TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ezekiel 45:13-46:24
1 Peter 1:13-2:10
Psalm 119:33-48
Proverbs 28:11
Ezekiel 45:18 — Instead of putting the blood on the walls of the peoples’ houses (Exodus 12:7), the blood is put on the walls of the Temple. From Adam Clarke:
There is nothing of this in the Mosaic law; it seems to have been a new ceremony. An annual purification of the sanctuary may be intended.
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/clarke/ezekiel/45.htm
Ezekiel 46:1 — Nehemiah 13:19 records how Nehemiah shut the gate for the Sabbath, but this gate is open only on the Sabbath. Interestingly, the Prince (Ezekiel 46:2) is not able to prepare his own offering; we still see a distinction between the political and the priestly roles. We’ll see this gate open again in Ezekiel 46:12, interestingly, to connect the Temple with the Mount of Olives.
Ezekiel 46:16 — Another clue as to the identity of the Prince. Is it a resurrected David? Possibly. Is it Jesus? Unlikely because the Prince offers a sin offering for himself and for the people. Was it Zerubbabel? Unlikely because Zerubbabel did not have a milewide temple in a city almost as wide as modern Israel. Whoever it is would be of the Davidic line, however.
1 Peter 1:13 — Get ready! Jesus is coming! What is the point of prophecy? So we can pass a test and recite the identities of the ten toes? No!
- Clean up our minds – don’t let the loins drag in the dirt. We don’t have time to be stuck in the muck of the world. The Art of Manliness has an illustrated guide of how you can gird up your loins.
- Concentrate on the task – don’t be distracted with the lusts of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life.
- Confidence in the end – hope, a sure foundation that trusts in the grace of Jesus’ return.
1 Peter 1:15 — Peter returns to the theme of Leviticus. He echoes Leviticus 11:44-45 and transitions to a new model of comparison – the LORD Jesus! No, we can’t say we’re better than the Joneses; we have to see how we line up compared to the God of eternity!
1 Peter 1:19 — Martha Garvin shares with us how we’ve been Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb!
1 Peter 1:25 — The only two things that will last forever are God’s Word and the souls of people.
1 Peter 2:9 — From Earl Martin:
1 Peter 2:9 — This is the fourth time in the Bible that God uses the phrase “peculiar people.” Notice also the phrase “royal priesthood.” We are both royalty (as adopted children of the King) and priests – able to access God’s throne at any time.
Psalm 119:33 — Again, we see the submissive obedience to the Word of God. Teach me, and I shall keep it. Give me understanding, and I shall observe it (Psalm 119:34). Make me to go, and I will delight in it (Psalm 119:35). We need God’s help to learn, understand, and go in His ways!
Psalm 119:48 — Scripture reading isn’t just a morning activity. Meditate on it throughout the day!
Proverbs 28:11 — Riches pale in comparison to wisdom and understanding. Don’t make the foolish choice!
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