Be An Example - Even In Discipline - Ezekiel 25-30

Ezekiel 28:25-26 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord GOD: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.”

In this section of Ezekiel, the prophet is setting oracles against all the nations that persecuted Israel, and/or God used to discipline His people.   In the midst of these oracles we read the above two verses.   Like all the oracles in this section, the purpose for God moving in the midst of the nations and Israel was so that they may know that I am the LORD their God.  But the prophesy in these two verses is not about the doom of the other nations, it is, instead, a prophesy about the security of Israel in the midst of their captors.   Israel is still, despite their rebellious nature, to be a light to the Gentiles of the world.   They are to show that God is holy and that God is good.   Even in the midst of discipline we are to be a reflection of God.   For Babylon, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are those examples.  Even in the midst of their evil, the people of Babylon saw the glory of God and His power through these men.   We must never forget that our example for God is to have no boundaries.  It is to never be diminished, even in the midst of God’s discipline in our lives.    

Integrity Equals Security - Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10:9 (ESV)

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)

The man of integrity walks securely,

but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Short cuts are always good, especially if you are trying to save time or money.   Taking a way that cuts corners on the other hand, that may save time and money, but be illegal or unethical, is not good.  This is the point that Solomon is trying to make in the above proverb.   When we do things the right way we can be assured of security.   However, when we take the wrong way, the perverted way, our security is lost and exposure is imminent.   When we take the sure way God gives us His security and His blessing.   We can rest in that.   However, when we walk contrary to God, we leave the path that He has for us and we find ourselves outside the umbrella of God's care and security.   When we think of the truth of this proverb we need to think of Joseph.    He walked in the integrity of God's Will and God protected him through a variety of struggles.    However, when we think of King David and his step away from God when he sinned with Bathsheba, we see security lost for an evil path taken.   God gives us a clear principle to follow and practical examples throughout Scripture.   Walk with God and remain safe.   Walk away from God and be found out.

Remember What God Has Done For Us - Psalms 81-83

Psalms 81:4-10 (ESV)

For it is a statute for Israel,

a rule of the God of Jacob.

He made it a decree in Joseph

when he went out over the land of Egypt.

I hear a language I had not known:

“I relieved your shoulder of the burden;

your hands were freed from the basket.

In distress you called, and I delivered you;

I answered you in the secret place of thunder;

I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah

Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!

O Israel, if you would but listen to me!

There shall be no strange god among you;

you shall not bow down to a foreign god.

I am the LORD your God,

who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

In Psalm 81 we have a command by God to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.   God had delivered Israel out of Egypt.   They had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  The Feast of Tabernacles was to celebrate God’s care for them during that time.  He tested them, He lead them, He protected them.  He demanded that they worship and praise Him.   God established these feast so that the nation of Israel would not forget God’s mercy and grace.  We celebrate the Lord’s mercy and grace for our salvation using the elements of bread and wind.   We are to take a moment in our lives to remember God’s grace and mercy.   We can often be moving so fast in life that we forget what God has done for us in the past.   

Why These Stories? 2 Kings 6-10

 2 Kings 6:1-6 (ESV)

The Axe Head Recovered

Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” Then one of them said, 2 Kings 6:1-7 (ESV)

The Axe Head Recovered

Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.

This story has always been one of those stories in the Bible that you wonder why it is there.   On the surface it doesn’t seem to offer any deep theological truth.  At first glance it doesn’t seem to provide much practical truth.  Yet, here is what we are told by Paul about the Bible:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

All Scripture is profitable.  It is on our shoulders to dig deeper into the above type stories to find out what God is trying to tell us.   The section we are in is about the rise of Elisha as the new prophet to replace Elijah.  Upon that transition, Elisha asked God for a double portion of God’s Spirit.   After such a spectacular demonstration of God’s power through Elijah, a double portion of the Spirit would look amazing.   Hence the above story.  The Holy Spirit is showing us that Elisha is God’s person.   All throughout Scripture, signs and miracles have been used to validate God’s message and God’s messenger.   We saw it in Moses in Egypt.   We saw it in Elijah on Mt. Carmel.   We saw it in the prophets.  We saw it with Jesus (water turned to wine).  We saw it with the beginning of the church.   Miracles are for a sign.  

Hebrews 2:4 (ESV)

while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

In the above story we have validation of Elisha being giving God’s power.   It is for a simple axe head that fell into a lake.  But it is more.  It is a picture of God given a man the power to carry forth His message and for others to hear that message.   “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float.

This story has always been one of those stories in the Bible that you wonder why it is there.   On the surface it doesn’t seem to offer any deep theological truth.  At first glance it doesn’t seem to provide much practical truth.  Yet, here is what we are told by Paul about the Bible:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

All Scripture is profitable.  It is on our shoulders to dig deeper into the above type stories to find out what God is trying to tell us.   The section we are in is about the rise of Elisha as the new prophet to replace Elijah.  Upon that transition, Elisha asked God for a double portion of God’s Spirit.   After such a spectacular demonstration of God’s power through Elijah, a double portion of the Spirit would look amazing.   Hence the above story.  The Holy Spirit is showing us that Elisha is God’s person.   All throughout Scripture, signs and miracles have been used to validate God’s message and God’s messenger.   We saw it in Moses in Egypt.   We saw it in Elijah on Mt. Carmel.   We saw it in the prophets.  We saw it with Jesus (water turned to wine).  We saw it with the beginning of the church.   Miracles are for a sign.  

Hebrews 2:4 (ESV)

while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

In the above story we have validation of Elisha being giving God’s power.   It is for a simple axe head that fell into a lake.  But it is more.  It is a picture of God given a man the power to carry forth His message and for others to hear that message.   

Be Clean - Leviticus 13-15

Leviticus 15:19-24 (ESV)

“When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge in her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening. And everything on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean. Everything also on which she sits shall be unclean. And whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. And whoever touches anything on which she sits shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. Whether it is the bed or anything on which she sits, when he touches it he shall be unclean until the evening. And if any man lies with her and her menstrual impurity comes upon him, he shall be unclean seven days, and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean.

It is amazing that the above subject is addressed in the Bible, let alone in the book of Leviticus, since it is a book of instructions for the priest.  But cleanliness and impurity were all part of the priestly duty for the nation of Israel. Remember, there were no med-centers available in those days.  There were no official doctor offices. The priest was all that to over one million people leaving in tents and wandering in the wilderness.   The reason for the above rules and laws was to keep everyone clean.  Illness would travel fast in this setting and God’s goal was to keep the nation alive to be a witness for Him.   An interesting story about this law protected  Rachel from her uncle searching for his idols among her things.  He was dissuaded about being unclean due to her menstrual cycle.  

Genesis 31:34-35 (ESV)

Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel’s saddle and sat on them. Laban felt all about the tent, but did not find them. And she said to her father, “Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me.” So he searched but did not find the household gods.

God is concerned with all aspects of our lives.  He is concerned about our cleanliness and heath.  Nothing falls out of the domain of His love for us.  

Rejoice! - Philippians 3-4

Philippians 4:4 (ESV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

The word rejoice is an important word to Paul as he writes to the Philippians believers.  Note:

Philippians 1:18 (ESV)

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice,

Philippians 2:17 (ESV)

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Philippians 2:28 (ESV)

I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

Philippians 3:1 (ESV)

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Philippians 4:10 (ESV)

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

The word is the Greek word chairō.  It is translated in the New Testament the following ways:

• Rejoice 42, 
• be glad 14, 
• joy 5, 
• hail 5, 
• greeting 3, 
• God speed 2, 
• all hail 1, 
• joyfully 1, 
• farewell 1;

Paul believes that those who have been saved by the power of God’s love and the substitutionary atonement of Christ’s blood, who are filled with the power of the Spirit, should rejoice, no matter the circumstances they face.   What makes this thought even more powerful is that Paul is writing this letter while in prison in Rome.   Paul is practicing his preaching.   Despite our struggling, God is calling us to rejoice in Him and in what He has done for us vs. what might be happening to us.   Rejoice!

Return Daily To Say Thanks - Luke 17-18

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Isn’t this the case with most of us.  God has abundantly paid for our sins by sacrificing His Son on the most wicked of death mechanisms.   He laid His Son on the cross for us to and poured the wrath due us onto His Son, instead of us.   We certainly, at times, say thanks to Him.  Mostly on Sunday mornings, during praise and worship at our local church.    But through the week we go on our way and fret and worry about our daily bread, earthly wants and precious cravings.   We should have a continuous song of praise on our lips for the goodness God has done for us.   Return to where you were forgiven and praise Him, daily!!

Psalms 34:1 (ESV)

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.