Ezekiel 16:43-17:24
It is hard for us to imagine what it was like for the exiles living in Babylon, receiving news from Jerusalem, watching world events and hoping Babylon would be defeated. They hoped that Jerusalem would survive and they could return. But there were these disturbing men. A Jew named Daniel was chief advisor to Nebuchadnezzar. He was obviously a traitor, as were the other three Jews who were responsible for the showcase province of Babylon, working for the enemy. Then there was this awful prophet back in Jerusalem, Jeremiah, who was really, really negative. But worst of all, living among them, there was this very strange prophet who couldn't speak, or move from his house. However, when he did speak and when he did move, there was a dark sense of awe and power in what he said that confirmed that God would judge Jerusalem and its people for their sin.
Ezekiel 16:43-63
Vs. 43-52 The Spirit changes the analogy slightly from a whore to a family of whores.
V. 45 I don't think this is describing the origin of the people of Israel. Here are two possibilities. First, the mother and father could be talking about the DNA of their abominations and idolatries. Second, the mother and father could be talking about those who originally built Jerusalem. I think this is more likely since a focus of God's judgment is on the city itself. The Jebusites who were in Jerusalem when Joshua came into the land were probably descended from the Hittites and the Amorites. Notice that as this analogy goes on, other cities are referred to. So, it would make sense that the mother and father of Jerusalem and its sickness were Hittites and Amorites.
V. 52 This is shocking just reading it and for Ezekiel's audience, it would have been a cause for them to kill the prophet, except that the supernatural sense around Ezekiel made them realize the words were from God. When God took Ezekiel back to Jerusalem and he viewed all of the idolatry, we saw how corrupt the city was. Add to this the fact that God had had His presence there. That made their sin that much graver and inexcusable. I was reading this morning as Jesus sent out the seventy, "If the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes." Sodom is mentioned in this too. Jerusalem, of all places on earth, had no excuse for this behavior.
Vs. 53-58 What ought to stand out here is the millennial blessing promised to both Samaria and to Sodom. That really surprises me.
Vs. 59-63 Even in punishment, God promises to remember His covenant and to restore them at the close of the age.
Ezekiel 17
This parable was probably a response to rumors being heard from Jerusalem that Egypt would rise to save them. Some people believe this was told before Zedekiah actually joined to Egypt and rebelled against Babylon.
Vs. 1-6 This eagle was Nebuchadnezzar, whom God sent to take Jehoiachin to Babylon and then Neb took some of the "seed" and planted it there in Babylon next to the rivers.
In all of this Nebuchadnezzar did not destroy Jerusalem but left there a "seed" of David, Zedekiah. I think this is because of the influence of Daniel and what God had done in Nebuchadnezzar's life. Everything was OK.
Vs. 7-10 But Zedekiah was now being enticed to make a treaty with Egypt, and God will destroy both Jerusalem and Egypt as a result of this.
Vs. 11-15 This is an explanation of what happened.
Vs. 16-21 This is what God vows to do about it.
Vs. 22-24 This is God restoring Israel in Zion with His Son, the Son of David, the Messiah.
Hebrews 8
Vs. 1-2 The writer is summarizing, saying that we have the best priest and He is sitting in the right place.
Vs. 3-5 This is showing that Jesus is not a priest of the old covenant. Not only that, it shows that the temple and temple service were still going on, indicating that this was written before 70 AD when the temple was destroyed.
Vs. 6-13 In showing that the first covenant was incomplete and passing, he quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34. We just read that.
The new covenant goes back to the Abrahamic covenant encompassing the plan of God to bless all nations and, therefore, to redeem all mankind. The new covenant, as expressed in Jeremiah and throughout the OT, has both spiritual and physical promises. The church does not inherit the physical promises of a land, being regathered to Jerusalem and having a king/Messiah reign in Jerusalem. Those physical promises are for Israel. The church does inherit the spiritual promise of salvation, spiritual rebirth and the Holy Spirit. The church becomes the bride of Christ. The point here for the people receiving this letter, is that the old covenant, and therefore the following of the law, was not a place for them to return for peace and safety.
It is interesting that the end of the reading in Ezekiel and the focus in Hebrews is Jesus. Jesus the King and Priest and Savior. This song expresses some of the adoration we should have for our Savior King. One of the things I like about the Hillsong videos is the "sea" of the redeemed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzXwkToBNZY&feature=related
Psalm 106:13-31
The men mentioned in verses 23 and 30 give me the feeling that the psalmist and the Spirit were encouraging people to stand in the gap for the people as they prayed for God to bless the remnant. As disciples in the harvest, regardless of how the Lord is using us, by following the Lord and seeking to reach the lost and make disciples who make disciples, we are standing in the gap for our generation.
Proverbs 27:7-9
V. 7 There is a healthy hunger in life and I think it is in the harvest. Jesus promised that those who chose to be hungry, would be satisfied. If our hunger is because of the mission and the desperate need of this life on this planet, the Lord himself sweetens all that is bitter. What a difference this makes from one person to another.
V. 8 If a person came from a nurturing home, but rejected what he gained there, we would think he had made a mistake. Think too of the people in Hebrews. They found a home in Christ, but now they are in danger of drifting from that home.
V. 9 To understand this, think of someone who has strengthened you. Anyone can show us what is wrong, but it takes a friend to add strength to counsel. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart. Ultimately, with the Spirit, this is why the Word and prayer are so important. Our hope and greatest resource has to be fully in the Lord.
An oldie but goodie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLAg2NDcOt4
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.
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