Good afternoon friends, As Ezekiel concludes, I come back to the thought that prophetic writings are different than any other forms in the Bible.  Are they "literal" or "figurative/symbolic" or a mixture?  This last chapter seems to say Yes to all these options. Blessings, Jeff Last words from Ezekiel describe the distribution of the twelve tribes, giving Joseph's 2 sons shares and excluding Levi.  But most of the chapter is about the "new" holy portion for the city, temple, Levites, priests and prince. Observations In this new Israel, all the tribes are regathered and have essentially equal strips of land.  This is another difficult thing to understand.  The 10 northern tribes (Israel) were dispersed and tribal purity was almost certainly lost.  So how do these tribes become reconstituted?  Judah and Benjamin were intact up to the time of the exile.  Benjamin seems to have some ongoing identity into New Testament times as Paul proclaims that he i...

Good afternoon friends Some time ago in an adult Sunday School class, Pat showed us one of many Ray Vanderlaan videos.  This one was about understanding the word picture of Psalm 23 - "green pastures" of the Middle East shepherd was not very appealing/  It was green in relative terms, not absolute.  So this came to mind as a worked on today's devotional. Blessings, Jeff This seems like a good place to mention one of the themes of God's provision.  In general, He gives just enough to get from one place to another.  Elijah has just been fed by ravens and drawn water from a brook for some period of time.  Not exactly "your best life now".  Then the brook dries up.  Natural reaction would be to get all worried about where next drink of water was going to come from.  But God has a plan. The widow in Zarephath (outside of the promised land, a Gentile) will feed you.  Maybe Elijah thought that this was going to be a step up from what the ravens...

Good morning beloved in the Lord, As I was writing this devotional this morning, I started to think about how Paul addresses believers as "saints".  In Christ, this is who we are.  We have absolute confidence in the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross.  Our relationship or communion with God is assured.  The activities in the new temple give us a picture of this. Blessings, Jeff Observations: Sacrifices at Sabbaths and new moons will continue to be celebrated in the new temple. The prince is at the center of these frequent sacrifices. The priests offer the sacrifices but the prince is the one who provides the animals, grain and oil. These sacrifices are not related to atoning for sin.  So their continuation after the crucifixion is not as problematic.  However, I think it is interesting that Sabbath and new moon observations were one of the failures in pre and post-exile Judah.  Failure to keep the fourth commandment by trading appears in many of...

Good evening friends, Writing this on 6/27 after listening to Jonathan's sermon on true and false children of God and how our attitude toward the Bible is a barometer for our relationship with the Lord. I especially concur with the thought that it takes time to grow in the Word.  If this is the first time you have read through the Bible, don't be discouraged by not finishing in a year.  Hang in there and God will bless you for your diligence. Blessings, Jeff  Many psalms speak of God's holiness, but this is David's personal commitment to integrity. This verse extends the standard to those around David. Let us meditate and inquire about this verse. What does it say? How would David know about those who secretly slander their neighbor?  I think this is more a warning that no private slander stays that way very long.  Eventually the slanderer puts his words into action or someone who heard that words reports them to others.  Spurgeon says that David knew the p...

A short plug for small group Bible study.  Our two current options for small group Bible study are women's group on Thursday mornings and men's D(evotions) on Saturday morning.  The elders recognize the need for other options as not everyone is available at these times.  Studying the Bible with other Christians is one of the ways which the Holy Spirit will produce maturity in each believer.  So I encourage you to join one of the these groups or let one of the elders know when you would be available for another group. Blessings Heff Both women's and men's Bible study were looking at 1 Kings 12 and following this past spring.  This episode was a vivid example of how bad theology can make you do some pretty silly things.   Jeroboam is the first king of the new Northern Kingdom aka Israel.  He apparently believes that the prophet who told him that he would become king could also tell him if his son would recover.  If the story ended there, we mig...

Good morning friends, Are you ready for a dive into the deep end of the theological pool? The fact that Calvin did not comment on this makes me hesitant to even look at it.  But I think we can come to a reasonable tentative conclusion. Blessings, Jeff  This is a difficult passage if this new temple is the same as the one described in Revelation.  The continuation of the sacrificial system after the crucifixion is not consistent with the fulfillment of that system.  How are we to understand this? Here are some commentaries Reformaton Study Bible - 43:21. outside. See Ex 29:14; Lev 4:12, Lev 4:21; Lev 8:17; Lev 9:11; Lev 16:27. The writer of Hebrews interprets these instructions as an aspect of Christ’s offering of Himself (Heb 13:11-13). Ezekiel 43:21 43:18–27  ESV Study Bible notes - This section describes the rituals of purification required for the altar before it is fit for regular use. Although the preceding verses have focused on the altar's design, its act...

Good morning fellow exiles and sojourners, Today we are confronted with the division of Israel just one generation after David, the man after God's own heart. Making sense out of moments like this is not easy when we think in human terms.  Reality is that God's plan of salvation includes this rather disastrous turn of events.  It only make sense in light of God acting for his glory and our good. Blessings, Jeff The fragile relationship between Israel and the house of David.  All the tribes followed Saul up to his death in spite of the fact that they all knew that God had rejected him as king.  After Saul's death all but Judah remained loyal to Saul's line until Abner makes a deal.  When Absalom rebels, almost all Israel goes with him.  All this despite the great victories that David had won.  And now because of Solomon's disobedience, God tears the 10 tribes away from his son Rehoboam. US history kind of did the same thing.  Washington was elected...

Dear friends, Today was our last 6 hour day with our grandsons.  So I only had time to do one devotional to stay on pace.  One of the most significant tools God used in my live was the Navagators 2:7 discipleship program.  It is based on Colossians 2:7 and was a two year small group that emphasized personal quiet times, memorizing scripture.  They used "the topical memory system"  2 verses on a given topic and 6 topics within a group.  So I started this in the late 80's and was faithful for about 5 years.  However I stopped when I did just about all the verses in the system.  About 6 years ago, I discovered The Fighter Verses from John Piper's Desiring God ministry.  This is a 5 year program of topics but also extended passages.  I have been able to memorize 2 books (James and Philippians) and large sections of other books.  Just want to encourage you to give it a try. Blessings, Jeff  I was memorizing this verse when I was vol...

In contrast to the interaction between Solomon and Hiram, Ezekiel's vision of the new temple is full of significance.  So this is just the beginning. Blessings Jeff The beginning of Ezekiel's vision of the new Jerusalem.  The day that Jerusalem falls, Ezekiel is taken in the spirit back to Israel where he encounters this man whose appearance was like bronze and who had a measuring read in his hand. Observations: The worst day in Jewish history up to this point is the occasion for a promise of future restoration beyond imagination. Ezekiel is not taken back to view the destruction of Jerusalem, but "a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south" Some aspects are very detailed such as the measuring reed and "that very day".   But others are very vague.  The man's appearance was like bronze, the structure was like a city. Implications The 'memorable day".  December 7, JFK assassination, Challenger explosion, 9/11.  They ar...

Good afternoon brothers and sisters, Another lovely day in Madison.  Three weeks from today is our last day with the twins.  Time has gone quickly.  Just a short comment on an unusual event. Blessings, Jeff The odd story of an unappreciated gift.  Didn't find much in commentaries or study Bible notes to explain this. These two kings had a good working relationship. So it is hard to figure out if the gift was really not too valuable or if the expectation was too high.  I am sure that this event is somehow related to the promised seed of Genesis 3:15, but I am also content not to make something out of it that isn't really there.  It may be as simple that one disappointment between friends was not blown out of proportion and didn't have long term impact on relationship.  This may be an example of the proverb  Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Friends, A catch up devotion for the day.  As we have mentioned before, prophetic can drift between specific and symbolic.  And it is hard to really know when it has happened.  I hope these thoughts are encouraging Blessings Jeff Chapters 38 & 39 are prophecies against Gog. From Reformation Study Bible notes: Rather than add to speculation about future history, modern readers should understand that Ezekiel himself uses these nations as symbolic references to all powers arrayed against God’s people. Ezekiel contains many oracles against foreign nations (Eze 29), but there is none specifically against Babylon, where he and the exiles were held in captivity. Some have suggested that Magog, Meshech, and Tubal are veiled references to Babylon, the immediate enemy. Gog and Magog recur in John’s apocalyptic description of future conflict between good and evil (Rev 20:8). Ezekiel 38:2 I thought v17 to 19 were interesting for a couple of reasons. 1. my wrath will be roused in ...

Good morning friends, We are not told much about the circumstances of this psalm that would result in such deep distress.  Yet the light of faith is evident.  I hope these thoughts encourage you on your walk today. Blessings, Jeff Psalms such as this force me to ponder, Why would anyone write such a song if he did not believe that God would hear his prayer and give him relief in some way?   In preparation for upcoming sermon on 6th petition (lead us not into temptation...), I have been reading Calvin's chapter on prayer in the Institutes.  Section 13 God’s command and promise as motive for prayer.  Not only are we commanded to pray, we are given the promise that God hears and will answer.  It seems to me, that the psalmist, Heman the Ezrahite, knew this deep in his soul.   All the world has to offer is "The seven stages of grief".  Of course, to the promise to hear and answer is only to those who believe that the God who gave the promise...

Good morning friends, Sometimes we get wrapped up in all the details of the tabernacle and now Solomon's temple.  So here are some thoughts about the Holy of Holies which is the focal point of the house of God. Blessings, Jeff The cherubim in the inner sanctuary aka the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies in the tabernacle was 20x20x20 cubits.  The ark itself was 2.5x1.5 cubits.  So a relatively large space for a relatively small box where the infinite God met with His people.  Exodus 25:17-20 You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, ...

Another history matters devotion.  Trying to catch up from last weekend.  Mount Seir is representative of Edom which is Esau, Jacob's brother.  When Jacob came back to Canaan after the 20 years spent with Laban, Jacob was afraid of what Esau might do to him.  But eventually,  Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.  So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom.) Genesis 36:6-8 It would seem that after all the years that Esau and his descendants lived outside of Canaan that they would not really be interested in taking Israel and Judah's place when they are sent dispersed or sent into exile.  Yet that is e...

Good Sabbath day to you, Enjoying a quiet Father's Day in Madison after listening to Jonathan's sermon of freedom.  Saying "Yes" to God's design and "No" to the desires of the flesh is true freedom.  But it is a daily battle.  Spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship (WSC question 60) is my "Yes" for this day. Blessings, Jeff  I have wondered how it is that God appeared to Solomon while he was sacrificing at a "great high place." And after his marriage alliance with Pharaoh.  His first acts are contrary with God's revealed will. But after the dream, Solomon sacrifices before the ark in the tabernacle. Yet he does not reconsider marriage alliance and continues on to have many foreign wives and concubines. I listened to another Martyn Lloyd Jones sermon on Romans 8.  In an overview of Paul's method, he points our that Paul always lays out theology and then addresses practical application. ...

Good evening my friends, Just keeping pace for today.  Still about 3 weeks behind on devotions.  But I am glad to be able to write as an encouragement to you as you read.  Every day in the Word is a blessing. Blessings, Jeff Some observations: Reaping is the theme.  We modern, technologically savvy people miss the agricultural context of the Bible.  Every farmer knows that what you sow determines what you reap.  The rest of us just go to the store and buy food without really thinking about how it got there.  Paul is using this analogy for spiritual purposes.   The black and white of salvation.  Either dead or alive.  Not a little of each.  Either flesh or Spirit.  Not a little of each  Works or faith. One way or many ways.  The plan of salvation presented in the Bible is contrary to all other faiths.  Going all the way back to Genesis 3:15, God has promised one way for the  head of the serpent to be cru...

Good morning fellow Bible scholars, Have you ever been in a situation where people use a lot of jargon that has meaning to them but not to an outsider.  Sometimes Christians can do this.  We look at our Bible and assume that it has always had the appearance that it has today.  When I first selected these verses, I thought I understood what "this is the latment" referred to.  But when trying to figure it out, I saw that the word grouping implied something that wasn't there.  Hope these thoughts are helpful. Blessings, Jeff This is a case where the grouping of verses can be misleading.  In the English Standard Version 16-19 appear as a paragraph.  Applying standard literary method, this would make 17-19 the lament that is to be chanted. However, when I looked at ESV study bible notes, v16 refers to the previous verses and 17-32 are the seventh and final oracle against Egypt. This made me think that some thoughts about my limited knowledge of Bible transl...

Dear faithful readers, As we come into the home stretch of our trip through the Word, we start to see the completion of the one of  four strands of our reading. (once through OT, Psalms, Proverbs and NT twice).  We are 80% through OT histories and have just reached the high point of national prominence.  It is all down hill from here. So here are some thoughts about the end of David's reign. Blessings, Jeff We have reached the end of Samuel, the history of transition from judges to kings.  And it ends with David, the best purely human king Israel ever has, doing what seems right in his own eyes and bringing judgment on himself and the nation.  I think this is a good point to reflect on this period in Israel's history. The desire to have a king so that they would be like all the other nations (1 Sam 8:4) turns out not to be the solution to all their problems.  While there have been many great victories over their enemies, there have also been defeats and ser...

Good morning friends, I think I have mentioned that time can be a rather fluid concept in prophetic writings.  The Day of the Lord has numerous implications.  But when it comes to a specific date, the prophet can use very specific words.  So here are some thoughts about dates in ancient times. Blessings, Jeff  I am fascinated with the specific date method used by prophets.  Unlike today, every nation had its own dating system generally related to the reign of kings or other major events.  The Chinese still have their dating method, but the BC/AD standard puts everybody on the same scale.  Reformation Study Bible notes put this as April 587 BC. Here is the RSB note on Ez 1:1 thirtieth year. July, 593 B.C. The book appears to have a double superscription, one in the first person (v. 1) and the other in the third (vv. 2-3). The dates in the Book of Ezekiel are normally calculated from the year of the captivity of Jehoiachin (cf. 40:1). But the first date ...

Dear Friends, I think this is a continuation of the devotion from earlier today.  Israel hung their significance on David not on God.  This psalm highlights this theme.  Telling the coming generation is not about human history, but about what God has done and consequences for disobedience. Blessings, Jeff "Tell the coming generation" is the theme of this psalm.  First 16 verses are on all that God did for Israel up through the Exodus. Verses 17 - 72 are about how "they still sinned more against him" and the consequences. So telling the next generation involves not only what God has done but the consequences of disobedience. If ancient Israel needed to remind coming generations of the relatively recent past, how much more does the church need to do this.  While there are some events in our history that are indicative of divine intervention, there is nothing like the provision of manna, the cloud and pillar of fire in the wilderness or provision of water in the wi...

Good morning friends, We resume our 4 hour days with the grandsons today and we have a month left in this stay.  Time has really gone by quickly.  So it is fitting that this passage that I chose back on 5/26 is what I am writing on today 6/15.  One of the challenges as my generation begins to pass from the scene is to make sure that the church is build on the foundation of apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone.  It cannot be built on the efforts of individuals. Blessings, Jeff The end of David's warrior days.  The folly of placing national identity in one person.  Ultimately, that person is going to loose the qualities  that made him a leader.  Here, David is no longer able to adequately defend himself.  Israel has placed so much trust in David that his death in battle would be worse than the army's defeat. History is full of similar stories.  Yet nations continue to place undue confidence in individuals.  Or lo...

Good afternoon friends, Fell behind over this past weekend.  Drove from Madison to my hometown of Council Bluffs for a memorial service for an uncle by marriage.  My 94 year old step mother and a 94 year old aunt on my mom's side are all that is left of that generation.  Any way, the hotel we stayed at had an unsecure WIFI, so it didn't want to take the chance of getting hacked. So this passage is another one of those "why is God judging a heathen nation" situations.  The Bible is the story of salvation, but these seemingly unrelated events are intended to help us understand God's plan. Blessings, Jeff  Part of the lament for Tyre - the prosperous heathen city-state.  There are many examples of warnings against individuals being jealous of wealthy neighbors who are wicked and carry out evil devices.  The same holds true for nation of Israel.  Looking all the way back to Israel's demand for a king so that they could be like all the other nations ar...

Dear bond slaves of Christ, I am so thankful for stories such as this that give us examples of relationships based on grace.  And at the same time, that actions and words must be in alignment.  Reminded of Jesus warning that not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. Blessings, Jeff The rest of the story. Mephibosheth is exonerated not so much because of his words but his actions.  While Absalom was in power, Mephibosheth did not seek to gain his favor.  The signs of mourning for David must have been an offense to Absalom.  If he had defeated David, Mephibosheth would probably have paid the price for loyalty to David. Mephibosheth response to grace.   He recognizes that he has not rights before the king.  House of Saul was doomed to death but you set your servant among those who eat at your table.  A picture of the blessings of Christ.  Condemned sinners are made pure by the blood of the Lamb and are invited to th...

This is one of those "mile marker" days.  You are now less than 100 days from the end of this year's trip through the Bible.  I know that you may be behind schedule.  As you know I have been behind on writing devotionals for sometime.  But the discipline of reading and meditating is what God delights in.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit delight when we spend time in His presence. Blessings, Jeff You may have heard variations on the question "Why do bad things happen to good people?".  The psalmist asks a different question, "Why do good things happen to bad people?"  So let us meditate on the first 3 verses. 1. He affirms what God has revealed about His nature in scripture.  God's covenant relationship is the promise of blessing to those keep his commandments and listen to his voice.  He shows that he is good to Israel as a nation and to individuals who are pure in heart.   2. He confesses that he was envious of the arrogant because...

Good morning fellow pilgrims, On his journey to the Celestial City, Pilgrim was confronted with many distractions and temptations to desert the narrow path and fell victim to some of them.  I pray that today's devotional will encourage you on your journey and that we will help each other to stay on the narrow way that leads to life. Blessings, Jeff  The bloody city - Jerusalem.  Just thinking about all the sacrifices required by the law taking place in the temple.  So in one sense, this makes Jerusalem a bloody city.  But these sacrifices cleansed the people and the place and being bloody was a good thing.  However, here, God is condemning all the blood from pagan practices (including child sacrifice) that had been adopted by Judah and Israel.  That blood brought uncleanness on the people and the place.   I find myself back at the second commandment.  The answers to  Westminster Shorter Catechism questions 50 - 52 The second command...

Good morning friends, The rebellion of Absalom exposes the hearts of others as well.  Today we see that things are not always what they appear to be. Blessings, Jeff The fascinating relationship between Ziba, David and Mephibosheth. Ziba puts his money on David and not on Absalom.  This seems to be a big gamble.  If David is defeated, Ziba will loose everything.  And at this point, the odds are definitely against David.  So on the surface, this looks like an act of faith that God will preserve David.  However, what alternative did he have?  The deal he has with David will probably not be honored by Absalom.  After all, Absalom is interested in being king and having Saul's grandson around may pose a threat to Absalom.  And as it turns out, he really left Mephibosheth behind with the intent of getting everything for himself.  If Absalom does get rid of Mephibosheth, then there will be nobody to refute Ziba's story. Mephibosheth is made to ...

Good morning saints, We are the "called out ones".  I hope that today's devotional will increase our understanding of how important purity if to God. Blessings, Jeff Let us meditate on the refining of silver.   Wikipedia article  One ancient process for extracting the silver from lead was cupellation. Lead was melted in a bone ash 'test' or 'cupel' and air blown across the surface. This oxidised the lead to litharge, and also oxidised other base metals present, the silver (and gold if present) remaining unoxidised.[1] Naturally occurring lead ore always had some amount of silver.  They had to get rid of allot of lead to get the pure silver.  Even the ancients recognized need to eliminate this dross. However, Ezekiel is given to understand that Israel has intentionally contaminated pure silver.  This is not refining lead ore that has some silver in it,  it is removing  impurities which were intentionally added.  So why would they do this?...

Dear friends, As I wrote this, I was convicted about how in these modern times when it is so easy to stay in contact with friends past and present, that I don't typically do this.  Paul and Titus are great examples of devotion to each other and to the body of Christ. Blessings, Jeff Seems that Paul has this habit of interrupting himself.  Here, he is resuming the narrative he left in 2:13.  Four chapters of precious doctrine plopped down in the middle of the story of trip to Macedonia.  Can't overlook the deep personal concern he has for the church in Corinth.  It is hard to imagine the physical exhaustion from travel and emotional exhaustion from concern about believers in Corinth.  The long awaited arrival of Titus provides comfort in the report of their response to Paul's first letter to them.  It is also amazing to me how Titus managed to track Paul down. It isn't like he could leave him a text message to find our where he was.   I would ...

Catching up.  You may have heard the expression, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" in relation to the fact that children pick up the good or bad traits of their parents.   There are two examples in this passage 1) David committed adultery with Bathsheba.  Now his son Amnon wants to commit incest with his half sister Tamar. 2) David's nephew Joab is ruthless killer of other military leaders who pose a threat to him.  Here, David's brother Shimeah, plots with Amnon to enable him to commit incest. In a way, God goes out of his way to point out how sinful the chosen line of David is.  Warts and all does not begin to describe the way David and his family are portrayed.  God tells Cain: If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7 Each of us needs to think of sin crouching at the door.  By the power of the Spirit, we are ...

Good afternoon friends, Ever since we started the prophetic books, we have been confronted with some unusual imagery.  We have another example today.  One of the nice things about time lines is you can get a overview of what happened when.  But we loose some of the descriptive imagery.   Blessings, Jeff To me, this is an unusual lament.  Since Ezekiel is a prophet, I tend to think everything he has to say is about future events. But these events took place earlier in his lifetime.  Commentaries say Jehoahaz (the first lion cub) reigned for only three months before he was taken to Egypt as a captive of Pharaoh Neco in 609 B.C. Ezekiel 19:4 Jehoiakim had rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, and the wrath of the Babylonian king was directed against his son Jehoiachin (the second lion cub)  Ezekiel describes his deportation to Babylon in 597 B.C. Ezekiel 19:9 Ezekiel, a prophet and priest, was exiled to Babylon in 597 B.C. His ministry extended over at le...

Good morning friends, The man after God's own heart is not free from sin.  He is a good king, but not a perfect king.  It has been said that it impossible to break just one of the Ten Commandments.  We think of adultery and murder, but there is also lying and coveting.  Requires us to ponder the  path of our feet and turn away from all evil. Blessings, Jeff The dialogue between David and Uriah the Hittite raises some interesting hypotheticals.  What if the plan to have Uriah sleep with Bathsheba had worked?  While there would have been cover for the legitimacy of the child, it would not change the fact of adultery.  Certainly the messengers he sent to retrieve her knew about the liaison.  Eventually someone would have told the truth.  And Nathan would still have known. Did David really plan on stopping the relationship?  When the child did not resemble Uriah, question would be asked.  Bathsheba knew she had been unfaithful and ...

Dear fellow exiles and strangers, I am confronted again with the example of David in prayer.  While it is good to ask others to pray for us, this psalm drives me to the realization that he cries out to God for himself.  David doesn't have a "prayer chain" to call upon.  He cries out to the Lord. Blessings, Jeff The current events in the world of sports seem to pale in comparison to David's situation.  A top female tennis player refuses to talk to the press after a match because she suffers from depression.  Making a statement by not making a statement. David has been driven to the ends of the earth presumably by Absalom.  Calvin points out that to be absent from Jerusalem and the tabernacle put one at the ends of the earth even thought it may have only been a hundred miles.  To be a king on the run seems to be more distressing that questions from the press after a tennis match. David knew God as his refuge and a strong tower against his enemies, but no...

Dear sojourners, As I think about an upcoming sermon on "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil", this passage tells me why trusting in my ability to overcome temptation is such a dangerous thing.  When I trust in myself, I have forgotten the days of my youth, before God saved me.  I was confident in my own good works which were really filthy rags.  I was unable to save myself, why should I think that I am able to sanctify myself? I pray that this devotion will shock you as it did me. Blessings, Jeff Another vivid portrayal of Judah's deplorable spiritual condition.  All the holy items designed for worship in the tabernacle and then in the temple have become the provocative dress of a prostitute. my gold and silver - all the items in the temple made of gold and silver have been made into images of men my bread - the shew bread, the bread of the presence that only the priests could eat is given to foreigners your garments - the garments of the Levites an...

Good afternoon brothers and sisters, Our God is a covenant making and covenant keeping God.  Whenever we find God saying "I will do ...", He is making a covenant to a person or group of people.  It is more than a promise.  In human terms, a covenant is between a superior and a subordinate, there are blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.  We see the covenant language in this passage even though the term is not specifically used.  You may want to do a word search and see how many you find. Blessings, Jeff The fascinating exchange between David, Nathan and God about building a house of cedar for the Lord. David has the idea and proposes it to Nathan.  Neither has thought about asking God about the idea, but Nathan says God approves.  Then God intervenes and promises David to build him a house instead of David building a house for God. Some people think that this indicates that God had been sitting around waiting for someone to come up with ...