Ezekiel 19 - Day 806 (link to reading)
Scripture: Ezekiel 19:1-14 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): In this elegy, Ezekiel mourns the lion cubs (kings of Judah) who were brought up by the lioness (nation of Judah). An elegy is a poem of serious reflection that is typically a lament for the dead. Specifically, this elegy was referring to the captivity of Jehoahaz (609 BC), Jehoiachin (597 BC), and the destruction of the Davidic dynasty with Zedekiah (586 BC). Again using the metaphor of a vine, Ezekiel mourns for Judah which was plucked by God and planted in the wilderness of a dry and thirsty land. It was a shameful ending for the house of David. Though there would no longer be a king, the lineage of Christ continued in exile until the Messiah was born to the virgin Mary. Application: In spite of Israel's disobedience, God fulfilled His promise that the Messiah would be born through the lineage of David. Unbeknownst to the world, for 400 hundred years God was working behind the scenes orchestrating the necessary arrangements for His Son to enter the world. Like 2000 years ago, God is still at work fulfilling His plan of redemption. Prayer: Lord, give me eyes to see You and plan... Ezekiel 18 - Day 805 (link to reading)
Scripture: Ezekiel 18:5-13 Commentary (theologyofwork.org): The exiled Jews' question, "What did we do to deserve this?" comes out of the mistaken belief that they were being punished for their ancestors' actions rather than their own. We see this in the false proverb they quote: "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge" (Ezek. 18:2). God rejects this accusation. The issue at stake is the exiles' refusal to take responsibility for their predicament, blaming it on the sins of previous generations.[1]God makes it clear, however, that each individual will be evaluated according to his own actions, whether righteous or wicked. The metaphor involving a righteous man (Ezek. 18:5-9), his sinful son (Ezek. 18:10-13), and his righteous grandson (Ezek. 18:14-17) illustrates that people are not held accountable for the morality of their ancestors. God holds each individual "soul" accountable. Application: Being a righteous and just God, He holds each person accountable for their actions. Knowing that we will stand before God should motivate us to live righteously. Yet, even that's not enough to love God and our neighbors wholeheartedly. Thankfully, we are not saved by our "works" but by God's grace. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being our sacrifice... Ezekiel 17 - Day 804 (link to reading)
Scripture: Ezekiel 17:11-24 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): The first great eagle represents Babylon, or, King Nebuchadnezzar. The cedar is Judah. The topmost young twig is Jehoiachin, the king of Judah who was exiled by Babylon and taken back to “the land of merchants” (Babylon). The seed represents those who Babylon left behind. This is important because King Nebuchadnezzar was gracious in setting up a tributary kingdom. This simply meant that Judah was “owned” by Babylon and they must pay them in order to continue to live in their land. Under the tributary kingdom, Zedekiah (son of Josiah) was made the new king of Judah. He represents the spreading vine in this allegory. He was given everything he needed to thrive (plenty of water) but was enticed by the Egyptians. He eventually decided he was going to plot against Nebuchadnezzar and asked Egypt to come to their aid. Jeremiah writes of the foolishness of this move. Application: God has a plan that is being fulfilled. We can choose to go along with His plan or decide to do our own thing. However, in the end, God wins so wouldn't it make sense to join Him? Prayer: Lord, help my unbelief... Ezekiel 15 & 16 - Day 803 (link to reading)
Scripture: Ezekiel 15:1-8 Commentary (melissabeaty.com): In a somewhat harsh analogy, God said that those who were left in Jerusalem were not good for anything other than to be burned. They were like vines whose only purpose was to become kindling for someone else. God is, in an interesting way, reminding us that we are nothing without Him. The Jews starting with nothing as slaves in Egypt. Rooted and planted by God in Canaan, however, they grew and appeared to thrive. But they cast themselves away. They willingly left the ground God had planted for them, which was the laws and statues of the Most High that were given to Moses. They broke off of the branch. Separated from their source of strength, they began to wither. They became good for nothing. Application: Without a guiding purpose in our lives, human beings wander aimlessly down the path of least resistance. God didn't create us in His image for us to wander. Prayer: Lord, who am I that You would care to know my name? Ezekiel 14 - Day 802 (link to reading)
Scripture: Ezekiel 14:11 Commentary (preceptaustin.org): Ezekiel alluded earlier to the New Covenant in chapter 11 in which God declared that He would one day give Israel "one heart, and shall put a new spirit within them. And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes (compare "no longer stray from Me") and keep My ordinances and do them (compare "no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions"). Then they will be My people (identical to present verse), and I shall be their God (identical to the present verse)" (Ezek 11:20, 21) Application: My wife reminds me that I will inconvenience myself for things I truly care about. I'm looking forward to the day when I'll care more about loving others than satisfying my needs. Prayer: Lord, sanctify me... |
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January 2024
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