Chronological Bible Blog

Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 1:1-6; Haggai 2:10-19; Ezra 5:2; Haggai 2:20-23; Zechariah 1:7-5:11
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I’ve been talking about a lot of obedience in recent blog posts.   Here’s a great verse of a promise of a blessing from God for obedience, from Haggai chapter 2 verse 19: “I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn, before you have harvested your grain and before the grapevine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have produced their crops. From this day onward I will bless you.”  Below is a Greek icon of the prophet Haggai from the 18th century:

Today we start the book of the prophet Zechariah!  You’ll note that we are now at the 2nd to the last book of the Old Testament.  Malachi is after Zechariah.  Zechariah was a prophet during the post-exile (returned from Babylon) period at about the same time Haggai was a prophet.  Both started their prophecies in 520 B.C. – however, Zechariah prophesied for many more years going forward – probably until about 480/475 B.C.   Zechariah’s name means, “The Lord remembers,” which is fitting for this book.  God is remembering his covenant promise to the Israelites in this post-exilic period.  Zechariah’s prophecies are similar to Haggai’s in that he is encouraging the Israelites to rebuild the temple.  Zechariah is a wonderful book, filled with 8 night visions, 4 messages, and 2 oracles.  A good overview of the book of Zechariah is online at bible.org at this link.

Chapter 1 verse 3 stood out to me in today’s readings: “Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD Almighty.’” What a great calling and promise from God!  Return to me – and I will return to you.  Are there areas in your life where you need to change your ways and return to God?  If you change our ways, or repent, and return to God, do you believe that God will also return blessings to you for this act of repentance?  Will you return to God?  Why would this be wise? Is it a risky waste of time to be apart from God?  Will you no longer turn back?

In verse 8 we begin to read about Zechariah’s night visions.  It is interesting to note that all 8 of his visions in this book take place in 1 night.  Visions are different from dreams in that Zechariah is an in an awake state while these visions occur.  You’ll note that the four horsemen described here are very similar to the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” described by John in Revelation chapter 6, which we recently read.  The four horns in verse 18 are thought to represent Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, and Persia and the four blacksmiths in verse 20 are thought to represent Egypt, Babylon, Persia, and Greece.  Below are the visions of Zechariah from a 14th century illuminated Bible:

Today in Zechariah we read about the future prosperity of Jerusalem, the Exiles being called home, and cleansing for the high priest.   Chapter 2, verses 4 & 5 stood out to me in today’s readings: “”Hurry, and say to that young man, `Jerusalem will someday be so full of people that it won’t have room enough for everyone! Many will live outside the city walls, with all their livestock–and yet they will be safe. For I, myself, will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the LORD. And I will be the glory inside the city!’”  My mind took me to the thought of the holy heavenly Jerusalem being chocked full of people who love God!  And a wall of fire – holy protection – surrounding everyone in a heavenly Jerusalem and providing safety.  And God’s glory reigning eternally…  I don’t think this is quite proper exegesis on this passage…  🙂 but I like the thought!

Chapter 1 verse 13 also jumped out at me: “Be silent before the LORD, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.””  I think sometimes we get so busy during the Christmas season that we forget to be silent and to be still.  We can just go, go, go – rush, rush rush – and maybe miss the true meaning of Christmas?  Don’t forget the song, “Silent Night, Holy Night….”   Can you find time and space to be silent before the Lord this upcoming Christmas?  And time and space to reflect upon what the advent of Jesus as a baby in the manger means to you?

Chapter 3 verses 8 & 9 were also beautiful for me today as we think about the birth of Jesus: “Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of the good things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets.  I will engrave an inscription on it, says the LORD Almighty, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.”  Are you looking forward to the coming of the Branch?  What does the Branch symbolize to you?  Verse 9 above also looks beyond Christmas and toward Good Friday – How were our sins removed in a single day?  Do you believe that your sins were removed by Jesus on the cross on that single day?

And chapter 3 verse 10 is powerful: “And on that day, says the LORD Almighty, each of you will invite your neighbor into your home to share your peace and prosperity.” Will you have an opportunity over this next couple of weeks to invite someone into your home to share in your peace and prosperity?  Or, if not, can you find an opportunity to go out and share your peace and prosperity with others?  Maybe volunteer at a place that has neighbors that really need your peace and prosperity?

Today in the book of the prophet Zechariah we read about Zechariah’s visions of a Lampstand and Two Olive Trees, a Flying Scroll, and a Woman in a Basket.  Chapter 4 is essentially a vision of encouragement for the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem – not by their own might, but by relying on the Spirit of God.  The rebuilding will be led by Zerubbabel, the political leader of Jerusalem at this post-exilic time, as well as by Joshua, the priest – and these two are represented by the 2 olive trees in the vision.  The bowl of oil held by the lampstands in the vision represents God’s power through his spirit.  Below is an image of Zechariah’s vision of the lampstand and olive trees from a Cervera Bible from Spain from approximately the year 1300:

Chapter 4 verse 6 stood out to me in today’s readings: “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.”  How often in our own lives do we try to do things by our own force or our own strength?  And not look to God?  Would we ultimately lead more productive and peaceful and joyful and restful lives if we instead allowed God’s Spirit to move in our lives?  Or will we continue to try to do things by our own force and strength?

Verse 10 is a great reminder for each of us – “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”  If we do feel led by the Spirit of God to work on something – and it turns out to be maybe something bigger than ourselves – do we sometimes get discouraged by the task before us?  Do we despise small beginnings?  Be encouraged to know that God rejoices in small beginnings!  Take the first step!  Take the plumb line in your hand!  (I will be honest – it’s not always easy to get motivated for typing in this blog each evening.  Most days I am motivated – but not always.  Sometimes I just have to “take the plumb line in my hand” – get started with the typing – and God shows up….)

In chapter 5 we read about the vision of the flying scroll – which is a very large scroll with a purpose of encouraging repentance with a clear message of judgment.  The second vision of the woman in the basket is essentially purging sin from the land of Jerusalem, and plopping it down in a more fitting place where they will build a temple for it!   To worship the sin… Babylon…  Are there areas in our life where we need to deposit some sin into a basket, close the lid, and let the basket be taken away to another place far from us?  Is it possible that there are areas of sin in our life where we actually worship the sin somehow?  Will we turn away from this false idol worship and return to loving God whole-heartedly?

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Britt Nicole’s song “Walk on The Water:”

Do you want to walk on the water? Click here and Walk On!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Daniel 10:1-12:13; Ezra 4:24-5:1; Haggai 1:1-15
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Daniel chapter 10 is fascinating as Daniel interacts with angels, including Gabriel – and we hear about Michael the Archangel and his work.   If you are interested in learning more about "angelology" – yes, a real word apparently – check out this link on angelology at bible.org. 

Chapter 10 verses 12 & 13 are worth considering: ""Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way."  This is encouraging to me that our prayers are heard in heaven.  What is maybe discouraging is that our answers or help needed for our prayers can be blocked by fallen angels / demons, as we see in these verses.  The spirit prince of Persia being a demon of some sort blocking the angel from getting to Daniel to answer his prayer.  A good book that I would recommend to dive more into what this spiritual realm and the spiritual battles between angels might be like is "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti.  It is a powerful read.

Daniel chapter 11 today is phenomenal when you realize that these prophecies were made in 537 B.C. and covered events for about 300 or so more years following that date.  Essentially, we are getting a history lesson in this chapter – in advance of the history unfolding!  This chapter really made me realize how "in control" God really is of everything.  Which is actually very comforting for me, and hopefully is for you.  I look at it this way – if God knows what is going to be transpiring hundreds of years in advance – if not thousands and millions of years in advance – why are we worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow?  🙂  Or why are we fretting over what happened yesterday?  A quote I heard many years ago and occasionally bubbles back up into my mind is this: "Let go.  And Let God."  Let go, and let God.  Meaning – let go of your worries and fears about yesterday or tomorrow and let God take the reins.  He’s got the reins anyway… so why fret & fuss over our worries and fears?  Somehow the sweep of this prophecy seemed to make me realize that we often worry too much about really insignificant stuff…

There is a lot going on in this chapter – I’ll point out a couple of highlights.  Verse 3 & 4 discuss Alexander the Great (336 – 323 B.C.): "Then a mighty king will rise to power who will rule a vast kingdom and accomplish everything he sets out to do. But at the height of his power, his kingdom will be broken apart and divided into four parts." Many of the remaining verses then dive into kings of the line of Ptolemy in the south kingdom, or Egypt , and kings of the line of Seleucus/Anttiochus in the north kingdom, or Syria.  Verse 31 covers 168 B.C. when an altar to the pagan god Zeus Olympius is set up in the Temple in Jerusalem by Antiochus Epiphanes: "His army will take over the Temple fortress, polluting the sanctuary, putting a stop to the daily sacrifices, and setting up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration." Tell you what – there is so much going on in this chapter, I recommend jumping over to bible.org at this link to read up more on what’s happening.  It really is fascinating stuff.  Below is a coin from 175 to 164 B.C. with Antiochus Epiphanes image upon it:

Today we finish the book of Daniel!  What an amazing read this book has been for me this year.  I have been blessed by it.  I hope you have too.  It is always interesting to dive into prophecies and angels and such.  I have to admit that I don’t think about these types of things too often in my day to day life.  However, I know they are real.  And as I read the book of Daniel I am reminded of God’s amazing story and where it is ultimately leading.  Below is an image of Satan being bound by Michael the archangel, from the John Brown Bible circa 1816:

In Daniel chapter 11 verse 36 onwards we are looking at verses prophesying about the anti-christ and end times.  The verses just prior to 36, in yesterday’s readings, referred to Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 B.C., but we are looking at the future here in today’s verses in chapter 11.  To get some more context on these verses today, check out 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and Revelation 13:5-8.  A portion of verse 36 does stand out to me today: "For what has been determined will surely take place." Do you believe these prophecies in Daniel have been determined?  Do you believe they will surely take place?

Daniel chapter 12 is called "The Time of the End" or "The End Times" in many Bible descriptors.  However, over at bible.org Bob Deffinbaugh calls this chapter "The Hope of Heaven".  I like that!  Here’s an excerpt from Bob’s essay: "Daniel 12 is the crowning chapter of this prophecy, as well as its conclusion. It takes the believer to the high-water mark of Christian hope—the assurance of the resurrection of the dead. Let us listen and learn, and gain hope and comfort."  Check out Mr. Deffinbaugh’s full essay on Daniel chapter 12 at this link.

Verse 2 stands out in Daniel chapter 12: "Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt." This is one of the first clear mentions of a resurrection in the Old Testament.  The phrase "everlasting life" appears only here in the Old Testament!  Pretty fascinating.  Seems like this chapter is in some ways bridging Old Testament / Old Covenant theology to New Testament / New Covenant.  Do you believe that after death some will rise to everlasting life?  And some to everlasting contempt?  Below is the famous fresco titled "The Last Judgment" by Michelangelo, which is at the Sistine Chapel in Rome:

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Mercy Me’s great song “Here I Am:”

Are you in a relationship with God such that you could reply like Isaiah did, “Here I Am, Send Me?” Click here and get sent!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Ezra 2:1-4:5; 1 Chronicles 3:19-24
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of the old-school DC Talk song “In the Light.” Here is a live version of the song in this video below!  This song has some powerful lyrics, some of which I noted above.  Another great line in this song is: “The disease of self runs through my blood.  It’s a cancer fatal to my soul…  Every attempt on my behalf has failed, to bring this sickness under control!”  Amen.  Let us each give the disease of self over to the only One who can heal us of it – Jesus!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id3uwj47XbE

Are you in the Light? Click here to meet the Light of the World!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Daniel 6:1-28; Daniel 9:1-27; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-11; 1 Chronicles 3:17-19
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESV Online.org ~

Daniel chapter 6 today is probably more famous than chapter 5’s writing on the wall!  Today Daniel goes into the lion’s den…  Several things, as always, are going on in this chapter.  One big note is that Daniel is about 80 years old at the time of this chapter.  He’s not a young man.  And yet he is running laps around the other kingdom administrators with his work – and for this he is honored more and more by the king.  And others are getting jealous of this old man Daniel.  They realize the only way to trip him up is on his religion.  And – by appealing to the king’s pride with a law that makes people worship the king only.  Interesting thing that pride…  seems an easy sin for us humans to fall into..? Well, then the old man Daniel gets tossed into the pit of lions – and comes out alive through the grace of God.  And the king realizes he was duped by the admins and tosses them & their families into the pit of lions.  But enough of my Cliff Notes here… let’s check out a few verses…  (below is a painting of "Daniel in the Lion’s Den" by Peter Paul Rubens, circa 1615)

Verse 4 makes me reflect on my life and the way I live it: "Then the other administrators and princes began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling his affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize. He was faithful and honest and always responsible."   How are we in handling our affairs?  Our job, our tempers, our finances, our time?  Are we faithful in all of these areas?  Honest?  Always responsible?

Verse 10 helps us look at how we should act when challenging circumstances come into our lives: "But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God."  Daniel continued to worship God as he always had in the midst of bad news of the new law.  He didn’t blink.  He didn’t flinch.  He didn’t take a break from God.  He kept worshiping.  How do we act when bad news comes into our lives?  Do we sulk?  Do we decide to avoid God for a while?  Or do we continue to worship God as we have always – giving thanks to God?  Even in the midst of severe challenges, will we still give thanks to God for who He is?

Verse 20 is a wonderful verse from the mouth of the remorseful King Darius: “When he got there, he called out in anguish, "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you worship continually, able to rescue you from the lions?””  First of all – I love the term “the living God”.  Do you believe that God is indeed a living God?  Not a stoic God who just sets up the universe and then lets it run on its own – but a God who is in the midst of every single one of our experiences – good and bad?  A living God?  A God who is with us on the mountain tops – and in the lion’s den?  Do you believe God is indeed a living God?  Do you worship the living God continually? Like Daniel, are you a servant of the Living God? Do you want to be a servant of the Living God?  The Living God that will send His angels to protect you from even lions in their den?

Daniel chapter 9 today has an amazing prayer from Daniel!  Confess your sins, be humble, praise God and petition for others.  What a prayer.  If you liked Daniel’s prayer in today’s readings as much as I did, here are two more that I think you’ll appreciate – one from Ezra at this link – and one from Nehemiah at this link.  (okay, this is completely a geeky Bible thing here – but I just noticed that all 3 of these amazing prayers are in chapter 9 of their respective books!  🙂  So, if you are forgetting how to pray and feel like you need some inspiration, just remember:  Daniel 9, Ezra 9, and Nehemiah 9!)

I’ll just highlight the opening verses of Daniel’s prayer in verses 4 & 5: ""O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and keep your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations."  What a great way to open in prayer – praise God and then confess your sins.  Do you believe that God is indeed a great and awesome God?  That God always fulfills his promises of unfailing love to those who love him and keep his commands?  Have we sinned?  Have we rebelled?  Have we scorned God’s commands?

The remainder of chapter 9 (and into chapter 10 two days from now) are fascinating as Daniel interacts with angels, including Gabriel – and we hear about Michael the Archangel and his work.   If you are interested in learning more about "angelology" – yes, a real word apparently – check out this link on angelology at bible.org. 

Today we begin the book of the priest & scribe Ezra!

Author: Ezra
Date: Fifth century B.C.
Content: The book of Ezra deals with the return of the Israelites to the land of Palestine after their captivity in Babylon. After describing first the return and how the work on the Temple was begun, the author tells us the problems that arose. After a great deal of trouble and early failure, the Temple was finally finished and rededicated to the glory of God. The ministry of Ezra is described in some detail, stressing the intercession that he made to God for the wayward people of the restored community.
Theme: When the people of Israel returned home they saw this as the fulfillment of the promise of God. God had said he would never abandon his people, and although they were judged for their sin, God never stopped loving them. That God should care for the world to this degree is the deepest of mysteries. God desires our worship in return for his love, however. This may be seen in that he sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to speed the rebuilding of the Temple after the people, in discouragement, had ceased to work upon it. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 8) More commentary on Ezra is at this link: https://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=900

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Michael W. Smith’s great song “A New Hallelujah!”

Do you want to sing a new Hallelujah? Click here and Sing!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Daniel 7:1-8:27; Daniel 5:1-31
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESV Online.org ~

Okay, so Daniel chapter 7 with the vision of 4 beasts is not exactly an easy one for me to interpret here in a daily blog!  🙂  But I’ll give it a bit of a go.  Actually, if you’re looking for in-depth commentary on this chapter, please check out this link on bible.org, titled "Daniel’s Disturbing Dream."

Overall, this is a very powerful chapter to read… I definitely was feeling drawn into this chapter and the description of the beasts.  Basically here in chapter 7 we’re seeing a parallel with the vision of these 4 beasts in this vision of Daniel’s with the dream Nebuchadnezzar had of the statue in chapter 2 of Daniel.   The lion with the eagle wings represents Babylonia, just as the head of gold in ch. 2 did.  The bear represents Medo-Persia, as the silver did in ch. 2.  The leopard represents Greece, as did the bronze/brass in ch. 2.  And the terrifying and frightening beast represents the Roman empire, as the feet of clay & iron did in ch. 2.   Roughly speaking of course…  🙂  Maybe this image below will better explain things:

The best verses in this chapter are in my mind verse 13 & 14 where we get a Messianic vision of Jesus! "As my vision continued that night, I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal–it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed."   Wow…  very powerful stuff..  Do you believe that Jesus has been given authority, honor and royal power over all the world?  Do you believe that his rule is eternal and his kingdom will never be destroyed?  Do you know in your heart that Jesus is your eternal King?

Verse 8 & 20 are intriguing to me when they talk about: "This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly."  The thing that jumped out at me was the mouth that was boasting arrogantly.  How did this read to you when you came across it?  As a good or bad thing to have a mouth that boasts arrogantly?  Again, this reminds me of the sin of pride that we have been seeing over and over again here in the book of Daniel with the Babylonian kings & Darius the Mede.  Essentially some commentaries suggest this little horn that boasts arrogantly represents the antichrist…

Daniel chapter 8 is quite a chapter!  I’m not 100% sure how to post up on this chapter – so I went over to bible.org to see what they had to say and I came across this paragraph over there – "Daniel chapter 8 is a preacher’s nightmare. Even noted scholars hesitate to be dogmatic in their interpretation of this chapter. Daniel himself has not the foggiest notion of the vision’s meaning, even after the angel Gabriel has interpreted the vision for him."   I think I better just link over to what bible.org has to say about this chapter today.  This is in the blog world what one would call a punt!  🙂

The closing verse 27 of chapter 8 certainly stands out to me today: "Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for several days. Afterward I got up and performed my duties for the king, but I was greatly troubled by the vision and could not understand it."  Do you think you’d be physically exhausted & sick if you saw a vision like Daniel saw in this chapter?

Daniel chapter 5 is the famous "the writing is on the wall" chapter!  It is not a good sign to see writing appear on the wall in this way…  This chapter is of huge importance to the Babylonian dynasty – because this chapter is the very last day of Babylon the empire.  The next day everything goes to the Persians & Medes and Cyrus will be taking over the roost.  Daniel chapter 5 verse 1 starts us out today with: "A number of years later.."  This chapter takes place in 539 B.C., whereas chapter 4 with Nebuchadnezzar took place before his death in 562 B.C.  So, at least 23 years have past between chapter 4 & 5 – and several leaders of Babylon have passed by, leaving Belshazzar, who has 1 day more… 

Verses 1 through 4 in the chapter unfortunately describe an orgy taking place, utilizing gold and silver cups taken from the Temple in Jerusalem decades earlier by Nebuchadnezzar.  Unwisely, Belshazzar and the crew toast false idols with these sacred cups of God – at which point immediately the hand begins writing on the wall, and verse 6 tells us this about Belshazzar – "Such terror gripped him that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way beneath him."  Think he had reason to be scared like this?  Why?

As Daniel is called in to interpret the writing, verse 17 stands out as Daniel tells Belshazzar: "Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means."  Daniel is obviously quite bold and dismissive of Belshazzar here – he does not defer to Belshazzar being the king, and the seemingly right thing to do would be to immediately say you’d appreciate the gifts.  Daniel simply says – keep ’em! (though, later he’s still bestowed with them)  Bold…  A righteous boldness, yes?  Plus, you’ve got to think that Daniel’s seen a lot in Babylon in his time and he’s ready to cut to the chase and just interpret the writing.  He doesn’t need earthly gifts or honor…  What about us in our lives today?  Do we seek earthly gifts and honor for ourselves?  Should we?  Can we learn from Daniel’s boldness and focus on what truly matters in this life?  (note that an older Daniel is in the middle of this image below from the 1816 John Brown Bible, with a strange looking Belshazzar sitting to the right)

Before interpreting the dream Daniel gives Belshazzar an old fashioned lecture which culminates in verse 22 as he speaks of Nebuchadnezzar being humbled by God: ""You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself."  Basically, Daniel is saying – you should have known better.  You knew better.  You saw Nebuchadnezzar’s mistakes.  You did not learn.  Are we like this sometimes in our lives today?  Shouldn’t we know better…?  Below is an artist’s take on Belshazzar’s final feast –

Verse 27 is worth reflecting upon! "You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting." (NIV).  Very interesting to think about a godly scale.  A scale that maybe looks at how we invest our time, money, love, life, worship?  Are we investing in things that are eternal?  Obviously, through the opening verses Belshazzar was simply investing his life into himself, his lusts and his desires.  And hence, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN was written on the wall…  Pretty amazing to think that the great kingdom of Babylon went down like this in one chapter…  God clearly is a kingdom-maker and a kingdom-taker!

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of the fantastic song “Create in me a Clean Heart” performed here by Donnie McClurkin and a choir:

Do you want a clean heart? Click here to be made clean!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; Ezekiel 29:17-30:19; 2 Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31-34
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

We finish the book of Ezekiel today!  Ezekiel chapter 47’s opening verses about the River of Healing are just beautiful.  Verses 1 through 3 tell us – “Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing eastward from beneath the Temple threshold. This stream then passed to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the stream flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. Measuring as he went, he led me along the stream for 1,750 feet and told me to go across. At that point the water was up to my ankles.”

As I was reading these verses about the River of Healing I imagined myself jumping into the river and just being refreshed and renewed and restored!  Great stuff…  This river is very reminiscent of the river in the Garden of Eden – and the River of Life described in Revelation chapter 22.  Verse 9 in ch. 47 of Ezekiel sums it all up well – “Everything that touches the water of this river will live.  Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will be healed. Wherever this water flows, everything will live.”  Can you imagine this river of healing flowing from the temple?  Can you imagine some rest & restoration & refreshment & healing through this river?

Today in Ezekiel chapter 48 we read about the division of land in Ezekiel’s vision, which the map below details quite well (you’ll need to scroll down a bit to view it all) –

Ezekiel chapter 48’s last words – and the last words in the book of Ezekiel are simply this – “And from that day the name of the city will be `The LORD Is There.’” In Hebrew this is Yahweh Shammah.   The Hebrew pronunciation of Jerusalem is Yerushalayim – which some say could be a wordplay on Yahweh Shammah.  Jerusalem = The Lord is There…

The end of Ezekiel chapter 29 is fascinating in that God decides to allow Babylon to take plunder from Egypt in light of its war against Tyre (see yesterday’s readings below).  We continue to see that God is using King Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon for His purposes – for a time.  We are reminded though at the end of this chapter in verse 21 – “And the day will come when I will cause the ancient glory of Israel to revive.”  God’s still got the redemption of Israel in mind…   Below is a map of how big the Babylonian empire is around this timeframe – (a map like this one below once again proves the amazing truth & history in God’s words and prophecies in the Bible…)

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Third Day’s great song “Show Me Your Glory!”  Here’s a live version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JbEQHmCEFU

Do you want to see God’s Glory? Click here for Glory!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Ezekiel 44:1-46:24
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

In Ezekiel chapters 44 and 45 today we see the priesthood restored to Israel!  It’s interesting that the Levites are taken down a notch in how they can serve in the temple and the Zadokites are elevated.  Zadok was a priest during the time of David & Solomon and a descendent of Eleazar and ultimately Aaron.  Below is a fresco of Zadok by Michelangelo from the year 1611 and is in the Capella Sistina at the Vatican in Rome:

Chapter 44, verse 28 really stood out to me today: "As to property, the priests will not have any, for I alone am their inheritance."  I like that!  God alone is the priests’ inheritance.  What is our inheritance?  Is it property?  Is it things of this earth?  Or could our inheritance be God as well?  Should God be our inheritance?  How is God our inheritance?  If the Lord is not our inheritance, what then do we inherit?  The wind?  It’s an age old debate as you’ll see in the image above.  Where do you stand?  Can we inherit eternal life through the grace of God and faith in Jesus?  Or do we simply inherit the wind?  (Nothingness) What does your heart tell you?  Most importantly, what does the Bible tell you?

In Ezekiel chapter 45 verses 1 through 8 today we read about the division of the land for Ezekiel’s temple vision.   A nice simple image for these verses is below:

Ezekiel chapters 45 & 46 describe some new regulations on how offerings are to be done, when compared to the original Pentateuch regulations – primarily from Numbers chapter 28.   Apparently these chapters in Ezekiel have created some reconciliation work for rabbis in the past to figure out the proper regulations.  Chapter 45 verses 13 through 15 speak of taxes to the prince that must be brought and will be used as offerings for the people who bring them: ""This is the tax you must give to the prince: one bushel of wheat or barley for every sixty you harvest, one percent of your olive oil, and one sheep for every two hundred in your flocks in Israel. These will be the grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings that will make atonement for the people who bring them, says the Sovereign LORD."

Verse 20 in chapter 46 did stand out at me in today’s readings: "He explained, "This is where the priests will cook the meat from the guilt offerings and sin offerings and bake the flour from the grain offerings into bread. They will do it here to avoid carrying the sacrifices through the outer courtyard and harming the people by transmitting holiness to them."  Per a previous chapter this goes along the lines of the priests needing to take off their clothes in a special room after being in the Temple, to avoid transmitting holiness.   This is interesting to me because you would think that transmitting holiness would be a good thing.  Apparently not in this case.  This does remind me of when Moses was on the mountain receiving the Laws, he had to wear a veil over his face amongst the people when he came down from the mountain because his face was so radiant from being in the presence of God.   I read a commentary that said this transmission of holiness, in this case in Ezekiel, was not something for the Israelites to concern themselves with, because this was a vision of a future temple.  I read another commentary that made the interesting point that these passages in Ezekiel can help demonstrate the transmission of holiness from Jesus’ robe to the woman who suffered from bleeding for 12 years – see Mark 5:22-34.  She was healed by reaching out and touching Jesus’ robe.  Of course Jesus says that it was the woman’s faith that healed her – not her touching his robe.  It is intriguing to think about the transmission of holiness via garments or sacrifices.  I’ll need to do more study on the problem of "transmitting holiness" in this case in Ezekiel.  If anyone has ideas about this, please post up in the comments section below.  Thanks.

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of the MercyMe song “So Long Self,” which has a fun video:

Have you said So Long to your Self? Click here and say Goodbye!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

Ezekiel 40:38-43:27
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Ezekiel chapters 40 and 41 in today’s readings include verses where we read a lot about measurements and cubits and such!  I have to admit that I sometimes zone out a bit when reading these types of details in the Old Testament.  However – something that popped into my mind once when reading through these types of verses that has benefited me greatly in my appreciation of measurements and such is this – God is a God of precision.  God is a God of detail.  God is an organized God.  Which I think is great news!  I mean, look at our own human bodies and all our internal organs.  We are wonderfully made by a God who is a God of precision and detail.  So, remembering this when I read these types of measurements verses helps.  It helps me keep my focus and interest on what I’m reading.   I hope this helps you in some way as you read through detailed chapters like these in the Bible.  If God showed this much organization and care for Ezekiel’s Temple, do you suppose he continues to show his organization and care for our local churches today?

Ezekiel chapter 41 verse 3 stands out today: "Then he went into the inner room at the end of the Holy Place."  This is interesting in that the angelic being leading Ezekiel through this vision and the temple enters the Most Holy Place – Ezekiel does not.  Even though it’s a vision.  And even though God’s presence is not in the Most Holy Place at this time (we’ll see the Presence coming next chapter).  Yet Ezekiel does not enter.  Why?  Because the law was that only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place.   This shows great obedience on Ezekiel’s part!  Even in a vision, he’s obedient.  Are there areas of our life where God is calling us to be obedient?  Even if we think our obedience in a specific circumstance or situation won’t matter (e.g. a vision or a dream or even a small circumstance in real life) – will we still be obedient?  Below is one of my all-time favorite images demonstrating obedience that I have to post up a couple of times a year!  🙂

Ezekiel chapter 42 continues the description of the temple in Ezekiel’s vision and the dimensions.  In this chapter we learn about the rooms for the priests of the temple.  The interesting thing for me, as I was reading this chapter today, is that my mind wandered a bit and wondered if maybe somehow this was / is a heavenly temple that Ezekiel was describing?  I’m not sure.  I have so much more to learn about the temples.  But, it’s interesting to think if maybe somehow we might see something like this temple in heaven?  An interesting thought at least for me to ponder.   However – the tricky thing is that in chapter 43 there are descriptions of sacrifices for the altar in this temple.  And of course Christ was the final sacrifice for our sins  – so there is no need for the old covenant sacrifices.  So, this could certainly dash my imagination of this being a heavenly temple we’ll see some day.   Though – I did read somewhere that if this is a heavenly temple, the sacrifices described in chapter 43 may be “memorials” or ceremonial – but not required, as they were in the old covenant.  I don’t know… fascinating stuff to ponder however!  Below is an artist’s rendition of “Ezekiel’s Temple”:

Back to how all this might apply to our lives today.  Verse 20 in chapter 42 stood out to me: “So the area was 875 feet on each side with a wall all around it to separate the holy places from the common.”   The last part of that verse stands out – to separate the holy places from the common.   I wonder about that in our lives – do we do anything that separates the holy from the common in our own lives?  Do we need to?   My thought here is that if we don’t allow for some “holy places” to appear in our lives, might we just settle for common places throughout our lives?   A Holy Place for us might be 5 minutes of prayer.  Or 15 minutes of reading the Bible.  Or going to a church service.  Or listening to worship music.  Or not scheduling anything one day a week, so we can take a Sabbath day of rest.   What are you doing to create some Holy Places in your life?

Chapter 43 is incredible with God’s return to the temple.  I love this verse – “And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness!”   Absolute holiness.  Okay – so this is not something we are going to see or “achieve” this side of heaven.  It’s impossible for us to be absolutely holy on this earth.  Only Jesus was absolutely holy and sinless.  However, I think the call for our eternal lives is absolute holiness.  So, know that faith in Jesus will ultimately lead you in this direction – and I do believe we can grow in holiness in this life.  God’s grace gives ultimate absolute holiness in heaven.  Do you want absolute holiness?  Are you moving toward absolute holiness in your life today?  Do you also realize you won’t reach absolute holiness this side of heaven?   But, yet, do you still desire absolute holiness someday?

Verse 21 in this chapter is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death on the Cross at Mt. Calvary: “Then take the young bull for the sin offering and burn it at the appointed place outside the Temple area.”   How does this apply to Jesus’ death on a hill outside of Jerusalem’s city gates?  This is best explained in Hebrews chapter 13 verses 11-13 as follows: “The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.” Powerful…  Will you walk with Jesus outside the city gates of Jerusalem?  Up to Mt. Calvary?  Will you follow Jesus all the way up that hill?

Worship God:  Today’s readings remind me of Michael W. Smith’s song “Draw Me Close:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWG9-PJFcK8

Have you drawn close to God?  Click here and He will draw close to you!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

1 Chronicles 8:29-9:1; Daniel 4:1-37; Ezekiel 40:1-37
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Daniel chapter 4 is an incredible chapter today!  There is a lot going on in this one.  We open up this chapter with King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon giving praise to God as verses 2 & 3 tell us: "I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.  How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations." Does this sound like the Nebuchadnezzar we’ve come to know?  We’ll, we must read on as he tells us how he got to the point of praising God like this…

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree in this chapter is relatively straightforward, as is the interpretation that Daniel gives.  One intriguing verse to me was verse 27 where Daniel pleads with Nebuchadnezzar to repent to avoid what will happen per the dream – "O King Nebuchadnezzar, please listen to me. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past by being merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper."  Do you think Nebuchadnezzar listened to Daniel?  What if Daniel was telling us to do this same thing this very day?  Would we listen?  Will we stop sinning and do what is right?  Will we be merciful to the poor?  Below is a portrait by Guy Rowe of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree:

We see the sin of pride bring down Nebuchadnezzar in verse 30 as follows – "Just look at this great city of Babylon! I, by my own mighty power, have built this beautiful city as my royal residence and as an expression of my royal splendor."  Are their times in our life where we boast of what we have "done" or "created" by our "own mighty power"?  Good idea…. ?

In this chapter today Nebuchadnezzar becomes Gollum from the Lord of the Rings!  🙂  Yes, I did hear someone teach on this chapter recently and he placed up on screen a picture of Gollum from Lord of the Rings and suggested this is what happened to Nebuchadnezzar essentially in verse 33 – "That very same hour the prophecy was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws." Can you see how sin can drive us to basic animal instincts? Like Gollum?  Do you see how godly wisdom can save us from becoming like animals?  Like Gollum?  Pride seems to be a very tempting sin for all of us – and not a good one to pursue – as Nebuchadnezzar tells us himself in verse 37 -"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble those who are proud." Do you believe this to be true?  Below is an image of Gollum… and perhaps Nebuchadnezzar for seven years?

Verse 36 also stands out to me in this chapter only because it reminds me of the end of the book of Job – "When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and officers sought me out, and I was reestablished as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before."   A reminder that God gives and takes away – and can give again…

Ezekiel chapter 40 is very interesting!  It begins the vision and description of what many call "Ezekiel’s Temple."  Essentially, this temple has not been built.  Some say that this temple will be built in the future – during Christ’s millennial reign.  Some say it’s a heavenly temple.   Some say it was the vision for the temple that should have been built during Ezra’s days in 517 B.C., but was not.  It is fascinating to look at various theories on the various temples.  An interesting look at a potential scale model of Ezekiel’s temple and it’s history is at this link.

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Santcus Real’s awesome song “Lead Me:”

Is God leading you? Click here to be led!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

1 Chronicles 5:18-26; 1 Chronicles 6:3; 1 Chronicles 6:49; 1 Chronicles 6:4-15; 1 Chronicles 7:1-8:28
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESV Online.org ~

Today in First Chronicles chapter 5 we read about the tribes east of the Jordan River.  This map will give you a good overview of the territory of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan.  (along with the rest of the tribes)

We read some interesting verses to consider today in First Chronicles 8 verses 8 through 10: ^“After Shaharaim divorced his wives Hushim and Baara, he had children in the land of Moab. Hodesh, his new wife, gave birth to Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. These sons all became the leaders of clans.”  These verses basically record polygamy & divorce by Shaharaim.  However, just because these actions are recorded in the Bible, it does not mean they are condoned by God.  Since the creation of Adam and Eve, God has meant for there to be one man with one wife.  But, we humans don’t always follow what God wants for us… (as we each well know)  The Bible records both the good & the bad in human actions.  If someone were to chronicle our lives today, would what the chronicle recorded be pleasing in God’s sight?  Don’t worry so much about your past & past mistakes.  God can forgive and redeem those, if you will turn to him in repentance.  But right now – what would the chronicler capture in your life today?  Would it be pleasing in God’s sight?  Would you want other people to read about your life today?  Would you be comfortable with any aspect of your life showing up on the front page of tomorrow’s news?

Worship God: Today’s readings remind me of Steve Green singing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” acapella in 1987!  Watch this video all the way to the end.  Wow…

Is God your mighty fortress? Click here and be fortified!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!