Ezekiel 29:1-30:26 + Hebrews 11:32-12:13 + Psalm 112:1-10 + Proverbs 27:17
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There are a lot of great teachings in today’s readings! Particularly Hebrews is packed with good teachings! (and thus, get ready for a lengthy post here today… 🙂 Are you ready to learn from Jesus today? And the Old Testament scrolls? Below is an image of Jesus teaching from the scrolls of the Old Testament in the Temple:
Old Testament – Ezekiel chapters 29 & 30 are fascinating in that we are seeing God lay out the plans for Egypt’s transformation from being one of the most powerful nations in the world to one of the least powerful – but God does provide some redemption for Egypt after 40 years of hardship. However, God says that Egypt will never again reach the heights of power in the world that it had under the Pharaohs. Verse 14 in chapter 29 captures this: “I will restore the prosperity of Egypt and bring its people back to the land of Pathros in southern Egypt from which they came. But Egypt will remain an unimportant, minor kingdom.” Very interesting to reflect on this.
Verse 7 in chapter 29 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?
The end of chapter 29 is fascinating in that God decides to allow Babylon to take plunder from Egypt in light of its war against Tyre (see yesterday’s readings below). We continue to see that God is using King Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon for His purposes – for a time. We are reminded though at the end of this chapter in verse 21 – “And the day will come when I will cause the ancient glory of Israel to revive.” God’s still got the redemption of Israel in mind… Below is a map of how big the Babylonian empire is around this timeframe – (a map like this one below once again proves the amazing truth & history in God’s words and prophecies in the Bible…)
New Testament – Hebrews chapter 11 verses today finish out this chapter on “faith” strongly! Please take a minute to re-read this entire chapter 11 if you can. It is an amazing chapter of our spiritual ancestor’s faith. How does reading about our spiritual ancestor’s faith speak into your life today? Are there areas of your life where you can better live with faith? Can you turn over your fears and anxieties to God, in faith? Knowing, in faith, God will ultimately provide and thus there is nothing to fear or worry about today?
Hebrews 11 verse 38 stands out to me today: “They were too good for this world.” I think it is helpful to remember that this current world is not our ultimate eternal home. It is temporary. We’re called to be saints and love others in this world. But, we should not become too attached to it or what it offers. God has a better home for us in mind at the end of our race – our journey through this life. This verse says that our spiritual ancestors were too good for this world – and hence, many of them suffered. But they suffered knowing it was temporary. Impermanent. I don’t think that this verse should make us conceited or arrogant in any way – being “too good” for this world – but hopefully it helps us realize that this life is not necessarily going to be easy in this world if we are truly living in faith…. In fact, sometimes I wonder that if our life is really easy if we are really living our faith? I just hope we never get complacent and chill out and relax because “we are so saved”…. There is a dying world out there that needs us! How are you truly living your life in faith these days?
Hebrews chapter 12 verse 1 is phenomenal to think about – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress.” I think sometimes we think that we are doing this Christian walk / faith thing alone. We think we are in this alone – just us & God. I think this verse helps remind us that there is a huge crowd of witnesses that are in this with us. I like to think of this cloud of witnesses cheering us on in our walk! They are rooting for us! So – in light of knowing we have these saints rooting for us, doesn’t it make sense that we should strip away sin that hinders our walk? Is there sin your life that is hindering your walk? Will you allow Jesus to strip it away so that the cloud of witnesses can continue to cheer you on toward the finish line? Below is an image of some of the “crowd of witnesses” to our life of faith – Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samson, and David:
How do we run this race toward the finish line well? I think verse 2 tells us how – “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” Are your eyes on Jesus? Constantly? Does your faith depend solely on Jesus? Is your faith as fresh today as when you first came to faith in Jesus?
Verse 3 is a powerful reflection of Jesus’ passion…. “Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up.” Think about what Jesus endured at the hands of the Roman guards. Think about Jesus’ resolve. He was running the race toward the finish line. Can reflecting on Jesus’ passion help us resist becoming weary and giving up? How often do you reflect on Jesus’ passion?
Verses 5 & 6 quote Proverbs 3:11-12 and the following verses then go into explaining this wisdom of this Proverb – “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children.” Do you believe this proverb to be true? Is the Lord perhaps disciplining you in some way today? Are you accepting or ignoring the discipline? Do you believe that the Lord disciplines those he loves? And that this “divine discipline” is ultimately good for you and everyone you come in contact with in your life?
Psalms – Psalm 112 is a great look at a godly person’s life. Today in verse 1 we read: “Blessed is the person who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.” Is fear of the Lord healthy? Why or why not? Is fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Are you blessed if you fear the Lord? Do you find great delight in God’s commands? What are God’s commands?
Verse 4 stands out – “When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.” This is encouraging. When darkness overtakes us, if we stay true to God and Christ and faith, light will come “bursting in”! I like that… Know that the light is coming… Below is a fresco from 1517 by Raffaello of God separating the light from the darkness –
And verse 9 is a great reminder – “They give generously to those in need.” Are you doing something in your life to serve the poorest of the poor? There are 1.2 billion people living in our world today on less than $1 per day. Is there something you can do to give generously to those in need? Below is an oil on canvas painting from 1611 by Bartolomeo Schedoni titled “The Charity” –
Proverbs – Today in Proverbs 27:17 we read: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This is such a powerful proverb to memorize, meditate upon, and put into practice in our lives! Do you see the value in this proverb? Are you “iron” in someone else’s life? Is someone “iron” in your life? Are you being sharpened? Why would you want to be sharpened? Is there some dullness spiritually in your life today? How will you seek to sharpen that dullness? Will you seek to sharpen that dullness through involvement in a local church? Do you think that a church community can sharpen you? Do you think involvement in a weekly small group can sharpen you?
Worship Video: Our Hebrews 12:5-6 readings today about discipline and Psalm 112:4 reminded me of Josh Turner’s fantastic song “Long Black Train.” This song is basically a country & western worship tune! 🙂 “There is victory in the Lord! Don’t go riding on that long black train!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyRZTAmcW7c
Have you experienced victory in the Lord? Click here for Victory!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray that you are running the race of life marked out for you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. Pray in thanksgiving for the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds you in your race!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Vance:
These verses below make me realize that the flesh and the Spirit cannot coexist.
The Jealous Spirit of Holiness within desires to envelop us and kill the flesh.
The flesh (sin nature) always wants to rule in us, or to be allowed freedom.
We cannot follow the Holy Spirit without allowing Him to enable us to experience the death to sin that Jesus accomplished on the Cross!
To save us from ourselves, GOD WOUNDS IN ORDER THAT HE MAY COMPLETELY HEAL.
EZEKIEL 33:11 (CEV – Contemporary English Version)
Tell them that as surely as I am the living LORD God, I don’t like to see wicked people die. I enjoy seeing them turn from their sins and live. So if the Israelites want to live, they must stop sinning and turn back to me.
HOSEA 6:1 (CEV – Contemporary English Version)
1
Let’s return to the LORD. He has torn us to shreds, but he will bandage our wounds and make us well.
2
In two or three days he will heal us and restore our strength that we may live with him.
3
Let’s do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.
Hosea 6:1
The Amplified Bible
COME AND let us return to the Lord, for He has torn so that He may heal us; He has stricken so that He may bind us up.
The New King James Version
Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
Hebrew Names Version of World English Bible
Come, and let us return to the LORD; For he has torn us to pieces, And he will heal us; He has injured us, And he will bind up our wounds.
Young’s Literal Translation
Come, and we turn back unto Jehovah, For He hath torn, and He doth heal us, He doth smite, and He bindeth us up.
Vance
====== Anka:
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons….well that picture of the crowd of winessness does bring a smile in the light of discipline…I have seen the effects of forgetting that we are not of this world.It’s all too easy to get so tangled in work and daily routine that it squeezes out the time we spend with God…When shedules go crazy I guess this word “you are not of this world”should come to mind….Time is so short and precious…it’s wisdom to fear the Lord and give him a huge part of our time…no matter the cost…May God keep our feet from getting weary..
God bless you all
Anka
====== Mae:
I loved reading Hebrews today! I always love to read the Psalms … but today I was in awe reading Hebrews. It defenitly made me stronger reading it, cause God raises me like no one else can ever raise me. I don’t have to be afraid if He corrects me or tells me that I’m doing something wrong. The reason why He can make things harder for me from time to time is only cause He loves me. That’s just an amazing thought! We have to trust Him, we have to realize that He’ll take care of us, He’ll raise us, He’ll make sure that we’re gonna be fine and have/get everything we need! He’s got a plan and all we have to do is trust Him and give him the chance to furfill His plan with us.
This gives me so much strength and faith!
I’m so lucky to be His child!
Mae
======= Jenny:
Yep, regarding empty promises, i dont think anyone likes to be left dangling. that goes for not being a flake too. As Christians especially, we should keep our promises and let our yes be yes and are no be no. Its so discouraging when, especially believers, constantly back out of things…cant really be counted on. then there are ppl true to their word and never say yes unless they mean it and follow through! God bless those ppl!! (ie, my dad!!! <3)
Those men of faith are unbelievable. I mean, being sawed in half, being eaten by lions? Could I go through that? I live in the US and the worst persecution I suffer is maybe being mocked or excluded from things, big deal, that’s nothing!!! I mean, there are people in other countries today, like Sudan…believers being tortured and put to death for their devotion to Christ everyday! Those are the ppl too good for this world! There’s a great book, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs if anyone wants to see what real persecution looks like. But of course, Christ is our ultimate example!
Hebs 10:10-11 is great, talking about God’s discipline. I need it!
I too love Ps. v.4 “When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.” thats such a beautiful and comforting word!
and i love Prov too. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” There are certainly people in my life that have fulfilled this role for me! Of course my Pastors, but some other very special people. I think its wonderful when believers can sit and share with each other and sharpen one another. We need that! Its not good to try to go at this alone…we need others. Its not just ‘me and God’, though I think a lot of us have felt this before. Others have insights and wisdom that we can really learn from. Let’s all strive to encourage one another, build each other in the faith, and sharpen each other.
Jenny
====== Tim:
I just want to thank you for all these postings. Yours is my favorite blog yet, & I’m subscribed to a lot. I started reading the Bible daily these last couple of months with a daily reading plan from my church. But yours is great, with commentary & great pics & diagrams. I have always loved Hebrews, but Ezekiel I have just started learning about, & your commentary helps. & I love a Psalm & a Proverb to go along with an Old & New Testament reading. I found a great church over a year ago, where iron sharpens iron, the word on The Word is awesome, twice on Sunday & midweek, & other small groups. I have a new life now in Jesus & my church, who’s name is New Life Assembly.
I pray that God will bless you & keep you in Christ’s love!
Tim
====== Art:
Thanks so much for the pictures and illustrations. They very much emphasis the point being made!
How wonderful it is to see the fresco by Raffaello with a white-haired, bearded God dressed so beautifully in red with a cape…hands spread apart holding back darkness and separating it from light. Ps 112:4 in action!
Art
====== David:
Hi,
I could not have commented yesterday but I commented on yesterday’s readings today. To further my comment on marriage,today’s proverb quite sums up what marriage does to the person. Before marriage I thought I was an OK guy and quite a catch but after marriage I realized I had a lot to learn. What I learned during marriage I could not have understood outside of marriage. Likewise my wife learned from me. Sometimes God uses the same paths and vocations we choose to discipline us. If you struggle through the discipline you become a better person. If you cop out you loose out.
David
====== Reuben:
I have lately told several people what a blessing this web site has been to me over the past few years. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Reuben
====== Art:
I once took a ride on That Long Black Train! Once? Shucks, I was on that train for years! One day I decided to get off; to clean up my act. My so-called buddies dropped me like a hot potato! No calls, no more invites! Like you, Jenny, excluded! Through the years I’ve counted that as a blessing. Those pals were good ole boys, but they were up to bad behavior. ask them about church, about God, and they would give a mocking laugh. I have been saved from that environment. Saved from myself. saved for the Lord!
Art
====== Karen:
Ezekiel continues to lay out God’s sovereignty over the earthly kingdoms. They rise and fall within His realm of providence. With how chaotic this country and this world has become, it is comforting to know He is still in control for His purposes.
Hebrews also punctuates the hall of Faith with several instruction for its audience: throw away so sins that hinder, run with perseverance, fix our eyes on Jesus as our ultimate example. He went on to go in depth about God’s discipline of His children to affirm to the believers that it is an act of a loving father who wants the best for us. Perhaps he knows the road of faith is paved by many trials and tribulations and we are prone to fall and face disciplines from the Lord; but it is up to us to have the right attitude when being disciplined so that we would not lose heart and fail to continue on the race. It is a timely reminder indeed.
Karen
====== Tom:
I don’t know how or why Josh Turner’s “Long Black Train” was selected for the Bible Blog for tonight’s reading but you need to know I think it was an answer to prayer (at least for me)… You see, I lost my father tonight as he lost his battle against COVID tonight. But you need to know the last time we were all together as a family before my dad had COVID we were celebrating with him and we asked him what some of his favorite songs were. “Long Black Train” was 1 of 2 songs he picked that we played for him that night… and I added it to my Spotify play list because it reminds me of him… So you can imagine as I was reading this Bible blog tonight coming across that song in the blog, well – it had extra meaning for me tonight. Sometimes I think God sends us a message that he’s got our loved ones in his loving care. I think having this song in this blog tonight was that for me.
Tom
====== Dee:
Keeping promises is so important. Trusting God and staying the course. It is important what side we are on amd not ride the fence and not bail when the going gets tough.
I love the faith chapter. So much wisdom and strength in those sections. So many courageous men and women walked the earth paving the way through their faith.
Godly people and fear of the Lord..it’s a blessing to see a Godly person and how they love the Lord. Precious
It’s nice to have good people building each other up. Iron sharpens iron. Yes amen
Dee
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