TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ezekiel 40:28-41:26
James 4:1-17
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 28:3-5
Ezekiel 40:28 — We’re continuing to measure the Temple today. There’s many fascinating models of the Temple of Ezekiel on the internet, and many strange theories.
Ezekiel 40:38 — Burnt offering? In the eschatological future? Yes, we’ll see more about the sacrifices in Ezekiel 44-46.
Ezekiel 41:26 — Your pastor probably hasn’t preached in depth through this chapter. But imagine if you’re Ezekiel, and you were told to document this building, but not much else.
Peter tells us that the prophets were studying what they themselves had prophesied because they didn’t understand the things they saw, heard, or said (1 Peter 1:10-12). Ezekiel’s prophecy wasn’t for him but for generations to come. The Messianic prophecies that were hidden became revealed in Peter’s day!
James 4:1 — More conduct unbecoming a Christian. Internal disputes rooted in lusts, deadly desires, fruitless fighting, and asking amiss. This is a worldly system that says that being on top is closer to God (James 4:4). God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
James 4:8 — You can be as close to God as you want to be.
James 4:15 — Ever hear someone say, “Lord willing, we will do this?” This verse is the root of that. It’s an application of Solomon’s message in Ecclesiastes – life is vanity, a vapor. Don’t start with your plans and consider God later; rather, start with the certainty of God and the possibility of your plans.
James 4:17 — And if you thought you had enough sins to remember, James just upped the ante above the entire 613 laws of the Old Testament! In this passage he declares that abstaining to do any good act is sin. The New Testament is not introducing an Age of Grace that ignores the Law; rather, it is the Age of Grace empowering us to finally obey the Law!
Psalm 118:24 — This is the day that the LORD has made!
Proverbs 28:5 — As we’ve read throughout Proverbs, the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
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