Mon.’s Devo - God’s Story

Read: Ezekiel 27:1-28:26; Hebrews 11:17-31; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 27:15-16
Tyre was known for its glass-shops, purple dyeing and weaving establishments and for the engraving of precious stones. It was also known for its wickedness and idolatry which were frequently denounced by the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos and Zechariah. Ezekiel gave a list of all the people who traded with Tyre so great was her wealth. She traded with the whole world, but her wealth could not buy her out of God’s judgment. God compares her to Lucifer in the garden. Just as God bedecked Lucifer with jewels, he had prospered Tyre. They were both the model of perfection, full of wisdom and beauty till wickedness was found in them. So God had to drive them both from his presence because of their pride and corruption. Their sin and dishonesty brought them to ashes and a horrible end. When their time of judgment is over, the people that come back will know the Lord. Interestingly Tyre became the place where a church was founded after Stephen’s death. Paul visited it during his third missionary journey.
We continue in Hebrews down Israel’s history. God lists the patriarchs as he encodes his purpose. Abraham offered Isaac as God offered Jesus to be the atonement for all mankind. Jacob was the righteous offspring of salvation and he started the nation of Israel through his offspring. He blessed his sons just as Jesus blessed his twelve disciples before he left the earth. Joseph was one of Jacob’s sons who spoke of the exodus of Israel out of bondage and into the promised land. He was a type of John who taught us freedom from our sins and who gave us the Revelation of the end. Moses, though raised in the wealthy palace of Egypt, refused to be known as an Egyptian but gave it all up to suffer with God’s people to teach them about the power of the blood. Moses was a type of Paul who gave up his high position with the Pharisees to be known as a Christian. He gave his life to one of suffering that the power of Jesus’ blood might be proclaimed and proved on the earth. Just as the walls of Jericho fell in Joshua, the walls of religion fell in Paul’s ministry and the Rahab’s , the Gentiles and sinners, were welcomed into salvation.
Lord, your story is written over and over in your Word and like the Psalmist we can say, “Great are Your works, they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are your deeds, and your righteousness endures forever.”