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
The problem is a simple refusal to heed God's word. So, Ezekiel tells a parable of how Babylon exiled one of Judah's kings with the people whilst putting a relative on the throne, no doubt as a Babylonian puppet. But this king rebelled by looking to Egypt for help and breaking his oath with Babylon. The Lord's point is that because of this, he will fall, but as a judgment for his breaking of his covenant oath with God. Rather than looking to Egypt for deliverance, he should have looked to God with repentance. But there is a promise: a shoot from the tree of the davidic line that will flourish and have birds shelter in it. Christ makes exactly this point about himself (Mat 13v32). And what follows is a broadening of the principle with the kings to all people. Each will be judged according to their own deeds, not those of their parents. And those who are righteous but turn from it, will die. Whilst those who are wicked but turn from that, will live. So God's justice is tempered with mercy. For as he stresses, he does not "take any pleasure in the death of the wicked" but is "pleased when they turn from their ways and live" (18v23). This is an important truth to remember when we consider God's justice. It is something to be feared. And it is inevitable, for he must do what's right. But it is not something he delights in. His preference is mercy - a mercy that is found by coming into the branches of Christ. As you read, note what the righteous life is to look like.
Ezekiel 17-18
Ezekiel 17-18
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.