November 22, 2012 Reading Notes

November 22, 2012 Reading Notes

Today's Reading in the ESV One-Year Bible

Ezekiel 44-45:12

I’m sure there is a lot we don’t understand yet about life and living during the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. In fact, we know practically nothing about it. In these chapters we are given a glimpse into what is going on, in and around the temple. In some respects, all of this detail gives us some idea of what the Lord will be doing with Israel and with the world.

Israel will fulfill their obedience before the Lord and be a witness to all other nations for those thousand years. The sacrifices will be a memorial remembrance to Christ’s sacrifice. Although their “religious” lifestyle might look burdensome to the world, there will be amazing blessing in Israel. Those with discerning hearts will see that it is not a blessing borne of works, but borne out of a relationship with their King. Their obedience will be out of love and gratitude, not out of payment for a service. The nations, who will all be rebuilding their cities and governments, will need assistance and will come to Israel for healing and to draw near to the visible Lord God of Israel. Faith in Christ will still be a choice.

Ezekiel 44

Vs. 1-3 This east gate of the temple has not been made yet, so it isn’t that closed, golden gate you sometimes see in the wall of Jerusalem. That golden gate might be what Jesus will use to enter Jerusalem, but this temple will not have been built when He returns. This gate will be off limits, because the glory of God will enter the temple through it. Only the prince of the people, David, will be able to use it.

Vs. 4-8 As God gives Ezekiel these instructions, it is still present time. The people had desecrated all that God had given them and all that was holy, By doing so, they had held God up to scorn for the nations. Therefore, there is a sense of judgment and harshness in these words. Those who serve the Lord in that temple will not need these words of caution. Most of those listening to Ezekiel speak will never return to Israel, and many will only see a temple (those early chapters of Ezra) that was the shadow of the glory of Solomon’s temple. These words, then are first, a rebuke to the exiles, but second a revelation to give Israel hope as a nation, that they will someday have a glorious future in service to God.

Vs. 9-14 Notice that circumcision will still be practiced as the sign of the covenant with Abraham, that is, a sign of the faith of Abraham. But even more importantly, no one will be able to come before God with a false heart. There won't be any politicking with Jesus.

The Levites will still serve in the temple, but because of their past transgressions, none but the sons of Zadok will be able to come before the Lord. It seems interesting to think that there will still be distinctions between people with Jesus present, but these 1000 years serve more than one point for all of mankind. The fact that the Jews will serve before God and that the nations will still be the “Gentiles” shows that, in humility, people will have to seek Christ and understand and trust Him. And even now in the church, we have human distinctions based on God’s choice of leaders and His assignment of gifts.

Vs. 15-27 These are the priests, the sons of Zadok, who come before the Lord in the temple. As you read this, take note of the detail. I wonder what that table is for. It is mentioned again. I wonder why they can’t sweat. Will there be air conditioning?

The job of the priest as described in verses 23 & 24 is interesting. This is the opposite of the effect the priests had on the people in the time of Jesus.

Ezekiel 45

Vs. 1-8 This will be the land that is designated for the city, the prince, the priests and the Levites. Apparently it will extend from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan and will encompass the city of Jerusalem.

For a map and picture of what this might be, look at this link: The Division of the Land of Israel During the Millennium. In the index of maps, click on the map that has this name.

V. 8 These princes are still future and they will help rule, or judge, Israel. If you are asking me, I believe we know the names of these princes. Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28 ESV)

Vs. 9-12 So who are these princes? God seems to be referring to the conduct of the past kings and present exiled leaders. The only prince that has been mentioned up to now is David, who will rule the city and country as the king. This passage then seems to be a rebuke to the leaders, as represented in all of the kings and leaders up to this point. Remember that if you look at the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel together, you find a lot of kings; and most of these were horrible shepherds who fleeced the sheep. God will assign the prince his portion so that he will not take land or stuff from the people. In a way, this is more of an object lesson to the people present with Ezekiel, because I’m sure that David won’t abuse his privileges and neither will the twelve. The mention of honest measurement might be literal, as in how the leaders cheated the people who brought their tithes and taxes, or it could be a reference to the dishonesty of their hearts. In both cases, that will never be the situation in the future when the Messiah reigns over the world.

You can see that after the harvest of our times, there will still be a last period of time where people will have to make a choice for Christ. During that time there will still be death and there will be sickness, but the cures for all of these will be in Jerusalem. The nation of Israel will be the light, and the King on the throne will be the Savior. And who knows what we'll be doing. Some of us might be getting some much needed R&R and others might be helping by teaching and by helping rebuild a very tattered earth. After the rapture, the Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom, we might find ourselves still employed in the harvest, teaching and helping others, but fully resurrected in Christ.

1 Peter 1:1-12

We haven’t heard from Peter in months. At the time of writing this letter, Peter was now a very seasoned apostle, having served for more than 30 years after the resurrection of Christ. It seems that this letter was written to all Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. This letter is probably written sometime between the beginning of Nero’s persecutions in 64 A.D. and Peter’s death at Nero’s hand in 67 A.D.

Like James, this letter is written to encourage Christians in the harvest who were having to endure very tough times. Doesn’t it seem like endurance in following Christ is becoming a constant theme in the Word? We saw it in Hebrews, in James and now here. But then, we also saw endurance in faith in Paul’s life and in his letters. And we saw it in the life of Jesus. The Lord let His disciples know from the beginning that this life in the harvest wouldn’t be easy. Many of Jesus' disciples left Him. During this time in the church, many were leaving. And even today, many people hang around church and make the right noises only because everything in the west is so easy and non-confrontational. In our western culture, if we don’t live as a witness for Christ, who cares? Believing is totally easy and the requirements of following Christ are few. Just stay out of trouble.

But Jesus invited people to walk as He walked and to suffer as He suffered in the harvest. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:29-30 ESV)

The point of remaining on earth is to reach the lost and make disciples, that is, being witnesses and followers of Christ. On this planet, that means opposition. If we give up and don’t learn to endure in our faith, we miss God’s purpose for us. We miss seeing His grace in the lives of those who are saved and then become disciples who make disciples. We miss the work that only He can do in our hearts when we only have Him to depend upon. And worst of all, we miss getting to know Him and having Him and the Father make their home with us. See John 14:21-23.

Vs. 1-2 Since we are reading of the temple in Ezekiel, remember that everything that was holy and to be used in the service of the Lord was sprinkled with blood? There are also references like this in Hebrews. Peter is trying to encourage disciples who are beginning to face a hard persecution.

Vs. 3-5 There is a lot to observe here, but for me the comment in verse 5, that our faith guards us, is important. Peter will develop this.

Vs. 6-7 Notice that the testing, or proving, or strengthening, of faith is valuable and important. Notice the word necessary, referring to God’s choice for them. Notice also that not only does our faith protect us, but when it is proven, instead of bitterness and dejectedness, our faith, in the present and in the future, projects glory and praise to Christ. How often have we read that disciples shouldn’t complain about anything if we believe God truly is in control and if the Holy Spirit guides our steps each day?

Vs. 8-9 And this is why we don’t complain. It is because we are in love with the Lord we follow.

Vs. 10-12 It is interesting how Peter is encouraging them. I was reading yesterday that as Jesus was observing the joy of the 70 and was teaching, at one point, He turned to the twelve and said privately to them, For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (Luke 10:24 ESV) Jesus was telling them what a privilege they had received. Peter, remembering that day, was telling these people, and us, what a privilege it is to know Jesus and to be following Him in the harvest at a time like this.

Psalm 119:17-32

So, you’ve read this amazing psalm already once this year. But now, you’ve got a lot more of the Bible under your belt. As you read and make observations, notice how David begins to weave his feelings of distress and suffering and depression into his prayer. It is the Word that is strengthening David to get up every day.

Vs. 17-24 Notice how the first verse sets the tone of this section. To be dealt with bountifully meant to receive God's protection of his life. In the midst of all the threats to David during this short journey on earth, the Word became David's delight.

Vs. 25-32 My soul clings to the dust may be an expression regarding the frailty and sinfulness of the flesh, similar to Paul's "Oh wretched man that I am." The life David needed was in the Word. Notice in verse 26 that there was the recognition of relationship, that God was answering David out of the Word. In all of this there is a sense of desperately pursuing God.

It seems pretty obvious to me, that just like people who are clinically sick physically, sin makes us spiritually bi-polar and clinically at risk. We need our meds constantly, every day. We are only kidding ourselves if we skip the Word or get hooked on secondary sources. It is that Word that is alive. This spiritual sickness we have doesn’t require intermittent care, but rather, constant care; and that spiritual care we need is the daily input of the Word of God. Accept no substitutes.

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR, Fernando Ortega

Proverbs 28:8-10

V. 8 seems to say that God will make sure that what this guy idolized is properly distributed to aid others.

V. 9 This could be that same guy.

V. 10 This could still be that same guy, but God reminds us again that following Him will be rewarded in the end.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.