Read: Ezekiel 16:43-17:24; Hebrews 8:1-13; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 27:7-9
God was punishing Israel because they did not remember the days of their youth. God was referring to their beginnings as a nation. God had called them in Abraham and caused them to be fruitful and multiply. He blessed them but they continued to sin and rebel. They found themselves in slavery and God delivered them from bondage through the Red Sea. This time period is what the Lord was referring to. God showed them his signs and wonders and miracles of how he would provide and protect them but they forgot that. They chose to run after the lewd practices of other religions and idolatry and now they would pay the consequences of their sins. They had become more vile than Sodom whom God destroyed with fire from heaven. If God would judge them for their sins, he will surely judge Israel for hers.
God gave Ezekiel an allegory of an eagle which came to Lebanon and broke off the topmost shoot of a cedar and carried it away to a land of merchants and planted it there. It was the picture of God transplanting his people from their land to Babylon. God was going to take his seed from their land and plant them where they could eventually prosper and one day return. He was going to bring down the wicked leaders and raise up the lowly to take their place.
In Hebrews we read that our High Priest, Jesus offered himself on the altar of heaven once and for all for our sin. The sacrifices that Moses taught were a type of the sacrifices he was shown that went on in heaven. It was the symbol of the covenant God made with his people. Jesus came bringing a better covenant of grace. Jesus became our mediator between us and God. We have the Holy Spirit who wrote his laws upon our hearts and we can know and walk with God just as Moses did.
Lord, thank you for the covenant of grace and freedom in Christ.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Monday, November 6, 2017
Mon.’s Devo - God’s Judgement
Read: Ezekiel 14:12-16:42; Hebrews 7:18-28; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 27:4-6
God explained how his judgements go toward a nation. A nation is judged by its leaders and the majority of its people. He said that even if Job, Moses, and Noah were living with them, he would still have to judge it for its sins. These three men were men of integrity and faithfulness to the Lord. When God judged Israel, it didn’t mean that there were no righteous people in the land, it just meant that the sin of the people had added up in God’s bowl to the point that it was time to do something about it. God uses four means of judgment: war, plague, wild beasts, and famine.
Israel’s sin was so bad she was compared to a prostitute who paid her lovers to be with her. She welcomed the sins and gods of other nations and participated in the worse of rituals. No matter how many prophets God sent her to tell her to repent, she refused to listen.
Hebrews explains that the law that was given to tell the people how to live didn’t make anything perfect. It had become useless and weak but the new covenant that Jesus brought is perfect and it makes us want to draw near to God. In the old covenant the priests were imperfect and would eventually die, but Jesus, our high priest is perfect and lives forever.
Lord, thank you for being our high priest of a much better covenant that is free of guilt and judgment.
God explained how his judgements go toward a nation. A nation is judged by its leaders and the majority of its people. He said that even if Job, Moses, and Noah were living with them, he would still have to judge it for its sins. These three men were men of integrity and faithfulness to the Lord. When God judged Israel, it didn’t mean that there were no righteous people in the land, it just meant that the sin of the people had added up in God’s bowl to the point that it was time to do something about it. God uses four means of judgment: war, plague, wild beasts, and famine.
Israel’s sin was so bad she was compared to a prostitute who paid her lovers to be with her. She welcomed the sins and gods of other nations and participated in the worse of rituals. No matter how many prophets God sent her to tell her to repent, she refused to listen.
Hebrews explains that the law that was given to tell the people how to live didn’t make anything perfect. It had become useless and weak but the new covenant that Jesus brought is perfect and it makes us want to draw near to God. In the old covenant the priests were imperfect and would eventually die, but Jesus, our high priest is perfect and lives forever.
Lord, thank you for being our high priest of a much better covenant that is free of guilt and judgment.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Sun.’s Devo - The Holy Priesthood
Read: Ezekiel 12:1-14:11; Hebrews 7:1-17; Psalm 105:37:45; Proverbs 27:3
Ezekiel’s life was to be a sign to the people so God told him to pack his bags and walk out of his house like he was being led into exile. He was to do this morning and night. Then he was to dig a hole in the wall and crawl through it with his face covered so he could not see the land. This was to show how the prince of the people would leave. He would try to escape through a hole in the wall but be caught and be taken to a land that he would never see. That sounds very mystic but that was exactly what happened. The prince and his men tried to escape through a hole in the wall and were caught. The last thing the prince saw was his sons being killed, then his eyes were gouged out and he was led to Babylon.
God spoke against the false prophets who had promised peace and safety. They were like white-washed walls that tried to cover up the truth with lies. When these false prophets came to Ezekiel to hear his words, God told Ezekiel not to prophesy good to them because God would answer himself.
Hebrews introduces Melchizedek whose identity has been a question to many scholars. I believe he was God’s high priest in heaven who came to earth and met Abraham. Abraham discerned his importance and gave him a tenth of his spoils. Since Abraham carried the seed of Levi in him, his whole lineage paid tithe to God’s priest. Jesus would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek, not after the order of Aaron. Aaron was a man who lived and died; both Melchizedek and Jesus came from God and lived eternally. Aaron was a priest of the earth; the other a priest both of the earth and heaven.
We are called to be priests to God also. That means we pray for the mercy of other people and we hear what God says and tell the people. It also means that our lives are an offering to the Lord and we are fully his to do his work on the earth. First Peter says that we are a holy nation, a royal priesthood to offer up holy sacrifices to God for the people. Revelation says we are kings and priests of God. We are to rule and reign on the earth as God’s kings and priests.
Lord, may we serve you as your holy nation and royal priests that a dying world might know the truth.
Ezekiel’s life was to be a sign to the people so God told him to pack his bags and walk out of his house like he was being led into exile. He was to do this morning and night. Then he was to dig a hole in the wall and crawl through it with his face covered so he could not see the land. This was to show how the prince of the people would leave. He would try to escape through a hole in the wall but be caught and be taken to a land that he would never see. That sounds very mystic but that was exactly what happened. The prince and his men tried to escape through a hole in the wall and were caught. The last thing the prince saw was his sons being killed, then his eyes were gouged out and he was led to Babylon.
God spoke against the false prophets who had promised peace and safety. They were like white-washed walls that tried to cover up the truth with lies. When these false prophets came to Ezekiel to hear his words, God told Ezekiel not to prophesy good to them because God would answer himself.
Hebrews introduces Melchizedek whose identity has been a question to many scholars. I believe he was God’s high priest in heaven who came to earth and met Abraham. Abraham discerned his importance and gave him a tenth of his spoils. Since Abraham carried the seed of Levi in him, his whole lineage paid tithe to God’s priest. Jesus would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek, not after the order of Aaron. Aaron was a man who lived and died; both Melchizedek and Jesus came from God and lived eternally. Aaron was a priest of the earth; the other a priest both of the earth and heaven.
We are called to be priests to God also. That means we pray for the mercy of other people and we hear what God says and tell the people. It also means that our lives are an offering to the Lord and we are fully his to do his work on the earth. First Peter says that we are a holy nation, a royal priesthood to offer up holy sacrifices to God for the people. Revelation says we are kings and priests of God. We are to rule and reign on the earth as God’s kings and priests.
Lord, may we serve you as your holy nation and royal priests that a dying world might know the truth.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Sat.’s Devo - Our Hope is in the Lord
Read: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25; Hebrews 6:1-20; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 27:1-2
Ezekiel saw a vivid picture of the glory leaving the temple and the fire of God’s wrath coming on the people. Judgment comes to the leaders first and they would be judged for devising mischief and giving wicked counsel to the people. They had told the people to build houses and plan to stay because no evil would come to Israel. This was totally opposite of what Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel had told them. Since their fear was war, God would bring war on them.
When Ezekiel prophesied this to them, Palatial, the leader, died. His name means “Jehovah has delivered”. This was a sign to them that their hope of being delivered was dead. Ezekiel was distraught and cried out to the Lord for help. He asked God if he planned on destroying all of the remnant of Israel. God told him that he would scatter them and kill many but many would find him in the places they were scattered. Those that had hearts for God would find a sanctuary in the midst of their captivity and one day be brought back to their land. Then they would have a heart for God and his spirit in them. They will walk in his word and he will be their God.
Hebrews has some very controversial topics today like verses 4-9 but my view is if you stay on fire for the Lord you won’t have to worry about falling away. The writer of Hebrews has faith that God’s followers will go on to maturity and walk in love and the blessing of God.
Lord, we pray for the body of Christ that we will not get distracted or discouraged by the news or the trials of this life but set our hearts on eternity and the prize which is found in You.
Ezekiel saw a vivid picture of the glory leaving the temple and the fire of God’s wrath coming on the people. Judgment comes to the leaders first and they would be judged for devising mischief and giving wicked counsel to the people. They had told the people to build houses and plan to stay because no evil would come to Israel. This was totally opposite of what Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel had told them. Since their fear was war, God would bring war on them.
When Ezekiel prophesied this to them, Palatial, the leader, died. His name means “Jehovah has delivered”. This was a sign to them that their hope of being delivered was dead. Ezekiel was distraught and cried out to the Lord for help. He asked God if he planned on destroying all of the remnant of Israel. God told him that he would scatter them and kill many but many would find him in the places they were scattered. Those that had hearts for God would find a sanctuary in the midst of their captivity and one day be brought back to their land. Then they would have a heart for God and his spirit in them. They will walk in his word and he will be their God.
Hebrews has some very controversial topics today like verses 4-9 but my view is if you stay on fire for the Lord you won’t have to worry about falling away. The writer of Hebrews has faith that God’s followers will go on to maturity and walk in love and the blessing of God.
Lord, we pray for the body of Christ that we will not get distracted or discouraged by the news or the trials of this life but set our hearts on eternity and the prize which is found in You.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Fri.’s Devo - The Priesthood
Read: Ezekiel 7:1-9:11; Hebrews 5:1-14; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 26:28
God declared two words over the land of Israel: The end! He describes it as a rod budding, but not like Aaron’s that budded to show God’s acceptance of him, but their rod of arrogance which would turn into God’s rod to punish their wickedness. No one who was guilty would be exempt from God’s wrath. Ezekiel gave them a detailed picture of what it would look like and it was not a pretty picture.
In Chapter 8, Ezekiel was sitting with the elders when he was suddenly transported in the spirit to Jerusalem where God showed him the hidden idolatry that was going on in the most holy places of the temple. God was letting Ezekiel see how and why the glory had left his temple and the reason for his wrath. Ezekiel watched as God sent his angels to mark the ones who had kept their hearts true to the Lord. Those who didn’t have the mark were shown no mercy. It reminds me of the ones who didn’t have the blood applied to their doorposts when the death angel passed over in the days of Moses.
Hebrews explains that a high priest is someone who understands his own weaknesses so he can mercifully represent the people. God was the one who appointed priests and in the beginning, he called Aaron and his family. Now, he was calling Jesus his priest after his heavenly order. Jesus had learned to obey by the things he suffered just like we do. And, Jesus had to learn to distinguish between good and evil just like we do. He is calling us to be kings and priests and to represent him on the earth.
Lord, help us to be merciful priests unto you.
God declared two words over the land of Israel: The end! He describes it as a rod budding, but not like Aaron’s that budded to show God’s acceptance of him, but their rod of arrogance which would turn into God’s rod to punish their wickedness. No one who was guilty would be exempt from God’s wrath. Ezekiel gave them a detailed picture of what it would look like and it was not a pretty picture.
In Chapter 8, Ezekiel was sitting with the elders when he was suddenly transported in the spirit to Jerusalem where God showed him the hidden idolatry that was going on in the most holy places of the temple. God was letting Ezekiel see how and why the glory had left his temple and the reason for his wrath. Ezekiel watched as God sent his angels to mark the ones who had kept their hearts true to the Lord. Those who didn’t have the mark were shown no mercy. It reminds me of the ones who didn’t have the blood applied to their doorposts when the death angel passed over in the days of Moses.
Hebrews explains that a high priest is someone who understands his own weaknesses so he can mercifully represent the people. God was the one who appointed priests and in the beginning, he called Aaron and his family. Now, he was calling Jesus his priest after his heavenly order. Jesus had learned to obey by the things he suffered just like we do. And, Jesus had to learn to distinguish between good and evil just like we do. He is calling us to be kings and priests and to represent him on the earth.
Lord, help us to be merciful priests unto you.
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Thurs.’s Devo - God’s Rest
Read: Ezekiel 3:16-6:14; Hebrews 4:1-16; Psalm 104:24:-35; Proverbs 26:27
Ezekiel came on the scene during Jeremiah’s last seven years. Ezekiel was from the Zadok priestly family. He had trained in the priesthood during the reign of Jehoiakim then deported to Babylon. His message was to the remnant of Judah in Babylon who were living in moral decay.
Seven days after the vision of the creatures, God spoke to Ezekiel again. He told him that if he didn’t speak the words he told him, their blood would be required of him. If he spoke the words God gave him then he would be free of their sin. That is the responsibility of a prophet. He has to say the words God puts in his mouth. It is not his responsibility how the people react to it, that is their responsibility. God even prepared Ezekiel ahead of time and told him that they were a rebellious house.
Prophets also tell us the future and warn us of what is coming. God had Ezekiel build a fort and act out a siege to show them what would happen to Jerusalem. He was to lie on his left side with their sins laid on him to show how the sins of Israel were laid on him. Israel had lived in iniquity 390 years so he was to lay one day for every year. Judah had lived in iniquity 40 years, so Ezekiel would lie 40 days on his right side. He was to measure out his food to weigh 10 shekels a day. Ten is the number for a test or a trial to determine whether the person has learned what they were suppose to learn.
The worse thing about what God told Ezekiel to do was in the preparation of the bread. He was to cook it over human excretion to be a picture of the defiled bread they would eat when they were taken to Babylon. Ezekiel begged God not to make him use human dung so God allowed him to use cow’s dung instead.
Next he was to shave his head and beard and divide it into three parts. One part was to be burned, another cut with a knife and the last part scattered to the wind. This would be the fate of the people.
The fourth chapter of Hebrews is all about God’s rest. There is no way to enter into the rest Hebrews was talking about apart from faith. It has nothing to do with circumstances or emotions. It has to do with a state of being. It comes when we realize there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor; rest comes from trusting totally in God.
Jesus, thank you for being our great high priest who understands our weaknesses and temptations. We come boldly before your throne for mercy and grace.
Ezekiel came on the scene during Jeremiah’s last seven years. Ezekiel was from the Zadok priestly family. He had trained in the priesthood during the reign of Jehoiakim then deported to Babylon. His message was to the remnant of Judah in Babylon who were living in moral decay.
Seven days after the vision of the creatures, God spoke to Ezekiel again. He told him that if he didn’t speak the words he told him, their blood would be required of him. If he spoke the words God gave him then he would be free of their sin. That is the responsibility of a prophet. He has to say the words God puts in his mouth. It is not his responsibility how the people react to it, that is their responsibility. God even prepared Ezekiel ahead of time and told him that they were a rebellious house.
Prophets also tell us the future and warn us of what is coming. God had Ezekiel build a fort and act out a siege to show them what would happen to Jerusalem. He was to lie on his left side with their sins laid on him to show how the sins of Israel were laid on him. Israel had lived in iniquity 390 years so he was to lay one day for every year. Judah had lived in iniquity 40 years, so Ezekiel would lie 40 days on his right side. He was to measure out his food to weigh 10 shekels a day. Ten is the number for a test or a trial to determine whether the person has learned what they were suppose to learn.
The worse thing about what God told Ezekiel to do was in the preparation of the bread. He was to cook it over human excretion to be a picture of the defiled bread they would eat when they were taken to Babylon. Ezekiel begged God not to make him use human dung so God allowed him to use cow’s dung instead.
Next he was to shave his head and beard and divide it into three parts. One part was to be burned, another cut with a knife and the last part scattered to the wind. This would be the fate of the people.
The fourth chapter of Hebrews is all about God’s rest. There is no way to enter into the rest Hebrews was talking about apart from faith. It has nothing to do with circumstances or emotions. It has to do with a state of being. It comes when we realize there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor; rest comes from trusting totally in God.
Jesus, thank you for being our great high priest who understands our weaknesses and temptations. We come boldly before your throne for mercy and grace.
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Wed.’s Devo - The Spirit of God
Read: Ezekiel 1:1-3:15; Hebrews 4:1-19; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 26:24-26
Ezekiel saw some creatures that would compare to x-men by today’s standards. We see these same creatures in Revelation 4:7. These creatures seemed to each have wheels that accompanied them full of eyes. These wheels represented the spirit of the living creatures that go observing throughout the earth. The living creatures where God’s messengers as angels are. They have four distinct personalities and gifts. They are intelligent like man, bold and strong like lions, diligent like the ox and swift and far-seeing as the eagle. They are attendants of God. God is revealed in Ezekiel’s vision as half shining metal and half fire. God is both - a glorious god and a consuming fire.
God appeared in his glory to Ezekiel to strengthen him for the mission he was sending him. He would go to his own people who were stubborn and obstinate and give them a message of repentance. Because they would oppose him God made Ezekiel as stubborn and obstinate as they were. God gave him a scroll to eat which were God’s words to him. He extends that same scroll to us which is not only his written Word but his commission he gives us in our secret place of prayer. He will strengthen us with his presence for the assignment he has for us to do just as he did for Ezekiel.
Hebrews compares Moses and Christ. Moses was the one God gave the law to but Jesus was the one God sent much higher than Moses with a covenant that was much higher than Moses’. The people of Moses day were hard of heart and couldn’t receive the truth just like the people of Jesus’ day. So the writer of Hebrews encouraged his readers to not be hard of heart but to hear God’s voice and obey it.
Ezekiel saw some creatures that would compare to x-men by today’s standards. We see these same creatures in Revelation 4:7. These creatures seemed to each have wheels that accompanied them full of eyes. These wheels represented the spirit of the living creatures that go observing throughout the earth. The living creatures where God’s messengers as angels are. They have four distinct personalities and gifts. They are intelligent like man, bold and strong like lions, diligent like the ox and swift and far-seeing as the eagle. They are attendants of God. God is revealed in Ezekiel’s vision as half shining metal and half fire. God is both - a glorious god and a consuming fire.
God appeared in his glory to Ezekiel to strengthen him for the mission he was sending him. He would go to his own people who were stubborn and obstinate and give them a message of repentance. Because they would oppose him God made Ezekiel as stubborn and obstinate as they were. God gave him a scroll to eat which were God’s words to him. He extends that same scroll to us which is not only his written Word but his commission he gives us in our secret place of prayer. He will strengthen us with his presence for the assignment he has for us to do just as he did for Ezekiel.
Hebrews compares Moses and Christ. Moses was the one God gave the law to but Jesus was the one God sent much higher than Moses with a covenant that was much higher than Moses’. The people of Moses day were hard of heart and couldn’t receive the truth just like the people of Jesus’ day. So the writer of Hebrews encouraged his readers to not be hard of heart but to hear God’s voice and obey it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)