Bible reading for September 27 -- 28
Sept 27 -- Ezekiel 30 and Psalm 78:40-72
Sept 28 -- Ezekiel 31 and Psalm 79
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"Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Wail, "Alas for the day!" For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.'" (Ezekiel 30:2-3)
THE FAILURE OF EGYPT (CH 30-31). The greatness of Egypt (with her military power) was very attractive to the Judeans as a hedge against Babylonian power. But it would all be in vain (see also Jeremiah's words in Jer 46). Read more about these chapters here.
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"He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand." (Psalm 78:70-72)
THE SHEPHERD KING (Ps 78). This psalm of Asaph reflects on the dismal history of Israel's failures before God. One great need was for Israel to pass on truth from one generation to the next (vv 4-8). God gave the nation every blessing, but time and time again they rebelled against him and suffered judgment. One bright spot -- and the psalm ends on it -- is that there is hope in the lineage of David (vv 70-72). For a season the nation enjoyed the righteous rule (generally) of King David, who had a caring, shepherding heart to skillfully lead God's people in righteousness. In light of Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 this psalm leaves its hearers with the hope that another like him, and even better than him, will come and rule Israel with justice and into peace (2 Sam 7:16; Isa 9:7). This One is, as we know, the "Son of David" (Matt 1:1; 12:23; 21:9; 22:42), who is the the promised Messiah.
HOW LONG, O LORD? (Ps 79) This psalm is similar to Psalm 74. One difference: here there is a recognition of the role that their own sin played in bringing about such calamitous judgment (vv 8-9). Sometimes we suffer unjustly, sometimes justly. Sometimes, it may be a mixture of both. No matter, we must still humbly and patiently await God's final verdict on things.
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Image credit: source of photo unknown. About this newsletter: I'm Sandy Young, and I post three times a week on my Bible reading, following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson. Subscribe for email at Buttondown.email/Sandy. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. A very helpful resource is the NET Bible with its excellent notes at netbible.org.
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