separation

Ezekiel 42

v13

Then said he unto me, The north chambers [and] the south chambers, which [are] before the separate place, they [be] holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place [is] holy.

There were special places in the temple that were supposed to be separate from other places and separate from other things because they were holy. Our lives, as the temple of the Lord, are supposed to be like that. Our hearts should be Holy and separate from sin, in order to offer service to the Lord.

the table before the Lord

Ezekiel 41

v22

The altar of wood [was] three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits; and the corners thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof, [were] of wood: and he said unto me, This [is] the table that [is] before the LORD.

This chapter continues to describe the pattern of the temple that some people believe is the Millennial Temple.

This [is] the table that [is] before the LORD.

This was just the dimensions of the altar of wood, but what it said stuck out to me. It reminded me of how we're always in front of the Lord's eyes and He can always see what we're doing. Sometimes we behave better when certain people are watching. We should behave like the Lord is right there watching, all the time, because He is.

the Ezekiel temple pattern

Ezekiel 40

v4

And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew [them] unto thee [art] thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 40 is a long chapter (49 verses), describing the pattern of a temple, with many measurements and details. Would I have been able to remember it all?

...hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee...

We should set our hearts on what we hear from the Lord.

A Thousand Thanksgivings

Please leave what you're thankful for in the comments! The idea is to get to one thousand things.

Dear God, Thank you for...

1. mercy
2. righteousness
3. peace
4. papas
5. moms
6. brothers
7. sisters
8. grandpas
9. grandmas
10. aunts
11. uncles
12. cousins
13. sleep
14. coffee
15. caffeine
16. dessert
17. snacks
18. breakfast
19. lunch
20. supper
21. ice cream
22. pizza
23. spaghetti
24. houses
25. health
26. computers
27. web sites
28. free software
29. Internet access
30. Google
31. bank accounts
32. stocks
33. jobs
34. education
35. ...

(I was originally going to start this on 2007-11-21 07:38)

because of sin

Ezekiel 39

v23

And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.

Ezekiel 39 concludes the judgment of Gog, talking about things like the incredible job it will be to bury them (v13). The idea is to show that the Lord is real. The reason His people were led into captivity before, was not because of a lack of the Lord defending His people. He does defend His people, and in extraordinary ways, like He defended them against Gog.

The reason the Lord would allow us to be destroyed by our enemies, is because of our sin. We should make sure we're on the Lord's good side.

things coming into mind

Ezekiel 38

v10

Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, [that] at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:

Ezekiel 38 seems to talk about the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the Millennial Kingdom. It started when the chief prince Gog was tempted. He saw the Lord's people living without defenses, and wanted the spoils of war, so he assembled a massive multinational army (v5).

The Lord, in His wrath, sent the ultimate earthquake (v20) and rained fire out of heaven (v22) onto that army.

I've been noticing in my own life that sin and it's damaging effects often starts out the same way. "...thou shalt think an evil thought..." When we start to strategize how we could do something that would be against the Lord, we should cut off that line of thought right away.

Hebrews 5 - Key

v14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Discernment seems kind of like exercise. Sometimes we suffer, being tempted.

v8

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

It's difficult to make the right decision, to choose the good and refuse the evil. But, as we do, it becomes a habit and we get better at it.

Application

I'll make myself get up earlier sometimes, even if I went to bed late. Then also, when I try to go to bed earlier, it might be easier to sleep.

Hebrews 5 - Outline

v1-3

human priests must also sacrifice for their own sin

v4-6

like all high priests, Jesus was chosen by God

v7-10

He learned through suffering

v11-14

instead of being dull of hearing, use your senses to discern

pray and the Lord will answer

Ezekiel 37

v14

And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.

The Lord delivers people from being near death to be back in their own land. He speaks with His Word, and He does what He says.

This chapter reminds me of how the Lord does great things, in answer to prayer.

My Spirit within you

Ezekiel 36

v27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

The Lord was going to judge His people by famine and war and letting the other nations take over and destroy their land. But that wasn't the end of the story, as we see in Ezekiel 36. The other nations were going to have their turn for judgment too, and the Lord was going to restore His people in their land.

This chapter seems to emphasize that it wasn't because His people deserved it that the Lord would restore them. He was doing it, despite His people's ways, for His own reputation. He's the one who deserves the credit.

Now He has a new way for His people. We can be cleaned from all our wrongdoing. He can replace our hearts with a new heart.

Praise the Lord for putting His Spirit in me!

1 Peter 3 - Key

v15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The answer is supposed to be with meekness. The answer isn't supposed to be, "Because I'm so great." It says, "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts". The answer is supposed to be that it's because of Him.

It says, "every man that asketh you". The question might not exactly be, "what is a reason of the hope that is in you?" The question might just be something like, "how can you still be happy today, with the stock market down so low?" Of course, we're not going to get questions like that unless we are happy in that situation. That's why our hope needs to be based on the Lord.

Application

It says to, "be ready always to give an answer". It says, always. That reminds me of 2 Timothy 4:2.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

I'll tell people about the Lord when there's an opportunity, even if it's not my regular outreach time.

1 Peter 3 - Outline

v1-6

good behavior for wives:

• subjection
• self-control
• fear
• a meek and quiet spirit
• trust in God

v7-12

good behavior for husbands, and then for everyone, so the Lord will hear your prayers:

• husbands honor your wife
• everyone: compassion, love, pity, and courtesy
• returning blessing instead of evil for evil or railing for railing
• refraining your speech from evil and dishonesty
• seeking peace

v13-17

You have nothing to be afraid of, even when you suffer, as long as you're doing what's right.
Always be ready to give an answer (v15).

v18-22

it's all because of Jesus

the judgment of Edom

Ezekiel 35

v6

Therefore, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.

We should hate doing violent things, and we should hate the violence of blood. We shouldn't entertain ourselves by watching violent things, like blood, displayed.

v15

As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, [even] all of it: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

The Lord would judge "mount Seir, and all Idumea" (the Edomites). The Lord would judge the Edomites because of what they did to Israel, because Israel was His people. The Lord was going to do to the Edomites, like they had done.

The Edomites rejoiced because of the bad things that happened to Israel. We shouldn't do bad things to the Lord's people and rejoice about it. If we do, we should fear the Lord and His judgment.

Hebrews 4

Outline

v1-3

whether we enter the rest depends on whether we believe in the Word

v4-8

the Scriptures foretold a spiritual sabbath

v9

it remains an opportunity for us

v10-13

the Word is powerful

v14-15

Jesus Christ is qualified

v16

come get help from Him

Key v16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Application

When I feel overwhelmed by my situation, I'll come to the throne by praying for grace, mercy, and help.

feed the flocks

Ezekiel 34

v2

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

We should pray for people who are in need, like people that are starving. We should serve people, like the people in our families, in practical ways like serving them food. We should preach the Word of God to His people, to feed His flock with Spiritual food. We shouldn't be too taken up with ourselves, to do these things for other people.

v16

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up [that which was] broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

I especially note the first part of this verse. It's an encouraging promise that the Lord will answer the prayers we've been praying for people in need, particularly the sick.

but they will not do them

Ezekiel 33

v31

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.

I go to a lot of Bible studies. I come, and sit down, and hear the Lord's Word like one of His people. But where is my heart?

It's good to come and listen to the Lord's Word. But I should determine to do something about the Lord's Word when I hear it.

When we go to a Bible study, we should take note of at least one practical thing we can do about what we learn there. Then we should look at that note before the next Bible study in that series, and remind ourselves to do something about it.

I like to mark one part of my notes from the meeting by drawing a star by it, so I can look back at my notes later, and quickly see where I put down a star, so I can see whether I've been doing what I was determined to.

1 Peter 2 - Key

v23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

When we suffer, we should take it patiently, even when we suffer for doing what's right.

Application

I won't speak evil of people or threaten people, even when they rail on me.

1 Peter 2 - Outline

v1-3

how to grow in the Lord

v4-8

we're like stones built into a house

v9-12

have good behavior for God's glory

v13-17

submit to the government and to the law

v18-20

take it patiently when you suffer for doing good

v21-25

Jesus' suffering and death is our example

know that I am the LORD

Ezekiel 32

v32

For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised with [them that are] slain with the sword, [even] Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

This chapter seems to conclude talking about the judgment of Pharaoh, and the judgment of Egypt. It's the fourth chapter in a row in Ezekiel that talks about it (Ezekiel 29, 30, 31, and 32), just like Ezekiel talked about Tyrus for the 3 chapters before that.

I have caused my terror in the land of the living...

Egypt was going to be in the place of the dead with many other countries the Lord judged, which caused terror in the land of the living (v23,24,26,27). So the Lord would cause His terror in the land of the living, on them.

v7

And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.

Once again, it seems to be talking not only about the fall of Egypt in history, but the future events leading up to the end of the world.

v15

When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then shall they know that I [am] the LORD.

It all seems to be about everyone knowing that God is the Lord. Pharaoh isn't the Lord. Tyrus isn't the Lord. none of the other countries are. We should be humble, and not treat ourselves, other people, or even our country, like they're God. We should know that God is the Lord.

Hebrews 3 - Key

v12

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

It's depressing how many people we love, turn away from the Lord in these last days. Turning from the Lord is really from unbelief. But it's especially ourselves that we should make sure don't have an evil heart.

Application

v6

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Here's one way I need to make sure I'm not departing from the Lord. We should hold on tight to rejoicing in our hope. I'll make sure I'm rejoicing.

Hebrews 3 - Outline

v1-6

Jesus is greater than Moses

v7-11

don't be stubborn against the Lord's Word

v12&13

"exhort one another daily"

v14-19

the people who fell, fell because of unbelief

what is Pharaoh like?

Ezekiel 31

v14

To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 31 compares the king of Egypt to an Assyrian who was a tree in the garden of Eden. The Lord made the tree fall because it raised itself up exceedingly high, and above all the other trees.

We should be humble. We should be willing to sacrifice our own convenience or pleasure out of humility.

stay close to the Lord

Ezekiel 30

v3

For the day [is] near, even the day of the LORD [is] near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

This was talking about the day the Lord was going to judge ancient Egypt and their allies by bringing Babylon against them to destroy them in war. But it also seems to talk about the future day of the Lord's judgment when Jesus will return and destroy the earth.

We should stay close to the Lord so we're ready for the day of His return and judgment.

the judgment of Egypt

Ezekiel 29

v3

Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.

Maybe this was about a spiritual creature, but Ezekiel 29 compared the king of Egypt to a sea monster. We shouldn't make the same mistake that Pharaoh did. We should realize that the Lord has given us the things we have, and they belong to Him.

don't be proud like Tyrus

Ezekiel 28

v2

Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart [is] lifted up, and thou hast said, I [am] a God, I sit [in] the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou [art] a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

The judgment of Tyrus, which has been in these last three chapters in Ezekiel starting with Ezekiel 26, seems to be drawing to a close. This chapter started by talking about the prince of Tyrus, a human prince ("...thou [art] a man...") that became so great he said he was God. Big mistake.

The chapter continued about a spiritual creature the Lord had created that used to be a covering Cherub in the mountain of God. Somehow he must have been associated with ruling over Tyrus as well, because he was called the king of Tyrus. Because of his beauty and brightness, his heart was lifted up and he sinned. The Lord was going to cast him to the ground.

We shouldn't be proud of our wisdom, good looks, popularity, or high position. We should learn from what happened to the prince and king of Tyrus because of pride.

what city is like Tyrus?

Ezekiel 27

v32

And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, [saying], What [city is] like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?

Tyrus was a great city in many ways, but even a great place can have a terrible destruction because of sin. We should be ready for our world to be judged.

1 Cor 15:19

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

As we see any illusion of hope we have in this world slipping away, that should provoke us to be more zealous for the Lord.

Hebrews 2 - Key

v18

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

This chapter mentions suffering several times (v9 & 10). I don't have any of the real serious kind of suffering compared to what Jesus or even many believers have experienced. But I've had many opportunities to enjoy sinning. Jesus was willing to suffer to save us, so we should be willing to suffer like Him by giving up sinful pleasures.

Application

Some examples of little sinful pleasures are sleeping in too late when I should get up earlier, watching too many videos, and surfing the web when I should be doing my schoolwork. These might not seem hugely wrong, but they are sin. When I have to give up these pleasures it's some little kind of suffering.

The other day I was surfing the Internet when I knew I should stop and do my school work or something. I made myself close the web page I was going to before it finished loading. It seems like no big deal, but it really was kind of hard and made me feel bad to do it. That's the kind of thing we need to be willing to do more.

When I'm tempted to enjoy the pleasure of sin in wasting time, I'll remember that Jesus suffered for us. I'll be willing to suffer the loss of that sinful pleasure like Him, by redeeming the time.

Hebrews 2 - Outline

v1-4

the importance of paying attention to the Lord's Word of salvation

v5-10

humans were made lower than angels, but Jesus, who was made into a human, will rule the future

v11-15

Jesus became in some ways like us, in order to deliver us

v16-18

Jesus can comfort us when we're tempted because He was tempted in all the same ways we are

Aha, she is broken

Ezekiel 26

v2

Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken [that was] the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, [now] she is laid waste:

This chapter is about how the Lord would judge the city of Tyrus, and this verse tells why. It was because Tyrus said, "Aha...". They and seemed to be glad for themselves about the Lord judging His people in Jerusalem.

We shouldn't be glad to see other people get God's judgment.

because Edom took revenge

Ezekiel 25

v12

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;

When the Lord judged His people, other countries saw their chance to take their revenge on the Lord's people. The Lord didn't like that, so He used this chapter to tell them that He was going to take His revenge on them.

The Lord is the one who's supposed to repay people for the wrong they've done. We shouldn't take revenge into our own hands. We should leave taking revenge to the Lord.