Habakkuk 2

WEEK  13                                             Habakkuk 2

TUESDAY  Reflections

This chapter sounds like the rising of the poor against the rich. It sounds like what happened during the French Revolution: those who had were brought down by the very people they abused. It was a mess, as is most revolutions. The problem is not that there are rich people but how they arrived at that money. Eventually, all people who gain money and power through dishonest means are cast down. Israel will be no exception, and neither will Babylon.

 

At this point, many want to look at large corporations and point the finger at them, but this isn't what God is calling for. God is calling for us to examine ourselves. Do we gain by dishonest means? Do we steal from our employer or the grocery store, causing them to have to charge more to cover the losses? Or let's get personal: do you steal from entertainers by pirating movies or stealing music? Do you faithfully pay your taxes?

 

God doesn't want us to wait for the other guy to do what is right first.  God wants us to examine ourselves. Just as the 2 mites (pennies) were a great amount when given to God, what does it look like when stolen?

Hab 2:1-20
(1)  I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
(2)  And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
(3)  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
(4)  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
(5)  Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
(6)  Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
(7)  Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
(8)  Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
(9)  Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
(10)  Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.
(11)  For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
(12)  Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!
(13)  Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
(14)  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
(15)  Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
(16)  Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
(17)  For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
(18)  What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
(19)  Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
(20)  But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

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Habakkuk 1

WEEK  13                                           Habakkuk 1  

MONDAY  Reflections

Habakkuk begins a complaint about how bad things are. He wonders what God is going to do about it. God had answered, but it is something that Habakkuk won't like: the destruction of his nation by the Babylonians.

 

This, to me, is a reminder that sometimes the solution to the problems we seek is not always what we want. We want God to deal with problems, but we want God to do it our way. The problem is God is going to use nations, people, or things which we might never want to see used. However, as this book ends, you see that God is going to deal justly with those who are evil even when He uses them in the short term. Or to say it another way, God is going to make everything right.

Bible Project Video for Habakkuk: https://youtu.be/OPMaRqGJPUU


Hab 1:1-17
(1)  The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
(2)  O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
(3)  Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
(4)  Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
(5)  Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
(6)  For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
(7)  They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
(8)  Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
(9)  They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
(10)  And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
(11)  Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
(12)  Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.
(13)  Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
(14)  And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
(15)  They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
(16)  Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
(17)  Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

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Ezekiel 18

WEEK  12                                             Ezekiel 18

SATURDAY  Reflections

This chapter sums up how God deals with people. Each according to their own sin. It has been said, “God has no grandchildren,” and this chapter confirms it. Each person is rewarded or punished for their own actions.

 

However, God is not without mercy. He is willing to forgive sinners if they repent. But just as God is willing to forgive, God is also righteous, so right living doesn't guarantee a relationship with God if a person leaves it and begins to live in disobedience to God. As someone said, “It isn't how you begin but how you end the race that matters.” 

 

Israel's issue was that they wanted to blame God for being unfair when they were the ones not living correctly. Even today, we like to find someone else to blame for our problems. The one person we don't want to blame is ourselves. 

Eze 18:1-32
(1)  The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
(2)  What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
(3)  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
(4)  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
(5)  But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
(6)  And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
(7)  And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
(8)  He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
(9)  Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
(10)  If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,
(11)  And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,
(12)  Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
(13)  Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
(14)  Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
(15)  That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
(16)  Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
(17)  That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
(18)  As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
(19)  Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
(20)  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
(21)  But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
(22)  All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
(23)  Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
(24)  But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
(25)  Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
(26)  When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
(27)  Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
(28)  Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
(29)  Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
(30)  Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
(31)  Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
(32)  For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

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Zephaniah 3

WEEK   12                                        Zephaniah 3

FRIDAY  Reflections

Destruction upon destruction, and now Zephaniah ends with God singing words like "Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!" (verse 14 NIV). As with the other prophets, God ends with words of hope and an invitation to join him in His song. God will restore not just Israel to their land, but He will restore their hearts to Himself. God is going to make all right.

Zep 3:1-20
(1)  Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
(2)  She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
(3)  Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
(4)  Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
(5)  The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
(6)  I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
(7)  I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
(8)  Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
(9)  For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
(10)  From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
(11)  In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
(12)  I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
(13)  The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
(14)  Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
(15)  The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
(16)  In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
(17)  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
(18)  I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
(19)  Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
(20)  At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

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2 Corinthians 8

WEEK   12                                       2 Corinthians 8

THURSDAY  Reflections

"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have" (2 Corinthians 8:12)

 

It isn't the amount you give; it’s willingness. If you don't have a lot, give your 10% even if it's only $5. According to God, you have given more than a person who has given a million but has only given 5%.  What matters to God is never the amount but the heart, the willingness. Remember, the widow who Jesus said gave more, though all she gave was the minimum (Mark 12:43).

 

A Warning: Often, especially in affluent societies, it is easy to think you have less than you really do. The statistics say that even the poor in the West are richer than most of the rest of the world. Paul was amazed at the giving of the poor in Macedonia and praised them. He didn't refuse to let them give because they were poor but reminded the rich that they could do so much better.

 

2Co 8:1-24
(1)  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
(2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
(3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
(4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
(5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
(6)  Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
(7)  Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
(8)  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
(9)  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
(10)  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
(11)  Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
(12)  For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
(13)  For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
(14)  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
(15)  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
(16)  But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
(17)  For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
(18)  And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
(19)  And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
(20)  Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
(21)  Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
(22)  And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
(23)  Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
(24)  Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

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