If you don't
have a one-year Bible or prefer something online, this link will take you to
the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
site allows you to select from several languages and several English
translations.
NOVEMBER 1
Ezekiel 1-3:15
I remember hearing Howard Hendricks talk about his early days reading
the Bible. Hendricks taught Bible Study
Methods at DTS and, I think, was without a rival in teaching that course.
Anyway, I expected him to say that he took to the Bible like a duck to water.
He did, too, a dead duck. He started in Ezekiel and his Bible became a paper
weight for a long time thereafter. After charging through Isaiah and Jeremiah,
I hate to tell you that you'll probably need to gird up the loins of your mind
to get through Ezekiel. Daniel will be fun to look forward to, and thankfully
there is lighter fare in Hebrews and the other epistles. This is the benefit of
reading a one-year Bible. If you are in a group with others who are also
reading along, that makes it that much easier.
If you're getting tired, you are understanding why many people don't
read through the Bible. Yet, you've got to get to this place of difficulty and
get to the end so that you can inspire others to finish. Hendricks used to tell
us that reading the Bible was like mining. Anyone can find the occasional
nugget lying on the surface, but to find the richest ore, and the true heart of
God (and that's the point, isn't it) you have to go deep. Digging is work, but
that's when the treasures are found. The more you read, the easier it gets and
the rewards drive you on. We are in pursuit of a deeper understanding and love
for God. In order to follow the Word made flesh, you have to know His Word.
So, before we begin, I'll give you a little background on Ezekiel and offer
a few suggestions to make the journey more active for you.
If you're asking me, Daniel and Ezekiel have similar purposes. In
Daniel you see God preparing the nations for the return of Israel to its land
and for the coming kingdom. In Ezekiel you see God preparing the people for
their return to their land and preparing Israel for the coming kingdom. Ezekiel
will also fill in some of the detail on the people we have just read about in
Jeremiah. The first part of Ezekiel will show why God had to judge the people
who remained in Jerusalem. The people living with Ezekiel in Babylon are the
remnant. Those who were left in Jerusalem with Jeremiah were to be judged.
Everyone was rooting for the folks back in the city, but the Lord would show
the exiles that a corrupt culture must be judged. They, too, needed to change
their hearts if they expected to go back to the land.
One of the important phrases to look for and underline in Ezekiel is, Then they will (you shall) know that I am
the Lord. That is a very powerful statement. There are other phrases and
statements. If toward the end of Ezekiel you notice something and think,
"I wonder if I've missed this earlier in the book," just make a note
to yourself at the beginning of Ezekiel and look for it next year. It keeps you
alert. In fact, when you find they will
know, not only underline it; but number it and see how many you find.
The counting of years in Ezekiel began when Ezekiel, along with about 12,000
others and King Jehoiachin, was taken into exile. Ezekiel began his ministry
when he was 30, in what was probably the 15th year of exile, which began when
Daniel was taken. That would make Daniel and Ezekiel, probably, the same age.
Thirty was the age a priest began his ministry. The last we hear from Ezekiel,
he is 52 years old. The life of a prophet, as we've seen with Jeremiah, was not
really glorious. Ezekiel saw amazing things, but he paid an awesome price for
it. As protection from the people and as a sign to them, Ezekiel was unable to
speak for several years. Shortly before Jerusalem was destroyed, God told him
that his wife would die and he was forbidden to mourn her death. Finally, when
a messenger came from Judah and told them that the city had been destroyed, God
allowed him to speak freely. In between, Ezekiel was commanded to act out many
zany things in public, which I'm sure made him face tremendous ridicule. And of
course, as he saw what God thought of the people, it also brought sorrow and
weight to Ezekiel's heart as he ministered to Israel. On the other hand, the
Lord used Ezekiel to begin the process of healing the hearts of these very
corrupt people. And to strengthen Ezekiel and give him joy and hope, God showed
him things that were rivaled only by the visions the Apostle John saw in
Revelation.
Today we'll see Ezekiel's commissioning as a prophet.
Ezekiel 1
Vs. 1-3 We've already mentioned some of this. Ezekiel was 30, the
normal age to begin serving as a priest. Jesus also began His ministry at 30.
Chebar was located just above the city of Babylon where the Euphrates and
Tigris are close together. Nebuchadnezzar used the Jews to widen a river to
create the "Grand Canal." I don't know if they had gondola rides like
in Venice, but if they did I'll bet they were just as expensive.
Vs. 4-28 We have had vague descriptions of the glory of the Lord earlier in the Bible. We saw the glory of the
Lord appear to protect Israel as they left Egypt as a pillar of fire and a
pillar of cloud. We saw the glory of the Lord fill the tabernacle and fill
Solomon's temple. Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord in the temple as he was
commissioned for service as a prophet. There, it was fire and smoke. Here,
Ezekiel (and all of us) for the first time ever see the detail of God's royal
presence: His throne and the angels that go with Him.
Vs. 4-14 These living creatures
are referred to as cherubim in Ezekiel 10. Since they are “different” from
anything we have ever seen in Scripture, it shouldn’t be surprising that other
angels called cherubim in other places in the Bible look a little different.
We’ll have to ask God to clarify the differences once we get to heaven. It
seems to me that the look of these creatures is symbolic in some sense, since
all of it relates to creatures of earth. I'm content to let others try to
figure out why one side of their head looks like an ox and another like a lion
or an eagle.
Vs. 15-21 These are the wheels
and the direction of the Spirit. Again, this is something God wants Ezekiel to
see and be awed by. God doesn't need this elaborate moving throne to move.
Vs. 22-25 This expanse would
be like the ceiling of a throne room, but this one is the supernatural version.
Vs. 26-28 And now we see Him who sits on the throne. Since God the
Father is unable to be seen, this is probably the Son of God taking human
appearance as He has before in the OT.
Notice that vs. 22 and 26 lead up to seeing God on His throne. Still,
all of this is vague. Ezekiel sees a likeness.
It is still true that no one has seen God.
V. 28 And to think, all of this display was simply to get Ezekiel's
attention. When Ezekiel bowed, he heard the voice. Just like when God presented
Himself to Elijah, the real point of all the other stuff was to get Elijah
tuned to hearing the voice of the Lord (1 Kings 19:12).
Ezekiel 2
Vs. 1-7 This is God commissioning Ezekiel to go to the rebels of the
house of Israel. That is basically everyone who is in exile with him. One of
the things to note here is the word rebellious.
In my German Bible it says they are the "house of contradiction."
That adds an interesting twist to the thought of their rebellion, as if it is
sort of passive-aggressive. Sin makes all of us living contradictions. We think
it's cute. God calls it rebellion. Thank the Lord for grace.
Vs. 8-10 This is where Ezekiel accepts God's commission to him. He
takes the Word and he fully consumes it. That's what you're in the process of
doing now, reading The One Year Bible. It is no accident that God has
used people, regardless of nation or education, who have consumed the Word.
Ezekiel 3:1-15
Vs. 1-3 This looks to have been a very realistic vision, so I wonder
what it was like eating that scroll. Was it like a wrap? It is interesting that
here, the scroll was sweet with no after effects. In Revelation 10:10, it had a
bitter after effect.
Vs. 4-11 As with every commission, there is the command to go. How many
times do you find go in this section?
God mentions here that He would give Ezekiel a supernatural hardness and
determination. God would also protect Ezekiel in other ways and make him a very
notable, living sign among his people.
Vs. 12-15 I don't know what Ezekiel was like before this event and
commissioning; but now, seeing the people's sin and need as God does, he is
bitter and upset and overwhelmed.
Now the fun begins.
We all hate to be embarrassed when we go out on the limb for God in the
harvest; but as we'll see in Ezekiel, when God puts us in one of those situations,
it is not to shame us. It is to make something memorable for someone else.
Their response to that memorable moment can help them or be a source of
judgment. It reveals the heart. We think we always have to be clear and smooth
in the harvest, and we should aim for those things as we present the gospel and
work with others. Yet, sometimes God prefers foggy, stilted, embarrassing and
unforgettable.
Hebrews 3
One tension in Hebrews is understanding the warnings. What will really
be lost if the people slip back into adherence to the law? Will they lose their
salvation, or will they lose the effect of the grace of God in them in a dying
world? This question has kept people very busy. My take on things is that you
cannot lose your salvation, since it is a spiritual birth and a new creation.
These can't be undone. But Jesus Himself warned His disciples several times
that we are meant to be salt; but if the salt loses its saltiness, it is only
good to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. And you remember too, in 2
Timothy 2:20, there are vessels for ignoble use. Those vessels are still in the
house, but all the master can use them for is degrading kinds of things. I
think the warnings in Hebrews are about losing saltiness, becoming unusable and
trading away the power of grace for the false peace that comes from compromise
and hiding.
V. 1 Notice that the writer is not assuming that he is speaking to a
mixed crowd. Here they are holy brothers;
and in v. 12, they are still brothers. Notice they are to look at Jesus, who
has been said to be God, the Son, the Savior, and a high priest who knew
suffering and can intercede for us.
Vs. 2-6 As much as they revered Moses, Jesus is so much greater.
V. 6 Notice that holding fast our
confidence and our boasting in our hope is the measure of being God's house. If that confidence and
boasting is lost, it sounds like the losing of saltiness. It isn't saying a
loss of salvation, but there is a sense of no longer being that city on a hill
giving light to the lost.
Vs. 7-11 To prove this, the writer quotes Psalm 95.
V. 11 Although that generation never entered Canaan, this is not saying
that everyone remained unsaved and never came to God. Some people may have repented,
yet because of their rebellion, they just never made it into the land. Even
Moses and Aaron didn't make it into the land and they were definitely saved.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19ff, Paul talks about his sacrifice so that he
could share in the blessings of the gospel. He was already saved. It gives me
the idea that one can be saved and have an eternal home in heaven, but as a
result of choices made on earth, never experience the power of grace and the
blessings of the gospel in this life. The continued following of Christ in the
harvest is vital for growth and experiencing God's blessings. We lose a lot
when we are neither salt nor light for Christ.
Vs. 12-14 The mention of "today"
reminds me of John 9, where Jesus heals the man born blind and tells His disciples,
We must work the works of Him who sent Me
while it is day. So what if a Christian rebels and decides it's not worth
the trouble? He never sees the grace he would have seen.
V. 14 Share is the same as in
3:1 and there is actually a "the" before Christ. I think this is the
same thought that began chapter 3, sharing in
a heavenly calling. You can still be saved and deny the calling or
commission of the church, because you'd rather do something else or you don't
like discomfort. To walk with Christ is to be with Him in the harvest. To hide
is to deny Jesus.
Vs. 15-19 But if a person does deny and does not participate in this
calling; that is, this companionship with Christ as a witness to humanity, it
is really the deceitfulness of sin (v.
13) and rebellion. To hide is to deny
Jesus.
In Philippians, Paul mentions that we are called to share the
sufferings of Christ. Sharing or being a companion to Christ in suffering was
Paul's own goal. Following Christ in the harvest means sharing what He endured
for us, for His sake and for others. 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 (Phil. 1:29).
We serve in His house as servants in the harvest, but only if we want
to. We can have a great life on earth and miss all that, but also miss His
rewards and fellowship and rest/peace. He leaves us the choice of picking up
the cross daily. Following is up to us. But some of us would rather work in the
harvest following Him, and as a result, know Him even deeper.
Psalm 104:1-23
Vs. 1-4 This is an interesting way to begin this majestic psalm. Look
at v. 2 and then look over at Ezekiel 1:22-28. Also, doesn’t v. 4 sound like
Hebrews 1:7? God is majestic beyond all of our imagination.
Vs. 5-9 All creation and its forces in nature obey the Lord.
Vs. 10-13 And through nature, God Himself takes care of the world of
animals.
Vs. 14-15 And God meets all of the needs of man, just like Jesus said
He could in the Sermon on the Mount.
Vs. 16-18 The trees of Lebanon and the mountains had grandeur beyond
what man could grasp, and in them God made animals to dwell.
Vs. 19-23 And just like it says in Genesis 1:14, He made the planets
and heavenly bodies for us to set times and seasons. It is interesting that in
Genesis 1, God had already covered the earth with vegetation before He made the
sun, moon and stars. The heavenly bodies were needed before the creation of the
animals, because they are oriented to the sun, moon and stars, just like we are
for our orientation to times and seasons.
God points to His own majesty and love in creation. It is ironic. The
very thing that should make people question and conclude that there is a God is
all around them, yet in an ironic sense, invisible to them.
Proverbs 26:24-26
These proverbs play off the proverb from yesterday. You can glaze
something over, disguise and hide a sinful heart and evil motives, but God will
make sure it is eventually exposed.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a one-year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and
important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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,
as disciples, 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, 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 (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular one-year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a supplement,
a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we will keep
following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who
make disciples. Being in the Word every
day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the essential
essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
