I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

     Ezekiel prophesies that when God brings judgment upon a country because of the sins of its people, the righteous will be unable to save anyone other than themselves. The time is coming when the sins of nations will be visited upon them. When that day comes, your parent’s righteousness will not spare you from the suffering and your righteousness will not spare your children. However, inherent in this prophecy from Ezekiel is the promise of God that those who righteously serve Him will be spared the coming suffering.

     The writer explains that the requirements for joining the old priestly order was set aside because it was incapable of transforming sinful humans into perfect images of God. The law, and the priesthood which it established, were set aside in favor of a more effective system. The old system required a multitude of priests because death ended their service as priests. However, Jesus lives forever and death is unable to end his priesthood.

     I will strive to act justly and do what is right because blessings will follow…sometimes just the blessings of knowing that I have done what is right. I will give thanks to the Lord and praise His name because He has cared for me despite my sinfulness. I will ask His Spirit to teach me to do what is right.

     It is dangerous to incur someone’s anger or to cause them to lose their temper, but jealousy is the most dangerous emotion. It is more beneficial to receive am open put down than to be loved by someone who will not show it. We are better off when friends tell us we are wrong than when our enemies praise us.