Saturday, November 30, 2013

Ezekiel 48

Message: God's people will receive an inheritance that He provides and that He specifies. God will take care of all the needs of His people.

Time: From Tabletalk:
Ezekiel 1-10 -- God called Ezekiel to use vivid, symbolic language and actions to convince the Jews in Babylon of His intent to destroy Jerusalem and the temple because of the people's impenitent (no regret) idolatry;
Ezekiel 11-24 -- The nation as a whole (not all, but most) had become a useless vine, a fruitless planting because it obeyed false prophets and committed spiritual adultery;
Ezekiel 25-39 -- But God promised through Ezekiel that God would finally accomplish his restoration by giving His people new hearts and filling them with His Spirit;
Ezekiel 40-47 -- With the people restored, the Lord would return to dwell among His people in an earth renewed by His bestowal of life-giving water

What the Lord is Saying: The Lord continues His communication to his restored people (specifically the 12 tribes of Israel) and the land each is to receive, clearly specifying where the land resides. And he continues to clearly specify the land for the Temple and how it is to be set apart as holy. There will be sections for public use and farming outside.

Promise: The name of the city will be "The Lord is There." Nice.







Thursday, November 28, 2013

Ezekiel 47

Message: The River of Healing from the Temple, Boundaries for the Land

Time: Vision from the Lord of the Temple

What the Lord is Saying:

Reminding us once again that this vision is symbolic and not literal: Back to the entrance of the Temple (end times) where a stream is flowing beneath the door of the Temple. This stream will flow in the Dead Sea providing it with health and many living creatures (new creation). Fruit trees will abound on both sides of the river. A new crop will be there each month based upon the river flowing from the Temple.

And the Land will be divided among the 12 tribes of Israel;
  1. Joseph descendants - 2 shares
  2. All others - equal portion

Promise: When God touches something it goes from death to life. God provides for His people.

Ezekiel 46

Message: (A continuation of Ezekiel 44 and 45); Understanding the daily offerings (burnt and grain) and Sabbath day offering. And the temple kitchen which cooks the offerings. -- though this temple will never be built, it would appear.

Time: A message from the Lord to Ezekiel through a vision.

What the Lord is Saying:

The east gateway of the inner courtyard will be closed during the six day week, but open on Sabbath days for a burnt and peace offering and for worship. This is where the non-Temple workers will bow down and worship.

Every morning a sacrifice of a 1-year old Lamb with no defects will be made as a burnt offering. And a grain offering alongside. This is a daily sacrifice, without fail.

Giving gifts to your sons means the descendant can keep the land forever, but a gift to a servant is good only for 50 years.

The meat from the offerings will be cooked by the priests.

Promise: Follow the rules set up by the Lord.


Ezekiel 45

Message: (A continuation from Ezekiel 44) Division of the Land, Rules for the Princes, Special Offerings and Celebrations

Time: This continues the Lord's message to Ezekiel through a vision.

What the Lord is Saying:

What the Lord gives us as a gift, his provision, also includes a portion or section which is to be set aside for His purpose. Here that purpose is a temple. And within that temple is a place that is Most Holy. All the parts of the temple have specific purposes. And each member of the tribe of Israel will be allotted a portion.

To the princes of Israel: Do what is just and right. Stop acting with violence and oppression. Be honest in your dealing with them and give them what they each are due.

And the prince will receive from you an offering or tax from what you have. And other offerings given for atonement. All people must bring these offerings. There is atonement for sins of error and ignorance. And then there are other periods where a celebration (Passover) must be held for 7 days. And for these seven days there are rules of offerings.

Promise: God is our provider, but also in His provision are rules as to how we are to give back to Him and provide atonement for our errors. He provides it all.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ezekiel 44

Message: The Lord continues to show Ezekiel parts of the temple, but here now clarifies rules and regulations for who is allowed where in the Temple and the rules and regulations associated with those in the temple.

Time: The Lord gives Ezekiel a vision of his temple.

What The Lord is Saying:

East gateway door must remain closed. The Lord God has entered here and no one else will enter. May it remind you that the Lord was here. And just inside this door, only the prince can sit and feast. This area marks the lord's presence. But, to get here, again, he must use the entry room of the gateway.

Now to the north gateway. It was here that the glory of the Lord filled the Temple. I fell down, prostrate. And the Lord spoke and I listened, carefully, about the regulations of the Temple.

And tell those that have rebelled, that is the people of Israel, tell them that the Lord has had enough of your sins. One such sin is bringing men that are uncircumcised into the sanctuary; people who have no heart for God. By doing this act you defiled me. Even when you offered me food, fat, and blood of sacrifices, don't think that those good acts can cover this evil act. The temple is to be upheld and protected by you, not by foreigners. Take them out. Remember, no one uncircumcised shall enter. And people must surrender themselves to the Lord to enter.

Like the tribe of Levi, they can still do things, but they must see there are consequences to their sins, namely worshiping idols. They can be guards or gatekeepers and slaughter animals, but that is it. Again, there are consequences. They can not be priests. They can not touch any of the holy things. They can only provide maintenance of the temple.

However, the Levitical priests, those of the family of Zadok, they can be ministers because they were faithful when Israel was not. They will fulfill all of God's requirements.

When they (is this the priests?) they are to only wear linen clothing, not wool. Why? They are not to sweat. There are rules because my holiness is a great thing and they must be careful. Their heads are not be shaved or hair grown long, but it is to be trimmed regularly.

The priests shall not drink wine before entering the inner courtyard. Their wives can only come from among the virgins of Israel or widows of priests. No one else. They will teach people what is holy and what is common. They will also be the judge of any disagreements among the people. All instructions of the Lord must be obeyed. The Sabbath days are to be holy.

A priest may not be near a dead person. But, he can if it is a close blood relative, but even then, he must wait 7 days before returning to his Temple duties. And on Day one from returning, he must offer a sin offering.

The priests will not own any land. Their food will be result of gifts and sacrifices brought to the temple. What is given is not the last, but the first fruits. And no meat may they eat as a result of natural death or from being attacked.

Promise: The Lord is Holy and His ways are always right and there are consequences to our actions on this earth. But, God has chosen us and this doesn't mean consequences in heaven for those he has chosen and sealed.




Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Ezekiel 40-43

Message: These 3 chapters present Ezekiel's New Temple. And yet this was a temple that was never built and it is thought that there never was an intention for it to be built.

Time: April 28, 25th year of Captivity, 14 years after the fall of Jerusalem, A vision came from the Lord to Ezekiel to show him the Temple Area in a vision so that he could pass it on to the people of Israel what he has been shown.

What the Lord is Saying: Ezekiel first sees the East Gateway and its measurements are given in all its details. In these verses is a description of also where the sacrifices will be washed. There are 30 rooms including rooms for priests.

The beginning of Chapter 43 Ezekiel beholds the Glory of the Lord and a description of this is where the Lord lives. 

But the Lord is also clear that no idols are welcome among the people and this should be a reminder to them continually that idolatry is not something the Lord tolerates.

Chapter 43 also gives specifics and regulations regarding the sacrifices including how often the sacrifice will be performed.

http://www.sonstoglory.com/ThirdTempleEzekielsMillennialTemple.htm







Promise: The temple is a picture of contrast. One, it is a place for people to realize their sin and how their sin must be addressed. Second, it is a place to witness the holiness of God.

Ezekiel 39

Message: The prophecy against Gog and his hordes continues and just like Ezekiel 38 there is also a word about the restoration for God's people

Time: A message from the Sovereign Lord

What the Lord is Saying:
Gog, you are an enemy of God. It was Gog who in the last chapter attacked Israel and now Gog, as an (appointed) enemy of God will receive what enemies receive. They will be left helpless. You will be food to the vultures and wild animals in the mountains. And through this you and your allies will know that "I am the Lord."

The name of the Lord will not be shamed among the people of Israel.  Again, people will know that "I am the Lord."

There will be a graveyard for God and his hordes. 7 months it will take to bury the bodies. Bones will be buried. And the land will be clean. And then the Lord speaks of a sacrificial feast upon the bodies, but the feast is for the birds and wild animals.

The people of Israel were sent into exile. They were punished for their sin. They were unfaithful. Their enemies destroyed them and God's face was turned. But the Lord also will restore them to their land. He will bring them back to their land not so that they will be well thought of, but so that people will see the glory of the Lord.

Promise: The Lord is Holy. The Lord will not leave any of His people behind.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Ezekiel 38

Message: A message for Gog

Time: From the Lord.

What the Lord is Saying: This a prophetic message to Gog, land of Magog, a prince ruling over Meschech and Tubal (what is now Northern part of Turkey, places below the Black Sea).

From the Lord to Gog: I am your enemy. A war or battle will erupt with the help of Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer's armies and Beth-togarmah. And the war will be on the people of God, Israel. These enemies will work at the hand of God. And the Lord prescribes the thoughts which will be on these nations:

  • evil thoughts will be on your mind
  • you will devise a wicked scheme
  • you will see Israel as unprotected land
  • marching against those with confidence 
  • though they feel rich and confident, they will be siezed

Promise: And through this all nations will know that "I am the Lord." People will quake at the presence of the Lord. All nations will know my greatness and holiness. All nations will know that "I am the Lord."


Ezekiel 37

Message: Valley of Dry Bones; Reunion of Israel and Judah

Time: Ezekiel is carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a place--a valley with bones and then given another message.

What the Lord is Saying: The Lord takes Ezekiel to a valley of bones, all spread out and asks if the bones can have life again. Ezekiel replies that only the Lord knows the answer. So, the Lord gives Ezekiel a message to bring the bones to life. And the bones assembled into a skeleton, then had muscles, and then the winds came to give life to them. The bones represent the people of Israel. And this represents what will happen to the land of Israel, their graves of exile will open and they will rise again.

Then another message comes to Ezekiel. Take wood and carve on it the name of Judah and its allies. And take another piece of wood and carve on it Ephraim and the northern tribes. And then join the pieces of wood together signifying the coming together of Israel and Judah. And the message:
  • The scattered people of Israel will come back to their home land and live there generation after generation.
  • They will be unified with one king (David) over them all.
  • No longer will their lives be polluted with idolatry or rebellion. 
  • They will be my people, I will be their God.
  • They will obey and be careful to keep my decrees. 
  • God will make an everlasting covenant of peace with them. 
  • My temple will be among them.

Promise: All nations will know that I am the Lord, who makes Israel holy.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Ezekiel 36

Message: A beautiful and rich message to Israel regarding the Grace of God.

Time: Ezekiel is given a message by the Lord.

What the Lord is Saying:

Israel had received attacking words, possibly what was spoken of in the last chapter as coming from Mount Seir (Edom). And now the Lord gives Israel encouragement. They are told that the Lord will take care of those that speak wrongly against them. He is aware of the shame they have suffered and the Lord lets them know he cares for them. They will have abundant crops. Your animals will increase as well and your prosperity will increase. Once again, you will know that "I am the Lord."

It is interesting, this is the first time I have seen the phrase "I am the Lord" used in regards to a blessing or something good that will happen to people versus something bad.

And you will not be mocked or insulted. God will not allow it.

This does not mean the Israelite's are not sinners. In fact, the Lord reviews their transgressions. Their conduct and evil was like a woman's menstrual cloth (unclean). Their was murder and idolatry in the land and their were consequences for their actions. As I scattered them to other lands, they did not bring glory to the name of the Lord.

But, the people were brought back to their holy land by the Lord, not because they did good deeds but because the Lord must protect His name. "Nations will know that I am the Lord." This is the key. The focus is that the Lord is the Lord. The focus is not on the good deeds of his people.

The Lord will give you:

  • a new heart (clean water)
  • a new spirit
  • your sins (filth) will be washed away
  • you will no longer worship idols
  • the Lord will give you a tender, responsive heart 
  • He will place the Spirit within you 
  • Your stony, stubborn heart will be taken out. 
  • My Spirit in you will have you follow my decrees and you will be careful
  • You will live in the land I promised you and your ancestors
  • You will be My people. I will be Your God
  • Your filthy behavior will be no more
  • You will good crops of grain
  • I will send no more famines on the Land
  • The surrounding nations will no longer think you are in a bad situation
  • You will have great harvests from your fruit trees and fields
  • You will repent and not want to sin anymore
  • You will be numerous again
  • Their will be celebrations
  • Prayers will be answered
But, remember, I'm not doing this because you deserve it. I am doing this so people will know that "I am the Lord." 


Promise: To Israel, "I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to perfect my holy name."


-- Words from Tabletalk reading of October 3, "Salvation for God's sake." -- "We do not get a new heart as a consequence of faith but faith is a consequence of us have been given a new heart."

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Ezekiel 35

Message: Prophecy against Mount Seir (southeast border of Edom)

Time: The word of the Lord to Ezekiel to speak a prophecy against Edom, Mount Seir.

What the Lord is Saying: After reading this chapter one time, two things stand out. One, the phrase "I am the Lord" is used 4 times, and this is a short chapter (15 verses). Second, the word "desolate" (in the NLT) is used 5 times (4 times in the ESV) to describe the condition of Edom or Mount Seir.

The reason that bad times were coming to this people or region was the way they treated Israel during the time at which they were suffering calamity. Rather than being gracious with them, they took advantage of them. And they mocked the Lord. They will be judged in kind.

Promise: Don't mess with God's people.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Ezekiel 34

Message: Prophecy against the shepherds of Israel; the Lord is our Shepherd and the Lord has a covenant of piece

Time: The Lord speaking to Ezekiel

What the Lord is Saying:

The Lord tells Ezekiel to speak against the shepherds. What was their problem? They focused first on their own nourishment and then looked out for their flock, second. This is obviously a problem. The shepherds drank milk, wore wool, and then butchered the the best animals. But they did not take care of the weak. They have not sought out and looked after the lost. Instead, they have been harsh. And the sheep have scattered, and no one is searching for them. And the message is that the shepherds have neglected the flock.

Immediately, I see several applications for this passage. The father should care for his family. The pastor should be more concerned with his church than his self. The Christian needs to look out for those wandering and meet their needs. I thought of Cliff that I met yesterday in church and within a minute he was letting me know he was getting a divorce. Wow. And I just directed him to the auditorium. Why didn't I stop and figure out a way to minister to him? He didn't sound like God was in his life. But, I didn't do anything. I let him wander. O God, rescue Cliff and draw Him.

I also think of my kids and how I am constantly making it sound like it is a trial for me to do everything for them. And yet they are children. They need a shepherd even though they are prone to wander.

This is our role as believers and stewards of Christ. And my role as a husband, manager, leader, to look out for the flock and give them what they need.

The Lord says, "I myself will search and find my sheep." Is this because the shepherd he set up abandoned them? Or is He just saying that He is the one that finds the sheep? Either way, the Lord will work to bring his sheep back into the fold, no matter the circumstance that they are in. The Lord will feed them. He will gather them and bring them back into his own land. He will give them good pasture. He will seek the lost, bring back the strayed, bind up the injured, strengthen the weak.

And he mentions that he will be judge over the lean and fat sheep. The fat don't need to be around. The problem is these sheep don't just take the good pasture, but they instead want it all.

And the Lord desires to make a covenant with them. They will be secured where they are at and they will not have to fear the enemy. I will send them rain when they need it. They will know that "I am the Lord."

Promise: This is an interesting passage. Did the shepherd not do good enough and so then the Lord stepped in? The bottom line is that God takes care of his own, but he wants his leaders to also tend to their flock. As we seek the Lord, we will never be led astray.



Friday, November 1, 2013

Ezekiel 33

Message: Ezekiel is Israel's watchman. Ezekiel gives the watchman's message: "Why will you die, Israel?" and then explains Jerusalem's destruction.

Time: The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel.

What the Lord is Saying: The Lord explains the watchman. As enemies come, the people elect a watchman to stand guard. The watchman warns the people. If you hear the warning and do nothing, it is your fault when destruction comes your way. If you listen to the warning, you shall live. But, also, if the watchman does not blow his trumpet when the enemy comes, then the responsibility lies on the watchman if destruction was the result.

The Lord tells Ezekiel he will be the Lord's watchman. When the Lord speaks he is to warn the people. But, their outcome is not Ezekiel's responsibility. Ezekiel is to speak.

Then the watchman gives Israel the Gospel Message:

1. Israel says, "We are sinners and our sin results in death."
2. God says, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked."
3. God says, "I want the wicked to turn from their way and live."
4. God says, "Righteous living will not save sinners."
5. God says, "Wicked living will not destroy wicked people turning from their sin."
6. God says, "Past righteousness does not save people engaged in present wickedness."
7. God says, "When wicked turn from their sin and live righteously, they are saved and their past wickedness is no longer seen."
8. Israel says, "God isn't doing what is right."
9. Ezekiel says, "No, you are the ones that are not doing right."
10. God says, "Your deeds show who you belong to."

A fugitive or survivor from Jerusalem comes to Ezekiel, no longer mute, to tell him the city has been struck down. The people thought that Abraham as one man got possession, but they are many and should also get possession. But, then the Lord reminds me of their filthiness, their idolatry, murder, adultery, and wonders why he should reward them the land when there ways are far from Him. No, the land must be destroyed, not partially, but completely. They want rewards, but what they really need is to know that the Lord is the Lord.

The Lord shows Ezekiel that the people do listen, but they don't do what he says. His voices is a soothing instrument to their souls, yet their walk does not equal their talk. "They listen, but have no intention of doing what you say."

Promise: The bottom line is the same as previous chapters have shown. We are to be God's people and He is to be our Lord. Our deeds need to mirror our relationship. Yes, God is sovereign and Yes, God sets His chosen people apart, but His people should follow Him. In following, there is great reward. Do what he says.

--------------------------------------------------- Words from Tabletalk reading. I continue to try to read these passages alongside my reading of the Tabletalk devotional series, but I've been getting behind because some days their is a jump from one passage to another. But, i don't like to jump and have enjoyed the study.

Today's reading (actually October 1) was, "God's Mercy Toward the Wicked." And it is a vivid summary of how the people of Israel assumed God would not save his chosen people. Yes, he wanted them to live pure lives and stop their wickedness and there would always be punishment in this life for wicked behavior, but ultimately they were to know that God has chosen them and they will always be His. No matter what. What a great picture this is of who we are in Christ. So many in the world focus on the justice of God, often wondering why it doesn't occur more swiftly, and yet God pledges His mercy to repentant sinners. He looks over sins previously committed and gives us the riches of His position as our Lord. The Lord takes no pleasure in punishing sinners. This grieves Him. But, justice must be performed. His desire is obedience. His desire is people will remember Him and follow His ways.