

In thinking of the idolatry Ezekiel was dealing with, and here in Hebrews, the thought of defecting from Jesus, the song below reminds us that there is really no other God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkeF9nqwA-4&feature=related

Psalm 106:1-12

I mentioned something yesterday about how helpful it is to know the point of something while you are reading. So, we'll be reading this for the next two days. Verse 47 will give you an idea of when this was written. If you understand that, it puts this history into a slightly different light and you understand the appeal being made in all of this song.

This is only one verse, but it gives you an idea what the song could have sounded like. I don't think the singers would have worn the Star Trek hoodies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUMBX5OuNNU

Proverbs 27:4-6

V. 4 Seems to stand alone, but it is very powerful. With both wrath and anger, a person will give regard to their own safety, but the motto of jealousy is "blow up the world." Jealousy is both anger and wrath with a sense of mission and dark abandon.

Not that we can give God the nasty side of our emotions, but think of the jealousy He is talking about in Ezekiel. It definitely fits the scenario.

Vs. 5-6 We still don't get "speaking the truth in love." Most often we just avoid the subject. That's not love.

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.