“And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” – Genesis 2:18
(יח) וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹא־ט֛וֹב הֱי֥וֹת הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְבַדּ֑וֹ אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־לּ֥וֹ עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ׃
The literal Hebrew translation of ‘a helper comparable to him’ is made up of two words: ezer, which means ‘help,’ and k’negdo, which means ‘suitable’ or ‘corresponding to.’ The word, ezer, conveys strength and the ability to rescue others, rather than a subordinate role. The phrase k’negdo literally means ‘according to the opposite of him.’” – Joshua Rodriguez
“God often describes Himself with the word, ‘ezer.’ See Psalm 33:20; Psalm 70:5; and Psalm 115:9.” – John Piper
In Hebrew, “whenever one confronts someone of equal power, moral and ethical weight, such a confrontation is termed נגד (neged). It is a head-on collision of will. When the two parties disagreeing are not of equal power, or moral/ethical weight, the confrontation is termed as one being עולה [‘ascending (above)’] or יורד [‘descending (below)’], one of the adversaries either prevailing or losing in such an encounter.” – Joshua Rodriguez
“If he is unworthy she shall be opposed to him, to fight him (Yevamot 63a).”
“Humanity needs a partner and opponent. We need help in confronting ourselves if we hope to learn and become all that we have the potential to know and be. The Hebrew words, עזר כנגדו do not explicitly say ‘woman’ in any direct sense. It says, “a help that is equal to and across from him.” And the word ‘adam’ is not, per se, a proper name, but rather generally refers to humanity. Thus, we might render the passage in question as follows: ‘It is not good for humans to be alone. I (God) will configure humanity such that individuals might find help in another that suits them, that meets them where they are, that stands in opposition to them on equal footing to reign each other in, to teach each other, to question each other, to care for each other, that they might not lose themselves in their own delusions and imaginations, nor face themselves alone without the caring assistance of a friend and devoted partner.’” – Joshua Rodriguez
“By extension, we might also argue that God intended us to have peers in general to stand with and against us in love. The real meat of this principle is not that we would have a help that simply stands with us (עזר איתו = a help WITH him), but rather the contradiction or paradox of a help AGAINST us. Thus, by implication, Torah does not suggest that true loyalty is to never question or confront, but rather that the loyalty that God intended from the beginning was to assist and support each other through opposition, questioning and providing limits. We are to be a ‘help AGAINST each other.’” – Joshua Rodriguez
“At work and in school, the most productive relationships are between those who question us in kindness, who point out our errors, weaknesses or flaws, and then help us overcome them. Our most helpful relationships are with people that we can bounce ideas off of, tell them what we are thinking and get critical feedback in return, reflecting back to us what we didn't know we were saying or filling in gaps we might have overlooked.” – Joshua Rodriguez
“Spouses and siblings, friends and fellows in our community and places of worship best serve and help us when they NOT ONLY rally around us and cheer us on, but when, as needed, they question us or call us out and stand against us in love to support us, to provide checks and balances; when they stand in solidarity with our overarching goals and aspirations and ideals so much that they help channel us back into line when we are off base. They comfort us when we are discouraged, and they make us uncomfortable when we become complacent or self-absorbed. They both help us realize our dreams and bring us back to reality when we start to go adrift in our delusions. And they listen when we argue for why we are right and accommodate the things THEY hadn’t seen or thought of.” – Joshua Rodriguez
“Incidentally, the same principle is the active mechanism that shapes civil society through democracy, checks and balances, legislative and community debate, and political parties who (should) rally together for the good of one another, even as they function as a backstop for the excesses of their counterparts.” – Joshua Rodriguez
“Clearly, the principle of ‘helping against’ someone is a balancing act. Too much help and not enough against becomes permissive and enabling. Too much against and not enough help can become toxic, hurtful, humiliating, rancorous, bitter. Not all conflict is helpful. Not all solidarity is helpful. The truth of the paradox is found in the balance between support and opposition. There is probably no formula that dictates when the relationship needs more support and less opposition or vice versa. The wisdom is found in knowing that we can and should dynamically apply both to our relationships to bring them into balance when they start to run amok.” – Joshua Rodriguez
“I’m my own best friend when I can both comfort and confront myself.” – Joshua Rodriguez
Explaining “the curse” of a woman’s desire being towards her husband.
“To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.’” Genesis 3:16
“Scholars have offered various interpretations of this subtle Hebrew phrasing. Most interpret this to mean that the woman would desire to be in control of her husband, but he would be the master. Others see this as implying that the woman’s desire for her husband would be frustrated by his role as an authority in her life.” – Bibleref.com
“Male headship in the marriage relationship is not part of the curse and this idea is not implied here. On the contrary, God’s response to this incident proves that Adam’s role as leader and protector was intended before sin entered the world. The New Testament makes clear that God’s design for human marriage, with husband as the self-sacrificing head, is meant to be a beautiful picture of Christ and the church.” See Ephesians 5:22–33 – Bibleref.com
“This curse involves conflict over the God-given marriage roles. Each spouse fails to live up to God’s design for selfless love and respect between husbands and wives.” – Bibleref.com
The prophets spoke of the relationship between God and His people as a marriage.
“As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5
“Return, O backsliding children, says the Lord; for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” Jeremiah 3:14
“You are an adulterous wife, who takes strangers instead of her husband.” Ezekiel 16:32
“I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.” Hosea 2:19-20
Marriage is symbolic of Christ and His Church.
Paul says of marriage in Ephesians 5:32, “This is a great mystery, and I take it to mean Christ and the church.”
“Human marriage is the earthly image of this divine plan. As God willed for Christ and the church to become one body (Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:13), so He willed for marriage to reflect this pattern—that the husband and wife become one flesh. ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’” (Genesis 2:24) – Bibleref.com
Jesus Christ quoted Genesis 2:24 in Matthew 19:4–5, and thus, reiterated that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman instituted by God. Jesus attended a wedding while on earth. See John 2.
“Geoffrey Bromiley is right when he says, “As God made man in His own image, so He made earthly marriage in the image of His own eternal marriage with His people” (God and Marriage, p. 43). The fall ruined the harmony of marriage because it twisted man’s loving headship into hostile domination in some men and lazy indifference in others. And it twisted woman’s intelligent, willing submission into manipulative obsequiousness in some women and brazen insubordination in others.” – John Piper
Bible verses that support the marriage covenant:
“When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken.” Deuteronomy 24:5
“He who finds a wife, finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Ephesians 5:21-28
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4
Revelation 19:6–8 looks forward to a wonderful wedding day for those who belong to Jesus and become members of His Church.
For the full article by Joshua Rodriquez, please click on the following link: sefaria.org/sheets/333823.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
For the full article by John Piper, please click on the following link: desiringgod.org/articles/a-metaphor-of-christ-and-the-church
For the full article by Bibleref.com, please click on the following link: bibleref.com/Genesis/2/Genesis-2-18.html
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
The Last Antichrist Conquered by Christ
“In the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise, having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes.” [1]
Bad rulers are a symptom of this sin laden world. When good people do nothing to restrain the progress of a person with sinister schemes, that person with fierce features prevails.
“His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; he shall destroy fearfully and shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.” [2]
The last bad ruler of this sin laden world receives his power and might from the prince of darkness. He shall destroy mighty and holy people, reminiscent of the bad kings of Israel who slew God’s prophets for daring to challenge their treatment of God and of God’s people.
“Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means.” [3]
He is a deceiver and a promoter of deception. He is deceived by the power that Satan gives him to assume that he is more powerful than the Prince of princes a reference to the Messiah. But he will be broken without human means.
“They [Gog and Magog] went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” [4]
The good news is Messiah and His followers win.
“I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn [antichrist] was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.”
“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.” [5]
“The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” [6]
“I was watching; and the same horn [the antichrist] was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.” [7]
“The [heavenly] court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” [8]
Our part, at this time is to proclaim faith in Christ, and convince as many as possible to embrace a personal relationship with Christ. Only He can save us, and He will do so gloriously.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [9]
[1] Daniel 8:23
[2] Daniel 8:24
[3] Daniel 8:25
[4] Revelation 20:9-10
[5] Daniel 7:11-14
[6] Daniel 7:18
[7] Daniel 7:21-22
[8] Daniel 7:26-27
[9] John 16:33
Bad rulers are a symptom of this sin laden world. When good people do nothing to restrain the progress of a person with sinister schemes, that person with fierce features prevails.
“His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; he shall destroy fearfully and shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.” [2]
The last bad ruler of this sin laden world receives his power and might from the prince of darkness. He shall destroy mighty and holy people, reminiscent of the bad kings of Israel who slew God’s prophets for daring to challenge their treatment of God and of God’s people.
“Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means.” [3]
He is a deceiver and a promoter of deception. He is deceived by the power that Satan gives him to assume that he is more powerful than the Prince of princes a reference to the Messiah. But he will be broken without human means.
“They [Gog and Magog] went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” [4]
The good news is Messiah and His followers win.
“I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn [antichrist] was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.”
“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.” [5]
“The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” [6]
“I was watching; and the same horn [the antichrist] was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.” [7]
“The [heavenly] court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” [8]
Our part, at this time is to proclaim faith in Christ, and convince as many as possible to embrace a personal relationship with Christ. Only He can save us, and He will do so gloriously.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [9]
[1] Daniel 8:23
[2] Daniel 8:24
[3] Daniel 8:25
[4] Revelation 20:9-10
[5] Daniel 7:11-14
[6] Daniel 7:18
[7] Daniel 7:21-22
[8] Daniel 7:26-27
[9] John 16:33
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Lions Love Lawfare
“We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” [1]
“So these governors and satraps [politicians] THRONGED before the king, and said thus to him: ‘King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors, and advisors, have consulted [conspired] together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for 30 days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.’ Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.” [2]
How did Daniel respond to this decree? He prayed to God as he always had done. He was caught praying, he was arrested and he was thrown into the lions’ den. [3]
The king obeyed congress, but at the same time, expressed faith in Daniel’s God to rescue him: “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” [4]
The king also spent the night fasting. He arose very early in the morning to check on Daniel. He cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” [5]
Daniel testified to the king, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” [6]
“The king was exceedingly glad that “no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” The king sentenced those waged lawfare against Daniel to the lions. The lions loved it. Then King Darius decreed that “men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” [7]
“Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” [8]
Kings and a queen recognized that the Spirit of God was the One who empowered Daniel. “In him is the Spirit of the Holy God.” “Because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” “The Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” “I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.” “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent Spirit was in him.” [9]
Jesus told His disciples not to worry about what they were to say when brought before authorities because the Holy Spirit would provide the right words for them to speak. [10]
It is important to note that Daniel loved the Lord and was a reader of God’s Word. For example, he read the Book of Jeremiah. [11]
Daniel had a heart for God and a heart for people, and the Lord protected and prospered him.
[1] Daniel 6:5
[2] Daniel 6:6-9
[3] Daniel 6:10
[4] Daniel 6:16
[5] Daniel 6:18-20
[6] Daniel 6:22
[7] Daniel 6:23-27
[8] Daniel 6:28
[9] Daniel 4:8-9, 18; 5:11; 6:3
[10] Luke 12:11-12
[11] Daniel 9:2
“So these governors and satraps [politicians] THRONGED before the king, and said thus to him: ‘King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors, and advisors, have consulted [conspired] together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for 30 days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.’ Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.” [2]
How did Daniel respond to this decree? He prayed to God as he always had done. He was caught praying, he was arrested and he was thrown into the lions’ den. [3]
The king obeyed congress, but at the same time, expressed faith in Daniel’s God to rescue him: “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” [4]
The king also spent the night fasting. He arose very early in the morning to check on Daniel. He cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” [5]
Daniel testified to the king, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” [6]
“The king was exceedingly glad that “no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” The king sentenced those waged lawfare against Daniel to the lions. The lions loved it. Then King Darius decreed that “men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” [7]
“Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” [8]
Kings and a queen recognized that the Spirit of God was the One who empowered Daniel. “In him is the Spirit of the Holy God.” “Because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” “The Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” “I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.” “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent Spirit was in him.” [9]
Jesus told His disciples not to worry about what they were to say when brought before authorities because the Holy Spirit would provide the right words for them to speak. [10]
It is important to note that Daniel loved the Lord and was a reader of God’s Word. For example, he read the Book of Jeremiah. [11]
Daniel had a heart for God and a heart for people, and the Lord protected and prospered him.
[1] Daniel 6:5
[2] Daniel 6:6-9
[3] Daniel 6:10
[4] Daniel 6:16
[5] Daniel 6:18-20
[6] Daniel 6:22
[7] Daniel 6:23-27
[8] Daniel 6:28
[9] Daniel 4:8-9, 18; 5:11; 6:3
[10] Luke 12:11-12
[11] Daniel 9:2
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Compassion = 1; Competition = 2
“The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: for Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions. Then take another stick and write on it, for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions. Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.’” [1]
My wife asked me as she read this passage, “Could it be that the two sticks were put together in a crisscross manner so that they formed a cross?” I believe that the Lord would have led Ezekiel by His Spirit to do just that because He said that all Scripture points to Jesus Christ. It is in the cross of Christ that two become one.
“Then say to them, thus says the Lord God: surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one King shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” [2]
Compassion = one. Competition = two. The Lord brought His people to repentance of sin, and cleansed them from sinful appetites, and gave them an appetite for Him. He filled them by His Spirit with love for God and love for one another. Then, they became one people.
“David [Beloved] My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have One Shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” [3]
The bringing together of people with God and with one another in love is the work of David, whose name means beloved. The Beloved One of God in whom we all find acceptance and peace with God, is Jesus Christ God’s Son. He tabernacles – dwells – remains with those who receive Him. He is the One who sanctifies us and makes us one.
[1] Ezekiel 37:15-17
[2] Ezekiel 37:21-23
[3] Ezekiel 37:24-28
My wife asked me as she read this passage, “Could it be that the two sticks were put together in a crisscross manner so that they formed a cross?” I believe that the Lord would have led Ezekiel by His Spirit to do just that because He said that all Scripture points to Jesus Christ. It is in the cross of Christ that two become one.
“Then say to them, thus says the Lord God: surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one King shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” [2]
Compassion = one. Competition = two. The Lord brought His people to repentance of sin, and cleansed them from sinful appetites, and gave them an appetite for Him. He filled them by His Spirit with love for God and love for one another. Then, they became one people.
“David [Beloved] My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have One Shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” [3]
The bringing together of people with God and with one another in love is the work of David, whose name means beloved. The Beloved One of God in whom we all find acceptance and peace with God, is Jesus Christ God’s Son. He tabernacles – dwells – remains with those who receive Him. He is the One who sanctifies us and makes us one.
[1] Ezekiel 37:15-17
[2] Ezekiel 37:21-23
[3] Ezekiel 37:24-28
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Israel Reborn
One day, the Lord’s hand was on Ezekiel. In a sense, both of God’s hands were on him because the Spirit of the Lord and the Word of God came to him. The Spirit and the Word are like the two hands of the Heavenly Father to get His work done among us. The Lord showed him dry bones and asked him if the bones could live. His response was: “O Lord God, You know.” [1]
The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones. The Lord’s Word to the bones was LIFE. God created the heavens and the earth by speaking words. When Ezekiel obeyed the Lord, and spoke His Word, flesh formed on the bones and breath came into them. They lived! They became an exceedingly great army. [2]
This passage reminds me of what the Lord said through His servant Paul, “God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” [3]
Israel had been saying, “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!” The Word of the Lord to them was God was going to resurrect them by His Spirit. [4]
Ezekiel told them by the Word of the Lord that God would gather them from the nations where they had been scattered and bring them back into their own land. They would be one nation undivided. The Lord promised to appoint one King to reign over them and that their nation would never be divided again. [5]
This is quite a miracle, but God promised something even greater than these things to them. He promised to take idolatry from their hearts and cleanse them so that they would be happy to be His people, and He to be their God. God promised them one King and one Shepherd to guide them. In other words, the government would not be fragmented between secular and spiritual leaders. David, which means the Beloved, would be their prince forever. His everlasting covenant with Israel is peace. He will be their sanctuary. He will tabernacle among them. His holy place will be in Israel, and all the nations will know it. This is a reference to Jesus their Messiah.
“I will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one Shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes and do them.” “My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” [6]
I believe this day is close at hand. The time of the Gentiles is almost fulfilled. The time in which we Gentiles were the Lord’s predominant people to carry the Gospel to the nations! Israel is about to be reborn. They will embrace Jesus Christ, the Son of God as their Messiah, they will become a major force in the earth to proclaim Him and serve Him with great joy. He will do great exploits through them. Praise the Lord!
[1] Ezekiel 37:1-3
[2] Ezekiel 37:4-10
[3] Ephesians 2:4-6
[4] Ezekiel 37:11-14
[5] Ezekiel 37:21-22
[6] Ezekiel 37:23-28
The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones. The Lord’s Word to the bones was LIFE. God created the heavens and the earth by speaking words. When Ezekiel obeyed the Lord, and spoke His Word, flesh formed on the bones and breath came into them. They lived! They became an exceedingly great army. [2]
This passage reminds me of what the Lord said through His servant Paul, “God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” [3]
Israel had been saying, “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!” The Word of the Lord to them was God was going to resurrect them by His Spirit. [4]
Ezekiel told them by the Word of the Lord that God would gather them from the nations where they had been scattered and bring them back into their own land. They would be one nation undivided. The Lord promised to appoint one King to reign over them and that their nation would never be divided again. [5]
This is quite a miracle, but God promised something even greater than these things to them. He promised to take idolatry from their hearts and cleanse them so that they would be happy to be His people, and He to be their God. God promised them one King and one Shepherd to guide them. In other words, the government would not be fragmented between secular and spiritual leaders. David, which means the Beloved, would be their prince forever. His everlasting covenant with Israel is peace. He will be their sanctuary. He will tabernacle among them. His holy place will be in Israel, and all the nations will know it. This is a reference to Jesus their Messiah.
“I will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one Shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes and do them.” “My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” [6]
I believe this day is close at hand. The time of the Gentiles is almost fulfilled. The time in which we Gentiles were the Lord’s predominant people to carry the Gospel to the nations! Israel is about to be reborn. They will embrace Jesus Christ, the Son of God as their Messiah, they will become a major force in the earth to proclaim Him and serve Him with great joy. He will do great exploits through them. Praise the Lord!
[1] Ezekiel 37:1-3
[2] Ezekiel 37:4-10
[3] Ephesians 2:4-6
[4] Ezekiel 37:11-14
[5] Ezekiel 37:21-22
[6] Ezekiel 37:23-28
Thursday, October 24, 2024
God’s Great Name
“The Word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it.” [1]
Idolatry focuses people on self. What can I get in exchange for my homage? What can I avoid if I serve this entity? Self-worship carried to extreme levels results in bloodshed.
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” [2]
Bloodshed from covetousness! Bloodshed from the fear of the unknown such as in the case of abortion. The Law of God is, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.” [3]
What did the Lord do with people who professed to others that they belonged to Him, and yet were in reality all about serving themselves?
“So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds. When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy Name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ But I had concern for My holy Name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.” [4]
The Lord took up the task that His people failed to do, namely, to restore honor to His Name.
“Therefore, say to the house of Israel, thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy Name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.” [5]
The Lord’s plan was to cleanse His people from their self-worship. To give them a new heart and a new spirit so that they would have an appetite for His statues and judgments! To delight to be His people, and to have Him alone for their God.
“For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.” [6]
After His cleansing in their souls, He planned to bless the works of theirs hands so that their land produced abundantly. His lovingkindness, grace and forgiveness towards them would lead them to repentance and renewal.
“I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain, multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. Not for your sake do I do this, says the Lord God, let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!” [7]
In fact, we see the Lord already bringing abut a new day for Israel. They have developed a process to desalinate the Mediterranean salt water and use it to irrigate nonproductive lands so that now they are producing food in abundance.
“Thus says the Lord God: on the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.” [8]
Ultimately, they will be a great people once again. They will be like a flock. A unified group of people who knows the Lord! Praise the Lord!
“Thus says the Lord God: I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” [9]
[1] Ezekiel 36:16-18
[2] James 4:1-2
[3] Genesis 9:6
[4] Ezekiel 36:19-21
[5] Ezekiel 36:22-23
[6] Ezekiel 36:24-28
[7] Ezekiel 36:29-32
[8] Ezekiel 36:33-36
[9] Ezekiel 36:37-38
Idolatry focuses people on self. What can I get in exchange for my homage? What can I avoid if I serve this entity? Self-worship carried to extreme levels results in bloodshed.
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” [2]
Bloodshed from covetousness! Bloodshed from the fear of the unknown such as in the case of abortion. The Law of God is, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.” [3]
What did the Lord do with people who professed to others that they belonged to Him, and yet were in reality all about serving themselves?
“So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds. When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy Name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ But I had concern for My holy Name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.” [4]
The Lord took up the task that His people failed to do, namely, to restore honor to His Name.
“Therefore, say to the house of Israel, thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy Name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.” [5]
The Lord’s plan was to cleanse His people from their self-worship. To give them a new heart and a new spirit so that they would have an appetite for His statues and judgments! To delight to be His people, and to have Him alone for their God.
“For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.” [6]
After His cleansing in their souls, He planned to bless the works of theirs hands so that their land produced abundantly. His lovingkindness, grace and forgiveness towards them would lead them to repentance and renewal.
“I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain, multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. Not for your sake do I do this, says the Lord God, let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!” [7]
In fact, we see the Lord already bringing abut a new day for Israel. They have developed a process to desalinate the Mediterranean salt water and use it to irrigate nonproductive lands so that now they are producing food in abundance.
“Thus says the Lord God: on the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.” [8]
Ultimately, they will be a great people once again. They will be like a flock. A unified group of people who knows the Lord! Praise the Lord!
“Thus says the Lord God: I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” [9]
[1] Ezekiel 36:16-18
[2] James 4:1-2
[3] Genesis 9:6
[4] Ezekiel 36:19-21
[5] Ezekiel 36:22-23
[6] Ezekiel 36:24-28
[7] Ezekiel 36:29-32
[8] Ezekiel 36:33-36
[9] Ezekiel 36:37-38
Monday, October 21, 2024
The Last Great Transfer of Power
In the past, the Lord spoke of Assyria as being a great and beautiful tree which could host a multitude of birds. “All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; under its branches all the beasts of the field brought forth their young; and in its shadow all great nations made their home.” [1]
Later, the Lord spoke of the King of Babylon as such a tree, “You saw a tree in your dream. The tree grew large and strong. Its top touched the sky, and it could be seen from all over the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, and it had plenty of fruit. The fruit gave plenty of food for everyone. It was a home for the wild animals, and its branches were nesting places for the birds. You saw that tree. King, you are that tree! You have become great and powerful. You are like the tall tree that touched the sky—your power reaches to the far parts of the earth.” [2]
Later, Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God as being such a tree. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” [3]
The Kingdom of Christ is destined to be the final and everlasting empire that rules the world, but until then, there are imposter kings and kingdoms that taut themselves to be the answer to the world’s problem, and to be the kingdom that cannot be destroyed, and people will flock to them, but be disappointed.
Jesus is God’s Messiah. He is the Only Savior. His kingdom has no end. His rule is based on righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Eventually, the kingdoms of this world will be His. “At the Name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [4]
Soon, an heavenly angel will sound a trumpet, and all this shall come to pass suddenly. “Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [5] This event will be last great transfer of power from one government to another.
This will be a wonderful day for those who have placed their hope in Christ for a better kingdom than ones we see now, but not for those who have trusted in lies and disregarded the truth.
It is vital to come to Christ on a personal basis, ask His forgiveness of your sins, and to commit to trusting and professing Him as your Lord and Savior.
[1] Ezekiel 31:6
[2] Daniel 4:20-22
[3] Matthew 13:31-32
[4] Romans 14:17; Philippians 2:10-11
[5] Revelation 11:15
Later, the Lord spoke of the King of Babylon as such a tree, “You saw a tree in your dream. The tree grew large and strong. Its top touched the sky, and it could be seen from all over the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, and it had plenty of fruit. The fruit gave plenty of food for everyone. It was a home for the wild animals, and its branches were nesting places for the birds. You saw that tree. King, you are that tree! You have become great and powerful. You are like the tall tree that touched the sky—your power reaches to the far parts of the earth.” [2]
Later, Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God as being such a tree. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” [3]
The Kingdom of Christ is destined to be the final and everlasting empire that rules the world, but until then, there are imposter kings and kingdoms that taut themselves to be the answer to the world’s problem, and to be the kingdom that cannot be destroyed, and people will flock to them, but be disappointed.
Jesus is God’s Messiah. He is the Only Savior. His kingdom has no end. His rule is based on righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Eventually, the kingdoms of this world will be His. “At the Name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [4]
Soon, an heavenly angel will sound a trumpet, and all this shall come to pass suddenly. “Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [5] This event will be last great transfer of power from one government to another.
This will be a wonderful day for those who have placed their hope in Christ for a better kingdom than ones we see now, but not for those who have trusted in lies and disregarded the truth.
It is vital to come to Christ on a personal basis, ask His forgiveness of your sins, and to commit to trusting and professing Him as your Lord and Savior.
[1] Ezekiel 31:6
[2] Daniel 4:20-22
[3] Matthew 13:31-32
[4] Romans 14:17; Philippians 2:10-11
[5] Revelation 11:15
Sunday, October 20, 2024
God’s Word to an Arrogant Nation
The nation’s heart was lifted up in such a way that they began to believe the lie that they were a god. They thought that they had reached their position among the nations due to their superior wisdom. They thought that they knew every other nation’s secrets. They were rich because they were wise! But the truth was that they were getting their payments from the thief of thieves… Satan. They had built their economy using the devil’s blueprint for wealth. God declared to them through His prophet Ezekiel that they were about to be conquered and thrown into a pit.
“The Word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ‘Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, thus says the Lord God: because your heart is lifted up, and you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, in the midst of the seas,’ yet you are a man, and not a god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god (Behold, you are wiser than Daniel! There is no secret that can be hidden from you! With your wisdom and your understanding you have gained riches for yourself, and gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; by your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches), therefore, thus says the Lord God: because you have set your heart as the heart of a god, Behold, therefore, I will bring strangers against you, the most terrible of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor. They shall throw you down into the Pit, and you shall die the death of the slain In the midst of the seas.’” [1]
The God who created and sustains the universe was declaring their downfall, and it would happen in due season. “Will you still say before him who slays you, ‘I am a god’? But you shall be a man, and not a god, in the hand of him who slays you. You shall die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of aliens; for I have spoken, says the Lord God.” [2]
The Lord, in His Word, compares this nation with Satan. Iniquity was found in her. This nation which touted itself as egalitarian actually was the most unequal and most unjust nation of all.
“Moreover the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, thus says the Lord God: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” [3]
This nation valued consumerism more than God and people. The love of God and love of neighbor decreased to the point that caring people were deemed enemies of the state. “By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones.” [4]
God removed her cosmetics, her fake beauty, so the nations could see what she really looked like, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you.” [5]
The Lord brought judgment on her sanctuaries. Her faith places were also corrupted by the love of pleasure and consumerism. “You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; therefore I brought fire from your midst; it devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you.” [6]
The Lord called Ezekiel to set his face against this wicked nation and prophesy against her, much like Jesus prophesied (later) against Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. [7]
“Thus says the Lord God: behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her. For I will send pestilence upon her, and blood in her streets; the wounded shall be judged in her midst by the sword against her on every side; then they shall know that I am the Lord.” [8]
To His people of faith the Lord said, “They will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God.” [9]
All that shines is not gold. The nation that builds on a foundation other than on the foundation of the Lord’s blueprint, His Word, will discover that they were duped. Their fall will come suddenly. The Lord will winnow the chaff from the wheat.
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” [10]
[1] Ezekiel 28:1-8
[2] Ezekiel 28:9-10
[3] Ezekiel 28:11-15
[4] Ezekiel 28:16
[5] Ezekiel 28:17
[6] Ezekiel 28:18
[7] Matthew 11:20-24
[8] Ezekiel 28:22-23
[9] Ezekiel 28:26
[10] Matthew 3:12
“The Word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ‘Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, thus says the Lord God: because your heart is lifted up, and you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, in the midst of the seas,’ yet you are a man, and not a god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god (Behold, you are wiser than Daniel! There is no secret that can be hidden from you! With your wisdom and your understanding you have gained riches for yourself, and gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; by your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches), therefore, thus says the Lord God: because you have set your heart as the heart of a god, Behold, therefore, I will bring strangers against you, the most terrible of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor. They shall throw you down into the Pit, and you shall die the death of the slain In the midst of the seas.’” [1]
The God who created and sustains the universe was declaring their downfall, and it would happen in due season. “Will you still say before him who slays you, ‘I am a god’? But you shall be a man, and not a god, in the hand of him who slays you. You shall die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of aliens; for I have spoken, says the Lord God.” [2]
The Lord, in His Word, compares this nation with Satan. Iniquity was found in her. This nation which touted itself as egalitarian actually was the most unequal and most unjust nation of all.
“Moreover the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, thus says the Lord God: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” [3]
This nation valued consumerism more than God and people. The love of God and love of neighbor decreased to the point that caring people were deemed enemies of the state. “By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones.” [4]
God removed her cosmetics, her fake beauty, so the nations could see what she really looked like, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you.” [5]
The Lord brought judgment on her sanctuaries. Her faith places were also corrupted by the love of pleasure and consumerism. “You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; therefore I brought fire from your midst; it devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you.” [6]
The Lord called Ezekiel to set his face against this wicked nation and prophesy against her, much like Jesus prophesied (later) against Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. [7]
“Thus says the Lord God: behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her. For I will send pestilence upon her, and blood in her streets; the wounded shall be judged in her midst by the sword against her on every side; then they shall know that I am the Lord.” [8]
To His people of faith the Lord said, “They will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God.” [9]
All that shines is not gold. The nation that builds on a foundation other than on the foundation of the Lord’s blueprint, His Word, will discover that they were duped. Their fall will come suddenly. The Lord will winnow the chaff from the wheat.
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” [10]
[1] Ezekiel 28:1-8
[2] Ezekiel 28:9-10
[3] Ezekiel 28:11-15
[4] Ezekiel 28:16
[5] Ezekiel 28:17
[6] Ezekiel 28:18
[7] Matthew 11:20-24
[8] Ezekiel 28:22-23
[9] Ezekiel 28:26
[10] Matthew 3:12
Friday, October 18, 2024
Jesus Christ Stands in the Gap
“The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, say to her: you are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation. The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.’” [1]
The conspiracy of her prophets… is like a roaring lion tearing the prey.” The Apostle Peter speaks of the devil as a roaring lion who seeks to devour people. The Apostle Paul speaks of the devil as one who transforms himself into an angel of light. [2]
The prophets in Ezekiel’s day were deceived by the devil to proclaim a message that was not from God, and they formed a conspiracy against anyone who dared to speak differently. The reason being, “They have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows.” They were after people’s money. Perhaps, they worked the husbands of the widows to death with their self-help messages.
“Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.” [3]
Those who were to serve the congregation by teaching them to discern between what was pleasing to the Lord, and what was not, failed them. Thus, the people under them did not honor the Lord with their choices.
“Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.” [4]
The politicians fleeced and slaughtered the sheep rather than served them.
“Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, thus says the Lord God, when the Lord had not spoken.” [5]
The false prophets plastered them with words that gave them a sense of being right with God, but their words were distancing the people from a personal relationship with the Lord.
“The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.” [6]
The fruit of the failing prophets, failing priests and failing politicians was a nation of people that was skillful at defrauding people of their money, and great at taking advantage of vulnerable people, such as the newly arrived foreigners.
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads, says the Lord God.” [7]
The One stands in the gap for people in such a nation as the one described above is Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He is perfect. He lived in flesh on this planet and never sinned. He gave His life as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people. Salvation by His grace is the only message that does not fail people. We all fail God and one another due to our sin. We have no idea how far off from God we are. Living in a sin stained world is our normal. We need someone from outside our world who is not tainted by the sin we live in to reveal to us our spiritual failings, and to forgive our sins against and people, and to give us new hearts that want to love God and our neighbor. Jesus Christ is the One who stands in the gap. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all...” [8]
Christ is the answer for our world today! He is the One that true prophets of God testify of. [9]
He is the One of whom the Apostle Peter preached, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized…” [10]
[1] Ezekiel 22:23-25
[2] 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:14
[3] Ezekiel 22:26
[4] Ezekiel 22:27
[5] Ezekiel 22:28
[6] Ezekiel 22:29
[7] Ezekiel 22:30-31
[8] 1 Timothy 2:5–6
[9] Revelation 19:10
[10] Acts 2:38-40
The prophets in Ezekiel’s day were deceived by the devil to proclaim a message that was not from God, and they formed a conspiracy against anyone who dared to speak differently. The reason being, “They have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows.” They were after people’s money. Perhaps, they worked the husbands of the widows to death with their self-help messages.
“Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.” [3]
Those who were to serve the congregation by teaching them to discern between what was pleasing to the Lord, and what was not, failed them. Thus, the people under them did not honor the Lord with their choices.
“Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain.” [4]
The politicians fleeced and slaughtered the sheep rather than served them.
“Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, thus says the Lord God, when the Lord had not spoken.” [5]
The false prophets plastered them with words that gave them a sense of being right with God, but their words were distancing the people from a personal relationship with the Lord.
“The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.” [6]
The fruit of the failing prophets, failing priests and failing politicians was a nation of people that was skillful at defrauding people of their money, and great at taking advantage of vulnerable people, such as the newly arrived foreigners.
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads, says the Lord God.” [7]
The One stands in the gap for people in such a nation as the one described above is Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He is perfect. He lived in flesh on this planet and never sinned. He gave His life as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people. Salvation by His grace is the only message that does not fail people. We all fail God and one another due to our sin. We have no idea how far off from God we are. Living in a sin stained world is our normal. We need someone from outside our world who is not tainted by the sin we live in to reveal to us our spiritual failings, and to forgive our sins against and people, and to give us new hearts that want to love God and our neighbor. Jesus Christ is the One who stands in the gap. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all...” [8]
Christ is the answer for our world today! He is the One that true prophets of God testify of. [9]
He is the One of whom the Apostle Peter preached, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized…” [10]
[1] Ezekiel 22:23-25
[2] 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:14
[3] Ezekiel 22:26
[4] Ezekiel 22:27
[5] Ezekiel 22:28
[6] Ezekiel 22:29
[7] Ezekiel 22:30-31
[8] 1 Timothy 2:5–6
[9] Revelation 19:10
[10] Acts 2:38-40
Thursday, October 17, 2024
I Wish We’d All Been Ready
Have you ever been treated poorly by someone that you made a sacrifice for?
Throughout the prophets, God draws people’s attention to the unfair treatment that He has recieved in return for all that He has done for us. We took His gifts, but did not love Him as He deserves.
The Lord brought Hebrews 10:29 to my mind this morning while in prayer, “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”
Revelation 1:7 also came to mind, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”
When the people see Jesus Christ, they will mourn, perhaps because they will realize in that moment how insignificantly they treated Him. They did not regard the One who died on the cross to take away their sins, and resurrected from the dead to show them He is the One and Only Savior of humankind.
DC Talk recorded a song by Larry Norman entitled, “I Wish We’d all Been Ready.” That’s my prayer for you my friends, for me, and for the world this morning.
Throughout the prophets, God draws people’s attention to the unfair treatment that He has recieved in return for all that He has done for us. We took His gifts, but did not love Him as He deserves.
The Lord brought Hebrews 10:29 to my mind this morning while in prayer, “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”
Revelation 1:7 also came to mind, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”
When the people see Jesus Christ, they will mourn, perhaps because they will realize in that moment how insignificantly they treated Him. They did not regard the One who died on the cross to take away their sins, and resurrected from the dead to show them He is the One and Only Savior of humankind.
DC Talk recorded a song by Larry Norman entitled, “I Wish We’d all Been Ready.” That’s my prayer for you my friends, for me, and for the world this morning.
https://youtu.be/wtwYhnGSBDQ?si=3K3FnVpM-rkAyAIU
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Jesus and The Prophets
Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” They answered Him, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” [1]
How many of us in the Body of Christ have pictured Jesus in the image of one of the Old Testament prophets? Well, the people of Israel definitely connected Him to those who went before Him according to the passage above.
I am currently expanding my study and my testimonial writing about what the Lord has shown me in the Book of Jeremiah, but at the same time, looking into other books of prophecy to see Jesus in their writings. In the passages below, I share some connections between Jesus in the Gospel and Jesus in His revelation to John, with His Words to Israel via His Prophet Ezekiel.
“Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die…? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore, turn and live!” [2]
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’” [3]
The good news of God via Ezekiel and Jesus is the same. Repent, turn to God, and God will save you from your sin and give you a new heart to be a citizen of His kingdom.
“…Take fire from among the wheels, from among the cherubim,” that he went in and stood beside the wheels. And the cherub stretched out his hand from among the cherubim to the fire that was among the cherubim and took some of it and put it into the hands of the man clothed with linen, who took it and went out.” [4]
“Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” [5]
The revelation of Jesus and the prophesy of Ezekiel both speak of fire from the heavenly altar being used by heavenly angels to bring about judgment on sin.
“Each one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. And the cherubim were lifted up. This was the living creature I saw by the River Chebar.” [6]
“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” [7]
Ezekiel saw a similar vision of the four living creatures in heaven that Jesus revealed to John in Revelation. Perhaps, from a different chronological order and perspective, but similar creatures at the on-start of divine judgments on sin.
“The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel. Moreover the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Say now to the rebellious house: do you not know what these things mean?’” [8]
“He [Jesus] said to them, ‘To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.’ And He said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?’” [9]
“Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.’” [10]
How many of us in the Body of Christ have pictured Jesus in the image of one of the Old Testament prophets? Well, the people of Israel definitely connected Him to those who went before Him according to the passage above.
I am currently expanding my study and my testimonial writing about what the Lord has shown me in the Book of Jeremiah, but at the same time, looking into other books of prophecy to see Jesus in their writings. In the passages below, I share some connections between Jesus in the Gospel and Jesus in His revelation to John, with His Words to Israel via His Prophet Ezekiel.
“Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die…? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore, turn and live!” [2]
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’” [3]
The good news of God via Ezekiel and Jesus is the same. Repent, turn to God, and God will save you from your sin and give you a new heart to be a citizen of His kingdom.
“…Take fire from among the wheels, from among the cherubim,” that he went in and stood beside the wheels. And the cherub stretched out his hand from among the cherubim to the fire that was among the cherubim and took some of it and put it into the hands of the man clothed with linen, who took it and went out.” [4]
“Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” [5]
The revelation of Jesus and the prophesy of Ezekiel both speak of fire from the heavenly altar being used by heavenly angels to bring about judgment on sin.
“Each one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, the second face the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. And the cherubim were lifted up. This was the living creature I saw by the River Chebar.” [6]
“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” [7]
Ezekiel saw a similar vision of the four living creatures in heaven that Jesus revealed to John in Revelation. Perhaps, from a different chronological order and perspective, but similar creatures at the on-start of divine judgments on sin.
“The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel. Moreover the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Say now to the rebellious house: do you not know what these things mean?’” [8]
“He [Jesus] said to them, ‘To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.’ And He said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?’” [9]
“Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.’” [10]
God spoke parables through Ezekiel and Jesus. Both pointed to rebellion against God as the source of confusion amidst their listeners. If anyone will walk with Jesus, listen to Him and obey Him, He will reveal to them what they previously could not understand.
Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God, is the Giver of these revelations into His Word…
“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” [11]
I highly recommend studying the Old Testament prophets to better understand who Jesus is and what His message to us is from God. He puts all things into a rightful perspective and helps us to walk rightly with God and with those around us.
[1] Mark 10:27-29
[2] Ezekiel 18:30-32
[3] Mark 1:14-15
[4] Ezekiel 10:6-7
[5] Revelation 8:5
[6] Ezekiel 10:14-15
[7] Revelation 4:6-7
[8] Ezekiel 17:1-2, 11-12
[9] Mark 4:11-13
[10] Ezekiel 12:1-2
[11] Luke 24:44-45
Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God, is the Giver of these revelations into His Word…
“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” [11]
I highly recommend studying the Old Testament prophets to better understand who Jesus is and what His message to us is from God. He puts all things into a rightful perspective and helps us to walk rightly with God and with those around us.
[1] Mark 10:27-29
[2] Ezekiel 18:30-32
[3] Mark 1:14-15
[4] Ezekiel 10:6-7
[5] Revelation 8:5
[6] Ezekiel 10:14-15
[7] Revelation 4:6-7
[8] Ezekiel 17:1-2, 11-12
[9] Mark 4:11-13
[10] Ezekiel 12:1-2
[11] Luke 24:44-45
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
A Parent’s Perspective of Psalm 119
Recently, I have had the privilege of being the temporary sole caregiver of three of my eleven grandchildren. Being older and having enjoyed a season of being an empty nester, I noticed how much I value the moments of peace, harmony, joy and love when they occur. This being said, I read Psalm 119 with a parent’s perspective, that is, what if these were my grandchildren making such statements and behaving in accordance with these words? I would be so happy!
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” [1]
Shunning defiling influences! Seeking the Lord and His goodness with the whole heart!
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; O, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word.” [2]
Imagine if your children did not want to wander from the path of obedience! That they delighted in your commandments! Now, imagine how it delights the heart of God to have a son or daughter here on earth like that!
“Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your Law.” [3]
Abundance mercy from God to help us heed His Word! Seeing things in His Word that we never noticed before! Having an appetite for listening to Him and following Him!
“Remove from me the way of lying and grant me Your Law graciously.” [4]
No delight in what is false or deceptive! Leaning on God’s grace to embrace and keep His laws!
“Turn away my eyes from looking at Vanity and revive me in Your way.” [5]
This is the TV verse… T-urn and V-anity. Don’t let my eyes feast on that which defiles me!
“Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in Your Word.” [6]
It is wonderful to be with a group of people who love to meditate on and delight in God’s Word, and to be one of them because of the transforming work of Christ in your life.
“Unless Your Law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.” [7]
It is good to store up faith in God’s promises during the easy days so that when difficult days come you are ready to triumph over them.
“O, how I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day.” [8] Amen!
“I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your Word. I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.” [9]
Knowing that God’s Word is the lamp for my feet and that false words do not yield light, I want to always yield to Christ!
“Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God!” [10]
I do not delight in the freedom to rebel against God and against good commandments. I delight in the freedom and will to obey Him!
“The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” [11]
I need the light of God’s Word otherwise my life will descend into chaos and destruction.
“Great peace have those who love Your Law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” [12]
Love for His Law yields peace. Breaking His Law yields problems.
“Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts.” [13]
I recognize my need for God’s grace to forgive my past sins, and to transform my desires so that I love Him more than all else, and in the process I do what is best for me and for those around me. Amen.
[1] Psalm 119:1-2
[2] Psalm 119:9-11, 15-16
[3] Psalm 119:17-18
[4] Psalm 119:29
[5] Psalm 119:37
[6] Psalm 119:74
[7] Psalm 119:92
[8] Psalm 119:97
[9] Psalm 119: 101-105, 112
[10] Psalm 119:115
[11] Psalm 119:130
[12] Psalm 119:162
[13] Psalm 119:173
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” [1]
Shunning defiling influences! Seeking the Lord and His goodness with the whole heart!
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; O, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word.” [2]
Imagine if your children did not want to wander from the path of obedience! That they delighted in your commandments! Now, imagine how it delights the heart of God to have a son or daughter here on earth like that!
“Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your Law.” [3]
Abundance mercy from God to help us heed His Word! Seeing things in His Word that we never noticed before! Having an appetite for listening to Him and following Him!
“Remove from me the way of lying and grant me Your Law graciously.” [4]
No delight in what is false or deceptive! Leaning on God’s grace to embrace and keep His laws!
“Turn away my eyes from looking at Vanity and revive me in Your way.” [5]
This is the TV verse… T-urn and V-anity. Don’t let my eyes feast on that which defiles me!
“Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in Your Word.” [6]
It is wonderful to be with a group of people who love to meditate on and delight in God’s Word, and to be one of them because of the transforming work of Christ in your life.
“Unless Your Law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.” [7]
It is good to store up faith in God’s promises during the easy days so that when difficult days come you are ready to triumph over them.
“O, how I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day.” [8] Amen!
“I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your Word. I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.” [9]
Knowing that God’s Word is the lamp for my feet and that false words do not yield light, I want to always yield to Christ!
“Depart from me, you evildoers, for I will keep the commandments of my God!” [10]
I do not delight in the freedom to rebel against God and against good commandments. I delight in the freedom and will to obey Him!
“The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” [11]
I need the light of God’s Word otherwise my life will descend into chaos and destruction.
“Great peace have those who love Your Law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” [12]
Love for His Law yields peace. Breaking His Law yields problems.
“Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts.” [13]
I recognize my need for God’s grace to forgive my past sins, and to transform my desires so that I love Him more than all else, and in the process I do what is best for me and for those around me. Amen.
[1] Psalm 119:1-2
[2] Psalm 119:9-11, 15-16
[3] Psalm 119:17-18
[4] Psalm 119:29
[5] Psalm 119:37
[6] Psalm 119:74
[7] Psalm 119:92
[8] Psalm 119:97
[9] Psalm 119: 101-105, 112
[10] Psalm 119:115
[11] Psalm 119:130
[12] Psalm 119:162
[13] Psalm 119:173
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Compassion for Rebels is Needed
The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel while in exile with the people of God. This Word began with a vision of four winged-creatures. “I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty...” And continued with a vision of the Lord Himself. A vision of the pre-incarnate Christ who is the Word of God. [1]
The Lord said to Ezekiel, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” The Spirit entered Ezekiel when He spoke to him and set him on his feet. He said to him: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.” [2]
God anointed Ezekiel to speak to people who esteemed themselves to be God’s people, but did not want to hear or obey Him! The Lord said to him, “though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My Words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.” [3]
Briers, thorns and scorpions are metaphors for painful responses that God’s messengers sometimes experience from their listeners.
“Open your mouth and eat what I give you.” The Lord gave Ezekiel a scroll with lamentations and mourning and woe written on it. God gives us the free will to disobey Him, but the universe has been ordered by Him in such a way that in due season rebellion against Him and His ways yields painful hurts and losses. [4]
The Word of Lord in his mouth was like honey in sweetness. [5] In God’s presence, His Word is sweet, but among rejectors, it can yield bitter feelings.
The Lord told Ezekiel that if he spoke to foreigners, they would listen, but His people would not, because they didn’t listen to Him. They were impudent and hard-hearted. [6] They had the Bible but the Bible did not have them.
The Lord’s remedy for Ezekial’s ministry was to make his face strong. “Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” [7]
Ezekiel was to say to them, “Thus says the Lord God!” “Whether they hear, or whether they refuse.” If he warned them and they didn’t listen, their blood would be on their own heads, but if he did not warn them, their blood would be upon his. [8]
In the past, I have been threatened to be shot by someone who could not find the gun they wanted to shoot me with. Threatened to be hit with a baseball bat by another if I did not leave his property immediately. Insulted!
I wasn’t being obnoxious. I was simply trying to tell them in the kindest way possible that if they believed in Christ, their sins could be forgiven and they could inherit eternal life. What is offensive about that? Nevertheless, because the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, [9] they rejected me.
The Word of the Lord to each of us followers of Jesus is to listen to Him, obey Him, stand up for Him, and speak for Him.
Jonah fled from the Lord’s presence when the Lord asked him to speak for Him. He said to the Lord, “I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.” He told the Lord that it was better for him to die than live. [10]
Lamentations and Revelation have lamentations and mourning and woes in them. Jeremiah asked the Lord, “Should the women eat their offspring, the children they have cuddled? Should the priest and prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?” The Apostle John was shown a vision of the kings of the earth bemoaning the loss of Babylon, “Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one-hour your judgment has come.” [11]
Jesus warned of eternal judgment. He said, “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” [12]
Horrible woes await those who prefer to be gods unto themselves. God wants them to hear of the one off-ramp option that He offers them: the narrow road in Christ that leads to eternal life.
Compassion for rebels is needed! Like that of Ezekiel, Jeremiah and the Apostle John! Indeed, like that of Jesus Christ. The Spirit says, “Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” [13]
[1] Ezekiel 1:1-24; 26-28; John 1:1
[2] Ezekiel 2:1-5
[3] Ezekiel 2:6-7
[4] Ezekiel 2:8-10
[5] Ezekiel 3:3
[6] Ezekiel 3:7
[7] Ezekiel 3:8-9
[8] Ezekiel 3:11, 16-21
[9] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[10] Jonah 4:2-3
[11] Lamentations 2:20; Revelation 18:10
[12] Mark 9:47-48
[13] Hebrews 12:3-4
The Lord said to Ezekiel, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” The Spirit entered Ezekiel when He spoke to him and set him on his feet. He said to him: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.” [2]
God anointed Ezekiel to speak to people who esteemed themselves to be God’s people, but did not want to hear or obey Him! The Lord said to him, “though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My Words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.” [3]
Briers, thorns and scorpions are metaphors for painful responses that God’s messengers sometimes experience from their listeners.
“Open your mouth and eat what I give you.” The Lord gave Ezekiel a scroll with lamentations and mourning and woe written on it. God gives us the free will to disobey Him, but the universe has been ordered by Him in such a way that in due season rebellion against Him and His ways yields painful hurts and losses. [4]
The Word of Lord in his mouth was like honey in sweetness. [5] In God’s presence, His Word is sweet, but among rejectors, it can yield bitter feelings.
The Lord told Ezekiel that if he spoke to foreigners, they would listen, but His people would not, because they didn’t listen to Him. They were impudent and hard-hearted. [6] They had the Bible but the Bible did not have them.
The Lord’s remedy for Ezekial’s ministry was to make his face strong. “Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” [7]
Ezekiel was to say to them, “Thus says the Lord God!” “Whether they hear, or whether they refuse.” If he warned them and they didn’t listen, their blood would be on their own heads, but if he did not warn them, their blood would be upon his. [8]
In the past, I have been threatened to be shot by someone who could not find the gun they wanted to shoot me with. Threatened to be hit with a baseball bat by another if I did not leave his property immediately. Insulted!
I wasn’t being obnoxious. I was simply trying to tell them in the kindest way possible that if they believed in Christ, their sins could be forgiven and they could inherit eternal life. What is offensive about that? Nevertheless, because the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, [9] they rejected me.
The Word of the Lord to each of us followers of Jesus is to listen to Him, obey Him, stand up for Him, and speak for Him.
Jonah fled from the Lord’s presence when the Lord asked him to speak for Him. He said to the Lord, “I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.” He told the Lord that it was better for him to die than live. [10]
Lamentations and Revelation have lamentations and mourning and woes in them. Jeremiah asked the Lord, “Should the women eat their offspring, the children they have cuddled? Should the priest and prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?” The Apostle John was shown a vision of the kings of the earth bemoaning the loss of Babylon, “Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one-hour your judgment has come.” [11]
Jesus warned of eternal judgment. He said, “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” [12]
Horrible woes await those who prefer to be gods unto themselves. God wants them to hear of the one off-ramp option that He offers them: the narrow road in Christ that leads to eternal life.
Compassion for rebels is needed! Like that of Ezekiel, Jeremiah and the Apostle John! Indeed, like that of Jesus Christ. The Spirit says, “Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” [13]
[1] Ezekiel 1:1-24; 26-28; John 1:1
[2] Ezekiel 2:1-5
[3] Ezekiel 2:6-7
[4] Ezekiel 2:8-10
[5] Ezekiel 3:3
[6] Ezekiel 3:7
[7] Ezekiel 3:8-9
[8] Ezekiel 3:11, 16-21
[9] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[10] Jonah 4:2-3
[11] Lamentations 2:20; Revelation 18:10
[12] Mark 9:47-48
[13] Hebrews 12:3-4
Sunday, October 6, 2024
If You Love Me
The other night, I pulled the “covenant card” on my grandchildren, and it worked well. I had been serving them the last few days without expecting much in return, but when they were highly wound up at bedtime, I asked them if they understood the term covenant. The oldest one said, “Yes” and added, “it’s about a relationship between God and people.”
Very good! He’s only ten. I added, “In God’s covenants, He promises to do certain things for His people, but He also expects certain behavior from them in return.”
I proceeded to ask my grandchildren if they would like to do something for me? Something that would make me feel so loved? They replied, “Yes.” I said, “It would make me happy and I would feel so loved by you if you would settle down quickly and go to sleep. We have church in the morning, and I want us all to be rested and refreshed when we wake up.” Well, they didn’t wind down immediately, but they did wind down faster than on previous nights.
Later, I thought about how I expected full-service from my parents when I was a child, but when asked to do chores or obey rules, I often groaned or complained, and in some cases needed to be disciplined before I would cooperate. I had to say, “Lord, please forgive my iniquities. My unequal relationship with You and my parents, in which I expected much, but only gave back begrudgingly in return.”
God is a God of covenantal relationships. He gives us guidelines on how to maintain a healthy and happy relationship with Him and with one another. His guidelines can be summed in two themes which are to love Him and love people. Don’t kill and hate one another! Get along! To do otherwise is to take benefits from others and to only give heartaches in return.
Now, in a parent to child relationship, things are not always fair. Parents tend to give more to their children than they get back in return, but they do so out of love, and out of the realization that without giving them grace and good guidance, they will not be sufficiently provided and protected. A parent must forgive and love in a similar fashion to the way God loves, forgives, and serves people daily without receiving much in return for His investment.
Jesus said to His disciples, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” [1] God’s commandments are based on mutual love and respect for one another.
What’s more, God has poured out His Holy Spirit into us who believe in His Son Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God and God’s ways. He fills us with love for people which helps us to be patient and forgiving to others, and to ourselves.
Praise God that He took the time and the effort via the Bible to teach us how we ought to live and worship. Praise God that He gave us His Son as our Savior to save us from the penalty our sins deserve. Praise God for His gracious Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to help us be more like our Heavenly Father.
[1] John 15:10
Very good! He’s only ten. I added, “In God’s covenants, He promises to do certain things for His people, but He also expects certain behavior from them in return.”
I proceeded to ask my grandchildren if they would like to do something for me? Something that would make me feel so loved? They replied, “Yes.” I said, “It would make me happy and I would feel so loved by you if you would settle down quickly and go to sleep. We have church in the morning, and I want us all to be rested and refreshed when we wake up.” Well, they didn’t wind down immediately, but they did wind down faster than on previous nights.
Later, I thought about how I expected full-service from my parents when I was a child, but when asked to do chores or obey rules, I often groaned or complained, and in some cases needed to be disciplined before I would cooperate. I had to say, “Lord, please forgive my iniquities. My unequal relationship with You and my parents, in which I expected much, but only gave back begrudgingly in return.”
God is a God of covenantal relationships. He gives us guidelines on how to maintain a healthy and happy relationship with Him and with one another. His guidelines can be summed in two themes which are to love Him and love people. Don’t kill and hate one another! Get along! To do otherwise is to take benefits from others and to only give heartaches in return.
Now, in a parent to child relationship, things are not always fair. Parents tend to give more to their children than they get back in return, but they do so out of love, and out of the realization that without giving them grace and good guidance, they will not be sufficiently provided and protected. A parent must forgive and love in a similar fashion to the way God loves, forgives, and serves people daily without receiving much in return for His investment.
Jesus said to His disciples, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” [1] God’s commandments are based on mutual love and respect for one another.
What’s more, God has poured out His Holy Spirit into us who believe in His Son Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God and God’s ways. He fills us with love for people which helps us to be patient and forgiving to others, and to ourselves.
Praise God that He took the time and the effort via the Bible to teach us how we ought to live and worship. Praise God that He gave us His Son as our Savior to save us from the penalty our sins deserve. Praise God for His gracious Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to help us be more like our Heavenly Father.
[1] John 15:10
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Love Flourished Babylon Perished
Once upon a time, Babylon was the reigning empire over the people of the earth. No one could contest her military might without being punished. But Babylon became proud against the Lord, and the Lord brought her down.
“I have laid a snare for you; you have indeed been trapped, O Babylon, and you were not aware; you have been found and also caught, because you have contended against the Lord.” “…She has been proud against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel.” [1]
The Lord declared a day of judgment upon Babylon: “I will send winnowers to Babylon, who shall winnow her and empty her land.” [2]
God had used the Babylon to bring about repentance among His people.
Previously, the people of Babylon could say of God’s people, “We have not offended, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.” [3] This was true. However, God is full of compassion and tender mercy. He forgives the sin of those who turn to Him in repentance.
“In those days and in that time, says the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together; with continual weeping they shall come, and seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces toward it, saying, ‘Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that will not be forgotten.’” [4]
Now, they wanted to be close to the Lord. They wanted to take refuge under His wings. They wanted to dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. Like a child under a father’s loving arm! Enjoying being with Him! They wanted to be close with Him always.
“In those days and in that time, says the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve.” [5]
God forgave their sins. Reconciliation happened!
As for Babylon, God said, “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain [Babylon], who destroys all the earth, says the Lord. And I will stretch out My hand against you, roll you down from the rocks, and make you a burnt mountain.” [6]
Similar destruction will come to the ruling empire of the world in the last days before the Lord returns, “And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” [7]
“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one-hour your judgment has come.’” [8]
As deep love between God and His people flourished, Babylon perished.
[1] Jeremiah 50:24, 29
[2] Jeremiah 51:2
[3] Jeremiah 50:7
[4] Jeremiah 50:4-5
[5] Jeremiah 50:20
[6] Jeremiah 51:25
[7] Revelation 16:19-20
[8] Revelation 18:9-10
“I have laid a snare for you; you have indeed been trapped, O Babylon, and you were not aware; you have been found and also caught, because you have contended against the Lord.” “…She has been proud against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel.” [1]
The Lord declared a day of judgment upon Babylon: “I will send winnowers to Babylon, who shall winnow her and empty her land.” [2]
God had used the Babylon to bring about repentance among His people.
Previously, the people of Babylon could say of God’s people, “We have not offended, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.” [3] This was true. However, God is full of compassion and tender mercy. He forgives the sin of those who turn to Him in repentance.
“In those days and in that time, says the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together; with continual weeping they shall come, and seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces toward it, saying, ‘Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that will not be forgotten.’” [4]
Now, they wanted to be close to the Lord. They wanted to take refuge under His wings. They wanted to dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. Like a child under a father’s loving arm! Enjoying being with Him! They wanted to be close with Him always.
“In those days and in that time, says the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve.” [5]
God forgave their sins. Reconciliation happened!
As for Babylon, God said, “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain [Babylon], who destroys all the earth, says the Lord. And I will stretch out My hand against you, roll you down from the rocks, and make you a burnt mountain.” [6]
Similar destruction will come to the ruling empire of the world in the last days before the Lord returns, “And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” [7]
“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one-hour your judgment has come.’” [8]
As deep love between God and His people flourished, Babylon perished.
[1] Jeremiah 50:24, 29
[2] Jeremiah 51:2
[3] Jeremiah 50:7
[4] Jeremiah 50:4-5
[5] Jeremiah 50:20
[6] Jeremiah 51:25
[7] Revelation 16:19-20
[8] Revelation 18:9-10
Friday, October 4, 2024
Prodigal or Prudent?
“A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So, he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” [1]
How many are spending their earthly inheritance from God on pursuits that have no eternal value?
How different would the nations be if we lived in light of eternity? Instead of being so focused on pleasing ourselves, we looked for ways to express the love of Christ to others?
“God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” [2]
Be of good courage you who are living for Christ and others amidst those who think you are foolish. I like what Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
[1] Luke 15:11-13
[2] Hebrews 6:10-12
How many are spending their earthly inheritance from God on pursuits that have no eternal value?
How different would the nations be if we lived in light of eternity? Instead of being so focused on pleasing ourselves, we looked for ways to express the love of Christ to others?
“God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” [2]
Be of good courage you who are living for Christ and others amidst those who think you are foolish. I like what Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
[1] Luke 15:11-13
[2] Hebrews 6:10-12
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Faith and Love
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
Without faith that Jesus will be with me, I fail to do the loving thing, like reach out to someone who needs to be introduced to Jesus, but with Jesus, I am able to walk in love to those around me, even to the person that I have never met before.
God is love. To walk with Him is to walk in love.
Without faith that Jesus will be with me, I fail to do the loving thing, like reach out to someone who needs to be introduced to Jesus, but with Jesus, I am able to walk in love to those around me, even to the person that I have never met before.
God is love. To walk with Him is to walk in love.
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