Ezekiel 2

WEEK   21                                              Ezekiel 2

SATURDAY  Reflections

"Get up, I'm going to talk to you!" So begins the call of Ezekiel. There seem to be no niceties. God is very blunt and to the point. This may be because of the situation Ezekiel and the people are in. Perhaps, it has to do with the messages God has for Ezekiel. Whatever the reason God isn't messing around. God tells Ezekiel the people he will be prophesying to probably won't receive it but he's to do it anyway. God wants the people to know there is a prophet and He is trying to reach them if they are willing to listen. Once Ezekiel is done, the people won't be able to say God didn't warn them.

Eze 2:1-10
(1)  And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
(2)  And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
(3)  And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
(4)  For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.
(5)  And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
(6)  And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
(7)  And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
(8)  But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
(9)  And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
(10)  And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

Joel 2

WEEK   21                                                  Joel 2

FRIDAY  Reflections

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand—" Joel 2:1

 

There is a chorus that I sang a lot in the late 1980s and ’90s, it was called Blow the Trumpet in Zion. It talked about God’s great army that was going to carry out His word. It is an upbeat song that can get you excited. After the song, we would blow our shofars, ram’s horns, and it felt great.

 

The scripture it was derived from was Joel 2. The problem with using this scripture that way is that it has nothing to do with Israel's army or the church. It has to do with the destruction coming on Israel. The blowing of the trumpet was a warning to Israel. It wasn’t the charge of God’s victorious people.

 

Does this mean I won’t sing this song again? No, it’s a cool tune.  God’s army can do whatever God has called them to do, be they a band of locusts or the church. However,  we need to realize that when we hear the horn blow or whatever God uses to get our attention, we need to understand what it means for us. We need to ask if this is a warning or a call to action. 

Joe 2:1-32
(1)  Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
(2)  A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
(3)  A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
(4)  The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
(5)  Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
(6)  Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
(7)  They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
(8)  Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
(9)  They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
(10)  The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
(11)  And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
(12)  Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
(13)  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
(14)  Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
(15)  Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
(16)  Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
(17)  Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
(18)  Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
(19)  Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
(20)  But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
(21)  Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
(22)  Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
(23)  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
(24)  And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
(25)  And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
(26)  And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
(27)  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
(28)  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
(29)  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
(30)  And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
(31)  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

(32)  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

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Matthew 21

WEEK  21                                         Matthew 21

THURSDAY  Reflections

Chapter 21 begins what is called the Passion Week in Christendom. It begins with Jesus entering Jerusalem, hailed as king (Son of David) by many who have come to the feast. The leaders and rulers who live comfortably see Jesus as a danger to their position. He is dangerous because he proclaims a new kingdom. They fear this talk will bring down the armies of Rome. What they hated worse was Jesus pointing out their hypocrisy.

 

In an attempt to trap him, they ask him to say who gave him authority. He returns the question, asking by what authority John the Baptist did his works (23-27). They didn't believe John was a prophet, but knew the people did, so they said they didn't know. In response, Jesus refuses to answer their question either. What gets me here is the similarity between them and people in power today. People say one thing in front of one group and do another thing behind their backs. Condemning people who threaten their power, even if they agree with their plans.

 

It's no wonder Jesus said that we should let our yes’s be yes, and our no’s be no. He didn't want us to act that way. He wanted better for us. He wanted us to be better.

Mat 21:1-46
(1)  And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
(2)  Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
(3)  And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
(4)  All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
(5)  Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
(6)  And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
(7)  And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
(8)  And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
(9)  And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
(10)  And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
(11)  And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
(12)  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
(13)  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
(14)  And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
(15)  And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
(16)  And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
(17)  And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
(18)  Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
(19)  And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
(20)  And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
(21)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
(22)  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
(23)  And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
(24)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
(25)  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
(26)  But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
(27)  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
(28)  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
(29)  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
(30)  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
(31)  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
(32)  For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
(33)  Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
(34)  And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
(35)  And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
(36)  Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
(37)  But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
(38)  But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
(39)  And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
(40)  When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
(41)  They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
(42)  Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
(43)  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
(44)  And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
(45)  And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
(46)  But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

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Psalm 92

WEEK   21                                      Psalm 92

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

This is a psalm for the Sabbath, or I might say for many Sunday Morning worship services. It is full of praise and hope. There are times we need the psalms of repentance and sadness, but we also need times of pure praise and honor to God. The promise is clear: the righteous who are planted in God's house (church) will flourish in God's courts (presence). 

What message do you find here?

Psa 92:1-15
(1)  A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
(2)  To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
(3)  Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
(4)  For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
(5)  O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
(6)  A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
(7)  When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
(8)  But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
(9)  For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
(10)  But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
(11)  Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
(12)  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
(13)  Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
(14)  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
(15)  To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

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Joel 1

WEEK  21                                             Joel 1

TUESDAY  Reflections

I have never appreciated the spiritual leader who got up and points their finger at everyone declaring fire and brimstone because society has gone wrong. My guess is they suspect they ought to be repenting first.

 

Some of the “warning signs” of judgment proclaimed by preachers aren’t really warning signs. They are just natural phenomenon. Yes, hurricanes actually form on their own. They aren't all God's judgment if any today are. All this being said, there are times when what is happening is a result of sin. Sometimes, it is that our chickens are coming home to roost.

 

Most people don’t like these words. They don’t want to hear the words Joel is saying: “Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, you who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.” Joel 1:13-14

 

Yes, this can have the feel of a message to the nation as it was in Joel’s time. However, I want us not to look out at others but to look into our own lives. What are we doing? Is this my fault in some way? Do I need to confess and repent? Not just when things are going wrong, but all of the time. Ask yourself, Am I living as Jesus would have me live? If you aren’t, then repent and do what is right.

 

Whatever the reason, when bad things happen we do need to cry out to the Lord.

Joe 1:1-20
(1)  The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
(2)  Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
(3)  Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
(4)  That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
(5)  Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
(6)  For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
(7)  He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
(8)  Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
(9)  The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.
(10)  The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.
(11)  Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.
(12)  The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.
(13)  Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.
(14)  Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,
(15)  Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
(16)  Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
(17)  The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.
(18)  How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
(19)  O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
(20)  The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

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