TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:7
Psalm 119:49-64
Proverbs 28:12-13
Ezekiel 47:1 — Jimmy DeYoung notes the similarities between this and “when water flows from the throne of God” in Revelation 22:1. Right now, the east side of the Temple Mount is fairly dry. Here’s some photo’s I took when I was in Israel: As you can see, it’s not quite “a river that could not be passed over” (Ezekiel 47:5). Nor has the Dead Sea been healed yet (Ezekiel 47:8). There’s no fishers at En Gedi yet (Ezekiel 47:10), but the LORD God is saying that it will happen!
Ezekiel 47:16 — Hamath is 240 kilometers north of the current northern Israelite border in Mount Hermon. This prophecy is still yet to be fulfilled.
Ezekiel 47:23 — The LORD God is allowing for immigration into the land of Israel, but this is not just immigration – He’s calling for adoption. The stranger will have an inheritance of the tribes of Israel? That’s what Paul talked about in Romans 9:4; adoption of non-Jews into the Israelites.
We read earlier about God’s Old Testament immigration policy in Ezekiel 44:9 – they must be circumcised in heart and flesh. But as Paul declared, we are circumcised by Jesus Christ in the flesh when He took away our sinful flesh (Colossians 2:11) and circumcised our heart (Romans 2:29). We are risen with Him (Colossians 2:12).
Ezekiel 48 — Here’s a map from 1729 depicting what they thought it would look like:
Ezekiel 48:35 — Ezekiel’s vision closes out similar to Revelation 21:2-3, noting that the LORD God is there. We have a different arrangement of the twelve tribes from Numbers 2, though. Also notice that the twelve gates match up to the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:12.
When we get to Revelation, we’ll read about the New Jerusalem. Both the New Jerusalem and Ezekiel’s city are perfect squares. Some compare the “camp of the saints and the beloved city” in Revelation 20:9 to the City of Ezekiel, but the New Jerusalem, measured like Ezekiel’s city was, is 1,000 times bigger, with walls 1,380 miles high (or almost 6x the height of the International Space Station). God is preparing a place for us (John 14:3)!
I Peter 2:13-14 — Peter echoes Paul’s message in Romans 13 – submission to human government. God ordained human government back in Genesis 9:6, authorizing mankind for the first time to execute capital punishment.
1 Peter 2:18 — Why does the Bible justify slavery? The Roman “servants” were not there of their own freewill. In spite of this, though, Peter tells the servants to submit to their masters, even the froward ones (those difficult to deal with) who may even punish those who are doing well (1 Peter 2:20). He calls for wives to submit to their husbands (1 Peter 3:1). Why?
Jesus had more rights than anyone. He had less sin than anyone. To be accurate, He had no sin (1 Peter 2:22). Yet He suffered (1 Peter 2:21), submitted himself to unjust human government, to cruel Roman masters, to Jewish taunts without retort (1 Peter 2:22), in order to bring us life through His death.
1 Peter 2:24 — Peter declares the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:5 – “… with his stripes we are healed!”
1 Peter 3:7 — Husbands, want God to listen to your prayers? Dwell with your wife according to knowledge! Honor her!
Psalm 119:49 — Are you discouraged? Hope in God’s Word! Need comfort in affliction? Go to the Word (Psalm 119:50). Need a song? Go to the statutes (Psalm 119:54). Can’t sleep in the night? Remember the LORD (Psalm 119:55). Be not discouraged!
Proverbs 28:13 — God already knows what sins you’ve committed. Just admit to Him what He already knows!
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