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 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.
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.
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