Read: Ezekiel 29:1-30:26; Hebrews 11:32-12:13; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 27:17
As Ezekiel brings a prophecy against Egypt, he compares it to a crocodile and its people fish. The greater sin is that Egypt has been prideful and the lesser is that she is unreliable.
His second oracle (17-21) against Egypt came after the fall of Tyre. The siege of Tyre had lasted 13 years but it was economically unfruitful because the wealth had been shipped to an offshore island. So the booty that was deprived of Babylon in that siege would be made up by what they would take from Egypt. It was not just the capital of Egypt but the whole of Egypt that would be spoiled. God was going to strengthen Babylon to use as his tool to judge the earth.
Hebrews continues with a list of men and women who persevered for the faith. Many were made martyrs and they never saw the promise given them fulfilled. They are made complete through seeing that promise fulfilled in our lives. They became the crowd of witnesses that are waiting for us to complete the promise they only saw. I believe that all that have gone before us are in that company, which means our family is watching us fulfill the destiny for our family line.
God judges the world, but he disciplines his children in love. Hebrews teaches us to appreciate God’s discipline for it is for our good. Having our grandchildren living with us, I can attest to that. It is so much easier for me to discipline them out of love and not anger because my only goal is to make godly children out of them. I am not as easily embarrassed of them as I was my own children and I don’t take it personal when they mess up. It is just black and white…I want them to succeed in life. That is exactly how God feels about us. He wants us to succeed in life so he disciplines us so he can bless us.
Lord, thank you for your discipline. Help us to be first time listeners and obey what you say.
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