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  Bible reading for weekend September 17 -- 19 Sep 17 -- Ezekiel 20 and Psalms 66-67 Sep 18 -- Ezekiel 21 and Psalm 68 Sep 19 -- Ezekiel 22 and Psalm 69 ================   "But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt." (Ezekiel 20:9) FOR THE SAKE OF HIS NAME (ch 20). The elders come to Ezekiel to inquire from the Lord. But surely one cannot legitimately pray to God -- the only God -- while also looking to other gods for help (Ex 19:4-6; 20:3-6). God alone is the Source of all life and blessing. This chapter gives an historical recap of Israel's continued rejection of the Lord. He judged them in righteousness, but also in mercy spared them (vv 13, 17). God's redemption, then as now, has the purpose of revealing God's glory, making his name known -- "for the sake of my name." Whether in judgment ...

  Bible reading for Aug 30 -- 31 Aug 30 -- Ezekiel 2 and Psalm 38 Aug 31 -- Ezekiel 3 and Psalm 39 ================   "But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house." (Ezekiel 3:27) A COMMISSION (ch 2). Like Isaiah before him (Isa 6), and his contemporary Jeremiah in Jerusalem, Ezekiel is called to be God's prophet. Like the Apostle John (Rev 1:17) he is overwhelmed by the glory of God. The term "son of man" (v 1, 3, 6, 8)  means a human, a man, someone with a human nature. When Jesus later uses that term for himself (Matt 24:30; 26:64) it is in reference to Daniel's use of the term of the being (human) who comes from heaven (Dan 7:13-14). Like many of the prophets Ezekiel will also find that people will be not receptive to his message. But he is not to be afraid, but rather to be o...

Bible reading for Aug 7.  Judges 21. "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25)  AND SO IT ENDS. The tribes who attacked the cities of Benjamin grieve over the loss of their kinsmen and over the uncertain future of that tribe. Their solution to finding wives fits with the tenor of the period of the Judges. At least the Israelites felt compassion for their fellow countrymen (vv 3, 6, 15). So ends the chapter, and book, and in fact the tragic history of any nation where "everyone does what is right in his own eyes."  Written also during the period of Judges, the next book, Ruth, will be a bright ray of grace, and faithfulness, and hope for the people of Israel.  TAKEAWAY. One side note to this ending is that a remnant of the tribe of Benjamin survived. The theme of "remnant" runs throughout the Bible (Rom 11:1-6). Amazingly, by God's grace, the Apostle Paul was a descendant of thi...

Bible reading for Aug 6.  Judges 20. "'Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.' But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel."  (Judges 20:13)  CIVIL WAR. The events of the previous chapter lead to a battle between the cities of Benjamin and the rest of the tribes of Israel. The city of Gibeah (a Benjaminite city) refuses to give up any of their guilty citizens for judgment, so warfare ensues. The battle develops just like the siege of Ai in Joshua 7-8. From that we see that the nation, rather than removing the idolatrous influences in their land, finally have become like the pagan nations and now must be judged in the same way. Thousands die in the fighting.  REFLECT. How is it that people who claim to belong to God can descend into such debauchery? Why is it that immorality and injustice, when not dealt with, seem inevitably ...

Bible reading for Aug 4.  Judges 18. "And the priest's heart was glad. He took the ephod and the household gods and the carved image and went along with the people." (Judges 18:20)  STRANGE RELIGION, PART 2. We have seen the general decline of the people of Israel during this time into compromise, inter-marriage, idolatry, and perversions. Such is "progress" in life without a king (v 1). Being "without a king" did not merely mean not having a monarch, but it meant being without a righteous ruler who is humbly submitted to God's law, as specified in Deut 17:14-20. This kind of king would be in a position to properly enforce law and order. In yesterday's reading we saw how corrupt popular religion had become, and here we see the Levite switching roles from a household priest (he really wasn't a priest) to a clan priest, because of the power and money involved. For the tribe of Dan, their show of force wins the day. Intimidation is ...

Bible reading for Aug 3.  Judges 17. "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 17:6)  STRANGE RELIGION. The people seem religious, but their faith has become a mash-up of outward forms and superstitions. They use the covenant name of God ( YHWH , usually translated "LORD" in modern versions), seek God's blessing, and honor a Levite as priestly. But look how bizarre all this has become: making metal images and household gods, building a shrine, hiring the Levite to be a paid holy man, and trusting all of this to gain prosperity. The sad irony of this, as would be seen by later Jewish readers, is that this young Levite comes from Bethlehem in Judea, the future home of King David and the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2). Verse 6 sums it up: "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." It is not that these people were planning to be idolaters, it is that, given all their c...

Bible reading for July 30.  Judges 13. "And the angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, 'Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.'" (Judges 13:3)  A NAZIRITE FROM BIRTH. The next several chapters will focus on a remarkable and colorful hero named Samson. His birth narrative has similarities with that of Isaac (Gen 17-18), John the Baptist (Luke 1), and our Lord Jesus (Matt 2; Luke 2). Samson was to be a Nazirite (cf Numbers 6) from his birth, indicating his separation for the Lord's service. Sadly, there were areas in his life not sanctified for God's service. The angel would not give his own name, saying that it was "wonderful", meaning perhaps, "too high for you" (compare Gen 32:29). The NIV has "beyond understanding," and the NLT, "too wonderful for you to understand". There is a lot we don't know about angels! And perhaps, this was a pr...

Bible reading for July 29.  Judges 12. "Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in his city in Gilead." (Judges 12:7) NICKELS AND NOSES. In chapter 12 we finish the story of Jephthah, followed by brief mentions of Ibzan, Elon (not Musk), and Abdon (from about 1130 to 1080 BC). As you read Judges it may seem that people are fighting all the time. These battles, however, are spread out over several hundred years, so there were often intervals of peace. But the battles become the high point, especially as the tribes are delivered from nearby oppressors. One thing we note also is the numbers of sons, daughters, donkeys, etc., some of these judges had. It represents their wealth and influence, and perhaps the blessing of God. However, it may also show how the powerful tended to gather wives and property for themselves (Deut 17:17; cf Gen 4:19), and we will see this problem arise with the later kings of Israel and Judah.   ...

Bible reading for July 21.  Judges 4 "But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died."   STRONG WOMEN. We read that the Lord raised up Deborah as a prophetess and judge in Israel, and that the death of the Canaanite king Sisera comes about by the hand of woman who knows how to wield a hammer and tent peg. When it came to the winning blow, Jael nailed it. Deborah had expected Barak to lead, and she rebuked him for his timidity (v 9). As noted in a previous post, the chariot (made of iron and pulled by horses) was a fearsome weapon against foot soldiers. It was fast, brutal (if you were in its path), and could put archers and swordsmen anywhere on the field quickly. But God gives victory in answer to his people's prayers. We'll read in the song lyrics of the next chapter about ho...

Bible reading for June 15.  Deuteronomy 20. "Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." (Deuteronomy 20:3-4) WARFARE. The time of battle is drawing near, and some of the men may have reasons to exempt themselves (vv 1-9). Terms of peace are to be offered to some of the cities (vv 10-11) but not to the six nations listed (v 17).  Conversion was an option (like Rahab), as was flight. In considering this situation we should remember that in those days warfare was a fact of life (as it still is in many parts of the world today), and that there were no prisons or jails or internment camps. Those not killed would return the next season to fight, or if they remained in the land, would undermine the new nation by idolatry. All of this is a picture of an invisible war, whereby Satan, and the influence of the fallen world, and our sinful flesh fight against the bel...

Bible reading for weekend June 6-7.  Deuteronomy 10-11.  "Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.  He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 10:15-19)  REVIEW (10). In chapter 10 Moses continues his review of Israel's journey and God's expectations for them. The covenant sign of circumcision was to prompt them to circumcise (dedicate) their hearts to the Lord (Rom 2:29) They are to remember their national deliverance, and never forget that they were once aliens, enslaved in Egypt. And God, creator o...

Bible reading for May 15.  Numbers 24. "How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!" (Numbers 24:5)  TWO MORE ORACLES. This chapter records the third and fourth oracles of Balaam .  The Midianite seer, hired by Moab to curse Israel, instead prophesies God's blessing upon them. For more on Balaam, read the two previous days' posts on the book of Numbers. Again we are struck with the beauty of the language describing God's people : like palm groves, aloes, cedar trees, and gardens beside a river. Also, the nation has strength like a wild ox, and the fierceness of lions.  "Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you" (v 9) repeats God's words in calling Abraham (Gen 12:3). Balaam also speaks of a future king of Israel: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel..." (v 17). This could refer to King David, at...