TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ezekiel 23:1-49
Hebrews 10:18-39
Psalm 109:1-31
Proverbs 27:13
Ezekiel 23:3 — This graphic description of Judah & Samaria’s unfaithfulness identifies a root in Egypt. EnduringWord.com notes:
While they were still in Egypt, God told Israel to forsake the Egyptian idols – and they did not (Ezekiel 20:5-8). As previously noted in Ezekiel 20, there were several evidences of Israel’s idolatry in Egypt:
The worship of the olden calf at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:1-6).
Joshua 24:14 made reference to their idolatry in Egypt
Jeroboam’s choice of golden calves as objects of worship (1 Kings 12:26-33).
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/ezekiel-chapter-23/
Ezekiel 23:39 — The same day they had slain their children for idols, they came into the Lord’s sanctuary. These people committed adultery (7th Commandment), idolatry (1st & 2nd Commandment), murder (6th Commandment), and profaned the sabbaths (4th Commandment). Half of the commandments broken in just two verses! Yet, they still came to the sanctuary!
Ezekiel 23:47 — After God laid out the case against Judea and Samaria, He announces the judgment. Death by stoning, the sword, and scorching fire. At the end, they would know who is their God.
Hebrews 10:18 — Our sin is remitted – not like cancer that is in “temporary recovery,” but “the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty.” The price is paid – my sin is gone!
Hebrews 10:19 — What is our job now that we are redeemed? Let’s look at what follows “therefore:”
- Consider the Priest (Hebrews 10:21) and Access the Holies (Hebrews 10:19) – We can enter God’s presence and fellowship with Him!
- Consider the Peers (Hebrews 10:24) and Assemble together (Hebrews 10:25)
- Consider the Punishment (Hebrews 10:28) and Act appropriately (Hebrews 10:26)
Hebrews 10:31 — This was the key verse for Jonathan Edward’s sermon ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.’
One church in Enfield, Connecticut, had been largely unaffected during the Great Awakening of New England. Edwards was invited by the pastor of the church to preach to them. Edwards’s aim was to teach his listeners about the horrors of hell, the dangers of sin, and the terrors of being lost. Edwards described the shaky position of those who do not follow Christ’s urgent call to receive forgiveness. Edwards was interrupted many times during the sermon by people moaning and crying out, “What shall I do to be saved?”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinners_in_the_Hands_of_an_Angry_God
Psalm 109:3 — The Psalmist knew the right way to deal with the wicked – “I give myself unto prayer.” Let’s pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
Psalm 109:27 — May God’s work point back to the hand that has done it!
Proverbs 27:13 — Surety for a stranger. It’s been awhile; this is not the first or second warning on “suretyship” we’ve noted.
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I have enjoyed reading through the Bible all year with this program. Thank you so much for the helpful comments and notes and pictures! I wish everybody could enjoy the blessings of God’s word all year in such a fine manner.