Chronological Bible Blog

Lamentations 2:1-4:22
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Perhaps Lamentations chapter 2, verses 18 & 19, give us a hint at what we should do if we realize we’ve hit a rock bottom place in our lives due to unchecked sin – “Cry aloud before the Lord, O walls of Jerusalem! Let your tears flow like a river. Give yourselves no rest from weeping day or night. Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer.” If you are at that place of rock bottom, or nearing it, will you cry to the Lord? Will you pour out your heart to the Lord letting him know that you need him – that you cannot do life without him? Will you pray?

Lamentations Chapter 3 today starts out quite sad and empty in verses 1-20.  Of course, the reason for this sadness and emptiness in these opening verses is God’s discipline toward the people of Jerusalem at this time.  They had sinned greatly and thus this discipline had come upon them.  I think the thing for us to remember in seasons like this in our lives is that it is typically only a season.  This too shall pass – if we repent & learn & grow and return to the Lord.  Indeed, we see the transition in chapter 21: "Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this…"  I love this!  "I still dare to hope" – even in the midst of so much sadness & emptiness.  In the midst of our tough seasons in life, can we still dare to hope?  Why should we still dare to hope?  Will you still dare to hope?

Verses 22 to 66 in today’s readings are just phenomenal. I could write on and on about probably each of these verses. There is so much here for us. I’d encourage you to read these verses at least twice and meditate on them and how they might apply to your life today. I’ll jump through a couple of verses here that stood out to me. Verse 23 – "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day." Do you experience God’s mercies afresh each day? Do you believe that you can?

Verse 25 – "The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him." If you are not experiencing God now, will you wait for him? Will you seek him? (this reminds me of Jeremy Camp’s tune on his worship album – "I’ll wait for the Lord. My soul waits". Great tune and great reminder that we sometimes need to wait on the Lord).

Worship Video:  Lamentations 3:23 obviously reminded me of the wonderful worship song "Great is Thy Faithfulness."  I couldn’t quite find a good version of this on song on YouTube.  However, I found a wonderful song called "Great is Your Mercy" with Donnie McClurkin and several other singers.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jVa1RBldQ

Can you sing "Great is Your Mercy" to God?  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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 39:11-18; Jeremiah 40:1-6; 2 Kings 25:8-21; Jeremiah 52:12-27; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Lamentations 1:1-22
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Today we begin the book of Lamentations!  Lamentations is a short 5 chapter book. It’s essentially a postscript to the book of Jeremiah, and was likely written by the prophet Jeremiah. It is a book that surveys and laments Jerusalem and the Temple after the destruction of both by the Babylonians in about 586 B.C.  A wonderful commentary on the book of Lamentations by Donald Curtis titled “The Fall of Jerusalem” is at this link – surf about 2/3rds the way down this page to get a good chapter by chapter overview of Lamentations – and to dive into info on the acrostics, etc.

~ Lamentations ~
Author: Jeremiah
Date: Sixth century B.C.
Content: The book of Lamentations is a funeral song, written for the fallen city of Jerusalem. It was composed by Jeremiah, who was an eye-witness of all he describes in such vivid detail. He shows the destruction in all its horror so that it could never again be asked, “Why did no one ever tell us the awful price we would have to pay for disobeying God?” There is very little of comfort, but Jeremiah’s prayer in chapter 5 does look beyond the desolate ashes of the once glorious Jerusalem to God whose throne endures forever. Only there can Jeremiah find any solace.
Theme: Lamentations is a declaration of the wrath of God. It portrays the bitter truth that God had promised judgment upon sin, and Judah had been foolish enough to put God to the test. Bad as that was, the deeper tragedy was that it did not have to be. God’s faithfulness is great, being renewed every morning, and his compassion never fails. Had Judah only obeyed, it all could have been avoided. The warning and the promise found in this book should be emblazoned in the skies for all to see. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 13-14)  Below is an engraving by Gustaf Dore of these Lamentations of Jeremiah…

Lamentations chapter 1 verse 1 sets the tone & stage for this book – “Jerusalem’s streets, once bustling with people, are now silent. Like a widow broken with grief, she sits alone in her mourning. Once the queen of nations, she is now a slave.” Why is this so? Well, we just read the book of the prophet Jeremiah, so we know why…  One thing to keep in mind when reading Lamentations – it provides a glimpse at the devastating affects of unchecked & unrepentant sin. Per this verse above, do you think our sin change our position in life from being a “queen” to a “slave”? 

I think it is important to realize that God did provide so much grace and compassion toward Jerusalem and Judah in the book of Jeremiah before everything got to the devastating point that it is in the book of Lamentations. God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn Judah over and over and over again…. However, there was no repentance of sin and things got worse and worse – until it got to the point that God had no choice but to discipline Judah through Babylon’s taking Judah captive. We do need to know that unrepentant, unsorrowful, unchecked sin in our lives can lead to horrifically sorrowful things happening in our lives. And perhaps, by us hitting a rock bottom, like Jerusalem clearly is here in Lamentations, there will be an opportunity for discipline and ultimate redemption…

Today in Lamentations 1:14 we read: “My sins have been bound into a yoke; by his hands they were woven together. They have come upon my neck and the Lord has sapped my strength. He has handed me over to those I cannot withstand.” Do you believe that sin can become a “yoke” around your neck? Can sin sap your strength? Can sin hand you over to those you cannot withstand? How can you be freed from this yoke of sin? Perhaps these words from Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 will give us some ideas – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” If there is a yoke of sin around your neck, will you allow Jesus to remove that yoke? Will you exchange the yoke of sin for the yoke of rest that Christ offers you today?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Jeremiah 40 reminded me of The After’s wonderful song called “Light Up the Sky.” Here’s a great live version of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UpWVQbbKVo

Has God lit up the sky for you? Click here for Light!

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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Ezekiel 26:15-28:26; 2 Kings 25:3-7; Jeremiah 52:6-11; Jeremiah 39:2-10
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Ezekiel Chapter 27 indicates that Tyre was certainly good at business and trading!   This was in large part due to Tyre’s prime real estate location, which you can see in the two maps below:

However chapter 28 tells us that there was also a lot of pride associated with these business skills & wealth.  Verse 5 tells us: "Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich, and your riches have made you very proud."  This verse definitely stands out to me.  How often in our lives does something in our lives make us proud?  Verse 2 in this chapter says this: "In your great pride you claim, `I am a god!" If we get prideful enough, might we even consider ourselves a god??  Do you hear others in our culture today telling us that we are gods?  Good idea or bad idea here….?

Verse 11-19 in this chapter are very interesting.  It is tough to discern if these verses about the king of Tyre or Satan or both?  Commentators hedge on these verses.  Perhaps, indeed, when we let pride get the best of us and think we are a god then we risk interweaving our life story with Satan’s?  I don’t know.  Scary stuff to think about though – jump down to the Psalm 111 verses for a good antidote to all this pride stuff…

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, “Love Take Me Over:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn5mi5G9RQY

Has Love taken you over?  Click here and be taken over! 

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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Jeremiah 32:1-33:26; Ezekiel 26:1-14
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Jeremiah Chapter 32 is intriguing. God asks Jeremiah to buy land – even though all of the land of Jerusalem will soon fall under captivity. Jeremiah is – once again – obedient. God goes on in this chapter to indeed confirm that Jerusalem will fall – but that God will eventually restore the Israelites back to Jerusalem and buying and selling of land will occur again. Interesting chapter. The call to Jeremiah to buy land was to set the stage for reminding the Israelites that they will soon lose this ability, but it will come back to them again eventually.  I like this example.  What about you in your life today – is there anything God is asking you to be obedient in?  Even if you perhaps won’t see an "immediate" return on your investment of your obedience, will you obey God?  Is the eternal return on your investment of obedience worth it?  Below is an image of Jeremiah in the court of the prison buying his kinsman’s field from today’s readings:

Today in our readings we get the famous Jeremiah 33:3 verse: “‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (NIV)  Verses 15 & 16 are powerful Messianic verses, harkening back to Jeremiah 23:6 (The Lord Our Righteousness): “In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.”

Verse 22 is a great verse echoing the covenant promises to Abraham: “I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars of the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.”

Verse 18 threw me for a loop initially, trying to figure out how this could still be – “nor will the priests, who are Levites, ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices.’” I wondered – where are the Levites today? Fortunately, I read a commentary that set me straight – Jesus is fulfilling this ministry for us today! Jesus is our Levitical priest standing before God continually. Beautiful, eh?  Do you consider Jesus to be your High Priest?

Worship Video: Jeremiah 33:3 in today’s readings reminded me of the Third Day song “Call My Name:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEXXUdU–Zg

When is the last time you called on God? Click here and call upon 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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Ezekiel 24:15-25:17; Jeremiah 34:1-22; Jeremiah 21:1-14; Ezekiel 29:1-16; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

An important note from our readings in Ezekiel chapter 24 today is that Ezekiel’s wife dies on the exact same day the Temple is Jerusalem was burned!  August 14, 586 B.C.  As I read these verses about Ezekiel’s wife and the Temple I am reminded of a verse in the book of Job – 13:15- “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.”  Though Ezekiel’s wife dies and though the Temple burned, the Lord still instructs Judah in verse 23: “You will not mourn or weep”.  The Job situation is of course different in that Job was righteous and Judah was not at this time.  And there is not clear hope for Judah at this time – though there ultimately is redemption for Jerusalem.   However, again, look at Job’s faith in the midst of all he was going through: “yet I will hope in him.”  When times are bad – or times are good – do you hope in Him?  No matter what, will you hope in Him?

In Ezekiel chapter 25 today we begin reading God’s oracles against the nations surrounding Israel.  We’ll read 7 oracles over the next few days through chapter 32.  It’s noteworthy that frequently in the Old Testament God’s words of judgment against Israel through the prophets is often accompanied by oracles of judgments against the nations.  Below is a map that shows the oracles against the nations we read about in chapters 25 & 26 today and through chapter 32 in the coming days.  This map is helpful to see where Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon and of course Egypt are all located in comparison to Jerusalem:

Jeremiah chapter 34 is interesting with the freedom for the slaves – and then the reversal of that decision. Could this story remind us of our lives at times? Do we sometimes promise God that we’ll do something he wants us to do? Maybe even start to do it? And then change our minds?  Why are we not consistent with what we tell God we will do?  Let us pray for consistency in our spiritual walk!

In Jeremiah 21 we’re getting close to the point of the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. as King Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon are getting close. The prophecies Jeremiah has been preaching in the past 20 chapters are coming to fruition. A verse that encapsulates all of this is 21:10 – “For I have decided to bring disaster and not good upon this city, says the Lord. It will be captured by the king of Babylon, and he will reduce it to ashes.’” Do remember that in our readings over the past few days that God does intend to bring the Israelites back to Jerusalem eventually. There is hope!  Even though Nebuchadnezzar (pictured below) is soon to come into Jerusalem… there is still hope in the midst of the despair…  there is still redemption to come…

Verse 7 in chapter 29 of Ezekiel stands out as to why God is unhappy with Egypt (in part – idols are another reason…)  – “Israel leaned on you, but like a cracked staff, you splintered and stabbed her in the armpit. When she put her weight on you, you gave way, and her back was thrown out of joint.”  God was not happy that Israel created an alliance with Egypt as we read earlier in Ezekiel – but at the same time, God was not happy with Egypt for bailing on the alliance when Babylon attacked Jerusalem.   Think God likes for us to keep our promises in our life?  Do you keep your promises in your life?  Are you careful to never make empty promises?

I think Ezekiel chapter 31 starts out with a trick question from God to Egypt in verse 2: "Son of man, give this message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his people: "To whom would you compare your greatness?""  The proper answer to this question is probably somewhere along the humble lines of, "no one – I am not great at all.  I wouldn’t dare compare myself to others.  Everything I am and have comes from you God."  Think Pharaoh would answer the question in this humble way?  🙂  Better yet – maybe we should ask ourselves this question today as well.  And think about how we would answer it.  What if someone stops you on the street tomorrow and asks you this question.  What would be your reply?   Here it is.  I ask this of you now: "To whom would you compare your greatness?"

Worship Video:  Our readings today reminded me of the Newsboys song “He Reigns:”

Do you know that He Reigns? Click here to meet our Reigning Lord!

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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Ezekiel 22:17-23:49; 2 Kings 24:20-25:2; Jeremiah 52:3-5; Jeremiah 39:1; Ezekiel 24:1-14
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Once again in verse 30 of chapter 22 of Ezekiel we see God’s compassion and God seeking an opportunity to stop the coming judgment: "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one." No one was found…  This verse makes me think about this – sometimes I think we tell ourselves, "What difference does it make?  What difference does it make if I’m good or bad?  What difference does it make if I serve and love others in need?"   Check out verse 30 above again.  Think one person could have made a difference then?  What about now?  Will you make a difference today?  Will you stand in the gap?

Ezekiel chapter 23 is interesting in its use of prostitution and lust as the metaphors for Israel’s political alliances with neighboring lands.  My thoughts here are that we live in a "sexualized" world in so many ways today – and perhaps things weren’t so different back then.  Sex is obviously something that was created as a good by God – but can so quickly and easily be twisted into something that is not good.   Sex is good in the right context of marriage.  Detrimental in the wrong.  It seems to me that lust and the selling of sex was as prevalent back in Ezekiel’s today as it is in ours.  To which we may need to remember well Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:18 – "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."  And of course James 4:7 – "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  Is there an area of our lives related to sex that you must flee from?  Will you flee?

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Mountain People Worship’s song “My Heart Wants You:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQahQg8ymyQ

What does your heart want? Click here for your true desire!

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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Ezekiel 20:1-22:16
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Ezekiel chapter 20 verse 12 stands out to me today: “And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I, the LORD, had set them apart to be holy, making them my special people.”  I like learning this – the Sabbath days of rest were given as a sign between God and his people.  How are you doing on taking a day of rest each week?  Would taking a day of rest each week – a Sabbath day – benefit your relationship with God?  And with others?  Would it benefit perhaps the other 6 days of your week?  Below is a great painting titled “The Sabbath Rest” by the Jewish Polish painter Samuel Hirszenberg from the year 1894:

After verse 12 above, we read this from God in verse 13: ““But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my laws there in the wilderness. They wouldn’t obey my instructions even though obedience would have given them life. And they also violated my Sabbath days. So I threatened to pour out my fury on them, and I made plans to utterly consume them in the desert.” The thing that stood out to me in this verse was “they also violated my Sabbath days.”  I don’t get too caught up on which day of the week we take a Sabbath – as some may work weekends and have Mondays off, for example.  Whatever the day is for you – do you have 1 day a week that you consider a Sabbath?  Why might this be a smart thing to do?  A healthy thing to do?  A faithful thing to do?

In Ezekiel 20:40 we read: “There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.” What are your offerings, choice gifts and holy sacrifices to the Lord?  Your life, your thoughts, your finances?  Do you give a percentage of your income to your local church, ministries, and nonprofits?  Would this perhaps be a “holy sacrifice” if you did so?  Would this be a bold act of faith?

In Ezekiel chapter 21 today we read about the Lord’s sword of judgment! Which, in this case is Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar.  I did not realize until today that there is actually a "sword song" in the Bible – a song that warriors may have sung and even danced to before going out to battle.  Unfortunately, this sword song in verses 9 through 11 was being sung for Jerusalem because of her many sins… "A sword, a sword is being sharpened and polished. It is sharpened for terrible slaughter and polished to flash like lightning! Now will you laugh? Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power! Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished; it is being prepared for the executioner."

Okay, so Ezekiel Chapters 21 & 22 are the types of chapters where you might you think about stereotypes of the Old Testament – a "grouchy/mean" God perhaps one might say about these two chapters…   However! – context of course is key to keep in mind.  We must also know the book of Jeremiah or Ezekiel prior to these chapters.  God has been slow to anger, compassionate, asking – no, begging – people to repent.  And they have not.  And things just keep getting worse and worse and worse.  Check out chapter 22 verses 1 through 16 for how bad the sins of Jerusalem have gotten…  All of this reminds me that the consequences for sin are very real.  Let us never forget the truth of Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Matt Redman’s “Blessed Be Your Name:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8okACq1TowQ

Is God’s name blessed to you? Click here for your true Blessings!

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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Ezekiel 17:1-19:14
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Ezekiel chapter 17 is a great story of the two eagles!  This is basically a story of the city of Jerusalem’s vacillating foreign policy between Babylon and Egypt.  The first eagle is King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the treaty Jerusalem makes w/ Babylon is in the story.  Then, the second eagle represents a pharaoh from Egypt, whom Jerusalem makes another treaty with subsequently, which goes against Babylon.  The bad part of this is that the Babylon treaty was sworn to by the king of Jerusalem/Judah in the Lord’s name – then broken.   This is a very bad idea to swear something in the Lord’s name and then not uphold it…   Below is a map to give you a quick snapshot of the Babylonian empire, Judah, and Egypt at this time:

The close of this chapter is phenomenal when it takes a Messianic turn, foreshadowing Jesus in verses 22 and 23: “And the Sovereign LORD says: I will take a tender shoot from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. It will become a noble cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter beneath its branches.”  Do these verses sound like Jesus to you?

Ezekiel chapter 18 is a powerful chapter!  What we are seeing in this chapter is the Old Covenant – which I do believe was compassionate & “fair”, but different from the New Covenant, which I believe is compassionate & graceful (which may not necessarily be “fair” – but which is good news – Gospel – for us sinners!).  Verse 30 is a good look at the Old Covenant: “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn from your sins! Don’t let them destroy you!”   Verse 4 of course stands out too with: “And this is my rule: The person who sins will be the one who dies.” You read this at a high level and you’ll get a bit nervous, no?  🙂  Indeed this is the Old Covenant:  your actions will dictate your death or your life.  It’s up to your actions.  It’s up to you.  You’ll get what you deserve.  And this is certainly “fair.”  However, this changes through Jesus Christ’s atonement for our sins once and for all on the cross.  Under the New Covenant, through God’s gift of grace, we now simply need to have faith that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, died for our sins and rose from the dead.  As we’ve been reading in Hebrews currently – we simply need to have faith in Christ as our High Priest.  God’s grace and our faith becomes the key (regeneration).  Not our actions on their own.  This being said, after our salvation (justification) through grace and faith, God is very interested in our actions and wants us to live a life of holiness (sanctification).   This is a lot of theology here… and more than I can blog on without goofing it up – actually I probably already have.  🙂  Check out a good overview of justification and sanctification (and regeneration!) on bible.org at this link.    Also, I’ll copy this image below, which I found interesting.  I may not agree with every point on this image, but overall I find this useful:  (though, I’d say you could take a thick black magic marker and just write “Jesus” and “Grace” all over this image below too, and that would really be all you need to know 🙂

Verse 32 can be argued to be the single most important point in all of the book of Ezekiel – “I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!”  This is a powerful verse.  Think this verse shows us that God is compassionate?  Think this might be the single most important point in the book of Ezekiel?  Think this verse can apply to our lives today? Are their areas of sin in your life which God is calling you to turn back from?  Calling you to turn toward true Life?  And to be free from the slavery of sin?  Will you turn back?  Will you repent?

Ezekiel Chapter 19 is a funeral song and allegory about the land of Judah and Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is the lioness and the lions are two of her sons, two kings – one who ended up trapped and deceived by Egypt and the other by Babylon.   The last sentence of verse 14 is a sad one…  “This is a funeral song, and it is now time for the funeral.” As we know, it is now time for the funeral for Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s time.  However, of course, there is the redemption to come and the continuation of the house of David.  The promise to Abraham won’t die here!  There is another Lion of Judah yet to come…

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Ezekiel 17 reminded me of this song by Brandon Heath called “Love Never Fails:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP0iDVmzb80

Are you experiencing love that never fails? Click here for true Love!

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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Ezekiel 14:1-16:63
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Ezekiel 14 verse 3 I believe can definitely speak to us today: “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin.”  This is scary to think about…  Have we set up idols in our hearts?  Have we embraced things that lead us into sin?  Think this is a good idea… ?  Can we turn these idols in our hearts over to the Lord?  It is my hunch that an idol set up in our hearts is one of the toughest things to get rid of.  We need Jesus in our lives to free us idols.  Will you let Jesus remove any idol that is in your heart this very day?  Please don’t let that idol hang around in your heart any longer…

I am fascinated by God’s words in Ezekiel chapter 14 verses 13 & 14 today:  “Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.”  The first thing these verses tell us is that God’s judgment upon Jerusalem at this time was certain.  Even the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job couldn’t change that – only these 3 men would have been saved.  However, this got me thinking.  Is it possible that sometimes today we try to build up our own righteousness to ensure our own salvation and basically do nothing to try to build up others righteousness and help them toward their salvation?  Meaning, do we sometimes retreat into a “Christian bubble” and ignore the rest of “the world.”  Leave them to their own devices.  It just made me think when reading about Noah, Daniel, and Job that my hunch is that these 3 would not just chill out and relax in the glory and certitude of their own righteousness.  My hunch is that they would get out there on the streets and try to save others.  So, what about you and me?  Are we just cocooning in our own righteousness and salvation, or are we taking salvation to the streets?  Are we retreating from the battle for others’ salvation or are we engaged in it?  What say you?

Ezekiel chapter 14 verse 23 tells us today:  “When you meet them and see their behavior, you will agree that these things are not being done to Israel without cause, says the Sovereign LORD.”  I think sometimes we can read some select verses in the Old Testament out of context and think God is being harsh.  God here reminds us that he is not being harsh without cause.  And we’ll see more of the cause in chapter 16 today…  Below is an image of Ezekiel prophesying to the elders who visited him in chapter 14 verse 1:

Ezekiel chapter 15 is an interesting one for me today, where God basically calls Jerusalem a useless grape vine.  In reading this I am also reminded that Jesus in John 15 uses the grape vine analogy again saying “I am the vine and you are the branches.”  This tells me that Jesus redeems even useless grape vines!  🙂  However, using this Ezekiel analogy, are we growing in our lives like trees or like vines?  How thick are your roots?  How solid is your core?

Ezekiel chapter 16 is a fascinating and sad look at the city of Jerusalem.  This is the first time I have really spent a little bit of time with this chapter.  The question I find for myself in reading this chapter is this: has God blessed us similarly in some ways that he blessed Jerusalem?  Have we, perhaps, in some ways used the blessings that God has given us in improper ways?   Verse 6 in this chapter stood out to me: “But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, `Live!’”  Bible commentaries suggest that this one word – Live! – is God’s basic desire for all humans.  How powerful is that realization?  How very beautiful…  Live!  Let us Live!

Worship God:  Ezekiel 16:6’s call to “Live!” reminded me of Casting Crowns wonderful worship tune called “Lifesong.”  Let this be our prayer today – “Let my lifesong sing to you!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEwB0pkes7U

Is your lifesong singing to God? Click here and start Singing!

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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Ezekiel 10:1-13:23
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Ezekiel’s vision of the Lord in Jerusalem continues today in chapters 10 and 11 as the glory of the Lord first leaves the Temple and then leaves Jerusalem completely! This is a big deal as the glory of the Lord had pretty much been in the Temple since it’s construction. We are also visited by the cherubim again in these chapters – check out the November 1st readings calendar link below/left for more commentary on the cherubim.  I really like this artwork by Priscilla Silver called “The Four Faced Cherubim” –

Today in chapter 11 verse 13 we read – “While I was still speaking, Pelatiah son of Benaiah suddenly died. Then I fell face down in the dust and cried out, “O Sovereign LORD, are you going to kill everyone in Israel?””

Chapter 11 verses 19 & 20 stood out to me today, with a message for the exiles in Babylon – “I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.” How are our hearts today? Are they tender? Single in their focus on God? Do we have a new Spirit within us?

Ezekiel chapter 12 today reminds me that sometimes in my own life I believe God sends some signs and warnings and I, like the Israelites in exile in Babylon, can be a rebel.  I ignore the signs and warnings or think – oh, that won’t come to pass for a long time…    Do you suppose this is wise?   Is there a sign or a warning God may be sending your way in your life currently?  Will you listen and obey?  Will you pay attention to God’s warning signs in your life?

I love the story of Ezekiel packing up his pack in broad daylight and leaving through a hole in his house during the evening in chapter 12 today!  In verse 7 we read – “So I did as I was told. In broad daylight I brought my pack outside, filled with the things I might carry into exile. Then in the evening while the people looked on, I dug through the wall with my hands and went out into the darkness with my pack on my shoulder.”

It is interesting that in chapter 12 God says three times: “Then you/they will know that I am the LORD!”  Why do you think he repeats this three times in this chapter?  Should this be a statement we should consider in our own lives?   Who is the Lord of your life – yourself or God?   Do you know that God is the Lord?   Is God consistently in the very center of your life?

Ezekiel chapter 13 verse 2 stood out to me today: “Son of man, speak against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Tell them to listen to the word of the LORD.” Do we see this in our world today?  People inventing their own prophecies?  Inventing their own religions?  Picking and choosing what philosophies they like the best?  Do we do this?  Should we be listening instead to the Word of the Lord?  Are you actively involved in a church where the Word is clearly taught and Jesus is clearly the cornerstone?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Ezekiel reminds me of the importance of the message in the Kutless song “Sea of Faces:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLHE4P-B2FA

Are you lost in a sea of faces? Click here to be Found!

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.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!