Thurs.’s Devo - The Change in the Priesthood -

 Read: Ezekiel 12:1-14:11; Hebrews 7:1-17; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 27:3

Ezekiel was in Chedar when he had this vision. He traveled in the Spirit to Jerusalem as he carried out the assignment in Chedar. He was to carry his baggage out of the city through a hole he had dug in the wall. He was to cover his face so he could not see Jerusalem as he left. This was to show the people in exile what was going to happen to the king. He would try to escape through a hole in the wall and he would not ever see Jerusalem again. King Zedekiah would never see, period, again because Nebuchadnezzar had his eyes gouged out. This prophecy was also for the people living in exile to show them that they were not returning to Jerusalem any time soon. 

Then God told Ezekiel to eat and drink with trembling and to act very anxious because that would be what would happen to the people in Jerusalem when they witnessed all the violence in their streets. The people had complained about his prophesies that never seemed to happen, but they would not complain any longer because the time for them to manifest was very soon. 

Ezekiel was to rebuke the false prophets who gave them lies and false hope of peace. They had repaired the breaches in the wall with whitewash which would not stand against God’s anger. They were like the whitewashed walls. They and their words would not stand against what God was sending. They were like the scribes and Pharisees Jesus met in his day. He called them whitewashed walls also.

God called out their abominations. They were using witchcraft and divination to help them which would not help them against God. The elders came to Ezekiel wanting a word from the Lord and he told them to tell them that their idols would be a curse to them and they would be judged because of them. The house of Israel would be judged until they stopped defiling themselves with idols and made the Lord their God.

In Hebrews, the writer explained that Melchizedek was the king of Salem which means “Peace.” Abraham gave him a tenth of his spoils of war. Melchizedek was also the king of righteousness. He was a type of Jesus who would be God’s priest forever. 

The writer makes is clear that this priest was greater than Abraham. He blessed Abraham who was the father of Israel. Levi who became the leader of the priesthood on earth also paid tithes to Melchizedek because he was in the wound of Abraham. 

The law was given through the Levitical priesthood but Jesus would be a priest in Melchizedek’s order so there would have to be a change of priesthood. They would need to change the law also since the law only allowed the Levites to minister to the Lord. Jesus came from the lineage of Judah which was not the priestly tribe. Jesus became our High Priest because God said it. 

We are all priests to the Lord whether we are Jews or Gentiles because a change has been made and a new covenant was written when Jesus came. He made us his priests and gave us two commandments: Love God and love others. 

Lord, may we carry out out two commandments with all our hearts. This is a day by day process that takes much dying to self and choosing to follow You. Thank you for your Spirit that helps us and strengthens us daily.

Wed.’s Devo - Endure Till the End -

Read: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25; hebrews 6:1-20; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 27:1-2

Yesterday we read that God had called in the executioners of heaven and a heavenly priest to mark the heads of those who were righteous and were not idolators. Once he finished marking them, God told the man in linen to go fill his hands with burning coals from between the wheels of the four living creatures. He was to take the coals and scatter them over the city. The glory followed the Lord as he entered the temple. Everywhere he went in the temple, it was filled with the brightness and cloud of God’s glory. 

When the man in linen had taken the coals, the cherubim rose up from the earth and levitated above the temple. The glory of the Lord left the temple and they all stood at the gate of the temple with the glory over them. These were the four living creatures Ezekiel had seen before. 

Ezekiel was taken to the east gate of the temple and saw 25 men at the entrance of the gate. Among them was Jaazaniah and Pelatiah who were princes of the people. The Lord said that these were wicked men who devised wicked counsel to the people. They told the people not to build houses because this city was a cauldron and they were the meat. God told Ezekiel to prophecy against what they said.

The Spirit of God fell on Ezekiel and he told the people that they were thinking wrong. It was not them that was the meat, it was the ones they killed who were the meat. They would be brought out of the city and judged by foreigners at the border of Israel. This city will not be their cauldron. They will be judged for their sins because they refused to walk in the ways and obey the rules of the Lord. 

While Ezekiel was saying these things, Pelatiah died. Ezekiel fell on his face and cried out to the Lord because he was witnessing the remnant dying. 

God said that he would scatter them throughout the nations but one day he would gather them and give them a heart of flesh that they would want to walk in his ways and keep his commandments. But, the ones who went after idols and detestable things, they would be judged for their deeds.

Then the cherubim lifted up from the city and the glory of the Lord went with them and stood on the mountain to the east. God brought Ezekiel back to Chaldea with the exiles and he told them all that he had seen.

In Hebrews, the writer says that once a person has been enlightened and tasted the gift of salvation and shared in the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of his Word and the powers of the age to come, if he falls away, it is impossible to restore them to repentance. It would be to hold Jesus in contempt. This man would be like a barren land full of thorns and thistles. 

But, in our case, God has better things in store. God is not unjust and sees our works. We must endure to the end to inherit God’s promises. God cannot lie and Jesus is our high priest who anchors our soul and gives us hope. 

Lord, our hope is in you. We believe all your promises and wait patiently for them to manifest on the earth. 

Tues.’s Devo - Ezekiel’s Vision

Read: Ezekiel 7:1-9:11; Hebrews 5:1-14; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 26:28

God sent Ezekiel a message that the time had come to judge all their abominations. He gives Ezekiel a picture of what the siege will look like. All who go out of the city to fight will die by the sword and all who stay in the city will die because of famine and pestilence. Their gold and silver will be worthless. They won’t be able to buy food that is not there. Robbers will be everywhere. 

Chapter 8 begins a new series of Ezekiel’s prophecies. He has finished lying on both his sides. It has been six years since Jehoiachin was taken with the elders to Babylon. Through all this, Judah had not repented and returned to the Lord. Ezekiel is sitting with the elders by the river Chedar when he sees a vision of a glorious form which took him by his hair and took him by the spirit to Jerusalem. It led him to the temple where he saw an idol he calls “the image of jealousy.” It was an abomination to God. Then God brought Ezekiel into the court of the Temple and told him to dig a hole through the wall and took him into a room where there were all sorts of evil forms of beasts were on the wall. Seventy men of the elders of Israel were there offering incense to their gods.

Then, Ezekiel was taken through the north gate of the temple and saw women weeping for Tammuz. Next, he was taken to the inner court of the temple and showed 25 men with their backs to the temple and their faces toward the east worshiping the sun. God said that even if they cried to him with a shout, he would not hear them because of their abominations.

Then God shouted to Ezekiel and called forth the executioners of the city who stood before him and six men appeared from the upper gate which faces north. Each had a weapon in their hand and with them was a man in linen with a writing case.

God told the man with the writing case to go and mark the heads of every person who groaned over the abominations that were being committed. These people would be spared. He told the executioners to follow this man. When he had finished his task, they were to go in and kill all who did not have the mark on their foreheads. They were to began with the elders in the temple. Ezekiel cried out as he watched so many slain. He asked the Lord if he was going to destroy all the remnant of Israel. 

God said that their sin was great and the city was full of injustice. He would not have pity on the guilty. The man with the writing case returned to the Lord and said he had finished his job. 

In Hebrews, the writer explains that the job of the high priest was to act on behalf of mankind. He was to offer gifts and sacrifices for their sins. He was qualified because he was also a man who had weaknesses and would judge rightly. His place was given hm by God. 

Christ also was honored by God and given the ministry of being our High Priest. All throughout Jesus’ life, he acted as a high priest as he prayed for the people. He himself had to learn to obey by the suffering he went through. His obedience qualified him to become the source of our eternal salvation for all who would obey him. 

His desire for us is that we grow beyond being a child and needing milk, to becoming a mature Christian who has learned to discern good from evil. 

Lord, may we grow to maturity where we can rightly discern good from evil. May we grow beyond always needing prayer to the ones who offer prayers for others. Thank you, Jesus, that you are our High Priest who is always praying and making intercession on our behalf. 

Mon.’s Devo - God’s Rest -

Read: Ezekiel 3:16-6:14; Hebrews 4:1-16; Psalm 104:24-35; Proverbs 26:27

After Ezekiel saw the vision of God’s four living creatures, he had not been able to talk for 7 days. At the end of the 7 days, God’s word came to him and told him he was to be a watchman for the house of Israel. He was to say what God told him to say and if he didn’t, their blood would be on his hands. But if he warns the people and they don’t listen, he will live and not be held responsible because he warned them. 

God sent Ezekiel back to the valley where he saw the glory of the Lord and God appeared to him again. He told him to shut himself inside his house and God would bind him with cords. He would not be able to speak until the Lord spoke through him. 

God told Ezekiel to take a brick and label it “Jerusalem.” He was to build siege works against it with a wall and battering rams against it. Then he was also to lie on his left side and place the punishment of Israel upon it. He should lie 390 days which equalled the number of years of their punishment. Then he was to lie on his right side for forty days to stand for the forty years Judah would bear their punishment. God would bind him so he could’t turn from side to side.

Next, he was to take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and emmer and make bread to eat each day while he lay on his left side. He was to measure out what he would need each day. And he was to measure out the water he would need each day. This was to show the people that the day was coming when they would have little food and water. 

Ezekiel was to cut off his hair and his beard with a sharp sword and divide it into three piles. He was to burn one pile in the midst of the city of the model of the siege he had built. He was to take the next third and strike it with the sword all around his brick which stood for Jerusalem. With the last third, he was to scatter to the wind. But before he did this, he was to take a few strands from this last group and bind them in the skirts of his robe. Some of these he was to cast into the fire in the midst of the city.  This was to show what was about to happen to them because they rebelled against the Lord. 

To add to this, Ezekiel told them that because of their abominations, the fathers would eat their sons and the sons would eat their fathers. Those that survived would be scattered to all the winds, He would have no pity for them. All the nations would see their reproach and taunt them. 

God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the mountains of Israel. God would bring the sword against their high places and altars they built for their idols. Their bones would be spread before their gods and the altars would be destroyed. 

A remnant would survive and escape to other nations. They would repent of their sins and return to the Lord. 

In Hebrews, God still offers us the privilege of entering into his rest. It is for those who will believe in the Lord. The writer reminds us that God rested on the seventh day which we are entering the seventh day. We have been on the earth over 6,000 years. He makes it clear that if we don’t have faith, we could miss our rest also. All we have to do is hear his voice and have a soft heart. 

The children of Israel entered the promised land yet they didn’t enter into God’s rest. There is still a rest, a Sabbath, we are waiting to enter into. The Word of God is alive and still active so we still have our promised rest ahead of us. 

Jesus became our High Priest who understands our temptations and weaknesses. He gives us confidence to draw near the throne of grace. 

Lord, we do draw near your throne of grace and need your mercy and help. We trust in you as our High Priest to pray for us and help us. May we strive to enter into your rest. 

Sun.’s Devo - Ezekiel’s Calling

Read: Ezekiel 1:1-3:15; Hebrews 3:1-19; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 26:24-26

The book of Ezekiel starts in the “thirtieth year”. Thirty years ago began the era of the Babylonian empire. It was also the year that Josiah found the book of the law in the temple and began a national revival to the Lord. It was also Ezekiel’s thirtieth year to be alive. He was contemporary with Jeremiah and Daniel. Jeremiah had prophesied for thirty-four years before Ezekiel, and continued to do so for six or seven years after him. The call of Ezekiel followed the very next year after the communication of Jeremiah's predictions to Babylon (Jer 51:59), and was intended as a sequel to them. Daniel's predictions came mostly later than Ezekiel’s. 

Ezekiel had been a priest in Jerusalem and had left with the first group to Babylon. He continued to lead the nation as a priest to the Lord. He was at the river Chebar when he saw a vision. In the vision he saw the four living creatures from heaven. Each was the same. Their heads had four different faces on its four sides. One was a human face, one an ox face, one an eagle face and the last the face of a lion. They had the wings of the eagle, the feet of the ox, hands like the man and the quickness of the lion. They moved on wheels within wheels which gave them the ability to change directions. The wheels were covered with eyes. Their spirit was in these eyes. They made the sound of an army and the crashing of waves. Over their heads was the likeness of a throne. God sat on this throne in all his glory and brightness. 

When Ezekiel saw all this he fell on his face and heard God speak. He told him to stand up. Ezekiel stood and listened to God’s orders. God was sending him to speak to the people of Israel who God called “a nation of rebels.” He was to speak whatever God told him and not be afraid of them. 

God gave Ezekiel a book and told him to eat it. It was a scroll written on the front and the back. Then he was to go and tell them whatever God said to say. They would not listen to him because they were not willing to listen to the Lord, but he was still to say God’s words. 

God’s spirit lifted Ezekiel up and he heard the sound of an earthquake behind him as the wings of the creatures touched one another. Then Ezekiel was taken back to the exiles at Tel-abib by the Chebar canal. Ezekiel sat silently for seven days before he could speak, he was so overwhelmed by what he had seen and heard. 

In Hebrews, the writer points them to Jesus who was the house that Moses was building. Moses’ assignment was give the people God’s laws and to build all the things in the tabernacle that would point to Jesus. He, like Ezekiel, had to deal with a rebellious people who refused to be faithful to God. Moses still did his job in spite of their stubborn hearts. 

Now, God was appealing to this generation to not be like the one in Moses’ day. The people of Moses’ generation were not able to enter into God’s rest because of their unbelief. They had to die in the wilderness and didn’t get to enter into the land promised them. God does not want us to be like them. He wants us to make it to our place of rest.

Lord, may we not be rebellious and hard-hearted but humble and ever-seeking, always praising You. May we with patience endure trials and suffering knowing that in your perfect timing you will bring us into rest. 

Sat.’s Devo - Our Hope is in our High Priest

Read: Lamentations 4:1-5:22; Hebrews 2:1-18; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 26:23

Jeremiah gives us a sad picture of the priesthood. What was supposed to be precious (the gold) has changed and is filthy. The holy stones which represent the different tribes worn in the breastplate of the High Priest have lost their value and are nothing more than earthen pots. The people have lost all dignity, honor and worth. The wild animals are more humane than them. No one has pity for the children and babies. They have lost everything and their punishment is worse that Sodom and Gomorrah. They were gone in a moment, but their pain goes on and on. 

Their priests were once righteous, but became so sinful they didn’t even resemble the priests God chose. It would have been better to have died in the battle than suffer living in the siege. The women have boiled and eaten their own children. 

The very foundation of the people has been shaken through God’s wrath because the leaders and kings refused to believe in him. They didn’t believe anyone would ever penetrate their walls. 

The prophets and priests shed innocent blood and that blood was on their hands. They were the ones who needed to call “Unclean” wherever they walked. 

They kept waiting for some nation like Egypt to come and help them, but no one was coming. The same fate would come to Edom. They had to watch their nation become ravished and plundered with no hope. 

In the end, it is God who reigns forever and his throne will never be destroyed or overthrown. Jeremiah prays that God will one day restore and renew them. 

In Hebrews, even the angels were punished for their rebellion and so it will be for us if we rebel against God. God gave this world to man and not to angels. Jesus came as a man and put everything in this world under his feet. He conquered sin, death and hell, yet we don’t see the result of this yet. 

Jesus went to glory to bring us there one day. He did this through all he suffered. He had to be made a man to be our high priest since the high priest had to be a man who could understand the weakness of man and pray effectively for them. Jesus did this and is now our High Priest. He can intercede for us in our weaknesses and help us overcome them.

Lord, thank you for becoming a man and enduring the pain and shame and persecution for us. Thank your for your death and your resurrection. Thank you that you intercede for us in our weaknesses and make us strong because you live in us and through us. May you be strong today in your people.

Fri.’s Devo - God’s Day of Judgment on Jerusalem

Read: Lamentations 2:20-3:66; Hebrews 1:1-14; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 26:21-22

 Jeremiah sees women eating their own children to stay alive, priests being killed in the sanctuary and young men and women dead in the streets from the sword. Not one person in Jerusalem is not touched by what is going on. 

Jeremiah sees all this and is devastated. He is almost hopeless till he remembers that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning which gives him cause to praise God for his faithfulness.  He knows he has to wait for the Lord who will come with salvation in his timing. God will not stay mad forever. His love is greater than his wrath. God is just and when he is finished punishing man for his sin, he will revive him. 

Jeremiah calls the people to repent for this sins and confess them to the Lord. He prays for his own life and the Lord told him not to fear. Jeremiah sees that God has judged him and is taking care of him in the midst of terrible judgement on Judah. Many leaders in Jerusalem wanted Jeremiah killed, but God preserved his life and saved him.

Hebrews is believed to have been written by Paul, but no one really knows. It is so deep and full of mysteries that I wonder if it wasn’t written by one of the men who walked with Jesus after his resurrection on the way to Emmaus. In the Old Testament, God used his prophets to talk to the people, but when Jesus came, he spoke God’s words. He was the word of God. He showed us God’s nature and how the universe is created and held by God’s word. When he gave his life to cleanse us he took his rightful seat in heaven on the right hand of God. 

God announced Jesus as his son. He told all the angels to worship his arrival. His kingdom would be one of righteousness and not wickedness and he would be anointed with the oil of gladness. He laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning and the heavens are the work of his hands. The heavens and the earth will one day wear out and have to be renewed and he will do this also. But, he will never wear out or need to be changed. He will reign forever and his enemies will be put under his power. All this power was given to Jesus and not the angels. They are spirits sent to minister to those chosen to inherit salvation. 

Lord, thank you for your great plan. Thank you for angels that minister to us and help us. Thank you that we are living to see you put your enemies under your feet. Thank you for your steadfast love that never ceases or comes to an end. And may we trust in your mercies that are new every morning.

Thurs.’s Devo - Lamentations

Read: Lamentations 1:1-2:19; Philemon 1-25; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 26:20

The Book of Lamentations was probably written by Jeremiah who was known for his lamentations over Jerusalem and Israel. The Israelites had become very entitled. They thought that since they were “God’s chosen people” nothing bad would happen to them. They obviously didn’t read his laws and especially the ones that cursed those who didn’t obey them. They had declined so deep into sin and idolatry and refused to hear the warnings of the prophets who begged them to repent and turn back to God. The Book of Lamentations was written during the time when Nebuchadnezzar was besieging Jerusalem and the people were starving. It contrasts the time of prosperity to this time of hopelessness and chaos. 

Jeremiah gives a gut-trenching description of the streets and what was going on. It is heart-breaking, but he reminds them that this is the day that God announced would happen and it is their fault. God has become their enemy and is fighting against them. It is very hard for Jeremiah to watch all this happen even though he told them it would.

Today we read Paul’s letter to Philemon. Philemon was a wealthy slave owner who became a Christian under Paul’s ministry. Philemon lived in Colosse and had a slave named Onesimus. He either damaged some of Philemon’s property or stole something from him and fled to Rome. In Rome, he met Paul and was converted to Christ. He was very useful to Paul and Paul came to love him as a brother. When he found out his story, he felt it was right to send Onesimus back home to face his owner. 

Paul urges Philemon to do the right thing and treat Onesimus as a fellow brother in the faith. He even says that he will pay any debt Onesimus owes him. Paul is confident that Philemon will do the right thing concerning Onesimus and tells him he will be coming to stay soon.  

Lord, may we treat one another in the body of Christ like our brother and sister. May we not live like the world and hold on to grudges like the world does. May we accept the grace that God has given to us and extend it to others. 

Wed.’s Devo - Jeremiah’s Book

Read: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34; Titus 3:1-15; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 26:18-19

When the first group of exiles were taken to Babylon, Jeremiah wrote down a word in a book. He gave it to the quartermaster Seraiah and told him to read it when he got to Babylon. Then he was to tie a rock around the book and throw it into the midst of the Euphrates River. In the book he wrote the downfall of Babylon. All her building and her great wall would be burned with fire and Babylon would be leveled to the ground. Like his book, Babylon would sink to rise no more. 

Zedekiah was Judah’s last king. He came to power at the age of 21 and reigned 11 years. He rebelled against the Lord and the Lord cast him out of his presence. Then he rebelled against the king of Babylon and they came to besiege Jerusalem in his 9th year as king. After two years the wall was finally breached and Zedekiah and his men fled to Arubah. They were captured and brought to face the king of Babylon in Riblah where Zedekiah had to watch all his sons killed and then they took out his eyes. He was bound in chains and taken to Babylon. 

The army of Babylon entered into Jerusalem and carried the  rest of the people, 4,600 of them, away to Babylon leaving a small remnant of the poorest people to take care of the vineyards and the fields.

They took the bronze pillars of the Temple, and all the vessels of bronze. They took the gold and the silver and the basin used for the priest to wash.

After thirty-seven years of exile, Evil-merodach became the king of Baylon. He brought Jehoiachin out of prison and was very king to him. He gave him new clothes and had him dine with him at his table and even gave him an allowance for his daily needs until he died. 

Why would God show Jehoiachin such favor? These are my thoughts: Jehoiachin was only eight years old when he became king of Judah and only reigned 100 days. He was the last direct heir to the throne of Judah. I think God had compassion on him because he was too young to make decisions for himself and he was a direct descendant of David. He was probably around 48 years old when he was finally treated more like a king than a prisoner. God is a just God. 

In Titus, Paul reminds them to treat those in authority with respect. Paul told them to remember how they were before God saved them and have patience with those who have not been saved yet. They were to avoid controversial conversations that would end in arguments. They were to warn those who stirred up division and if they continued more than twice they were to have nothing to do with them. 

Paul was always looking after those who labored with him. He wants them to send Zenas and Apollos on their way but to make sure they have everything they needed. He desired the people to learn how to use their time and effort to do good works and things that bear fruit.

Lord, may we be wise investors in your kingdom. May we support those who are on the front lines with our resources and our prayers. Thank your for our own testimony of grace and mercy. May our lives matter in your kingdom.

Tues.’s Devo - Babylon Will Fall

Read: Jeremiah 51:1-53; Titus 2:1-15; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 26:17

God said he would raise up a country to destroy Babylon. On the day of the Lord, the Medes would  come and attack. Nothing they did could stop what was coming. God is judging Babylon for what they did first to Israel and then what they did to the world. The Medes and the Persians were the silver chest and arms in the statute that Daniel saw in the second chapter of Daniel. It was time for the head,Babylon, to fall. 

The god of Babylon was Bel which is another name for Baal who required human sacrifices and all sorts of perversion. The bowls of sin had become full of the blood of innocent people and it was time for God to act. 

In Titus, he told the older men and women to be righteous examples for those younger than them. They were to train the men to have self control and the women to love and respect their husbands. Workers were to honor their bosses and honor Christ in all they do.

Paul was always reminding them of Christ’s return. He wanted them to keep in mind all Christ did for them and what he redeemed them out of. They are to be a pure and holy people for Christ, doing the works he did. 

Lord, may we keep in mind the same things. There is a reward for those who are faithful till the end. May we reap the reward of our self-control and obedience. 

Mon.’s Devo - God’s Judgment and Plan for Israel

Read: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16

Damascus, the capital of Syria and Hamath the capital of Upper Syria along with the city of Arpad would be taken by the Babylonians. 

Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor would be struck down. Kedar were the descendants of Ishmael’s second son. They were nomadic Arabs who dwelt north-west of Arabia. They lived in tents made of black hair. There was a saying that to dwell in the tents of Kedar was to be cut off from the worship of the true God. These nomads were next on the chopping block and would be destroyed by the Babylonians. 

Elam was the land of Shem and lay east of Babylon for about 1,000 miles. Elam had invaded Babylon several times and ruled over Babylon. Susa was its capital. God said it would be scattered to every nation of the world and he would send the sword to follow them until they were consumed. God would set his throne in Elam and destroy their government. Remember in the book of Esther, the king ruled from the city of Susa. God said that in the last days, he would restore the fortunes of Elam.

Then, God tells Jeremiah to proclaim that Babylon would be taken by the Persians. Their gods Bel and Merodach will not be able to save them. At that time Israel and Judah will go together to Jerusalem and return to the Lord. They will renew their covenant with God and not break it. God tells them to flee Babylon because it would soon be taken. Her walls will be thrown down and God will take out his vengeance on her because of what they did to his people and because they defied the Lord. Babylon would become a place for wild animals to dwell. It would be overthrown like Sodom an Gomorrah. No one would dwell there or come to visit. 

Little is known about Titus. He was not mentioned in Acts even though he was a coworker of Paul.  He was an uncircumcised Greek who was highly esteemed by Paul. Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to care for the new churches. His job was to elect elders in every town and follow Paul’s list of qualifications given in verses 6-9. 

He told him to silent those of the “circumcision party” who said you have to be circumcised to be saved. He was to rebuke them and tell them not to devote themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of the people who have turned away from the truth. Their minds and the consciences were defiled. They claimed to know God but did not live for him. They were detestable and disobedient. 

Lord, may we hold firm to sound doctrine taught in your Word. And, may we be able to give instruction in truth and rebuke those who contradict it. Thank you for your Word. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. 

Sun.’s Devo - Judgments and Rewards

 Read: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12

Egypt was not the only nation being judged - Nebo and all of Moab would come under God’s hand. Destruction and war was coming to all the nations and many would die. Others would be taken into exile. Moab was being judged for the worship of Chemosh. In their pride and arrogance, they thought they were greater than God. They would no longer be a people. But, in the latter days, God will restore their fortunes

The Ammonites got a sentence also. They would be attacked and become a desolate mound. All of their villages would go down in fire. They had worshiped Milcom and offered their sons and daughters to burn for their god, but now they would burn. But, God would restore the fortunes of the Ammonites also.

God had a word for the Edomites. Teman was a town in Edom that was known for having very wise men, but God asked if they had all left. God mentions Bozra which was in the district of Petra. He compared the fall of the Edomites to the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah. Their inhabitants would also either be killed or taken into exile to Babylon. 

In Timothy, Paul urged Timothy to teach the truth and get it into their hearts because the day was coming when people would be deceived by myths and would find teachers to suit their own passions. They would all be judged by Jesus Christ who will judge the living and the dead when he appears with his kingdom. 

Paul knew his ministry was coming to an end and that he was at the end of his race. He urged Timothy to come see him soon and to be ready at all times to reprove, rebuke and exhort with the truth.

Lord, at the end of our time on earth, may we be able to say like Paul that we have kept the faith and finished our race. Paul knew his reward was waiting in heaven, not on earth. May we be heavenly minded and always looking for your returning. 

Sat.’s Devo - The Victory is the Lord’s

Read: Jeremiah 44:24-57:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8

Jeremiah told the people and especially the women who refused to stop making offerings to the queen of heaven: “Go ahead and worship your false gods because he will make sure you face the disaster you deserve.” They will be punished in the land of Egypt as a sign that what Jeremiah said was from God. God would give Pharaoh Hophra into the hands of the Babylonians. 

God told Baruch to write down that God was plucking up what he planted and breaking them down. They will see this with their own eyes. 

God spoke a word against Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Necho. When they faced Nebuchadnezzar while Jehoiakim was king of Judah, Egypt fled from him. It was a day of the Lord for them. God poured out his vengeance on them. He would also judge the people of Judah who continued to make offerings to their gods. 

Nebuchadnezzar would come and strike down Egypt and the people of Judah would wish they could return to their own land. Instead, they were to pack for exile. They would not be returning home, but to Babylon if they lived through the battle. 

God would punish the Pharaoh and Amon and deliver them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. But, in the end, Egypt would be inhabited like before. He would also bring his people back to their land where they would live in peace and prosperity. God would destroy all nations who were their enemies after he punished Judah for her sins. 

God gave a word against the Philistines saying that they would also face the day of the Lord’s vengeance. 

In Timothy, God warned them to stop quarreling over the things that were controversial. In the last days there would be times of difficulty. Men would become narcissistic and become proud lovers of money and power. They will love pleasure more than God and have the appearance of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from these people who try to deceive weak people who are isolated. These people are like the ones who came up against Moses and challenged his authority. They will not get far because they will be exposed. 

We who follow the teaching of the Bible are to have faith, patience, love and be steadfast in our trials. We should expect to be persecuted for our stand for Jesus Christ by evil people who are nothing but impostors. We are to remember that all scripture is inspired by God and profits us, reproves us, corrects us and trains us in righteousness that we might be complete and equipped to do the works of Christ.

Lord, may we endure the times we are living in as overcomes and victors, not as weak vessels who fear our enemy. Greater are You who is in us than the one in the world. May we fight the good fight with the power of the Holy Spirit in us to bring about victory.