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. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Ezekiel returns to the watchman metaphor he used early in the book. I believe that God has made us watchmen (and women) to those around us. When God reveals to us that He is about to bring judgment against those around us for their wicked acts, we must warn them of the coming consequences of their actions. If we do not, God will hold us accountable for their suffering. If one the other hand, we do warn them of God’s impending judgment and they choose to not change their ways, then the results are on their own heads. Then he gives us a message to deliver. If the wicked will turn from their wickedness, they will be saved. On the other hand, if the righteous turn from righteousness to wickedness, they will die. If we deliver God’s message to people who they should do what is just and right, perhaps enough people will turn from their sin that God will withhold His judgment against this nation.
     Ezekiel goes on to tell the people that their numbers will not make them powerful in the face of their sins. He accuses them of being murderers, idolaters and adulterers. As such, why do they think that the land should be theirs? They measure those who speak God’s word as entertainers. They have no intention of following the instructions from God spoken by those speakers. They are too busy seeking after money and fulfilling their lustful desires. Does this not sound like many around us? Even how we sometimes judge a congregation?
“Oh, that pastor is a very good speaker, I enjoy hearing him preach.”
“Their worship service is so exciting, I always get a thrill from the singing.”
     How often do we talk about how convicted a service made us feel? About how a speaker’s sermon led us to change our ways?
     Then Ezekiel goes on and talks about how the shepherds set over God’s flock have allowed His sheep to be scattered and have kept the best parts for themselves. Ezekiel condemns them for failing to seek out God’s scattered sheep. Ezekiel tells us that God will send a shepherd who will seek out His scattered flocks, gather them and protect them from wild animals. Then he goes on to condemn the sheep for not being satisfied with having good pasture. No, the rich sheep destroy the pastures where the weak and needy sheep graze just because they can. The strong and well-fed sheep drove God’s sick and hungry sheep away and did not allow them to feed. How often are we like that? Fed and satisfied, driving away those who come seeking comfort and understanding because they aren’t “good enough”? God has sent His Shepherd to gather the sick and hungry to Him. His Shepherd will care for them, punishing the “healthy” sheep who attempt to drive them away from Him. I pray that I am not one who drives those seeking God’s healing away.

     The author of Hebrews sums up what he has written. He tells us that we should love our fellow believers as if we were siblings. We are to show hospitality to strangers because by doing so some have entertained God’s messengers without realizing it. We should remember those who are suffering as if we were suffering as they are. We should honor marriage and remain faithful to our wedding vows, for God will surely judge those who are immoral and adulterous.
     We are to be satisfied with what we have and not become worshipers of money. God will provide for our needs. He will not fail us, nor will He abandon us. Jesus does not change, so we should not become enamored of new and novel interpretations of what it means to be His followers. Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God and never forget to share with those in need. Doing good at every opportunity that God brings our way. All too often I have missed the opportunities to do good that God has given me.

     I will take no credit for any good that anyone may have experienced at my hands. What little good I have done in my life pales in comparison to the wonders that God has done for me. I will ever praise the Lord for He is my helper and my shield. Others may choose to worship material things, but I will worship and praise the eternal God.

     One tests the purity of silver or gold with fire, but the purity of people is tested by good times. It is more difficult to remain faithful to God in times of plenty than in times of trial. Fools will refuse to give up their foolishness even when it brings hard times upon them.

     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. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am back to a routine. It is not the same as my old routine, but I think it will work out well. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Ezekiel continues his prophecy against Egypt. But it is more than just a prophecy against Egypt. It is a prophecy against any nation or ruler that comes to believe that they are powerful in their own right and need not fear God. Ezekiel speaks of how Egypt will be brought low from great heights just as Assyria was. He discusses other nations that thought they were great and powerful, only to be brought low in God’s time for their sins. This is a lesson for us, we should never put our trust in worldly powers as sooner or later they will fail us. We must trust in God alone. We must also remember that God only raises up nations for as long as they serve His purpose in this world. When a nation stops furthering God’s purposes in this world He will bring it down.

     The writer tells us to work at living in peace with everyone and to work at being holy. It is not enough that we give a half-hearted effort at these things, we are to work at them. In addition, we should attempt to look after each other, so that all may receive the grace of God. We should strive to prevent bitterness from taking root, both in ourselves and in our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We must remember that we have come before God not in a time of fear and judgment but in a time of grace, with Jesus to mediate between us and the Almighty God. We should listen to the Spirit in this time of “shaking”. We must remember that the Kingdom which we are citizens of is unshakable and will not be shaken by any of the troubles of this world.

     Let us praise the Lord, there is no one to whom He can be compared. He chooses to honor the poor and needy among the princes and wealthy. The only glory and honor that we should seek should be that given out by God. Let us rely on Him and praise Him so that we might receive happiness from Him.
     The Lord will make obstacles get out of our way as we work at serving His will. As long as we are executing God’s will on this earth nothing will stand in our way and we will find whatever resources we need to complete the task near to hand.

     If we look out for the interests of those to whom we answer, we will be rewarded. It is possible to tell what is in a person’s heart by the way they live their life. No matter how much we have, it will not be enough to satisfy all of our wants.

     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. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I am sorry if my posts are not posted in a timely fashion for the next little while. Well, I have my power back, but I am still not able to get online in my normal routine because my Internet service has not been restored. I am able to post by using either the Internet at a friend’s house or by going to someplace that has free Wifi access. I am going to try to get something closer to my normal routine by writing down the passages for the next day and writing the blog offline. In addition, I usually compose these on my desktop PC and typing them on my laptop is a different experience. Please bear with me until I get back into my usual routine.

     No longer will it be said that sons will be judged for their fathers’ sins. God will judge each person according to their acts. If someone lives a sinful life, God will judge them accordingly. If their child lives a righteous life, God will reward them, regardless of their parent’s sinfulness. Further if someone is leading a sinful life and repents, turns from their sinful life and leads a righteous life, God will withhold judgment and reward them. On the other hand if someone who has been leading a righteous life turns to sin, God will punish them for their sins.

     The earthly tabernacle was divided into two parts, the outer tabernacle and the inner Holy of Holies. The priests went in and out of the outer tabernacle all of the time to perform the various acts of worship. But the inner tabernacle was only entered by the high priest once a year and then only with a sacrifice of blood. This was a symbol of the fact that the way into God’s presence had not yet been disclosed. The sacrifices offered in the earthly tabernacle were unable to perfect the worshiper since they were only sacrifices concerning the body.

     When the people of Israel entered into the Promised Land, they continued to sin against God despite all He had done for them. Rather than keep themselves pure and follow His commands, they adopted the practices of the people in the land. They sacrificed their sons and daughters to the idols, shedding innocent blood in their pursuit of other gods. God grew angry with them and gave them into the hands of their enemies. Yet, when they cried out to Him, He delivered them. Even so, they did not turn from their evil ways, instead returning to their idolatry and sin as soon as the crisis was past. When I read passages about how the people of Israel turned to idolatry and sacrificed their children, I cannot help but think of our society today. How we as a nation embrace the pursuit of pleasure over all else. How people are encouraged to pursue selfish pleasures at the expense of relationships. And yes, how we as a society encourage women to sacrifice their own children on the altar of pleasure in the form of having an abortion if bringing the child to term might be inconvenient for her or the man who fathered it. It is not enough to oppose abortion, we must oppose the idolatry of selfish pleasure that is behind it.

     I see that yesterday I did today’s proverb. So, today, I will do yesterday’s. Someone who is full does not enjoy even the sweetest food, but to someone who is famished even bitter foods are sweet. A pleasant scent makes us glad. In the same way, advice from someone who wishes us well is welcomed.