TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ezekiel 3:16-6:14
Hebrews 4:1-16
Psalm 104:24-35
Proverbs 26:27
Ezekiel 3:18 — The scariest words in the Old Testament: “… his blood will I require at thine hand.” God has given us a message to warn the wicked that they shall die in their sins (Romans 6:23). If we do not warn him, he will die for his sins; he will receive the just punishment of his deeds, but God will hold us accountable.
Ezekiel 3:20 — When we see a Christian falling into temptation, we have the same responsibility!
Ezekiel 3:26-27 — May this be our prayer: “LORD, keep my mouth shut when I need to keep it shut, and keep it open when I need to keep it open!”
Ezekiel 4:1 — BibleBlender.com has some interesting visual depictions of what this scene may have looked like.
Ezekiel 4:5 — Over a year Ezekiel lay on his left side, and for over a month he lay on his right side.
Ezekiel 4:15 — Ezekiel the priest was revulsed by what was coming and asked God, “Are you sure?” God was not instituting a new dispensation here (Acts 10:15), just illustrating how desperate the country would get. Thus, He allowed Ezekiel to prepare his bread with cow dung rather than human dung.
Ezekiel 5:3 — God’s pictures were very graphic. The preaching hadn’t made a difference, so God tried another technique to teach His people.
Ezekiel 6:7 — God is judging sin harshly so that His people “shall know that I am the LORD.” Four times in this chapter we read this purpose for God’s actions. He will not abandon His bride that has gone “a whoring after their idols.” (Ezekiel 6:9)
Ezekiel 6:10 — “I have not said in vain.” Deuteronomy 27 contained the curses of Mount Ebal. They were not in vain. God doesn’t say, “Try harder next time!”
Hebrews 4:12 — How can we keep our hearts from hardening? How can we know we can enter the rest? How can we not fall victim to unbelief?
- Through the Scripture of God … our powerful Hope!
- Through the Sight of God … our omniscient Creator!
- Through the Son of God … our empathetic Priest!
Hebrews 4:14-16 — Here’s another great doctrinal insight:
- Hebrews 4:14 – Jesus is transcendent – He has the ability – He CAN help us
- Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus is immanent – He has the experience – He WILL help us
- Hebrews 4:16 – Let’s GO to God. His throne of grace is accessible. Compare this to the inaccessible Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24).
Psalm 104:34 — Take time to enjoy the sweetness of our LORD. Don’t let the cares of the world drag you down.
Proverbs 26:27 — As Patch the Pirate shares with us, “You Reap What You Sow.”
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