SOAP 02/27/2016; Ezekiel 36:22

Today's reading: Numbers 21, 22, 23; Mark 6, 7*

S) "²² Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went."'"

Ezekiel 36:22 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 36

O) When the Israelites left Egypt, they were given instructions that would set them apart from the rest of the world. It started really started with the curcumcision of Abraham, but It resumed with the Passover instructions, and continued with the laws Moses passed down to them. At the root of a great number of those laws, was a concept of holiness that was, even in itself, holy. This was about distinction, about distinguishing the LORD from other gods, and His people from other people. But, throughout their history, they struggled to remain holy, to remain separate and distinguished and distinct. They were profaning God by worshiping idols, reducing their treatment of the LORD to the way they treated created gods. When they became totally profaned, as just another group of exiles to foreign conquerors, they continued to profane their God. So, when He chose to rescue them, to redeem them, to restore them, it was actually still about His own holiness first. Make no mistake, God was holy and righteous and pure, all this time (and all of time), but He was making Himself holy to them, again, and to all the world again.

A) This is an important lesson to me, to keep Treat God as holy as He is, which is completely holy. I need to carefully examine my life, and carefully examine to see if I am profaning His name at all. If I am calling myself a Christian (which I do, quite publicly), am I keeping the name of Jesus Christ as holy? If I am living a life that looks just like the world, then I am dragging the name of Jesus down as I mimic the world more than I mimic Jesus. If I do that, then I am begging God to discipline me, to prove His name as holy to me. I am inviting the judgment of my God. Instead, I need to judge myself, against the righteousness, holiness, and authority of Scripture. I need to keep Him holy. I also need to be holy, as He is holy.

P) Father, You are holy. Living my life fully devoted to following Jesus Christ, should also mean that I am holy. I know that I cannot do this alone, but I thank You that I don't have to do it alone. Let me walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk in the righteousness You have given me. This, not for my sake, but for the sake of Your holy name. Let others see my life, and see Your holiness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/26/2016; Ezekiel 32:2

Today's reading: Numbers 19, 20; Psalm 28; Mark 5*

S) "² Son of man, take up a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him,

'You compared yourself to a young lion of the nations,
Yet you are like the monster in the seas;
And you burst forth in your rivers
And muddied the waters with your feet
And fouled their rivers.'"

Ezekiel 32:2 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 32

O) This is directly off the heels of prophecy against Egypt. In the previous chapter, the nations of Egypt and Assyria were likened to great, flourishing trees. In this verse, it is more specific to Pharaoh. Lions are powerful, fierce, creatures which often depict dignity and honor. This is how Pharaoh apparently saw himself. On the other hand, the sea monster mentioned (which isn't specific, although it's mentioned elsewhere) is a creature that was still commanded fear, but it's never really been used to convey dignity or honor. In this case, the muddiness of the waters, the tromping around in them, paints a picture of a crude animal, not at all regal.

A) One of the problems Pharaoh had, then, was a skewed view of himself. He saw some qualities in himself (chiefly, the power he wielded), and apparently assumed the rest. This is a mistake I cannot repeat. I can identify some character traits God has given me. He has blessed me with certain talents and skills, but I cannot assume that some of those positive things mean definite other things about myself. I cannot ignore my flaws. I cannot project an exalted version of myself. I must let the truth of God's word judge me rightly. I need to humbly seek counsel from godly men. I need to listen to my wife's heart about her concerns for me. If I want to be a lion, I can't act like a sea monster.

P) Father, thank You for the grace You are working in me. Thank You for the process of sanctification that You are bringing me through. Help me to see myself more clearly. Open my eyes and ears, so that I can better understand who I am, as I pursue who I know I should be. I never want to overestimate my maturity, my strength, or my character. Help me to be humble, and to approach my flaws with hope in You, and the working of the Holy Spirit. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/25/2016; Ezekiel 31:18

Today's reading: Numbers 17, 18; Psalm 29; Mark 4*

S) "¹⁸ 'To which among the trees of Eden are you thus equal in glory and greatness? Yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth beneath; you will lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those who were slain by the sword. So is Pharaoh and all his hordes!' declares the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 31:18 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 31

O) This chapter is a prophecy against Egypt, but it is primarily done with an illustration of Assyria as a flourishing, giant tree. This is certainly not the only place that an empire was compared to a tree, and in fact, there are mentions in this very chapter, in this very verse, about other trees. Now, it's already a prophecy with great symbolism, so if we're taking "trees" as a symbol of something else (e.g., Assyria), then we also have to understand that Eden, and the other trees in it, are also symbolic. Who those other trees represent, or what exactly is meant by Eden, is not necessarily understood, in order to understand the warning to Egypt. The point of this chapter, is that the kingdom of Assyria was massive, and powerful, and flourishing, and successful. There was nothing happening in the empire or at the time, to predict that it would fall so soon or so suddenly, yet that's exactly what happened. So, the point being made in this warning, is that Egypt could only sort of compare to Assyria. Egypt, as a tree or an empire, was inferior to Assyria in glory and power. If Assyria was judged by the Lord GOD, and nothing about them could resist Him, then Egypt also had no hope within themselves, to save themselves from the righteous wrath to come.

A) Probably every mother in the world says some version of, "There will always be a kid ___ than you." Whether that's smarter, or bigger, or faster, stronger, or prettier. It's meant as a reminder to stay humble. I know I heard that same warning when I was younger, but it did little to curb my pride. Perhaps the much better, more thorough warning should have been something like, "There will always be kids smarter than you, whose intelligence and charm could not keep them out of trouble." That is to say, I didn't necessarily believe I needed to be the smartest, just smart enough. Specifically, smart enough to get away with the lifestyle I wanted with minimal effort. Even now, as I pursue humility before God, this warning for Egypt strikes a cord in my heart. I need to remember that there have been plenty of men who were smarter, more resourceful, more able, better looking, etc., who were still impotent when it came to God's judgment and discipline. Even if I was the most clever man to ever live, I will never fool God. No, I need to heed this warning, and remember that my tree is small, but even if it was the largest, God still holds the axe (Matthew 3:10).

P) Father, I am humbled before Your righteous judgment. You are infinitely more powerful than me, and rightly so. You are God and I am not. There is nothing anyone could do to escape judgment, and I am no exception. But, I see Your amazing grace, Lord. I see that You have offered me life. You have offered me forgiveness and mercy. In Your grace, You have given the Holy Spirit, to make my tree flourish and bear fruit. That is what I want to do, Lord, and I want to do it for You. Like when Jesus came upon the fig tree that had no fruit, although it was in season, I know that there will come a day when I stand before You, when my season has come. I pray that You find all of the fruit You are looking for on that day, Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/24/2016; Ezekiel 25:3-4

Today's reading: Numbers 14, 15, 16; Mark 3*

S) "³ and say to the sons of Ammon, 'Hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God, "Because you said, 'Aha!' against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile, ⁴ therefore, behold, I am going to give you to the sons of the east for a possession, and they will set their encampments among you and make their dwellings among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk."'"

Ezekiel 25:3-4 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 25

O) This prophecy is against the nation of Ammon, a neighbor of Judah. When they went into exile, the Ammonites (long-time enemies of the people of God) celebrated! Not only were they happy, but they (like the Assyrians who conquered Israel), took the event to mean that the LORD was no different than their own gods. To profane, simply means to make something common. It is the opposite of holy, which means set-apart and special and altogether different. Now, throughout the history of the kingdom of Judah, the people were quite vocal about the LORD being for them, and that His sanctuary was with them (and specifically, not with the kingdom of Israel). So, when they fell to a conquering empire just as Israel had, the people around figured that all of their pride for having the sanctuary of God with them, and all of their pride for having Mount Zion, that all of the things of the LORD meant nothing. They said, "Aha!" as if their skepticism was being confirmed. However, God will not be mocked that way. So, He directly revealed Himself as real, and true, and righteous, and wrathful, by executing judgment on this mocking neighbor.

 

A) These verses are a reminder of God's jealous character, and also His powerful love. He is allowed to judge His people, and He will use His own people to judge themselves, but outsiders are not allowed to do this. It's kind of like an older brother who picks on a younger brother. But, if a bully at school dared to pick on him, well that's crossing a line. This verse reminds me that being in relationship with God, and with other Christians, really is like family. My Father will rightly judge every member of His household, and we are right to examine each other's lives. Our business is all of our business, because what affects one of us really affects us all (see 1 Corinthians 12). But, God is jealous for us, and He is quite protective of His own name. This is both a warning and a comfort. He will certainly judge my actions with righteousness and truth, but He will also protect me from unwarranted judgments from the world. This isn't to say that unjust things don't happen to genuine Christians, but when it does, it means I can trust that the Father has a plan, for my sake, and for the sake of the name of Christ Jesus.

P) Father, thank You for being on my side. Thank You for the grace You have already shown me, by making me a son with Jesus Christ, adopting me into Your family. I welcome Your discipline, Lord. I don't want to sin. I love You, and I want to honor You with the way I live my life. When I miss the mark, when I mess things up, I thank You for Your grace which will not fade and for Your mercy which does not end. Please forgive me again, and in my repentance, also discipline me to walk in righteousness more faithfully. Please protect me from unwarranted judgment, because I know the world wants to slander the name of Jesus Christ. I want to protect His name with the way I live my life, but they are against Him, which means they are against me for bearing His name. In the end, I don't want the world to be destroyed, but rather I pray that the world repents so that none will perish. I know that's Your heart as well. Still, I know that not all will repent and be saved. So, I trust in Your perfect judgment, which You have balanced with amazing grace and mercy. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Let everything in my life be done to Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/23/2016; Ezekiel 24:15-16

Today's reading: Numbers 12, 13; Psalm 90; Mark 2*

S) "¹⁵ And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ¹⁶ 'Son of man, behold, I am about to take from you the desire of your eyes with a blow; but you shall not mourn and you shall not weep, and your tears shall not come.'"

Ezekiel 24:15-16 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 24

O) This is a very difficult passage to read. Life and death are complicated issues to dissect, even to the sovereignty of God and how involved He may, or may not, be involved. Without a doubt, though, there are specific examples of Him causing life, and specific examples of Him causing death. When He causes life, few people struggle with it. When He causes death, though... in this passage, Ezekiel's wife is to be used as a tragic analogy to God's people. His wife is to represent the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, which was the desire of their eyes. The people drew inspiration, confidence, motivation, courage, and the like, knowing that they had the temple of the LORD in their midst. It was one of the things they held over the kingdom of Israel. In many ways, they had idolized the temple (and the ark of the covenant, when it was there). Because of the nature of this analogy that was to come, and because God specified to Ezekiel that he was not allowed to mourn, or weep, or even to cry, it is abundantly clear that Ezekiel loved his wife dearly. Now, I don't think he idolized her, or his marriage, because he was not rebuked about it. But, he surely loved her greatly. She was the desire of his eyes. What makes this even more difficult, is that the verse specifies she was going to die "with a blow;" While we aren't given the details about how she died, it's clear that it was sudden. It's not like she was chronically ill. Also, I'm not sure we know Ezekiel's age, let alone his wife's age, but it seems unlikely then, that her age was a factor. No, the phrase, "with a blow," certainly sounds like she was going to die from violence. This also fits the analogy that God was creating, since the temple was not going to fall from age, as if the stones or wood were deteriorating. The temple was not going to fall by natural causes, like an earthquake or flood or storm. The temple was going to fall because of violence against it. All of this makes the death of Ezekiel's wife quite somber.

A) I love my wife dearly. I love my marriage. God has blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined. So, when I read some passages, I have a particularly hard time. Imagining myself in Ezekiel's position really grips me. There was a time when this story would have really tripped me. What I have to accept, and what I imagine Ezekiel must have concluded, is that the sovereignty of God simply overrides everything I want. This challenges me to humility. This challenges me to determine that God is good. This challenges me to view my life as belonging to Christ. My wife's life, also, belongs to Christ. I have heard stories of otherwise strong Christians who, after losing their spouse suddenly, have a real crisis of faith. Those serve to warn me not to idolize my marriage and to hold my wife, as a gift, with an open hand. In the end, my wife does not belong to me, she belongs to Christ. I am her steward. I imagine for Ezekiel, his loss might've been even tougher, because he was not allowed to mourn. On the other hand, maybe his experience was easier, because God warned him that it was going to happen ahead of time. For myself, I pray that God gives me a warning, and that I am able to mourn her fully. But, neither of those things are owed to me. God is not any more obligated to do that, than He is to consult me about when she should die. He is sovereign, I am not. Maybe Kristin's eventual death will serve some greater purpose. Maybe I'll never know. What I can answer difinitively, is my attitude about her passing. I can know that now, because I can determine to trust the goodness of my God. At the root of all of this, is that I must keep things straight. My priorities must place my God above my wife. In terms of my commitment, it's God first, Kristin second, my kids third, and everyone else shakes out after that.

P) Father, You are good. Your purposes are often beyond my comprehension, but in Your sovereignty, You don't have to keep counsel with anyone. But, I trust You, Lord. I choose to find my portion in You, God. I choose to find my satisfaction in You. I don't know much about my future with certainty, but I know that You are good. If Kristin goes home to You before I do, I pray that I am prepared in my heart. I pray that I will have been such a husband to her, that I have no regrets. I pray that I am humble enough on that day, that I recognize Your goodness through my loss. I pray You warn me, and I pray that I mourn, not as those without hope, but as one who is joyfully waiting for Your glory. If i come home before Kristin, I pray these same things for her. In our marriage, while we live, I pray Yoh are glorified. In our marriage, when we pass, I pray You are glorified all the more. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/22/2016; Ezekiel 23:30-31

Today's reading: Numbers 10, 11; Psalm 27; Mark 1*

S) "³⁰ These things will be done to you because you have played the harlot with the nations, because you have defiled yourself with their idols. ³¹ You have walked in the way of your sister; therefore I will give her cup into your hand."

Ezekiel 23:30-31 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 23

O) In this chapter, Samaria (which is comprised of all the tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel, who had intermarried with gentiles) is represented as an older sister named Oholah. The younger sister, Oholibah, represents the southern kingdom of Judah. It's important to note, while reading this chapter, that it is not a judgment against women in general, or even the women of these two kingdoms. This is a personification of the two kingdoms as unfaithful women, but the warning was written to the men who led Judah. It is likely that God chose to personify their kingdoms as women, because it forced them to see God's perspective better, about their own unfaithfulness. By using analogies about an unfaithful woman, it would immediately conjure feelings of jealousy, betrayal, anger, and heartbreak, because that is how God views the spiritual adultery they were committing. With the two verses above, about half way through the chapter, God is rebuking Judah, because they learned nothing from the unfaithfulness of the Samarians (the northern kingdom of Israel). God executed judgment against them, and Israel was carried off into exile by the Assyrians. While the nation of Judah was preserved, it wasn't for long. Because they followed her example of spiritual adultery, God gave them the exact same judgment, and they were carried into exile to Babylon.

A) When I was a teenager, I heard someone say that smart people learn from their own mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. I took that to heart, and viewing the lives of my two older brothers, I avoided a lot of the pitfalls that I saw in their lives. I avoided drug crime and drug use. I avoided greed and drunkenness. Even still, sin found me. I suppose that could be considered "original sin" because even without following examples from their lives about how sin looks, my sinful flesh still caused me to stumble, and hard, it just looked different. Ultimately, this verse is reminder that the window dressing of sin is irrelevant. The idols that the Samarians made differed from the idols in Jerusalem, but they were all idols. The specifics of the sins that took place in the northern kingdom may have varied from the southern kingdom, but it was all alienating them from the LORD, eventually costing them everything, even to their own lives. My sins may not look like those of another brothers, but they are still going to cost me. I may look at my life, and be thankful that my struggles don't look like the struggles of another person, but that is a façade that doesn't really even fool me, anymore. It certainly doesn't fool God. Without a doubt, the practice of sin will cost me dearly, eventually it will cost me my life. There is no escaping the truth of Romans 6:23. My real thanks should be rooted in that very same verse. When I see my sins, there is only one silver lining, and that is the free gift of God being eternal life in Jesus Christ. When I see my sins, it is just as deadly for me to compare them to another person's sins, as the sin itself is deadly. That is part of the deceitfulness of sin.

P) Father, You cannot be mocked. You are wise, powerful, omniscient and omnipotent. But, just as Your judgments are sure and Your righteousness is unrelenting, so are Your lovingkindness and mercy. Thank You for the convictions You give me. Let the Holy Spirit burn within me, when I am tempted to sin. Let the truth of Your words burn within me, when I have sinned. Discipline me to confess and repent without any delay, and to seek prayer for restoration. Discipline me to heed the warnings of the Holy Spirit. Let me walk more and more in Him, that I would not gratify the desires of the flesh, but that I would be actively and consciously and deliberately seeking to honor You, and worship You, and glorify You. Let Your will be done in me, and through me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/21/2016; Ezekiel 11:19-20

Today's reading: Numbers 8, 9; Acts 28*

S) " ¹⁹ And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, ²⁰ that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God."

Ezekiel 11:19-20 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 11

O) There can be no mistake, it is God who restores. It is God who takes a heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh. Now, that isn't to say people cannot still rebel against God. After all, we are certainly capable of hardening our own hearts, as we see throughout the Bible and in plenty of anecdotal evidence. Still, no one is beyond the reach of God. He has a heart for reconciliation. Even the start of v.20, where He said that the people would walk in His statutes and keep His ordinances and do them, this walking in righteousness which is reiterated in the New Testament as possible only because of God, this is not being good for goodness sake. This is not obedience for the sake of appeasing an angry god. This is all about being His people, and Him being our God.

A) While this passage was written to a specific generation of God's people, there can be no mistaking the fact that God still does this very thing. He did it for me, just like He did it for every person who has ever loved Him. So, these verses fill me with hope, that He can take the heart of stone from any people, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in His ways, that they would become part of His people, and that He would be their God.

P) Father, You are mighty and wise and sovereign. I know that You desire that none would perish, but all would come to repentance. So Lord, I pray that You would remove the hearts of stone from my children. Replace them with hearts of flesh, Lord, that they would walk in obedience to Christ Jesus, that they would be Your people, and You would be their God. I pray this for my family, for my extended family, my in-laws, my friends. God, do this for my co-workers and people who come to my church who aren't yet submitted to You. Do this for the whole world! Wherever the gospel is preached, let the people hear it. Take hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh, that they would walk in Your statutes and keep Your ordinances and do them. That they will be Your people, and You shall be their God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/20/2016; Ezekiel 10:18

Today's reading: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27*

S) "¹⁸ Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim."

Ezekiel 10:18 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 10

O) This chapter has some popularity, because of the mystery of the descriptions of the cherubim. There are wheels within wheels, which whirl and move in unique fashion. The cherubim themselves are striking in their descriptions. There are lots and lots of opinions and speculations about symbolism and what the imagery could mean. But, when the chapter is winding down, and we get to the verse above, we see one thing rise above it all. The glory of the LORD. Maybe there are insights in the esoteric descriptions. Maybe there are secret warnings about end times, or definitions of the roles of different types of angels. But, through all of those awesome descriptions, perhaps the most important thing to glean is nothing more complicated than to realize the glory of the LORD is astounding.

A) There are miraculous things that still happen in the world around me. I have seen amazing answers to prayer, undeniable intervention from God. I have been dumbfounded by some of my encounters with God in worship and prayer. But, through all of my experiences, if they do not glorify God, then they are worthless. At the core of my life, the motivation for everything I do should revolve around glorifying Jesus Christ. If it is not done for His glory, then it is not rightly done. I could have visions that defy comprehension and hear things that blow my mind, but if God's glory is not highlighted through it, then I don't think I want it. Otherwise, I'll be idolizing experiences. I'll be chasing feelings, searching for miracles for my own sake. That's the alternative, and I reject it out of hand.

P) Father, I don't want to be distracted by the things about You, while missing You along the way. I don't want to see awesome things, or experience amazing miracles, if I am not also glorifying You. If things are not for Your glory, then I don't want them, Lord. You are amazing. You are awesome. You are holy and overwhelming and good. Help me to seek You, and You alone, not the supernatural things about You. Open my eyes and ears, to see and hear what You would have for me, but according to Your will alone. Be glorified above all else, Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.