Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
Here we get an insight at what a prophetic vision involved. Ezekiel is sitting with some people in and enters into a trance in which he sees and interacts as if in a waking dream. And what he sees, is idolatry being conducted in Jerusalem's temple. God's declaration of how "detestable" this is, signals to us how outraged he is when idolatry takes place in his church - whether inter-faith services in cathedrals or the worship of the spirit of the age in celebrating the like of pride events. He is also provoked by wider ungodliness in which his people "have confirmed to the standards of the nations around" them (11v12). Because of all this, Ezekiel sees God's glory leaving the temple as he hands it and Jerusalem over to destruction - despite the false confidence of those who live there (11v15). The equivalent today might be his withdrawing from an individual church or denomination, just as Christ said he would "remove" unfaithful lampstands (Rev 2v5). But, the LORD also signals that he knows who the faithful are. Those who "lament and grieve" over such things are marked and so protected from his judgment. And those in exile will be brought back to the land and renewed in the hearts, so that they will remove the idolatry from amongst God's people. This is ultimately fulfilled from Pentecost, when those in Jerusalem trust Christ, receive the Holy Spirit and form themselves into churches of the faithful. As you read note what God is signalling throughout.
Ezekiel 8:1-11:25
Ezekiel 8:1-11:25
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.