Today's Bible

New Bible sites: * Bible Study Notes * Cross Reference Bible

Places to stay, and things to do around:

* Kansas City, KS, Village West

* Shawnee, Kansas

2007 update: You might also be interested in our new Cross Reference Bible project, at http://members.aol.com/Sftrail/crossreferencebible/index.html Today's Bible blog got it's start here on BlogSpot, and is a year old now. People continue using this "read through the Bible in a year" plan, with daily Scripture assignments readable off or on-line plus devotional commentaries on-line.

The Blog is at http://todaysbible.lifewithchrist.org

The ARCHIVES of the daily Bible readings and devotional commentaries are here:

* BIBLE - Reading, Research - http://members.aol.com/Sftrail/christ/comment/index.html

* CALENDAR - Daily Reading List - http://members.aol.com/Sportsodds/bible/index.html

* EMAILS - weekly reading reminders - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/todaysbible

This blog has moved to http://todaysbible.lifewithchrist.org

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Thu, Nov 20: Ezekiel 40-42

The Lord God showed Ezekiel a detailed vision of the measurements for a temple to be built later in Jerusalem. If it helps you to visualize this information, there are several web sites with models or more details.

Ezekiel's Temple, by Lambert Dolphin
Model of Ezekiel's Temple (Millennial Temple), by Paul Jablonowski
Model of Ezekiel's Temple by John W. Schmitt
Ezekiel's Temple, by Mark Alvis
Ezekiel's Temple: comparisons of heights & Jewish worship centers, by Ken Bowles
Ezekiel's Temple, by Jan Willem van der Hoeven, International Christian Zionist Center
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, research listed by Lambert Dolphin

Wed, Nov 19: Ezekiel 37-39

[Thank you to today's guest commentator, Ted Wade. Ted is the author of the web site, BibleExplained.com, which grew out of his earlier web commentary on the book of "Revelation".]

Kids in Sunday School have sung about Ezekiel's vision of dry bones without understanding it was a vision or what it may mean. No problem -- the same kids flip the light switch without understanding how electricity works.

Check "The Bible Explained" website for notes on the dry bones vision in Chapter 37, about idolatry and the result of national sin.

Then check Chapter 38 and Chapter 39, presenting a prophesy against Gog, with details both of things to come soon for Ezekiel's people as well as later after the Messiah came, and in the end times.

Tue, Nov 18: Ezekiel 34-36

The Levite males, descendants of Levi, had been set aside as a group to make atonement for sin on behalf of the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting, so no plagues would strike the people approaching the sanctuary. (Numbers 8:5-26) Over the centuries, they took advantace of their job security, and rather than shepherding the people of Israel, they ignored the heart of their job description, ignored their accountability to God for the people, and focused upon all the rewards of the job, like quality food and clothing.

The rest of Chapter 34 has Jesus' fingerprints all over it. He declares that He will take on the responsibilities of shepherding Israel, and these chapters are worth reading and re-reading. At the least readers will be reminded of His asking Peter three times if he loved Him, and if so, "Feed my sheep". Moreover, the focus here is on the Messiah-Shepherd promising a new covenant. And forget about judging this by appearance. It will be a dark day, the Lord says, when he rescues the scattered flock from all the places they have wandered.

The people of Edom wanted to judge current events by appearance. When Jerusalem fell, it looked to them like a perfect ending to cleaning up the neighborhood. How they hated those Israelites! So what a great opportunity it seemed to be to take over Israel and Judah as Edom's possession. Like the Levites, Edom confused ambition with fact. The truth was, if you hate Israel you hate their God. Edom had no idea how powerful Israel's God is. He hears all the boasting and hatred expressed against Him and Israel all around the world. When He punishes Israel like a son, He isn't disinheriting Israel by a long shot. Learn to learn from Israel's mistakes like you would learn from your parents disciplining your own brother or sister. Their expectations apply to you, too.

Israel didn't deserve the Lord's giving them back the promised land, but He would for the sake of His holy name. Another chapter worth reading over and over, some of Chapter 36 has happened, and some hasn't. It reminded me of the explanation of 2 Peter 3:9 that God is not slow in keeping his promises, but is patient, not wanting any one to perish.

In the meantime, some people in the spirit of Edom and others continue to hate and kill the Jews. (News on the weekend synagogue bombings in Turkey)

Mon, Nov 17: Ezekiel 32-33

Check me out here, but Chapter 32 seems very timely. The lament God gives Ezekiel for Pharoah predicts the end of Egypt's strength and pride. God has given Babylon, "mighty men - the most ruthless of all nations", permission to put an end to all the Pharoah took pride in.

What happens to terrorists like Egypt was? They seem to go to a particular section after death according to the cause of their death. In this case, Egypt would join Assyria, Elam, Meshech, Tubal, Edom, all the princes of the north, and Sidonia who had used their power as terrorists in the land of the living.

And what was their reward for terrorism? They would die and then, too late, they would see they were with all the other uncircumcised terrorists. Too late, they would be ashamed realizing they were receiving punishment for sins, not reward for terrorism. "They went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power."

Pharoah will not be oblivious in death. He will see all the other terrorists in the afterlife, and in some sort of "misery likes company" way (this is Donald Stamps idea) he will be
consoled. God had allowed the terrorism, but punishment would follow.

Furthermore, in Chapter 33, God plainly states that he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He sends warnings, as through Ezekiel, that are meant to be delivered either to individuals or to groups as God directs. God explains accountability and repentance. If a righteous man starts to trust in his own righteousness, rather than in God, he can't rely on his past right relationship with God. (So much for trusting in the date of the day I was saved??) A wicked man or woman who turns from sin, trusts God, and does restitution will live. (This explains the two men on the crosses beside Jesus.)

Somewhat like the gulls in the movie "Nemo", the people left in the ruins of Israel were saying "Mine, mine, mine" because the land had been given to Abraham as a possession. God told Ezekiel to tell them that they didn't obey as Abraham had obeyed. Israel had taken pride in their own strength, but God would make the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things Israel had done.

After the Israel exiles saw that Ezekiel's prophesies came true, his popularity increased. How entertaining he was! But so far hearing his revelations hadn't changed what the people did. So far talking about what Ezekiel was saying hadn't made God's word the object of their affections. They still just didn't get it.

Sun, Nov 16: Ezekiel 28-31

I know that this section of Ezekiel is often seen to be describing Satan, and that is referenced below. But what strikes me in this reading is the sin of pride that so easily besets us - ok, me.

Things were going just great for the king of Tyre. His trade routes were expanding. His expertise in merchandising was increasing. He could hire the best in any number of fields related to his city's export-import business. Life was good, and the ruler of Tyre (what was   his name, anyway???) felt great.

How smart he was!
How beautiful was Tyre!
Problems? He had the answers!
Resistance? He had the power!

After all, he wasn't one of those ruthless conquerors like Assyria or like Nebuchadnezzar over in Babylon. OK, so Tyre had to get a little rough and overcharge and swindle -- but, hey, sometimes that's necessary. You know, the end justifies the means. And in this economy, ultimately it helps everyone to be part of Tyre's international world trade system.

Anyway, Tyre wasn't the only one full of pride. Just look south to Egypt! Pharoah thought he was so cool with the Nile running through his country. Even God's Chosen People had run there for help and protection.

It's just that eventually, God had enough.

* He had enough of Tyre reminding Him of Satan.

* He had enough of Sidon and the malicious neighbors of Israel and Judah.

* He had enough of Eqypt reminding Him of the people of Israel's sin.

* He had enough of Pharoah taking credit for the Nile.

* He had enough of ALL sources of pride throughout the whole world.

I wish I understood the "trees of the field" better. God described Assyria - which had been defeated by Babylon - as a cedar tree in Lebanon. "The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it." But for all it's advancement and improvements, that tree fell when God handed it over to Babylon, to deal with Assyria's wickedness. "No other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high... they are all destined for death... among mortal men, with those who go down to the pit."

Lord help me, that when I'm proud of some achievement or accomplishment, YOU get the credit. Then I will know that YOU are the Lord.

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More information on Satan, from jcsm.org
More about the trees of the field with scripture references