NOVEMBER 15
Ezekiel 31-32
These are the
final two chapters focused on the punishment to Egypt. We need to ask ourselves
why God was so upset with Egypt. If anything, it seems they were trying to help
Israel. We have four chapters of judgment directed to them. In reality, Egypt
encouraged Israel to rebel against God. They promised a false hope and they
used Israel as a pawn against Nebuchadnezzar, trying to occupy his strength and
distract him. Jerusalem was off the beaten track, in the hills. If Neb had to
go after Jerusalem, he couldn't trouble himself with the Egyptians. For all of
these reasons, Egypt deserved to be punished. It was because they encouraged Jerusalem
and Judah to disobey the Lord and to scorn the words of the prophets.
Ezekiel 31
The point of
this entire chapter is that if God punished Assyria for its dealings with
Israel, He would certainly punish Egypt.
V. 1 This
prophecy was pronounced on 11.3.1. This is two months after the prophecy in
Ezekiel 30:20. On 11.4.9, just a month later, Jerusalem would fall.
Vs. 2-14 The
example of Assyria. Kings and their kingdoms were often likened to great trees,
and the kings of trees were the cedars of Lebanon. In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar
will also hear this illustration used for him.
V. 14 This is
the reason God did this. It kind of goes along the lines of Matthew 23:12, Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Vs. 15-17 Many
smaller nations looked to the larger, stronger nations for support and help.
When Egypt would fall, many nations would mourn and be shaken.
V. 18 And this
will happen to Pharaoh too.
Ezekiel 32
There are a lot
of repeated phrases. Enjoy.
V. 1 This is
now about a year and a half after Jerusalem fell. This chapter is out of
chronological order because it is dealing with the judgment on Egypt. Actually,
chapter 33 takes place two months before this. By now the exiles knew that
Jerusalem had fallen. As this was written, Nebuchadnezzar was setting up
Gedaliah as governor of Israel (2 Kings 25:24). Soon Gedaliah would be
assassinated, and the remnant of the survivors would kidnap Jeremiah and head
south to Egypt where they would be safe. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if
this prophecy coincided with either the remnant marching south with Jeremiah,
or with Jeremiah burying the stone before the palace.
Vs. 2-8 This is
a very poetic and cosmic pronouncement of destruction on Egypt. Apparently
Egypt had a pretty high opinion of itself. It is as if a mythical god were
dying.
Vs. 9-10 Again,
all the nations would mourn as they watched this.
Vs. 11-15 And
God will use Nebuchadnezzar as His tool. It is interesting how God uses the
arrogance of men to accomplish His purposes. In Neb's mind he was simply doing
what he wanted to do and being successful at it because he was such a
super-awesome dude. Unknown to him, he'd soon be back in Babylon eating hay.
Vs. 16-32 This
is the lamentation, or funeral chant, that was given to Ezekiel two weeks
later. Pharaoh will have some famous company in Hades. What a poetic
consolation prize, but alas, there is no party in hell, only punishment. What
is interesting is that soon after this, God personally would humble
Nebuchadnezzar. While Neb was grazing, God would teach him to respect the Lord
and thereby save Nebuchadnezzar the fate of Pharaoh. It sounds weird to say,
but it is possible that Neb and Darius the Mede were saved.
As disciples,
we need to learn the entire counsel of God. It is great to share redemption and
the love of Christ, but when God says so much about judgment for the
rebellious, how can we ignore that? We need to present God as He is, not as we
would like to dress Him, to be more acceptable to a fallen world.
Hebrews 12:14-29
Vs. 14-17
Notice that there is a warning here to avoid three things. Giving up on
following Christ and shipwrecking your faith causes damage on earth. This is
not talking about loss of salvation, but the loss of blessing and protection
(all found in growing close to Christ) that enduring in faith and following Him
on earth brings. It is like choosing to walk in front of a car as a Christian.
You'll still go to heaven, but the rest of your time on the planet will be
walked with a limp, or worse.
Vs. 18-24
Notice the contrast between vs. 18-21 and vs. 22-24. In 22-24, notice again
that Jesus is the true focus.
Vs. 25-29 This
has come full circle to Hebrews 1:2. God has spoken through His Son. But notice
that it is the Christians who are supposed to give heed to this. This is for
us.
V. 29 This
could be looked at as a warning, or it could be looked at as saying that God
consumes what is offered to Him. Depending on our relationship to God, being
consumed by Him and His love might not be a bad thing. To hold ourselves back
when we are called by the glory of His love and mercy, by His Son, to present
ourselves as living sacrifices, is to miss what full faith and abandonment to
His love would give us. Jesus says in John 14:21-23 that what we truly gain is
Him. It's time for disciples to step into the fire and be consumed.
Psalms 113-114
"Psalms
113-118 form the Hallel, a collection of songs sung at the great festivals of
Israel--Passover, Pentecost, the Tabernacles--as well as on other holy days. At
the Passover, for example, Psalms 113-114 were sung before the meal, and
115-118 after it." (Bible Knowledge Commentary-OT, p. 875)
Psalm 113
If you want to
see something interesting, compare this psalm to Mary's prayer in Luke 1:46-55.
Mary would not have been taught in the synagogues, but she would have known
these songs. Also, as Mary declared this, she was standing before Elizabeth who
was advanced in years, who had been
barren, but was now suddenly pregnantly plump.
V. 1 Notice
that this call to praise is to the
servants of the Lord.
Vs. 2-3
Basically this is when the Lord should be praised, that is, forever and every
waking moment.
Vs. 4-6 This
would have been a good guiding thought in thinking about the Passover and it
was an important thought for Mary.
Vs. 7-9 This
was not only seen in God saving Israel, but Mary found it true in that God
reached out to the lowly in bringing His good news to the world.
Psalm 114
Vs. 1-2 This is
not only talking about Israel coming out of Egypt, but it shows that God was
present among His people as He led them. Judah
became His sanctuary and Israel
became His dominion.
Vs. 3-6 This is
the crossing of the Red Sea and the fireworks on top of Mt. Sinai. The physical
world responded to God's presence not only in obedience, but with fear.
Vs. 7-8
Interestingly enough, God not only used His power to make the creation tremble,
but also to provide water for His people. God's presence was for the good of
His people and was a sign of His love. Notice the shaking in today's reading of
Hebrews. Apparently shaking comes before blessing.
Proverbs 27:18-20
If v. 18 were
linked to v. 17, that sharpening process would have to do with diligence and
loyalty.
Verses 19-20
look like they hang together well. Verse 19 has to do with the heart, and v. 20
has to do with the eyes, which really are regulated by the heart. Jesus said a
lot about the heart, and something we as disciples need to attend to. We need
to be cultivating our own hearts and to be conscious of when we are having
heart problems.
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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