Ezekiel 9

WEEK  3                                              Ezekiel 9

SATURDAY  Reflections

In the vision, God showed Ezekiel that judgment was beginning to fall on Jerusalem. God was going to spare the people who were serving Him, but what caught my attention was where the judgment begins. The Judgment begins in the temple, the house of God. God didn't get the so-called "bad people" first; it was the people who were in the temple.

 

This reminds me of what Peter said in 1 Peter 4:17-18: “For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’" (also look up Proverbs 11:31).

Eze 9:1-11

(1)  He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.

(2)  And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.

(3)  And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;

(4)  And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

(5)  And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

(6)  Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

(7)  And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.

(8)  And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?

(9)  Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.

(10)  And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.

(11)  And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.

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Hosea 10

WEEK 3                                            Hosea 10

FRIDAY  Reflections

The beginning of this chapter reminds me of Jesus' warning of how hard it was for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23-24). God notes that the richer they got, the more they worshiped false gods. In the West, we may not make physical idols, but there are plenty of things that we make into gods. The more people have, the more things become idols. If God asked someone to give up movies and television shows,  computers and cell phones, and cars, would that person be willing? The word of God is relevant not just when it was written but even today.  

Hos 10:1-15
(1)  Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.
(2)  Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
(3)  For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?
(4)  They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
(5)  The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
(6)  It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
(7)  As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.
(8)  The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.
(9)  O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.
(10)  It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.
(11)  And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
(12)  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
(13)  Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
(14)  Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
(15)  So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.

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Matthew 27

WEEK 3                                           Matthew 27

THURSDAY  Reflections

The wrong interpretation of Scripture has caused a great amount of grief in the world. Though there is much material in this chapter, I want to look at one such inaccuracy in this chapter. Pilate claims he is guiltless, and the Jewish leaders say they will take the guilt on themselves and their children. In the past and still today, some use this comment as a justification for anti-Semitic attitudes and actions.

 

First, Pilate always had the authority to release Jesus, and the Jews had none until Pilate gave it to them. The Jewish leaders knew Pilate didn't want to crucify Jesus, so they gave him an excuse to relieve his guilt. They, after all, thought they were doing the right thing. However, no honest person believes Pilate leaves this trial without guilt. He will answer to God.

 

Second, even if the Jewish leader's words held power, it would only be on their descendants, most of whom probably died in 70AD at the destruction of Jerusalem, and not on all Jews. We need to recall that all of the apostles and early leaders of the church were Jews. If they were under some curse, they couldn't have led the church. Also, though the actions of parents affect children and grandchildren, God specifically said that sons were not to be punished for the sins of the fathers (Exodus 18:20). Finally, Jesus said on the cross, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:24). Since Jesus forgave them, there is no way a curse could stick and no reason others shouldn't forgive also.

 

These words were not a self-proclaimed curse, giving others permission to persecute Jewish people. These words were used to show certainty, that they were right, even if they weren't. Any other use is false.  

Mat 27:1-66

(1)  When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

(2)  And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

(3)  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

(4)  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

(5)  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

(6)  And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

(7)  And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

(8)  Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

(9)  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

(10)  And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

(11)  And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

(12)  And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

(13)  Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

(14)  And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

(15)  Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

(16)  And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

(17)  Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

(18)  For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

(19)  When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

(20)  But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

(21)  The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

(22)  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

(23)  And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

(24)  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

(25)  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

(26)  Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

(27)  Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

(28)  And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

(29)  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

(30)  And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

(31)  And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

(32)  And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

(33)  And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

(34)  They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

(35)  And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

(36)  And sitting down they watched him there;

(37)  And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

(38)  Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

(39)  And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

(40)  And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

(41)  Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

(42)  He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

(43)  He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

(44)  The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

(45)  Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

(46)  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

(47)  Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

(48)  And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

(49)  The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

(50)  Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

(51)  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

(52)  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

(53)  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

(54)  Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

(55)  And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

(56)  Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

(57)  When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

(58)  He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

(59)  And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

(60)  And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

(61)  And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

(62)  Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

(63)  Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

(64)  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

(65)  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

(66)  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

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Psalm 97

WEEK 3                                               Psalm 97

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Clouds and darkness surround God? This reference carries two ideas. First, this looks back to God on Mount Sinai. When God was on the mountain, it was ringed with clouds and fire, but the one thing the children of Israel couldn't do was to see inside. Second, God's ways are more often than not a mystery to us. Like a child first trying to understand where babies come from, it is a mystery, and even after it is first explained, it sounds bizarre. It is only with maturity that everything comes into clarity. Even now, it still carries a mystery. How can this person I see and know come from that process? So it is with the things of God.    

Psa 97:1-12
(1)  The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
(2)  Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
(3)  A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
(4)  His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
(5)  The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
(6)  The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
(7)  Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
(8)  Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
(9)  For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
(10)  Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
(11)  Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
(12)  Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

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Hosea 9

WEEK 3                                             Hosea 9

TUESDAY  Reflections

When we look at God referencing Gibeah, one might think of the sexual sins that were attempted and the ones that were carried out (Judges 19, 20). However, the sin of Gibeah wasn't just those actions. The greater sin was when the people of Benjamin defended the people who committed the crime. One might say the greater issue was defending the criminals and not the victims. Throughout scripture, God criticizes those who defend the wrongdoer and abuse the innocent. 

 

The reference to Gibeah isn't just a reference to their sin but to everything that followed. Once all was said and done, all but 600 men of the tribe of Benjamin were wiped out. They were nearly destroyed not just due to the war but also due to the loss of available women for the men to take as wives. This was a picture God was giving to Israel. God was using this word picture to tell them again that they were facing near annihilation as a nation.

Hos 9:1-17
(1)  Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.
(2)  The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.
(3)  They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.
(4)  They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.
(5)  What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?
(6)  For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.
(7)  The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
(8)  The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
(9)  They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
(10)  I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
(11)  As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
(12)  Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
(13)  Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
(14)  Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
(15)  All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
(16)  Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
(17)  My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

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