Ezekiel 43
Vision of the glory of the LORD verse 1- 4
Afterward he brought me to the gate
even the gate that looks toward the east
AND – BEHOLD – the glory of the God of Israel
came from the way of the east
and HIS voice was like a noise of many waters
and the earth shined with HIS glory
It was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw
even according to the vision
that I saw when I came to destroy the city
and the visions were like the vision that I saw
by the river Chebar
And I fell upon my face
And the glory of the LORD came into the house
by the way of the gate
whose prospect is toward the east
Holy Spirit took Ezekiel to the inner court verse 5- 6
SO the SPIRIT took me up – and brought me into the inner court
And – BEHOLD – the glory of the LORD filled the house
and I heard HIM speaking unto me out of the house
and the man stood by me
LORD explains HIS presence verse 7- 9
And HE said to me – Son of man – the place of MY throne
and the place of the soles of MY feet
where I will dwell in the midst of the
children of Israel for ever
and MY holy name
shall the house of Israel no more defile
neither they
nor their kings – by their whoredom
nor by the carcasses of their kings
in their high places
In their setting of their threshold by MY thresholds
and their post by MY posts
and the wall between ME and them
they have even defiled MY holy name
by their abominations
that they have committed
wherefore I have consumed them in MINE anger
NOW let them put away their whoredom
and the carcasses of their kings – far from me
and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever
Basic law of Temple: Holiness verse 10- 12
You son of man – show the house to the house of Israel
that they may be ashamed of their iniquities
and let them measure the pattern
And IF they be ashamed of all that they have done
show them the form of the house and the fashion thereof
and the goings out thereof
and the comings in thereof
and all the forms thereof
and all the ordinances thereof
and all the forms thereof
and all the laws thereof
and write it in their sight
that they may keep the whole form thereof
and all the ordinances thereof – and do them
This is the law of the house
Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof
round about shall be most holy
BEHOLD this is the law of the house
Description of Altar verse 13- 17
And these are the measures of the altar
after the cubits
The cubit is a cubit and an handbreadth
even the bottom shall be a cubit – and the breadth a cubit
and the border thereof by the edge thereof round
about shall be a span
and this shall be the higher place of the altar
AND from the bottom upon the ground
even to the lower settle shall be two cubits
and the breadth one cubit
and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle
shall be four cubits
and the breadth one cubit
SO the altar shall be four cubits
and from the altar and upward shall be four horns
and the altar shall be twelve cubits long – twelve broad
square in the four squares thereof
And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long
and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof
and the border about it shall be half the cubit
and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about
and his stairs shall look toward the east
Instructions regarding sacrifices: First Day verse 18- 21
And he said to me – Son of man
thus says the Lord GOD
These are the ordinances of the altar in the day
when they shall make it
to offer burnt offerings thereon
to sprinkle blood thereon
And you shall give to the priests the Levites
that be of the seed of Zadok
which approach unto ME
to minister to ME
says the Lord GOD
a young bullock for a sin offering
And you shall take of the blood thereof
and put it on the four horns of it
and on the four corners of the settle
and upon the border round about
thus shall you cleanse and purge it
You shall take the bullock also of the sin offering
and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house
without the sanctuary
Instructions regarding sacrifices: Second Day verse 22- 24
And on the second day you shall offer a kid of the goats
without blemish for a sin offering
and they shall cleanse the altar
as they did cleanse it with the bullock
WHEN you have made an end of cleansing it
you shall offer a young bullock without blemish
and a ram out of the flock without blemish
And you shall offer them before the LORD
and the priests shall cast salt upon them
and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering
to the LORD
Instructions regarding sacrifices: Seven Days verse 25- 26
Seven days shall you prepare every day a goat for a sin offering
they shall also prepare a young bullock
and a ram out of the flock without blemish
Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it
and they shall consecrate themselves
Instruction regarding sacrifices: Eighth Day verse 27
And WHEN these days are expired
it shall be – that upon the eighth day
and so forward
the priests shall make your burnt offerings
upon the altar
and your peace offerings – and I will accept you
says the Lord GOD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house. (4390 “filled” [male’] means be full, fullness, abundance, to consecrate, or be accomplished.
DEVOTION: In Ezekiel 10 and 11 Ezekiel witnessed the glory of the LORD leaving Jerusalem. Now twenty-five years later he witnesses the return of the glory of the LORD to the Millennial Temple. This is a message of hope to the children of Israel. They have been in captivity and probably discouraged. Ezekiel is told to show them this vision. He is also told to write down the vision for future generations. The LORD knew that they needed to know that they were in HIS plans for the future.
The verse has Ezekiel being carried by the Holy Spirit to the inner court of the future temple. In the inner court Ezekiel sees the glory of the LORD. This glory of the LORD is so abundant that it makes the whole Temple shine with the glory of the LORD. Even the earth was shining as the glory of the LORD entered the Temple. It had to be quite a sight for Ezekiel. It had to encourage his spirit.
When we choose to follow the LORD we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and our bodies become the temple of God. We should shine with the glory of God on our face.
This happens when we are in fellowship with the LORD. This comes when we are practicing the disciplines of the faith. Each morning as we read HIS word, the Holy Spirit can fill us with fresh oil to serve the LORD with gladness.
We are supposed to be filled with the Holy Spirit each day. Sin takes the filling away. It took the glory of the LORD away from the children of Israel. It is going to return in the future but we can have it NOW. It should be our daily prayer to be full of the Holy Spirit.
This only happens with confession of sin. When we do this the LORD restores our fellowship with HIM. It is a time of blessing.
CHALLENGE: Jesus promised those who were HIS followers an abundant life. This doesn’t mean only financial but it means blessings that we can count on to make our life one that is pleasing in HIS sight. Each new morning HE gives us new mercies
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 18 And HE said to me, Son of man, thus says the Lord God; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon. (2708 “ordinances” [chuqqah] means statute, custom, an authoritative rule, due, that which is established, defined, or something prescribed)
DEVOTION: The LORD doesn’t leave a lot to chance regarding worship. HE gives special instructions in both the Old Testament and New Testament as to what HE expects HIS people who claim to want to worship HIM must do.
Too often we find that when we go into a church today the service seems to be more to give glory to the pastor or the people than to the LORD. The singing seems to be staged. The sermons seem to be shorter and the Word of God is not even being carried into the church by the people.
Genuine worship is something that involves the whole person. It is not just singing. It is not just preaching. It is not just fellowship. It is a combination of all of the above.
The LORD wanted HIS people in both the Old Testament and the New Testament to be wholly involved in worship. HE wanted to receive all the glory.
It was not the priests receiving the glory. It was not the singers receiving the glory. It was only HIM that was to receive the glory in the time of worship.
All eyes needed to be on the LORD then and it should be even now. Too often we are praising the singers or the preacher instead of just looking to the LORD and giving HIM the glory.
CHALLENGE: When we enter the church, we should be looking to give God all the glory and praise we can. Our worship should contain our whole person in the giving of glory to the LORD alone!
________________________________________________________
: 26 Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves. (4390 “consecrate” [ mala’] means replenish, fill, satisfy, accomplish, complete, confirm, to fill one’s hand to Jehovah, or do something with an attitude or feeling of great and earnest dedication.)
DEVOTION: The LORD wants to have the people living in the Millennium to worship HIM at an altar that is holy. Every one of the details that have been given throughout the last few chapters have dwelt with the Temple that was going to be built during the Millennial reign of Christ.
Today we are living in what is called the “Age of Grace” or “Church Age” when the LORD is dealing with all those who are followers of Jesus Christ. HE was the sacrifice needed to atone for the sins of all those who have become and will become followers of HIM.
God is holy and cannot look on sin. HE has to judge sin but because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross HE can look at us through the blood of HIS only begotten Son.
So when God looks at us now HE sees HIS Son and then sees us. Jesus is our defender before the Father. HE speaks for us. HE loves us. HE wants to work in our life each day.
We are here as followers of Jesus Christ to be set apart for holy use. Each of our acts should be done with this in mind. If we think of our life as holy, then it should cause us to act accordingly.
Each day is a new day with the LORD. We have to start each day with the idea that we are holy in the eyes of the LORD. HE wants us to go into our world as living sacrifices to HIM.
CHALLENGE: So everything you say and do is a sacrifice to the LORD each day.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, says the LORD God. (7521 “accept” [ratsah] means please, pleasure, delight, enjoy, favorable, or satisfied.
DEVOTION: Obedience is the key to having favor with the LORD. HE wants us to know that HE is holy and only those who are holy can truly worship HIM. We are declared holy when we make a commitment to the LORD through Jesus Christ.
The children of Israel were given hope that they had a future with the LORD. One of the great attributes of the LORD is HIS long-suffering with HIS people. The children of Israel continued to sin even after they were warned multitude of times to stop sinning. They were asked by the prophets to return to the LORD. They were sent into captivity so that they would realize that the LORD meant business but HE always gave them a hope in the future. HE didn’t give up on HIS people. That is what long-suffering is all about.
Today the LORD is long-suffering with us. HE continues to give us direction through HIS Word the Bible and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our prayer life keeps us close to HIM. HE enjoys our fellowship. We can enjoy HIS presence through fellowship with other believers. HE states in HIS Word that where two or three are gathered in HIS name, HE is right there with them. In the book of Hebrews the author warns that we shouldn’t forsake the assembling together of the church. We need fellowship. HE delights in our gatherings when we honor HIM.
CHALLENGE: Our goal should be to give the LORD delight when HE see us. Our goal should be to help others to enjoy that delight. Invite someone to church with you this week.)
….and I will accept you,’ says the Lord God.”
Once we enter high school we want to be accepted by our fellow students. This desire follows us even into college and then into our adult life. If we don’t find this acceptance we think there is something wrong with us.
One reason why some people will not accept us is that we are a TRUE believer in Jesus Christ. We will meet many people who claim to be believers but their actions are not acceptable to HIM but they are acceptable to their fellow students.
We are not here on this earth to please others if we are a believer we are here to please the LORD. If we please the LORD other true believers will accept us. They will be supportive. They will pray for you. They will help you through the rough years of high school, college and the work place.
The LORD accepts you because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. You can never lose that acceptance. Remember that HE will chasten you if you sin. Also remember even when you are faithful in your service to HIM, HE will prune you. HE wants you to grow closer to HIM.
Just hearing the words: “I will accept you” are great if we keep them in mind each moment of every day. HE loves us.
_____________________________________________________________
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Inner court verse 5
Ordinances verse 11
House most holy verse 12
Altar verse 13- 18, 22, 26
Seven days shall they purge the altar
and purify it – they shall
consecrate themselves
Burnt offering verse 18, 23, 24, 27
Sprinkle blood verse 18
Priests and Levites – seed of Zadok verse 19, 24
Minister unto ME verse 19
Sin offering (young bullock) verse 19- 22, 25
Sanctuary verse 21
Second day (kid of the goats without blemish) verse 22
Seven days shall you prepare a young bullock
and a ram out of the flock without
blemish verse 25
Peace offering verse 27
___________________________________________________________
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Forms verse 11
Laws verse 11, 12
Ordinances verse 11, 18
Thus says the Lord GOD verse 18
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign, Plural name) verse 2
Glory of the God of Israel verse 2
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 4, 5, 24
Glory of the LORD filled the house verse 4, 5
I have consumed them in MINE anger verse 8
Lord – Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 18, 19, 27
GOD – Jehovah verse 18, 19, 27
Lord GOD verse 18, 19, 27
I will accept you -says the Lord GOD verse 27
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Man verse 6
MY holy name verse 7, 8
Mine anger verse 8
I will dwell in the midst verse 9
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spirit took up Ezekiel verse 5
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
River Chebar verse 3
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Defile God’s holy name verse 7, 8
Whoredom verse 7, 9
High Places verse 7
Abominations verse 8
Iniquities verse 10
Ashamed verse 11
Sin verse 19, 21, 22, 25
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Fell on face before the LORD verse 3
Spirit took up verse 5
Minister verse 19
Consecrate verse 26
Accepted verse 27
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Israel verse 2
Son of man = Ezekiel verse 1- 18
Brought to gate to look toward east
Saw the glory of the God of Israel
voice was like a noise of
many waters
earth shined with HIS glory
Saw vision and fell on his face
Children of Israel verse 7
House of Israel verse 7, 10
No more defile neither by they,
kings others
Ashamed verse 10, 11
Priests the Levites of the seed of Zadok verse 19, 27
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Midst of the children of Israel forever verse 7, 9
______________________________________________________________
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
_________________________________________________________________
QUOTES regarding passage
At least seven theological concepts are associated with the altar and the sacrifices. First, the altar sometimes was regarded as the “table” of Yahweh (Ezek 44:16; Mal 1:7, 12). It was where the sacrifice was transformed by fire into smoke that rose to heaven and to God. Because it was burned, it became an irrevocable gift.
Second, since the temple was regarded as the “house” of God, a house normally had a hearth, which was a repository of fire. The altar was considered to be the “hearth” of God (Ezek 43:15–16). The fire of God was on the altar, and priests were admonished to keep the fire pure (see Lev 10:1–7). Fire is a symbol in Scripture for God’s presence (Exod 19:18), power (Exod 9:24), wrath (2 Kgs 1:9–12), approval (Lev 9:24), guidance (Exod 13:21–22), protection (Zech 2:5), purity (Isa 6:5–7), deliverance (2 Kgs 2:11), God’s word (Jer 5:14), the Messiah (Mal 3:2), the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3), judgment (Matt 25:41), the return of Christ (2 Thess 1:8), and the end of the present age (2 Pet 3:10–12).
Third, the altar was a sign of God’s presence among his people (43:27). It was commemorative of a theophany (Gen 12:7; 26:24–25). Such manifestations of God were often accompanied by fire (Exod 19:18; Judg 13:16–22).
Fourth, the altar was associated with the idea of holiness, purity, and mercy, especially the horns of the altar (43:15, 20; 1 Kgs 1:50–51; 2:28). The sprinkling of blood on the horns of the altar was a rite of purification (43:18–21).
Fifth, the altar was an instrument of mediation (40:47; 43:19). Offerings were translated from the physical world by burning and given to God as they rose to heaven in smoke. By keeping the commandments, the offerings, sacrifices, and feast days, the covenant promises were maintained (Lev 1:1–7:38).
Sixth, sacrifices were considered a gift to God (Ps 50:1–2; Ezek 43:27). A domesticated animal that was needed for food and work was given to God. The sacrifice was burned for two reasons: (1) burning made the gift irrevocable, and (2) it translated it to the invisible world where God lived. Thus the sacrifice was a means of communication with God and was considered a form of prayer (Ps 141:2).
Seventh, sacrifice was for expiation of sins committed unknowingly and unintentionally (43:25–27; Lev 4:2, 13, 22, 27; 5:3–4, 15, 18; Num 15:22–31).
When the altar had been properly dedicated and the seven days fulfilled, God said, “Then I will accept you.” From the eighth day onward the altar was used for the sacrifice of burnt offerings (v. 27). The beginning of the service of the altar of sacrifice from the eighth day has significant messianic overtones. The eighth day and the use of eight as a messianic number is an important part of the new temple of Ezekiel’s vision. The use of the number eight and especially the eighth day in Scripture is significant (Ezek 43:27). (Cooper, L. E. (1994). Ezekiel (Vol. 17, pp. 385–386). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
___________________________________________________________________
43:18–27. A seven-day ritual will be employed by the priests … of Zadok (cf. 40:46) to set the altar apart to the Lord. This consecration service will be similar in some ways to the services followed by Moses (Ex. 40:10, 29) and Solomon (2 Chron. 7:8–9) to sanctify their houses of worship to God. After seven days of offering bulls, goats, and rams the priests will present the people’s burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar. This process will mark the full resumption of God’s fellowship with His people, as then God will accept them. These sacrifices will point Israelites to Christ who will have given them access to the Father (Heb. 10:19–25). (Dyer, C. H. (1985). Ezekiel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1309). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
_________________________________________________________
43:13–27 the altar. The measurements of the altar of burnt offering are given in vv. 13–17, then the offerings are described (vv. 18–27). These offerings are not efficacious, nor were the OT sacrifices. They were all symbolic of death for sin. They do not take away sin (cf. Heb 10:4). They were prospective; these will be retrospective. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Eze 43:13–27). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
___________________________________________________________
Ver. 26. Seven days shall they purge the altar, and purify it, &c.] Which denotes the perfect purity and sanctification of it; which how to be applied to Christ, see the note on ver. 20: and they shall consecrate themselves; the priests shall consecrate themselves, or devote themselves to the service of the altar; so Gospel ministers to the ministry of a crucified Christ: or they themselves should consecrate the altar by the above rites: or rather it may be literally rendered, and they shall fill its hands, or their own hands; that is, either they shall fill the sides of the altar with sacrifices, as much as it could hold; or the hands of the priests with parts of the sacrifice, or with gifts, as a token of their being inaugurated into, and invested with, the priestly office: so Gospel ministers should have their hands full of, or be filled with, the gifts and graces of the spirit, and with the knowledge of Christ, his person, offices, grace, righteousness, and sacrifice, that they may minister unto others. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 236). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
________________________________________________________________
A similar idea appears in Ezek. 43:26, where no literal hand is filled with anything, but the phrase is a technical term for “consecration”: “Seven days shall they [make atonement for] the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.” This phrase is used not only of setting someone or something aside for special religious or cultic use, but of formally installing someone with the authority and responsibility to fulfill a cultic function (i.e., to be a priest). So God commands concerning Aaron and his sons: “And thou … shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office” (Exod. 28:41). (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, pp. 81–82). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.)
__________________________________________________________
FROM MY READING:
I’ve mentioned a few times that the possibility that Roe v. Wade might be in play, overturned, or at least rolled back, has prompted a significant uptick in state action on abortion. Some states are moving to limit abortion, hoping to be the source of the case that will be considered by the Supreme Court. Other states are racing to ensure that unrestricted abortion remains available within their borders.
In other words, the possible demise of Roe in no way signals the end of this decades-long struggle against abortion. The struggle has only shifted from the federal courts and Congress to the states.
Already this has led to radically extreme pro-abortion bills being passed in various states. Gone are protestations and hand-wringing that abortion is a “tragic necessity.” Instead, abortion is increasingly treated as a positive good. In fact, a few states seem to be in a competition for who can pass the most radical laws.
The leader in this grotesque competition at the moment: Illinois.
Last week, the Illinois legislature approved the so-called “Reproductive Health Act” and sent it to the governor for his signature. I use the descriptive “so-called” because in it “reproductive health” means abortion. That’s it. Nothing else. Full stop.
There’s nothing in the bill about the state’s rising maternal mortality rate or the disparity in health and mortality disproportionately affecting African-American women, who are six times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts. No, instead the Act is solely focused on making it beyond easy for Illinois women to get an abortion in that state. In fact, it’s not too much of a stretch to say that the only place Illinois can go from this “Reproductive Health Act” is to make abortion mandatory.
The Act opens by stating that “Every individual has a fundamental right to make autonomous decisions about the individual’s own reproductive health, including the fundamental right to use or refuse reproductive health care.”
The right to “refuse reproductive health care”? What does that even mean? Are women in Illinois forced to use contraceptives or go to the doctor? Of course not. This is only the first example of how this bill is filled to the brim with loose and dangerous language.
Two paragraphs later, the Act states it bluntly, “A fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the laws of this State.” That means a man who kills a pregnant woman could only be charged with one homicide, not two. Or that a man who intentionally punches a pregnant woman in the stomach and causes a miscarriage would only be charged with assault on the woman. How the loss of the child would be described and handled isn’t clear. The only thing that’s clear is that this kind of devastating language has been used in past times to legally justify history’s greatest horrors.
And it gets worse. The Act arguably opens the door for non-physicians to perform abortions. Its definition of “health care professional” includes “advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or person acting under the supervision of one of the above.”
It’s not clear who “a person acting under the supervision of one of the above” might be, but it brings to mind the punchline from those commercials “No, I’m not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.” So what does “acting under supervision” mean? Does the supervisor have to be in the same room? In the same building? The same county? The workers responsible for mis-administering anesthesia in Philadelphia were under the supervision of Kermit Gosnell, and we all know how tragically that worked out.
When this provision is combined with the Act’s explicit exemption of abortion from the state’s Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act, it becomes clear, as one opponent put it, that this Act “goes much further and does much more” than just preserve the right to abortion in a possible post-Roe world. In essence, as one of its supporters stated, it advances the idea that “there is nothing more intrinsic to freedom than bodily autonomy.”
When you start with that bad idea, there’s nowhere to go but down, and there will be many, many victims strewn along the way. (BreakPoint)
___________________________________________________
1 Kings 10
The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon.
INSIGHT
Solomon leads Israel in righteousness, and God pours out His blessing on the nation to such an extent that the reports of Israel’s prosperity spread throughout the world. The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon because she cannot believe the reports she has been hearing. After Solomon meets with her and shows her around Jerusalem, she is overwhelmed.
The blessing of Israel is to draw attention to the God of Israel. Today as the Lord blesses us spiritually for our faithfulness to Him, attention will be drawn, not to us, but to the Lord. (Quiet Walk)
_____________________________________________________
THE PURPOSE OF REVIVAL
…as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever. Joshua 4:23-24
Why does God send revival from time to time? The first reason given in Joshua 4:24 is this: “that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty.” God does this thing from time to time, God sends revival, blessing, upon the church in order that He may do something with respect to those who are outside Him. He is doing something that is going to arrest the attention of all the people of the earth. Here, we must always realize, is the chief reason for ever considering this matter at all. This is my main reason for calling attention to this whole subject of revival and for urging everybody to pray for revival, to look for it, and to long for it. This is the reason—the glory of God.
You see, Israel alone represented God and His glory. All the other nations of the world were pagan; they had their various gods, and they did not believe in or worship the God of Israel. But God had chosen Israel. He had made a nation for Himself in order that through them, and by means of them, He might manifest His own glory and that they might bear this testimony to all the nations of the world. That was the real function of the children of Israel, and the other nations were watching them and were ready always to scoff at them and to ridicule them. Whenever the nation of Israel was defeated, the other nations would say, “Where is their God? Where is His power?”
A Thought to Ponder: God sends revival to arrest the attention of all the people of the earth. (From Revival, p. 119, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
_________________________________________________________
Inerrancy According to Christ
“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:18)
Here is the commentary of the Lord Jesus on the doctrine of plenary verbal inspiration. Not only were the words of the Bible divinely inspired, but even the very letters! The “jot” was the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet (yod, the tenth letter). The “tittle” was a small horn-like appendage that transformed one Hebrew letter into another. Thus, a stronger statement of absolute verbal inspiration than this could hardly be imagined.
Further, the phrase “in no wise” is actually a double negative in Greek. In New Testament Greek it was used for strong emphasis. According to none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, every word—even every letter—of the “law” must be fulfilled. This certainly includes the books of the Pentateuch—including even the often-maligned and distorted opening chapters of Genesis!
He applied the same principle to other parts of Scripture as well. “The scripture cannot be broken,” He said (John 10:35) in the course of an exposition of Psalm 82:6, based on one single word used in the verse, supporting the vital doctrine of His own deity.
It is clear that Christ taught the doctrine of full, verbal inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. It is sad and inexcusable that so many today who call themselves Christians repudiate this vital teaching of the Lord Jesus by rejecting, diluting, or “interpreting” the plain statements of the Word of God. And, lest anyone equivocate by suggesting that, since the original writings have all been lost, we no longer can know what the divinely given words may have been, we should remember Christ’s promise: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
__________________________________________________________________
WHEN YOU’VE BEEN WRONGED by Erwin W. Lutzer
You’ve realized how selfishly and arrogantly you’ve hung onto your pain and now it has become your idol. Your only path to healing is the path of surrender.
First, you must confront your idols of bitterness.
Second, you must turn the offense – the stumbling block -into a stepping stepping-stone to growth. God is saying, “If you can overcome this I can take you to new heights and new challenges in your relationship with Me”
Are you willing today to let Jesus pull that offense out of your heart? (p. 39-40)
____________________________________________________________
We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.