TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ezekiel 1:1-3:15
Hebrews 3:1-19
Psalm 104:1-23
Proverbs 26:24-26
We’re just two months from the end of the year! Hang in there!
Ezekiel 1:1-3 — Ezekiel is an Exilic Prophet. Jeremiah wrote about the coming Exile, but Ezekiel is the first prophet we’ll be reading from within the Exile. The year is 592 BC, and we’re a little northwest of Babylon. In this passage we find out why he was part of the second group to be deported – he was a priest and an influential leader.
Ezekiel 1:16 — Yes, this is the “wheel in a wheel” passage that inspired the spiritual, “Ezekiel Saw The Wheel.”
Ezekiel 1:27 — In Revelation 1:15-16, John describes seeing Jesus: “… his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace …” and “… his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength …”
Ezekiel 1:28 — What to do when you see things unexplainable and indescribable? Fall on your face in humility!
Ezekiel 2:2 — Notice that when Ezekiel didn’t have the strength to stand, the Spirit set him on his feet! When we’ve exhausted our store of endurance, “He giveth more grace!”
Ezekiel 2:5 — Ezekiel must have felt like a Christian school teacher. Out of strength and can’t get up after lying face down on the ground (Ezekiel 1:28)! He’s speaking to “impudent children and stiffhearted.” God says, “… whether they will hear or whether they will forbear … [they] shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.” Pray for the Christian school teachers that you know – they ain’t getting rich, they are exhausted, and they are prophets to their “impudent children!”
Ezekiel 3:5 — Home missions may not be as rewarding, but God calls people to reach their Judea first! Yes, the monthly updates to supporting churches may be discouraging, but faithfulness … not results … is what the Master calls for (2 Timothy 2:2).
Ezekiel 3:15 — Ezekiel was astonished seven days at the vision he saw. Don’t worry if you are still scratching your head about the incredible vision of Ezekiel 1.
Hebrews 3:1 — Yes, Ezekiel was a priest, but he struggled to explain the things that God showed him. We have a greater priest (Hebrews 3:3), One that is greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:3) and greater than creation (Hebrews 3:4).
Hebrews 3:7 — We start the second warning passage. Hebrews 2:1-4 began the first warning passage (“How shall we escape?”). Now we begin the “Harden not your hearts” warnings.
Hebrews 3:12 — Here’s a scary concept. Paul is writing to his brethren and warning them about an evil heart of unbelief that will cause them to depart from the living God. You can always find “atheist activists” like Dan Barker who were pastors at one time but now have turned their backs on God.
Hebrews 3:15 — How do we avoid being shipwrecked and denied entry into the rest (Hebrews 3:11, Hebrews 3:18)? Hear His voice and open your heart.
Psalm 104:4 — Interesting that this description matches Ezekiel’s references to fire (Ezekiel 1:4, 1:13). This whole psalm echoes Hebrews 3:4 – “… he that built all things …” As the Psalmist inventories creation, God made it all!
Proverbs 26:25 — A great admonition for election season!
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
