Category: Daily Encouragement

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!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

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 mile wide 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!

1. 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.
2. Concentrate on the task – don’t be distracted with the lusts of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life.
3. 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!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Ezekiel 44:1-45:12
  1 Peter 1:1-12
  Psalm 119:17-32
  Proverbs 28:8-10

Ezekiel 44:4 — What did Ezekiel do when he encountered the glory of the LORD? He fell on his face! Some day we’ll see the glory of the LORD, and we’ll be in the presence of the One who died for us!

Ezekiel 44:9 — Ezekiel bears record of God’s immigration requirements. Notice the reference to “uncircumcised in heart.” Paul picks up on this in Romans 2:25-29 and goes back to Deuteronomy 30:6 where God promises to circumcise our heart so we can love the LORD wholeheartedly!

Ezekiel 44:31 — Notice the similarities between this chapter and Leviticus 22. God is reconsecrating the priesthood for a future responsibility!

Ezekiel 45:8 — God will reform the priesthood and the political princes in the future! All of these passages remind us that God is not done with Israel yet!

1 Peter 1:8 — Hilton Griswold, pianist for the Blackwood Brothers, performing “Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory!”

1 Peter 1:11 — Notice that the prophets did not know what they were prophesying about! They studied what they said because they did not understand it! We now understand more than Ezekiel did! That is why we who have not seen Jesus (1 Peter 1:8) can rejoice with “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” We haven’t seen the wheel in a wheel or the visions of temples future. We haven’t seen Jesus in bodily form, and, unlike Thomas, we haven’t put our fingers in His nail-scarred hands, but we love Him, and believe Him, and He gives us joy! Peter will talk later about this “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19).

Psalm 119:18 — As we approach His Word, let’s pray that God will open our eyes!

Psalm 119:27 — Notice throughout this passage the seeming conflict between the active psalmist (“I have kept thy testimonies” – Psalm 119:22, “thy servant did meditate” – Psalm 119:23, “I have chosen the way of truth” – Psalm 119:30, and “I have stuck unto thy testimonies” – Psalm 119:31) with the dependent psalmist (“Open thou mine eyes” – Psalm 119:18, “hide not thy commandments from me” – Psalm 119:19, “teach me thy statutes” – Psalm 119:26, and “make me to understand” – Psalm 119:27). How do we reconcile these two? Are we supposed to work? Are we to wait on God working in us?

Psalm 119:32 — This verse reconciles the conflict! God will change our heart so we can run. As Christians we have received the LORD (Colossians 2:6), so we are to walk in Him. We don’t have an excuse for not obeying God; He changed our heart and put His Spirit in us!

Proverbs 28:9 — God has given us His revelation. If we ignore it, He won’t hear our prayers.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Ezekiel 42:1-43:27
  James 5:1-20
  Psalm 119:1-16
  Proverbs 28:6-7

Ezekiel 43:2 — The Glory of the God of Israel! This is the same glory that departed from the temple (Ezekiel 10:18), from Jerusalem, to the Mount of Olives (Ezekiel 11:23). It’s returning from the Mount of Olives, back into the Temple, into the inner court of the Ezekiel Temple!

Ezekiel 43:7 — Who is the glory? From Jimmy DeYoung:

This passage of the prophecy written by the ancient Jewish Prophet Ezekiel is the foretelling of the day that Jesus will return to Jerusalem with the Jews that He has retrieved from the safety of the unique city of Petra. This is the climax of the seven years of terrible judgment on the Earth.

Jesus will have returned to the Earth just days earlier and after building His Temple in Jerusalem, Zechariah 6:12, He will go to the Jezreel Valley for the Battle of Armageddon. Then Jesus will make His way to Petra, Isaiah 63:1-6, to gather the Jews that will have been protected in a “place prepared by God”, Revelation 12:6, for the last half of the seven year Tribulation Period.

They will make their way from Petra, verse 2, across the Jordan Valley, up the back side of the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley and then enter through the “Eastern Gate”, verse 4, and up onto the Temple Mount.

In this passage the word “glory”, used four times, is referring to the person of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. In the record found in the Old Testament of when the “ark of the covenant” was brought into the Temple, 1 Kings 8, the “glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” This is what happens as this prophecy is fulfilled.

http://devotional.prophecytoday.com/2018/01/ezekiel-437.html

Ezekiel 43:10 — These passages are the greatest proof that God isn’t done with Israel yet. From EnduringWord.com:

“Again, the very detail of the description was assurance to Israel that this was real. Their restoration would be real. This made it important for Ezekiel to write it down in their sight.”

Ezekiel 43:19 — Why in the eschatological future do we have sin offerings? As the Old Testament sin offerings looked forward to the sin offering of Jesus, the Ezekiel Temple offerings look back to His sin offering.

James 5:1 — On days that the stock market goes down, there are billions lost by the tech titans. Be glad your treasure is not in this world (Matthew 6:21).

James 5:12 — Tell the truth, till the day you die!

James 5:16 — Why are there so many sick in churches? In addition to the biological causes, are we seeing people suffering from spiritual maladies? Unconfessed sin breeds bitterness which has many physiological symptoms.

Psalm 119:1 — Welcome back to Psalm 119! We’ve read in Romans that the Law has dominion over us (Romans 7:1). Perhaps you’re a little unhappy with the fact that the Law has dominion. We should be because we can’t keep the Law. But with the Spirit (Romans 8:4) we can have life. Our struggle is not keeping the Law because the Holy Spirit enables us to live the life the Law commanded but could not give us. We can now live the blessings of Psalm 119!

• Blessing (Psalm 119:1, 2)
• Freedom from sin (Psalm 119:3, 11)
• Freedom from shame (Psalm 119:6)
• Joy (Psalm 119:14, 16)

Psalm 119:11-12 — Memorize with Earl Martin!

Proverbs 28:7 — Keeping the Law is the path of wisdom. Of course, it’s impossible without the Spirit’s help, but with the Spirit and the Word (Psalm 119:9), the son can gain wisdom on his way!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

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).

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Ezekiel 39:1-40:27
  James 2:18-3:18
  Psalm 118:1-18
  Proverbs 28:2

Ezekiel 39:1 — Notice the repeat from the previous chapter (similar to Genesis 1 and Genesis 2). From EnduringWord.com:

In Hebrew literature it was common to give an account and then to repeat it to give emphasis and a few additional details. Ezekiel 39:1-8 is a summary of what was described in Ezekiel 38.

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/ezekiel-chapter-39/

Ezekiel 39:2 — Notice the size of the destruction: 83% of the army is wiped out! It will take seven years to burn the captured weapons (Ezekiel 39:9)! Why would they burn the weapons?

Usually weapons left by a defeated enemy would be added to the victor’s cache of arms. After all, there would be other battles to fight. The war against Gog was to be no ordinary war. It will be the final battle, whose conclusion will make armaments obsolete.”

Bruce Vawter and Leslie J. Hoppe

Ezekiel 39:22 — Again one of the 80 times we read that God acts so that people can know He is the LORD their God! Give God your attention and your obedience before He has to compel it!

Ezekiel 40 — Here’s a 3D Model of the Temple (this really helps when reading the chapter):

A 2D Sketch of what it could look like:

Here’s another sketch of Ezekiel’s Temple:

James 2:21 — Martin Luther famously referred to James as “a right strawy epistle,” because you like him may have run into people that claim James teaches “justification by works.” Let’s see what James means by “works.” James did not say Abraham was justified by the amount he gave to Melchizedek in tithes or in his lifetime of good deeds, but James points to one solitary action. Let’s look at how this incident is recorded across Scripture:

• Genesis 22:1-2 – “God did tempt Abraham … offer him there for a burnt offering”
• Hebrews 11:17 – “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac”
• James 2:21 – “Abraham … justified by works, when he had offered Isaac”

God tried Abraham, Abraham had faith in God, and Abraham proved his faith by obedience.

If you want to say (in spite of cross-referencing) that James is saying you can be justified by doing generic good works, let’s look at the key text that says you can work your way to heaven: Leviticus 18:5. “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.” Moses repeats it in Deuteronomy 4:1. The prophets come back to this theme (Nehemiah 9:29, Isaiah 55:3, Ezekiel 18:9, Ezekiel 20:11, Ezekiel 20:13). Jesus reiterated there is life for those who keep the commandments (Luke 10:28). Paul echoes it as well (Romans 10:5, Galatians 3:12).

If you want to be saved by the Law and claim James as your proof text, then you better backup to James 2:10 that we read yesterday and remind yourself that you better keep all 613 laws perfectly for your entire life! See Romans 3:23 before attempting!

James 3:8 — James compares the tongue to a bridle for a horse (James 3:3), a rudder for a ship (James 3:4), and a fire (James 3:5-6). It can bless God and curse men (James 3:9). As James says, if you claim to be a Christian, you should act like a Christian (James 3:10).

Psalm 118:6 — As Carl Kerby says, “Be Bold! Trust God! Do His will, and He will protect you!“

Proverbs 28:2 — Bureaucrats are part of the judgment of the land. There are over 2 million employees of the U.S. government, not counting the postal service or the military. If you are a government employee, Solomon is not saying your work is bad. He’s saying that many federal jobs would be unnecessary if this were a nation of righteous people (there are 105,000 full time federal law enforcement officers alone).

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Ezekiel 37:1-38:23
  James 1:19-2:17
  Psalm 117:1-2
  Proverbs 28:1

Ezekiel 37:3 — Ezekiel didn’t have the answers but was full of obedience (Ezekiel 37:7). Contrast this humble servant to the arrogant rebel Jonah who was full of answers (Jonah 4:2) but didn’t have obedience (Jonah 1:3).

Ezekiel 37:12 — Further on in this chapter we’ll read about the coming King (Ezekiel 37:24). When that King made a way for man to connect to God (Matthew 27:51), this passage was literally fulfilled (Matthew 27:52). The bones came together (Ezekiel 37:7), breath came into them (Ezekiel 37:10), the graves opened, and they came out into the land of Israel (Ezekiel 37:12).

Ezekiel 37:19 — This is the “two sticks prophecy.” What does it mean? Does it refer to the union of the people who will reign with Christ with those who will dwell on the New Earth as the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach? Does it refer to the union of the Bible and the Book of Mormon as the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons or LDS) teaches? Does it refer to the union of non-Jewish believers and Jewish believers under Torah observance? Does it refer to two Jewish nations that will exist in the Tribulation as Jimmy DeYoung teaches? I’m inclined to see it partially fulfilled in the post-Exilic Israel. God gathered them together into the one nation, but I don’t think it was fully fulfilled because the King has not yet come (Ezekiel 37:22).

Ezekiel 37:24 — Ezekiel often repeats his key themes. The end fulfillment will be David the King ruling over Israel dwelling in their land (Ezekiel 37:25), as part of an everlasting covenant (Ezekiel 37:26), faithful to the LORD (Ezekiel 37:27). This hasn’t happened yet; there is no King in Israel. King Alexander Jannaeus of the Hasmonean Dynasty in the first century BC reclaimed much of the land, but he illegally combined the office of King and Priest. Additionally, he was by no means identified as a peacemaker (Ezekiel 37:26).

Ezekiel 38:2 — What is this battle of Gog and Magog? From Jimmy DeYoung:

In verse 2, “Magog” is modern-day Russia, “Meshech and Tubal” along with “Gomer and Togarmah”, in verse 6 is present-day Turkey. “Persia” in verse 5 is Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The other two names, “Ethiopia and Libya”, are also nations that will join the “alignment” to attack Israel.

These nations make up the “who” in this passage. The “when” is revealed to us in two verses, verses 8 and 11. These verses speak of the time when the Jewish people come back into the land in the last days and are “dwelling safely” in the land. They also will be living in “unwalled villages”.

Both terms are referring to a time when there is “peace” in the land. It will not be the time when Jesus has brought “peace” but a time of a “pseudo-peace” one that will be a “short-lived” peace. This “peace” comes when the Antichrist has established a “peace” in the land, which is in the very beginning of the Tribulation.

The “what” is the unfolding of the war to destroy the Jewish people and take the “land” that God has given the Jews. As these nations attack Israel, God intercedes, verses 18 to 23. Couple this with the verses found in Ezekiel 39, verses 1 to 6, and you come to an understanding that the Lord protects His “Chosen People”.

http://devotional.prophecytoday.com/2015/11/ezekiel-3818.html

Ezekiel 38:22 — How will God judge Gog & Magog? Similar to how He judged Sodom and Gomorrah – with fire and brimstone (Genesis 19:24, Luke 17:29). The earthly judgment is but a foreshadowing of the eternal Lake of Fire and brimstone (Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 21:8).

James 1:21 — The best illustration of “superfluity of naughtiness” was from an evangelist who told about a new intern on his team, who was tasked with emptying the sewage tank on the evangelist’s RV. If you haven’t dumped an RV, it is an interesting experience! Apparently the hose wasn’t connected properly, and gallons of raw sewage poured out over the new intern, covering him in a “superfluity of naughtiness!” It’s a vivid picture of the despicableness of sin.

James 1:22 – James points out some behaviors are incompatible with the Christian life:

• Lazy listeners (James 1:22)
• Loose tongues (James 1:26)
• Leaving the fatherless and widows (James 1:27)
• Leaning to the rich (James 2:1)

James 2:10 — There were 613 laws under the Torah. James declares that we can keep 612 of the commandments perfectly, and yet still break the entire Law!

James 2:14 — James declared in James 2:10 that we cannot keep the Law. Those who try to be saved by works fall greatly short. We are saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8, Titus 3:5). But a person who displays behaviors incompatible with the Christian life needs to go back to the warning passages of Hebrews and realize that Jesus said we can know a Christian by his fruits (Matthew 7:15). James is reiterating what Jesus said, “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” (Matthew 7:18).

James 2:17 — Jesus said “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit” (faith without works) “is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). We are commanded to bear much fruit (John 15:8). This is why we were created (Ephesians 2:10). But we cannot do good works without the antecedent of faith, for our good works are but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The proof that we have turned from sin to Christ is that we Bring Forth Fruit!

Psalm 117:1 — Worship need not always be long, but it should be frequent! Reminds me of 1 John 4:9 – Why do we love Him? Because He first loved us!

Proverbs 28:1 — We need some Christians that are bold as a lion to take the news of Jesus to people everywhere!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Ezekiel 35:1-36:38
  James 1:1-18
  Psalm 116:1-19
  Proverbs 27:23-27

Ezekiel 35:2 – Why is God focusing on the Edomites (the residents of Mount Seir)? From EnduringWord.com:

Alexander noted a long history of conflict between the Edomites and the kings of Israel (and Judah), during the reigns of: Saul (1 Samuel 14:47), Solomon (1 Kings 11:14–22), Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:1–23), Jehoram (2 Kings 8:21), Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:17).

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/ezekiel-chapter-35/

Ezekiel 36:4 – There is something special about being in the land of the Bible. I’m proud to be an American, but America doesn’t possess a land that was prophesied to her. The Old Testament is full of descriptions of mountains (518x),  hills (136x), rivers (247x), valleys (166x), even wastes (88x). The Old Testament is rooted in geography, and there is no better way to study the land of the Bible than in the land of the Bible!

Ezekiel 36:11 – From Jimmy DeYoung:

The Lord even promises the Jews that the land they return to in the last days will be better than it was in the days of their forefathers, verse 11. By doing these things, for the Jews, with His promised land, they shall know that He is the Lord and they shall turn to Him.

Each year, around May 14, the Jewish people celebrate the “birthday” of the Jewish State of Israel and the productivity of the land He has given these Jewish people. This celebration of God’s work in fulfilling His promises about the “land of Israel” has been a witness to the entire world …

It’s not because of Israel or Judah that the Lord does what He does, but for “His Holy names sake.” By the way, that is why He does anything for each of us, as well, for “His Holy names sake.”

http://devotional.prophecytoday.com/search/label/Ezekiel

Ezekiel 36:26 – This verse is almost a repeat of Ezekiel 11:29. God’s not promising rehabilitation but transformation! He’s giving us the power of His Spirit to obey His statutes (Ezekiel 36:27)! Throughout the Old Testament we see disobedience after disobedience. Now we can walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

James 1:5 – This verse is often the hasty prayer of the student who has neglected his studies, yet too many adults neglect this passage when needing wisdom. We don’t need Dr. Phil, Dr. Laura, or Oprah giving us wisdom! We need the LORD’s wisdom!

James 1:9-10 – Matthew 23:12, Proverbs 29:23, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14, James 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:6 all teach that the humble are exalted, and the exalted are humbled. Flip through the television channels and you’ll find that American culture prizes the fastest athletes, the winning politicians, the famous Kardashians, the people who get the most screen time, etc. God’s priorities are completely opposite.

James 1:12 – There are five crowns that are possible for believers to receive:

• Incorruptible Crown – 1 Corinthians 9:25 – for the faithful
• Crown of Rejoicing – 1 Thessalonians 2:19 – for the witness
• Crown of life – James 1:12 – for the tempted
• Crown of righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8 – for the watching
• Crown of glory – 1 Peter 5:4 – for the pastors

James 1:14 – Don’t boast in the fact that you are not tempted to drink, steal, commit fornication, etc., if you are tempted to view pornography, lie, and be proud. James warns us that we are “… drawn away by (our) own desires and enticed.” (NKJV) A pastor referred to these as “designer lusts,” i.e. custom designed lusts to hit our weak points! Beware! They bring forth death (James 1:15)!

Psalm 116:6 – Speaking of the low – God helps those who are low!

Psalm 116:18 – Not everyone pays their vows right away, but God remembers them. From the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA):

While clinging to a life raft, Zamperini prayed for one of the first times in his life: “God, if I survive this ordeal and get back to America alive, I’ll seek You and serve You.”

[Four years after the war,] For the first time in years, Zamperini remembered the promise he made to God when he was floating in the south Pacific.

“My life passed before my eyes, and I saw an ugly life,” Zamperini said. “Yes, I had a lot of great times. A lot of great experiences, and a lot of escapes from death, but I still didn’t like my life after the war. It was terrible.”

That night in L.A., Zamperini went forward and accepted Christ, and the biggest miracle of his life was set in motion.

https://billygraham.org/story/louis-zamperini-billy-graham-and-a-life-changing-decision-the-rest-of-the-unbroken-story/

Proverbs 27:23 – The Son of the Shepherd King knew the importance of managing flocks. Whether a pastor, manager, or parent, this is a command for all of us.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Ezekiel 33:1-34:31
  Hebrews 13:1-25
  Psalm 115:1-18
  Proverbs 27:21-22

Ezekiel 33:7 — This echoes Ezekiel 3:17. The challenge of this passage using the watchmen as an example is actually an expansion from the five verses of Ezekiel 3:17-21 to the nine verses in Ezekiel 33:1-9. The question is, though, does this warning apply to us today?

The Temple laws of Moses were specific to a certain people and a certain building. The warning of Ezekiel to Tyre and Egypt were specific to a certain people at a certain time, but this passage is different. Ezekiel is given by God a universal principal and not a ceremonial command. Ezekiel was specifically appointed a watchman to Israel, but the context implies that there are others who could be called watchmen as well. In contrast to those that say the church is not responsible for the Great Commission, we have the same message that Ezekiel had, but to a different people and a different time.

• The wicked shall die (Ezekiel 33:8)
• The “righteous” will die as well (Ezekiel 33:12-13)
• Turning (Repentance) saves from death (Ezekiel 33:11)
• Our sins can be blotted out (Ezekiel 11:16)

Ezekiel 33:17 — Jeffrey Dahmer was one of the worst serial killers. Sodomized, murdered, dismembered, and cannibalized 17 men and boys over 13 years. Found legally sane.

On July 22nd, 1991, he was caught. He said “For what I did I should be dead.” Over the next two weeks, he confessed to everything. Shortly after he asked for a Bible. He sought legal help from a prominent Christian lawyer in the area. According to his father, books from the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) led him from evolution to the Creator and then to becoming a born again Christian. Yes, it is possible for the wicked to live, and the righteous to die (Ezekiel 33:18-19)!

Ezekiel 33:24 — Israel was trusting in their strength, yet God was judging them for their sin!

Ezekiel 33:25 — In both the Old (Genesis 9:4) and New Testaments (Acts 15:29) God has condemned the eating of blood. The sins that Israel committed (Ezekiel 33:26-27) were universal – condemned in both Testaments.

Ezekiel 33:32 — Be a doer and not just a hearer (James 1:22)!

Ezekiel 34:17 — The Lord GOD (Yahweh Adonai) declares that He, the Shepherd of the flock, will judge between the rams and the goats. What did Jesus say in Matthew 25:32? He said that He would “… separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats …” Jesus claimed to be the Yahweh Adonai of Ezekiel 34:17. Now why wasn’t He stoned for this? Because it was told to the disciples privately (Matthew 24:3) as part of the Olivet Discourse. Those who had followed their rabbi, Y’shua, would not betray Him, save one.

Ezekiel 34:23 — Who is the Shepherd? David, the Shepherd King who wrote of the Lord as Shepherd (Psalm 23), was dead. In John 10:11, Jesus claims to be the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd of Ezekiel 34:23 is prophesied to come, but in this passage is not identified with the LORD as it was in Ezekiel 34:17. Interestingly, this a-divine (not divine, nor anti-divine) claim of identification was made to the Pharisees (John 9:40).

Ezekiel 34:26 — There shall be showers of blessing!

Ezekiel 34:30-31 — This echoes Psalm 100:3 – we should know that the LORD is God, that we are His people, and that we are the sheep of His pasture!

Hebrews 13:2 — The Epistles contain many hard to understand statements about angels. We shall judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). The reason for head coverings is because of angels (1 Corinthians 11:10). We might be secretly visited by angels (Hebrews 13:2). We understand things angels don’t (1 Peter 1:12).

Also note the wide variety of people covered in this one chapter:

• Brothers (Hebrews 13:1)
• Angels (Hebrews 13:2)
• Inmates (Hebrews 13:3)
• Adulterers (Hebrews 13:4)
• Christians (Hebrews 13:5)
• Oppressors (Hebrews 13:6)
• Pastors (Hebrews 13:7)
• Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8)
• False Teachers (Hebrews 13:9)
• Levites (Hebrews 13:10)
• Beasts (Hebrews 13:11)

Hebrews 13:6 — From Earl Martin:

Hebrews 13:23 — The Pulpit Commentary thinks that this shows Hebrews was written by Dr. Luke:

It is observable that the word ἀπολύεσθαι, which does not occur in St. Paul’s writings, is, like so many expressions throughout the Epistle, one usual with St. Luke (Luke 22:68; Luke 23:16, etc.; Acts 3:13; Acts 4:21; where it expresses release from prison or captivity). He uses it also for dismissal of persons on a mission (Acts 13:3; Acts 15:30); and hence one view is that Timothy’s having already set out to visit the Church addressed is all that is here meant.

https://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-23.htm

Psalm 115:1 — Praise begins with humility!

Proverbs 27:22 — Several possible interpretations abound:

• Is a man known by the type of people who praise him?
• Is a man known by his behavior while praised?
• Is a man known by what he is praised for?
• Is a man to test the people who praise him? 

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Ezekiel 31:1-32:32
  Hebrews 12:14-29
  Psalm 113:1-114:8
  Proverbs 27:18-20

Ezekiel 31:10 — God hates pride in case you haven’t noticed. Daniel uses the same phrase (“… lifted up thyself …”) when speaking of God’s judgment against Belshazzar (Daniel 5:23).

Ezekiel 32:7 — When will these events be? Ezekiel doesn’t say, but looking at other passages we can tell. Isaiah 13:10 talks about the Day of the LORD when the moon will not give its light. Matthew 24:29 says that this immediately follows the Great Tribulation.

Hebrews 12:15 — What do we know about this root of bitterness?

• It’s crafty – people don’t see it unless they know what they’re looking for
• It’s costly – taking away the grace of God
• It’s concerning – “trouble you”
• It’s corrupting – “many be defiled”

Hebrews 12:24 — Why is Jesus better? An ignorant beast that touched the Holy Mountain of Moses was to be stoned. Now, we are invited to the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:22).

Psalm 113:3 — I need to spend more time praising the LORD!

Psalm 113:6 — We pride ourselves on how big of a position we have attained on earth. The LORD “humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!”

Psalm 114:7 — We need a return to the fear of the LORD.

Proverbs 27:18 — Are we faithful in our service to our master?

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.