Chronological Bible Blog

Daniel 7:1-8:27; Daniel 5:1-31
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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
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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:

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
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~ 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:”

http://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!

Ezekiel 32:17-33:20; Jeremiah 52:28-30; Psalm 137:1-9; 1 Chronicles 4:24-5:17
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today’s Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Ezekiel chapter 32 is a great studies on pride… pride of a nation, and pride of individuals.  And the dangers of pride – where pride will ultimately lead someone.   In chapter 32 verse 19 God asks the rhetorical question (not a trick question this time) – "`O Egypt, are you lovelier than the other nations? No! So go down to the pit and lie there among the outcasts.’"  Today in our lives, do we ever struggle with pride?  Do we compare ourselves to others?  Do we consider ourselves lovelier than others?  My hunch is that we too often do…

In Ezekiel chapter 33 today we see Ezekiel appointed as the Watchman of Israel – once again.  You’ll recall this happened previously in chapter 3 of Ezekiel as well.  The difference is that now we’re in the post-destruction of Jerusalem & the Temple, so we’ll quickly start to see more of a message of hope & redemption, in addition to continued calls for repentance.  I think in verse 11 we start to see this shift in the Lord’s wanting to restore Jerusalem & Israel again: "As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?"   The call for repentance…  Are there areas in your life where God may be calling you to "Turn!"?  Will you Turn?

Psalm 137 is a Psalm reflecting upon the Israelites exile in Babylon and about how much Jerusalem was missed.  We also read about a call to punish Edom for their rejoicing in the fall of Jerusalem.  Later this year we will read prophesies against Edom in the book of the prophet Obadiah.  Below is an image of ancient Jerusalem – the tower of David – that this Psalmist missed greatly:

I realize that verse 9 in this Psalm may be troubling.  I found a couple of links with essays / thoughts on this verse. I’ll need to reflect on these – and study further – to see if I agree or disagree w/ what these are saying:
http://www.learnthebible.org/q_a_dashing_little_ones_against_stones.htm
http://www.jimmcguiggan.com/nonbelievers2.asp?id=6
http://www.brfwitness.org/Articles/1986v21n4.htm

Worship God: Today’s readings reminded me of Casting Crown’s song “Until the Whole World Hears:”

Are you singing about Jesus until the whole world hears? Click here to 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!

Ezekiel 37:1-39:29; Ezekiel 32:1-16
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Ezekiel chapter 37 starts with a fascinating vision!  This vision of the valley of dry bones is an allusion to the exiled Israelites.  As God brings life and breath into the bones, he will do the same for the exiles, and bring them back to their home land.  In a sense, bring them back to life!

Verse 14 sums up the purpose of this vision nicely – "I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I am the LORD."  Again, we hear the words, as we have so often in Ezekiel – "then you will know that I am the Lord."  Today in our lives, do we know that the Lord is the Lord?  (please forgive this picture below… when I saw it I couldn’t help posting it up…  sometimes you just have to put all kinds of different facts & info out there for people who pull into your parking lot. 🙂

Verses 15-23 are great – discussing the reunification of the two kingdoms of Israel since the time of Solomon.  Israel will become one kingdom again.  And verses 24 through 28 point toward the coming Messiah, Jesus.  Verse 26 stands out – "And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant."  Have you entered into this covenant of peace with God?  The everlasting covenant?  Have you opened the door to Jesus in your heart?  Do you hear him knocking?   Maybe late at night, do you hear Jesus knocking?  Offering you an everlasting covenant of peace?  Will you open the door of your heart?

Ezekiel chapter 38 is very interesting, with a prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog.  It will help you to know that Gog is mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 verses 7 & 8 as follows – "When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth–Gog and Magog–to gather them for battle.  In number they are like the sand on the seashore."  This can help give some context for this chapter.  This may be an end-times type of prophecy from Ezekiel.   Verse 22 tells us – "I will punish you and your hordes with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!" And, again, we close this chapter with some familiar powerful words from God – "Thus will I show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the LORD!"

Ezekiel chapter 39 continues the destruction of Gog! See yesterday’s posting below for more details on who and what Gog may be.  Verse 25 stands out to me in today’s readings: "So now the Sovereign LORD says: I will end the captivity of my people; I will have mercy on Israel, for I am jealous for my holy reputation!"  We see that the exile is coming near to an end.  Ezekiel and Jeremiah have been two pretty heavy books with prophecies against Israel.  This chapter continues to show the redemption and return of the exiles from Babylon to Israel is soon coming.  It is interesting that God is jealous for his holy reputation in the verse above…  are we ourselves also jealous for God’s holy reputation?  Should we be?

Worship God:  Ezekiel 39:25 reminded me of the fantastic song "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman!  Here’s the Newsboys performing a great live version of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLycgKxlgc0

Do you know our God of blessing?  Click here and praise his name!

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 34:1-36:38
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Ezekiel chapter 34 reminds me a lot of the famous and beautiful Psalm 23 – "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want… "   However, before we get to God being the Good Shepherd – and hear about the Good Shepherd to come – there is some rebuking of the "shepherds" of Israel at that time, that may also have a message for us.   In verses 3 & 4 we read:  “You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured.” Could this verse speak into our lives in some way? Is it possible that we eat fine food and wear fine clothes at the expense of others in need? Are we consistently strengthening the weak? Healing the sick? Binding up the injured? 1.2 billion people in the world live on less than $1 a day. Are you doing something to care for these brothers and sisters on a consistent basis?  What are you doing?

Ezekiel chapter 36 is an awesome chapter looking at the restoration of Israel, post-exile.  I like that there are prophecies to the mountain and hills and valleys in this chapter!  Great verses.  Verses 8 & 9 stood out to me – “But the mountains of Israel will produce heavy crops of fruit to prepare for my people’s return–and they will be coming home again soon! See, I am concerned for you, and I will come to help you. Your ground will be tilled and your crops planted.”   I like that God is concerned for the mountains and he wants them to be fruitful.  If He is concerned for the mountains, think how much more He is concerned for each of our lives…   Think He wants our lives to be fruitful as well?

Verse 22 shows God’s grace – “I am bringing you back again but not because you deserve it.  I am doing it to protect my holy name.”  The first sentence shows grace in that God is bringing them back, even though they are undeserving.  The second sentence you might not initially see the grace in it – but, God is protecting his holy name so that ultimately all people’s in all nations will come to faith in him – and not idols, which deliver nothing and lead to the grave.  If God did not bring the Israelites back and protect his name, the rest of the world would see no reason to turn from their idols. 

Verses 26 & 27 sound very New Testament / new covenant – “And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.” Do you have a new heart?  With new and right desires?  Do you have a new Spirit in you?

Worship God: Today’s readings remind me of this Jars of Clay song called “Two Hands:”

How are you using your two hands? Click here to raise them High!

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!

Jeremiah 42:1-44:30; Ezekiel 33:21-33
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The three Jeremiah chapters today are quite eventful!  It is intriguing that the Israelites ask Jeremiah for a message from God – and that whatever they hear back they will do and obey. But then they don’t obey! Are we like this at times… ?  We promise promise promise God that we’ll listen & change…  but then do we?  If you are going through struggles in your life today will you call out to God?  Do you trust that He will answer in His own unique and perfect way and timing?  And then will you trust and obey?

Jeremiah chapter 42 gives a good overview of the day’s readings, with these closing 2 verses in this chapter from Jeremiah: "And today I have told you exactly what he said, but you will not obey the LORD your God any better now than you have in the past. So you can be sure that you will die from war, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going." Jeremiah delivered the message from God… but knew that the message would go unheeded.

Chapter 43 reminds me that when we are disobedient to God’s will that our disobedience can affect not only ourselves, but others around us too. Mind you, Egypt was not a "house of the holy" – but the Israelites disobedience is going to bring destruction to themselves and Egypt. They’re carrying their disobedience and curse on to others.  Jeremiah 43’s verses 9 & 10 stood out: ""While the people of Judah are watching, bury large rocks between the pavement stones at the entrance of Pharaoh’s palace here in Tahpanhes. I will surely bring my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, here to Egypt." Interesting that God calls Nebuchadnezzar his "servant". Would God have said this about the Israelites at this time? Called them his servants?

Chapter 44 is a great reminder of why it’s a bad idea to pursue idols in our life instead of God! Verse 7 asks "Why are you destroying yourselves?" I love this verse. Why are we destroying ourselves? We bring upon self-abuse, self-destruction, when we pursue things that are not of God. Think about it. They may bring a quick temporary pleasure, but in the long run are they building us up or destroying us? Why are we destroying ourselves?

Jeremiah 44:28 stood out to me in today’s readings: “”Only a small number will escape death and return to Judah from Egypt.” This verse reminds me that God is continuing to preserve the line – the house of David. God will destroy most of the Israelites in Egypt for their unfaithfulness & idol worship, but he will preserve a remnant! We see this over and over in the Bible – even Noah & the flood comes to mind, pre-David of course.  Verses 29 and 30 in this chapter continues: “And this is the proof I give you, says the LORD, that all I have threatened will happen to you and that I will punish you here: I will turn Pharaoh Hophra, king of Egypt, over to his enemies who want to kill him, just as I turned King Zedekiah of Judah over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I, the LORD, have spoken!”  Based on these verses, below is an image of Pharaoh-Hophra taken prisoner in the war with Amasis:

Worship God:  Today’s readings remind me of Jeremy Camp’s song “Not Ashamed:”

Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Click here and become Unashamed!

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!