NOVEMBER 12
Well today we
get one very sad chapter in Ezekiel and a part of one very famous, inspiring
chapter in Hebrews. Amazingly they are both connected by the price faith pays
to follow God.
Ezekiel
24-26
Ezekiel 24
This is
probably one of the grimmest chapters in the book. I think it is sad and
sobering.
Vs. 1-2 Notice
this time notation. You'll also find it in 2 Kings 25:1 and in Jeremiah 39:1
and 52:4. It is an infamous date for Israel. Although Ezekiel is hundreds of
miles away, he is told of the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. This would
last for about two years.
Vs. 3-14 This
is another parable of the total cleansing the people needed. In an earlier
chapter the people had called the city a pot. Here, God says the pot is totally
corrupt and needs to be melted down.
Vs. 15-18 The
death of Ezekiel's wife and his lack of mourning would be a sign to the people.
I'm not sure what the message was that he brought the people that morning. I
don't think the message was that his wife would die. It might have been the
message in vs. 3-14, of the siege of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel was
only 34 when this happened, meaning that his wife was young too. All of this
would have been a shock for the community. It isn't shocking that someone in
their 30's would die. That happens. It was probably that God knew she had a
problem and was going to die of a stroke and He had it coincide with this
event. On our part, however, we think that since God was involved at all, that
He should have saved her and spared Ezekiel and his wife this sorrow. Humanly
speaking, and slightly hidden behind our emotions and reasoning, is the feeling
heaven is on earth and everything good is to be enjoyed now in this time and in
this body. To go to heaven is to lose everything. In our heads, we know that
this earth is wrecked and true life will only begin when we are with the Lord,
but our feelings tell an entirely different story. God understands this, yet in
His love and unfathomable wisdom, He makes the choices and asks us to trust. We
have this entire book that tells us what's going on and that we should trust,
so we have been talked to and prepared. Still, it's a shock; yet He makes the
wise choice. And still, He understands and knows our loss.
As disciples,
when we say, "Take my life," we mean, "And do something cool
with it." We have the idea that the men in the Bible must have had great
lives, especially if they had a book named after them. Not so. Lots of younger
people died, but you'd have thought that God would have gone easy on Ezekiel
and spared his wife. Yet if she was a follower too, she had yielded her life to
God. Jesus said to His followers to "take up their cross daily." The
cross meant death. Once again we come to the place of asking what we really
understand about discipleship and following Christ on this planet. What is
this, down here, really all about? Some believers still believe that heaven is
really on earth and to die is total loss. That's not what the Word shows us and
a disciple of Jesus knows better.
This is why I
like the RSV translation of Romans 8:28, We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him,
who are called according to his purpose. The "with" gives the
sense of God using us, for His good in His purpose, but not necessarily for the
comfort and longevity of our life on earth. This life isn't about us and
happiness on earth. This also fits well with Romans 8:36, As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' For the sake of God, for the
good purpose God is working in the world to see Christ exalted and the lost
saved, sometimes it is better that we die young or suffer misfortune.
This was the life of sorrow that was typical of many of the
prophets and great men of the Bible. Having a book of the Bible named after you
almost certainly meant you suffered. They were used by God for the good, and
they are now at rest with God enjoying the benefits of where they put their
treasure. As disciples, we give our lives to Christ, as He gave His life to His
Father.
Vs. 19-24 The
community was appalled at her death and even more at Ezekiel's behavior. That
she was the delight of Ezekiel's eyes
(v. 16) meant that this was a very loving relationship, and it would have been
a deep loss for Ezekiel. For Ezekiel not to mourn publicly was not human. God
got their attention.
Vs. 25-27 This
would happen two years later. Notice that Ezekiel was mute and that his
muteness would be taken away. I wonder how he had communicated with his wife.
Maybe privately he could talk.
Ezekiel 25
This is pretty
straightforward. These prophetic judgments were for the events surrounding the
taking of Jerusalem, and the joy the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites and
Philistines would have in the destruction of Jerusalem.
Vs. 1-7 The
Ammonites (Jordan) had an alliance with Israel, but rejoiced when
Nebuchadnezzar decided to destroy Jerusalem and let them off the hook. God
would remind Neb to return to the Ammonites and clean house. Notice that the
Ammonites would know Yahweh is the Lord.
Vs. 8-11 The
Moabites would be judged too. Verse 11 says that they too will know the Lord.
Vs. 12-14 The
Edomites would only know God's vengeance and by Jesus' time had ceased to be a
people. They were eventually absorbed into Israel. More on that when we get to
Obadiah and Malachi.
Vs. 15-17 These
people had always been a pain in the neck for Israel. By Jesus' time these
people also were gone.
Ezekiel 26
This
pronouncement against Tyre and Sidon will actually go through chapter 28, and
there will be one of those descriptions of the pride and downfall of Satan
later in this message to Tyre.
This chapter is
the destruction of the city. Just as a short summary of events, Tyre rejoiced
over the destruction of Jerusalem, but Nebuchadnezzar returned to assault them
too. There were settlements on the coast, but the main city of Tyre was an
island about a half a mile from shore. Nebuchadnezzar went after the city for
18 years and finally took it by surrender. Later, this proud city defied
Alexander the Great too. He actually filled in part of the Mediterranean Sea,
making a road out to the city on the island, and then destroyed it completely.
Vs. 1-6 This
chapter was written about nine months before Jerusalem fell. Apparently
Jerusalem, in its hey-day, had been Tyre's competition for traveling merchants.
They were expecting a windfall since Jerusalem was on the verge of complete
destruction. Tyre was proud and arrogant and they are mentioned often in Jesus'
own pronouncements of judgment. Here God says Tyre would be punished and
plundered.
Vs. 7-14 As
mentioned above, some of this destruction would come with Alexander the Great.
As invincible as Tyre thought they were, God would keep bringing judgment until
they were completely destroyed.
Vs. 15-18 Now
it gets interesting. The nations would mourn because of the loss of this city
that satisfied the vices and desires of the world. You'll see something similar
if you read Revelation 18:9-19.
Vs. 19-21 God
will bring their glory down to the pit.
He promised that Tyre would never again have the honor they had had before. And
they haven't.
Hebrews
11:1-16
So, if we
understand the hard times these believers were facing, we can understand why
the writer now turns them to the "hall of faith." Following Christ by
faith is the only answer for them, but it will mean hardship and persecution.
In the next chapter, the example of suffering faith will be Jesus. Here, the
author is showing that following in faith has never been easy.
Vs. 1-3 Notice
that all of these aspects of faith are built upon us having valid information.
This faith is built upon assurance, conviction, commendation and understanding
that come from the Word and the revealed character of God. Faith is not
irrational belief in a feeling and pie-in-the-sky.
Vs. 4-6 The
lives of Abel and Enoch are summarized by v. 6. Notice that one of these guys
was murdered and one of them never died, but both pleased God and were used by
God for good. Notice that part of faith is based in knowing God, and part of it
is seen in seeking Him.
V. 7 There is a
lot in this simple verse and story. Noah had faith and heeded God and was saved
from death on earth. Eternal salvation isn't mentioned here, but the faith to
obey certainly played a role in all of this. Noah's faith condemned a faithless
and sinful world just by following God.
Vs. 8-12
Abraham is the great example of faith in the OT and also in Romans. Abraham and
Sarah had everything going against them. They were old; they came from the city
and were strangers in a strange land. Actually, following God in faith, they
always had God.
V. 12 Just as
trivia, as good as dead is used by
Paul talking about Abraham's faith in Romans 4:19. We've read about the life of
Abraham. Anyone who thinks the lives of Abraham and Sarah were easy hasn't read
closely.
Vs. 13-16 This
understanding that we are aliens on earth seeking a homeland that is not here
and is with God is very important both for the people in Hebrews and for us.
Nothing erodes our faith like wanting heaven and comfort on earth. Jesus said
that the seed that didn't bear mature fruit wanted peace and pleasure on earth.
Jesus said He didn't come to bring peace on earth, but instead people would be
divided, based on each person's response to Jesus and His sacrifice to save
mankind.
Psalm
110
I have to think
that this very messianic psalm was written sometime after David was promised
that his offspring would continue on the throne and sometime before his actions
with Bathsheba. Think through every verse. Some of these clearly apply to the
Lord's coming at the end of the Tribulation.
V. 1 This verse
looks so simple, but it is one of those proofs that the Christ had to suffer
and enter into His glory. This was a command for the Messiah, the human Son of
Man, to come and sit at God's right hand.
The only way for Him to get there was to suffer for mankind. To sit at God's
right hand is the ultimate statement of His authority and kingship. And to
think, He is sitting there not just as God the Son, but as a human who now has
authority over the human race. This also means that everything necessary for
salvation and redemption is finished.
Vs. 2-4 You
recognize v. 4 from Hebrews, right? He has not only been given all power and
authority in heaven and earth, He is the only mediator of forgiveness and peace
with God.
Vs. 5-7 Verses
5 and 6 seem pretty easy to understand. Verse 7 suggests the King's vigor,
energy and freshness as He brings justice to the earth.
Proverbs 27:14
I think the
thought here is to greet people according to who they are. Or, as we see
elsewhere, to rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn.
A positive attitude doesn't always win the day if it is poorly expressed.
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
complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find
it in my book: Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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.
If you would like
documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to
print.
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