Ezekiel 24

WEEK  18                                             Ezekiel 24

SATURDAY  Reflections

Don't weep publicly for your loss. This is the message God is giving the people in the last part of chapter 24. God has asked Ezekiel to do some difficult things, but not to be seen grieving for your wife or for the loss of Jerusalem. These are hard. Ezekiel is being an example to the people of what they need to do.

 

When sin brings about consequences, God asks us to repent. The first step in repentance is to feel sorry for our sins, not to feel bad that we were caught. The destruction of Jerusalem is the result of Israel being finally caught and punished for their sin. True repentance doesn't weep over the punishment (though it is painful); it grieves over the actions that got them there. God was teaching them the difference. God was going to show them that he is going to take this loss, this judgment, and turn it into new life.  

Eze 24:1-27
(1)  Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(2)  Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
(3)  And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it:
(4)  Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones.
(5)  Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, and make it boil well, and let them seethe the bones of it therein.
(6)  Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it.
(7)  For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;
(8)  That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.
(9)  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great.
(10)  Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned.
(11)  Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed.
(12)  She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.
(13)  In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.
(14)  I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.
(15)  Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(16)  Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
(17)  Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.
(18)  So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
(19)  And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?
(20)  Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(21)  Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.
(22)  And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.
(23)  And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.
(24)  Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
(25)  Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,
(26)  That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears?
(27)  In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

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Zechariah 4

WEEK 18                                         Zechariah 4

FRIDAY  Reflections

"It is not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord," (verse 6). Though this is written to Zerubbabel, the message is true for all who follow God. It is through the Holy Spirit that we have victory. The Scriptures are clear: we will always find victory in our spiritual life if we continue to follow Jesus. Paul says it this way, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Jesus said it was with the power of the Spirit we would be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).

 

God also reminds them not to despise the day of small beginnings, speaking of measuring a plumb line. Measuring gets nothing visibly completed, but it is important if the building is going to be built correctly. Watching it isn't impressive, but it is the beginning, and we shouldn't be discouraged when all we see is a small beginning, for God will complete what he starts.

Zec 4:1-14
(1)  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
(2)  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
(3)  And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
(4)  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?
(5)  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
(6)  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
(7)  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
(8)  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(9)  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
(10)  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
(11)  Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
(12)  And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
(13)  And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
(14)  Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

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Acts 21

WEEK  18                                                 Acts 21  

THURSDAY  Reflections

The question might be asked: Why did Paul go to Jerusalem when it seems God was telling him not to? Some want to argue that Paul was just being stubborn, and this is a great example of what being stubborn will get you. I agree that if you are stubborn and don't listen to God, there are some painful and maybe even fatal consequences. However, this isn't what I believe is happening.

 

Paul said in verse 22 that he felt bound by the Spirit of God to go to Jerusalem. The prophecies gave Paul a choice. God was ready for him to go to Jerusalem and face what was going to be a horrible set of circumstances. Paul could have chosen not to go. This time God was letting Paul know that danger was coming. Before he got to Jerusalem, Paul knew exactly what he was going to face. Yet Paul followed the Spirit. Paul didn't allow himself to be led by other people’s interpretation of prophecy. He followed the call of God on his heart, just as we should.

Act 21:1-40
(1)  And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
(2)  And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
(3)  Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
(4)  And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
(5)  And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
(6)  And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
(7)  And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
(8)  And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
(9)  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
(10)  And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
(11)  And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
(12)  And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
(13)  Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
(14)  And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
(15)  And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
(16)  There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
(17)  And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
(18)  And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
(19)  And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
(20)  And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
(21)  And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
(22)  What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
(23)  Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
(24)  Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
(25)  As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
(26)  Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
(27)  And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
(28)  Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
(29)  (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
(30)  And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
(31)  And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
(32)  Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
(33)  Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
(34)  And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
(35)  And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
(36)  For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
(37)  And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
(38)  Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
(39)  But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
(40)  And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

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Psalm 109

WEEK  18                                              Psalm 109

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

The psalmist sings out about those who are against him. This is a great example of the wicked accusing someone. They want someone else to suffer when it is they who are wicked. The peace that the psalmist has is that though others may curse him, God will bless him (verse 28). This needs to be the cornerstone of our peace, as Paul says, if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8).  

Note: How might this relate to Joshua in Zechariah 3?



Psa 109:1-31
(1)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
(2)  For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
(3)  They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
(4)  For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
(5)  And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
(6)  Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
(7)  When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
(8)  Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
(9)  Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
(10)  Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
(11)  Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.
(12)  Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
(13)  Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
(14)  Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
(15)  Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
(16)  Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
(17)  As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
(18)  As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
(19)  Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
(20)  Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
(21)  But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.
(22)  For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
(23)  I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.
(24)  My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.
(25)  I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
(26)  Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
(27)  That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it.
(28)  Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.
(29)  Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
(30)  I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
(31)  For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

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Zechariah 3

God will be our guide.

WEEK  18                                             Zechariah 3

TUESDAY  Reflections

Here in Zechariah 3, Joshua the priest is set free from Satan, given new robes, and a crown is placed on his head. These show what God is going to do for this man in the role of the high priest. There is a catch. Joshua has something to do. He has to follow the ways of the Lord.

 

Though this is before the work of Jesus on the Cross we see that God's work in transforming man includes giving him something to do. God expects those He saves and cleanses to now walk differently. He expects them and us to live as He would want. The wonderful thing about life in Jesus is he gives us the power of God's Holy Spirit to help lead, guide, and empower us. This being said God doesn't save us to leave us where we are. He wants a better life for us.

Zec 3:1-10
(1)  And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
(2)  And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
(3)  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
(4)  And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
(5)  And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
(6)  And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
(7)  Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
(8)  Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
(9)  For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
(10)  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

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