Ezekiel 10

WEEK  4                                                 Ezekiel 10

SATURDAY  Reflections

This chapter shows the Spirit of God leaving the temple. God, who chose this place to meet with man, is now leaving. While leaving, the creatures take coals from off the altar. These actions demonstrate not only that God was leaving but that the sacrifices offered would be worthless. The fire on the altar was first lit by God, and the fire was never to go out, so in a way, the same fire that began the sacrificial system was being used. By God taking the coal from the altar, He was taking that fire from Jerusalem and going toward where His true worshipers were. 

 

God was saying, I will not accept your sacrifices any longer. This was God in a sense, issuing a decree of separation; the marriage as they knew it was over. God was walking out the door.

Eze 10:1-22
(1)  Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
(2)  And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.
(3)  Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
(4)  Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.
(5)  And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
(6)  And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
(7)  And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out.
(8)  And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings.
(9)  And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.
(10)  And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
(11)  When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
(12)  And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.
(13)  As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.
(14)  And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
(15)  And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
(16)  And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.
(17)  When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them.
(18)  Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
(19)  And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
(20)  This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.
(21)  Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
(22)  And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.

Photo by Shreya Sharma on Unsplash

Hosea 12

WEEK  4                                          Hosea 12

FRIDAY  Reflections

God is reminding Israel and Judah that they are facing judgment. God reminds them of their heritage in Jacob the Grasper. Though he didn't live right, Jacob should have found mercy with God. They were reminded how the Lord became Jacob's memorial.

God is reminding Israel and Jacob that they, too, can return to God by calling out with weeping (grief over sin). God reminds them of His actions by telling them of the feast of tabernacles and His willingness to take them out of where they are. 

It is the same message God is giving to us today. 

Hos 12:1-14
(1)  Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
(2)  The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
(3)  He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
(4)  Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
(5)  Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
(6)  Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
(7)  He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
(8)  And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
(9)  And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
(10)  I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
(11)  Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
(12)  And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
(13)  And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
(14)  Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Matthew 28

WEEK  4                                             Matthew 28

THURSDAY  Reflections

The gospel of Matthew was written with those familiar with Jewish scripture in mind. In their day, due to Greek influence, women were considered less reliable witnesses. The testimony of a woman was less. This being the case, if you were making this story up (as some claim the disciples did), why would you use unreliable witnesses as your primary source? It would be like a defense attorney putting the town drunk or a patient with Alzheimer's on the stand to defend your client. The disciples did not just put these women in the role of first witnesses; they showed themselves as doubters and cowards. Why would they do this if they were making this up? They did it because it was the truth. 

Jesus is alive; he isn't a role model from the past; he is the living Savior of the world.

Mat 28:1-20
(1)  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
(2)  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
(3)  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
(4)  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
(5)  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
(6)  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
(7)  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
(8)  And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
(9)  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
(10)  Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
(11)  Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
(12)  And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
(13)  Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
(14)  And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
(15)  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
(16)  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
(17)  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
(18)  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
(19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

Psalms 98

WEEK 4                                               Psalm 98

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

We praise God for all the good He has done. We praise God for the victories. We should praise God because He will judge the earth fairly. To say it another way, God will make all things right. For all these and more, we should praise God.

Psa 98:1-9
(1)  A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
(2)  The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
(3)  He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
(4)  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
(5)  Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
(6)  With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
(7)  Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
(8)  Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
(9)  Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Photo by Carolina Jacomin on Unsplash

Hosea 11

WEEK 4                                           Hosea 11

TUESDAY  Reflections

In verse 6, God reminds us that the reason Israel will be devoured is that they followed their own counsel and not the Lord's. Their own actions brought their disaster. Even if God had not been in the equation, Israel's actions and counsel would have seen them destroyed. The one advantage they had was God. He was willing to receive them back if they would turn back to Him, but God says this is the thing they refuse to do.

 

Rarely is it God’s anger at our sin that gets us into trouble; it is the results of those sins that get us in trouble. We can't blame God; it's all on us.   

Hos 11:1-12
(1)  When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
(2)  As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
(3)  I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
(4)  I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
(5)  He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
(6)  And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
(7)  And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
(8)  How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
(9)  I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
(10)  They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
(11)  They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
(12)  Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash