November 6, 2016
The word of the Lord came to the prophet Ezekiel describing the way He had taken Israel as His bride when she was still weak and in the wilderness. As Boaz “spread the corner” (Ruth 3:9) of his garment over Ruth, so the Lord took Israel as His wife and redeemed her as His own. Yet, she did not remember their wedding “covenant” at Sinai. Instead of returning His love and commitment, she “played the whore” (v.15) with the idolatrous nations surrounding her. So God removed His protection and gave her over to those same nations for judgment. However, God does not “retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love” (Micah 7:18). He sent His only begotten Son to be as a Boaz Redeemer that He might purchase for Himself a bride from both Jew and Gentile those that would believe on Him.
November 5, 2016
Melchizedek, whose name means “King of Righteousness,” was the king of Salem (or “Shalom – Peace”), whom Abraham paid a tithe (Gen. 14). Quoting Psalm 110:4, the author of Hebrews spoke of the perpetuity of Melchizedek’s priesthood, showing that it predated the Levitical priesthood, and continues on after it to eternity. Though Jesus was born into the royal line of Judah and not the priestly line of Levi, His priesthood is superior because His priestly claim preceded Levi’s and is in every way superior to his. So then, what was the purpose of the Law and the Levitical priesthood? It was a foreshadowing and a tutor (Gal. 3:24) preparing the people of God for its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. In Him, the threefold office of Prophet, Priest and King are united. Christ is our Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, forever standing before the Father making intercession for us.
November 4, 2016
Ezekiel saw a vision that exposed the sin and idolatry of God’s people and the resulting departure of God’s glory. He witnessed the glory of the Lord moving out from the Holy of Holies, out of the Temple, and departing out through the Eastern gate to the top of the Mount of Olives. The holy God will not share His glory with another. “Ichabod–– the glory has departed” (1 Sam. 4:21). His glory and grace departed, so that His judgment and wrath might fall. Even so, Ezekiel saw God’s glory pause at the threshold of the Temple and at the Eastern gate, giving His people time to repent, but they did not. Yet someday, the glory of the Lord will return (Ezek. 43), the Messiah will come back through the Eastern gate to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
November 3, 2016
The author of Hebrews explained that the basic teachings about Christ had to be covered again with them, because they were not growing in their understanding of God’s Word. There are believers like this in every generation. They receive the Word, but don’t grow in it. Hebrews does not question their belief, but it does accuse them of spiritual dullness and failure to listen to God’s Word. People who don’t grow in God’s Word are subject to every wind of doctrine and false teaching. Like spiritual babes they only want milk and not the meat of Christian teaching. They are encouraged to grow up in their understanding, so that God’s Word affects their discernment of right and wrong.
November 2, 2016
Because of the mediatorial work of Christ, we are able to approach God’s throne with confidence. Christ is our Advocate and our Great High Priest, who continually stands before the Father on our behalf. We can have confidence that every prayer prayed in Jesus’ name is heard by the Father.
November 1, 2016
they will know that a prophet has been among them” (Ezekiel 2:5 ESV).
Ezekiel was thirty years old when God called him to be a prophet. God cautioned him not to base his sense of success on how the people responded, but on whether he was obedient to speak the Word to them. We can’t control whether others “hear or refuse to hear,” but we can determine to obey and share God’s Word ourselves. God doesn’t call us to be successful. God calls us to be faithful.
October 31, 2016
Jeremiah lamented over the fall of Jerusalem and the dire condition of his people. He described their hunger and homelessness, but most of all their spiritual brokenness. He lifted his lament up to the Lord that He might show them mercy and “restore” them. Where do you put your grief and pain when a time of mourning comes your way? Jeremiah knew how to give it to the Lord and ask for renewal and restoration. Cry out to the One who can turn your mourning into dancing again!
October 30, 2016
Jeremiah’s lament for Israel’s condition turned from complaint to calling. He invited his people to join him in repentance. “Test” your motives. “Examine” your actions. Where either are out of alignment with the Lord’s, let us “return!” Our criterion is Christ and His Word. Wherever we have moved or acted contrary to Christ, let us repent and return to Him!
October 29, 2016
The fiery strife of gossip and intrigue quickly goes out when the wicked “whisperer” is removed. Contentious talebearers must be treated as incendiaries. We must refuse to listen to their gossip, correcting them for such talk. And if they refuse to stop such inflammatory backbiting, we must break fellowship with them. Strife soon ceases and peace follows when those who fuel quarreling with their words are silent.
October 28, 2016
As Paul gave Titus final instructions on supplying the needs of visiting ministers before sending them on their way, he gave this instruction concerning a believer’s readiness “to help cases of urgent need.” In Paul’s day, there were no civil emergency workers, no firefighters, no paramedics, and no 911 to call. The members of the early church learned to be ready to help with urgent needs. It was this combination of the gospel message and gospel compassion that turned the world upside down and increased the spread of the gospel. When plagues, persecutions, wars, famines or even hurricanes came, the gospel was carried in the same hands that carried help for those in need. In this day of tight schedules and busy-ness, are we learning to “devote” ourselves to this kind of readiness to help those with an “urgent need?” Our readiness to help is often the key to their readiness to hear.