Tag Archive | God

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 261

Sep18

Day 260 – Reading – Ezra 4 – 6,  Psalm 137.

Read the Scriptures first. 

Again, a little background reading would be helpful.  Who are the people living in the land of Israel who were adversaries of the newly returned Jews?  Read 2 Kings 17:24-41 for background. 

When the Assyrians deported the people of the northern kingdom, whose capital was Samaria, they brought back people from all their other conquered nations to mix and marry with the remaining “low” Jews who were left and keep the land. These people brought their own worship of pagan gods, and God sent lions among them. Then the Assyrian king sent a Jewish priest back to teach (also) the ways of the LORD.  And so the people who settled there had a religion made up of worship of the LORD plus all the other despicable pagan gods. They became known as the Samaritans, whom, still in Jesus’ time, the Jews hated.

Now these “Samaritans” were objecting to the influx of thousands of pure Jews who were settling in the land and rebuilding the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem.

Ezra 4

These Samaritans approached the heads of the Jews and offered to “help” them rebuild the Temple, since they’d been worshiping this God too, since King Esarhaddon (Assyria) brought them there. 

Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the high priest, said, “No way!  We alone are building a house for OUR God, as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.” (They could throw around a royal name, too!)

So the Samaritans resorted to discouraging and threatening the Jews, and bribing the contractors to slow the work.  They did this for SIXTEEN YEARS, through three Persian kings, until the time of King Darius! 

Whoa! 

During the reign of King Ahasuerus (after Cyrus), these Samaritans wrote an accusation against the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. (No response, maybe because the king was busy with his new Queen Esther, Mordecai, and his wicked prime minister, Haman.)

Then, during the reign of King Artaxerxes, they wrote another letter against Jerusalem. The exact letter is shown in Ezra 4:11-16. It ends with a threat, “…if the city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have NO possession in the province beyond the river!”  The Samaritans asked him to search the records and see if this city is not as rebellious and seditious as they claim!

This king listened to the Samaritans this time and sent a decree that all the work in Jerusalem was to “cease and desist.”   And so “the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem STOPPED and it CEASED until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.”

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Ezra 5.

After the prophets of God, Haggai and Zechariah, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the LORD, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the high priest, were encouraged and arose to begin rebuilding the Temple of the Lord. 

Once again, the opposition arose. The governor of the province and his associates came to them, demanding to see any new decree that allowed them to start building again.  They also demanded the names of all the workers.  (Sounds like Communism!)  The Jews ignored them… until a report could be sent to King Darius, and an answer returned.

Again, a copy of the letter the Governor sent to King Darius is included in Ezra 5:5b-17.  This letter is humorous to read because the Samaritans quote Zerubbabel, who explained how they were obeying the God of heaven and earth. They also quote him saying that King Cyrus had commanded them to rebuild it and had sent much money to make sure it was done.  

The Samaritans again ask the Persian king to “search the royal archives of Babylon” to see if such a decree WAS issued by Cyrus.   

(They had requested this of Artaxerxes, but he’d just given the decree WITHOUT searching the records!  But this king was actually going to do it.)

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Ezra 6.

King Darius DID make a search of the archives, and a scroll was found on which was written a decree by Cyrus, the king.  “Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height and breadth shall be 60 cubits each, with three layers of great stones and one layer of timber. LET THE COST BE PAID FROM THE ROYAL TREASURY. And let the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar took be brought back to the temple of God.”

Ha!  Well, that serves those Samaritans right.  But wait!  King Darius continues,

  • “Now, therefore, let the Governor and his associates keep away and let the work on the house of God alone.  Let the Jews rebuild the house of God on its site. 
  • MOREOVER … I make a decree that the cost of rebuilding the house of the God of the Jews IS TO BE PAID IN FULL AND WITHOUT DELAY from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province (Samaritans).
  • AND, whatever is needed — bulls, rams, sheep for the burn offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine, or oil as the priests at Jerusalem require — let that be given to them day by day WITHOUT FAIL, that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven (and pray for the life of the king and his sons.)
  • ALSO, I decree that anyone who alters this edict, that a beam shall be pulled out of his house and he be impaled on it, and the house be made a dunghill.  WHOA!!
  • May the God who has caused His name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem.
  • I, Darius, make a decree; let it be done with all diligence!  (And I imagine a swirling signature… or maybe the imprint of the royal ring in the clay.)

And according to the word sent by Darius, the Governor and his associates did with all diligence what the king ordered.  The Jews finished their building by decree  of the God of Israel, and by decree of Cyrus and Darius of Persia.  It had been 20 years since the foundation was laid.

The priests, Levites, and the returned exiles celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.  And they set up everything as it was written in the Book of Moses.

Then the returned exiles kept the Passover.  And the kept the feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, with joy for the LORD had made them joyful.  

And so ended the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

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(Praise God!  He always keeps his promises.  He supplies, encourages, protects and helps those who obey Him.  Thank You, LORD, for doing those things for us today as well.  YOU are the God we serve, and love, and obey. You gave us salvation through Jesus… an even greater gift than the rebuilt temple. Thank You!)

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 260

Sep17

Day 260 – Reading – Ezra 1 – 3

Read the Scriptures listed.

Read 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 first. (It’s the book just before Ezra.)  Also read Isaiah 44:8 and 45:1-4,  Jeremiah 29:10-15, and Daniel 9:2.

This stirring up of Cyrus, king of Persia, was not just a random thing, but had been foretold by the prophets in detail.  Seventy years. Cyrus, king of Persia.  Return to rebuild the “House of the LORD”

Ezra 1.

The way the LORD changes people’s minds is by stirring up their spirits.  Perhaps Daniel, his prime minister, showed him his own name – Cyrus – in the ancient Hebrew prophet of Isaiah. Regardless, Cyrus proclaimed throughout his kingdom that the LORD, God of heaven, had charged him to rebuild HIS house at Jerusalem.  Then an open invitation.  “Whoever is among you of all His people, may his God be with him, AND LET HIM GO UP TO JERUSALEM AND REBUILD THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL.”

The beginning of the returned Israel must begin with their God, and His house of worship.  Then they can see to themselves.  It’s like our own lives.  If God is honored at the center, then the rest will fall into place.

Cyrus also called for the people who remained (Jew or Babylonian) to assist those who were going by giving them silver, gold, goods, and beasts, and freewill offerings for the new Temple.  (Does this remind you of the night of Passover in Egypt?  The Egyptians then had loaded the Israelites with goods and beautiful ornaments, jewelry, vessels, and clothing. 

And so the priests, Levites, and the “leaders” of Judah and Benjamin rose up and made ready to go the 800 miles back to Judah and Jerusalem to rebuild the House of the LORD in Jerusalem. Cyrus brought out the gold and silver vessels from Solomon’s Temple (that Nebuchadnezzar had stolen, and Belshazzar had wickedly used). There were 5,400 articles!! WOW!   Cyrus gave them to Sheshbazzar, the treasurer, for safekeeping as they traveled and while the Temple building progressed. 

(There is no mention of the Ark of the Covenant with them.)

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Ezra 2.

This chapter lists by name and family those who returned in the first wave.  They returned each to his own town.

(Wow, what a sight it must have been! How many changes had there been in 70 years, with the crops, orchards, and vineyards barely kept going by the unskilled farmers who had been left behind?  Did the returnees “itch” to get things in order and fix up or rebuild their houses and barns?  BUT, the Temple was first.)

Those who led this group of 50,000 were Zerubbabel (in the line of Christ, see Matthew 1:13), Jeshua/Joshua (the high priest of the first return, in the line of Aaron), Nehemiah (not the same as the Book), Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai (not Esther’s uncle), Belshan, Mispar, Bigval, Rehum, Baanah, and the king’s appointed treasurer, Sheshbazzar.  Twelve men.  

The returnees were divided into these categories: The (general) people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants (singers, gatekeepers, etc.), the sons of Solomon’s servants, and those who could not prove (lost their lineage) that they belonged to Israel.  (They were only excluded from the priesthood.)

Some of the heads of families donated thousands of gold and silver coins to the project. They also gave 100 priests’ garments! 

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Ezra 3.

The returnees actually took seven months to fix up their own dwellings.  Then they built the altar of the God of Israel and sacrificed burnt offerings on it as was written in the Law of Moses. Morning and evening, they offered burnt offerings on it. There were also freewill offerings, offerings at the new moon, and at the feasts.  The first they kept was the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).

Then they got to work on the foundation of the new temple.  They hired (with the money King Cyrus gave) Sidonians and Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon via the sea to Joppa.

Seven months later. Zerubbabel and the others made a beginning. Jeshua, the priests, and the Levites supervised the work and the workmen.  When the foundation was laid, the priests in their vestments came out blowing trumpets and praising the LORD, according to the directions of David, the king of Israel.  And they sang the songs he had written and thanked the LORD.

  • “For He is good, His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”

All the people shouted and praised the LORD because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Many shouted for joy, but there were those–old men–who had seen the former Temple.  They wept with equally loud voices.

And the sound of rejoicing and weeping was heard far away.  (Ah-oh!)

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(How wonderful that the Temple was the first thing to be built. It would be the place where their God would live among them, as before. Yet it wasn’t exactly like before.   Things were not so lavish in gold. There was no palace or king. And for the most part, the city and the great walls were rubble.  But the Temple would stand again!!

O LORD, help me to make sure YOU are at the center of my heart and my life.  May I not stray from worship, praise and thanksgiving to You, oh, precious Lord.)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 259

Sep16

Day 259 – Reading – Daniel 10 – 12

Read the Scriptures.  

Daniel 10.

Here is another of the “end-time” prophesies that is hard to understand.  At least it seemed that Daniel understood some of it.

“In the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia, a word was REVEALED to Daniel.  And the word was true, and it was a great conflict.  And he UNDERSTOOD the word and had understanding of the vision.”

(This is now two years after the first decree was made to let Israel return to their land.)  Daniel had been mourning and waiting for three weeks concerning the visions he’d already seen. He was on the beach of the Tigris River when he saw a man (a vision?)  He describes this man much the way John described the risen/exalted Jesus in Revelation 1:13-14. Could this have been a Pre-Christ “Christophany?”  Also, Daniel’s reaction (He fell to the ground with no strength) was like John’s. Rev. 1:17.

(HOWEVER, many believe this “being” was again the angel Gabriel.)

A hand touched Daniel and “set him trembling on his hands and knees,” and the being said the sweetest words. “O Daniel, man much loved…”  Daniel stood, still trembling to hear the words, “From the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of them.”

Then the holy being explained a bit of invisible warfare that you and I are mostly unaware of. “The prince (demonic ruler) of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.”

He now tells Daniel why he is there.  He has come to “make Daniel understand what is to happen to Israel in the latter days.”  At this, the being had to once again strengthen Daniel,

“O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage. 

I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth.”

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Daniel 11.

The being first confirms that Darius has been tasked to show kindness towards Israel in helping them return to their land.

Then, as in chapter 8:3-26, “a great huge chunk” of future events is retold. There will be conflict among the world nations, which will follow each other in conquest and power up to Antiochus Epiphanes and the desecration of the Temple. (Only a preview of what will happen later with the Antichrist. see Dan. 11:36) 

(This account is so accurate in history that critics think that it was written 400 years AFTER Daniel.  But, hey, we know that GOD knows all things from eternity past to eternity future, and He simply let Daniel in on a few items.)

The account continues with great persecution for the Jews until the “time of the end.”  The evil antichrist will reign until the Lord Jesus Christ returns in power and defeats him once and for all.  “He shall come to his end, with none to help him.”

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Daniel 12.

Encouragement is now given to Daniel and Daniel’s people, Israel. When that great evil antichrist is in power, the archangel Michael (keeper of Israel) will arise to help.

“And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people (Israel) SHALL BE DELIVERED, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.  MANY of those who sleep … shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  And THOSE who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above.  THOSE who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.”

Then, Daniel is told to “shut of the words and seal the book” until the time of the end, when many will run to and fro and knowledge shall increase.  (WOW, DOESN’T THAT SEEM LIKE THESE DAYS, TODAY?)

Then Daniel looked and heard someone call out, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?”

And the being (Christ?) who was above the waters of the stream (Tigris) raised both hands to heaven, and swore, cryptically … “It will be for a time…times…and half a time. When the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end … all these things will be FINISHED.

Daniel: “I heard, but I did not understand.”  (You are not alone, Daniel.)

The being said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and “the abomination” that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.  Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.”

Then He assures Daniel that he will “rest” (die) and “shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”   

(Oh, YES!  In eternity, Daniel will be there in his allotted place, and we will get to meet him.)

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(LORD, I surely do not understand much of this.  Like Daniel I have many questions. But I will trust YOU to put me where I’m to be, and at Your perfect time.  Oh, help me to be faithful!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 258.

Sep15

Day 258 – Reading – Daniel 7 – 9

Read the Scriptures.  Meditate on what the prophet is saying.

Day 258.  Daniel 7.

In the following three (6) giantchapters are the prophetic visions that Daniel had of the near and distant future. They are hard to understand, but with some help, we can gain a little knowledge.

This prophetic vision backtracks to the time of Belshazzar, the Babylonian king.  This time, Daniel had a dream, and in the morning, he wrote down the dream and the “sum” of it.

He saw four huge beasts emerge from the sea. 

  • One was like a lion with wings.  The wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up to stand on two feet. It was given the mind of a man.
  • The second beast was like a bear. It had three ribs in its mouth.  It was told to go and devour much flesh.
  • The third beast was like a leopard with four wings on its back.  It also had four heads. Dominion was given to it.
  • Then, Daniel saw a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong.  It had great iron teeth, and it devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet.  It had ten horns. Then a little horn grew up and plucked out three of the horns by the roots.  And this little horn had the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Whoa!

These four beasts represent the same empires that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream-statue portrayed. The “sea” that they emerged from is the Mediterranean Sea (area).

  • The lion with wings represents Babylon. (Images of these were carved into the city gates.)
  • The bear is Medo-Persia, with the ribs representing all its vanquished nations.
  • The leopard represents Greece. The four heads represent the four generals who divided the kingdom after Alexander the Great died. (Macedonia, Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt)
  • The fourth beast represents the Roman Empire. Its dominion fell apart, but it will be revived and returned to greatness near Christ’s second coming. It will consist of 10 parts ruled by 10 kings, then a final 11th king who will be Antichrist.

Daniel’s vision then goes forward to when the Ancient of Days will give judgment on him, and Christ will destroy him.  And glory and dominion will then be given to the King of Kings.

More details are then given about these end times, including the 3.5 years of great tribulation.

And Daniel?  Whoa. His thoughts greatly alarmed him, he paled, but he kept the matter in his heart.

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Daniel 8.

The next dream that Daniel had was while Belshazzar was still king. 

He saw a ram on the bank of a Canal. It had two tall horns, but one was taller.  He charged westward, northward, and southward. No beast could stand before him. He did as he pleased and became great.

Then a male goat came from the west across the face of the earth, without touching the ground.  It had a prominent horn between its eyes.  It came to the ram on the bank of the canal and ran at it.  The goat struck and broke the ram’s two horns, so it had no more power. The goat trampled the ram, and it died.  The goat then became exceedingly great.

But when it was great, the big horn was broken, and there came up four smaller horns facing the four winds. ONE of the horns grew really great, even to the stars. It faced “the Glorious Land.” And the burnt offerings and sanctuary were given to him for 2,300 days.

Okay, whoa again.

Then he heard a voice from heaven. “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”  And Gabriel told Daniel that this vision was for the time of the End, and Daniel was told to “seal it up.” 

First came the ram (Persia) and the goat (Greece) and the divided parts, one of whose leaders became Antiochus Epiphanes, who was then mirrored in the Antichrist, who would be in power for 6 1/3 years: the tribulation and Great Tribulation.

 “I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision, and did not understand it.”   (We didn’t either, Daniel!)

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Daniel 9.

Now we jump forward until after the defeat of Babylon, in the first year that Darius is reigning as king over the Chaldeans.

Daniel was reading in the books of Israel, and read in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, that 70 years would pass after the destruction of Jerusalem for Judah to be in exile.  The end of those 70 years was near, so Daniel began to pray.

Such a long, heart-felt prayer of confession, and adoration, and petition!!  (Oh, read the whole prayer several times!)

O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keeps His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from Your commandments and rules.

We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name …  To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame … because of the treachery that they have committed against you.  To us, O LORD belongs open shame … because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God. 

And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us… by bringing about this great calamity.

Yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our god. We have not turned from our iniquities and gained insight by your truth. We have not obeyed… We have sinned, we have done wickedly.

O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your Holy hill, because, for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers. Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us!

Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for Your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.

O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by Your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive, O Lord, pay attention and act.

Delay not, for Your own sake, O my God, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.

And while he was praying, confessing his sin and the sin of his people Israel, and presenting his plea before the LORD for the holy hill of God… while he was speaking, the man, Gabriel came to him. 

“O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy, a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you (for you are greatly loved) understanding of the vision.

It was not just 70 years, but 470 years about the people and the holy city, when God would put an end to sin and atone for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness. 

And he gives Danial more specific amounts of time until “the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

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(WOW. What a prayer. Oh, to pray that way for myself and others, my fellow believers and the unsaved!!)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 253

Sep10

Day 253 – Reading – EZEKIEL 43 – 45

Read the Scriptures.  Meditate on what the prophet is saying.

EZEKIEL 43.

Another glorious vision! 

Just like Ezekiel saw by the Chebar canal when God called him. 

Just like he saw in the other vision, when God left the temple and the city.

NOW, though, Ezekiel saw the GLORY OF THE LORD returning to the city through the Eastern gate, then, entering, and filling the Temple!

And God spoke to him, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever.”  

And then an assignment:  “As for you, son of man, describe to the house of Israel the temple, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities.  And if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them in detail…

  • the design of the temple,
  • its arrangement,
  • its exits and its entrances,
  • the whole design,
  • all its statutes and its whole design,
  • and all its laws.

Then God reveals the details of the new altar, how it is made, how it will be sanctified and consecrated, and then how He will accept them and their offerings.

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Chapter 44.

Now God takes Ezekiel in that vision back to the Eastern Gateway to the Temple (not the outer gate, see illustration in yesterday’s study), and shows him that it was now SHUT. This is because the GLORY of the LORD had passed through to enter the Temple.  Only the “prince” may sit in it to eat the bread before the LORD. 

NOTE: The “prince” mentioned here and in other chapters is NOT Jesus.  Our Savior is always portrayed as the King (or Lamb).  This person could be an administrator of the Millennial Kingdom, representing the King (the Lord Jesus Christ). He is not a priest as the Messiah will be.

NOTE: This “gateway” is NOT the sealed eastern gate of the modern city of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel fell on his face before the Glory of the LORD, and heard his instructions to tell to the rebellious Israelites back in Babylon. “Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes, and hear with your ears all that I shall tell you concerning the statutes of the temple of the LORD and all its laws.”

“O house of Israel, enough of all your abominations, in admitting foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, into my sanctuary, profaning my temple. You have broken my covenant. You have not kept charge of my holy things. And the Levites, who went after idols, shall bear the punishment. They shall not come near me to serve me as priest or touch any of the holy things.  They shall only keep charge of the temple and its gates.”

God singled out only the Levitical Priests who were “sons of Zadok” (who was faithful to David and Solomon) to work with the holy things, and minister before Him in this Millennial Temple.

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Ezekiel 45.

During the Millennial Kingdom, the allotments of the land to the tribes will be different from those in Joshua’s time. It will be orderly, with horizontal bands of territory across the land from top to bottom. (We’ll see these in Chapter 48). Seven tribes will be located north of the central section, which is for the Temple, the prince, and the Levites. Five tribes will be located south of it.

(Yes, I know it’s different, but it’s orderly.)

God continues to tell Ezekiel what he is to relate to the people. He describes the prince’s property around the Temple and his duties. He cautions the civil leaders (princes) against their former sins of greed. He sets just weights and measurements for all their dealings, as well as for the offering amounts. And He describes to Ezekiel what to do for the various feasts.

In the Millennial Kingdom, only four “feasts” (instead of seven) will be celebrated. They are: the New Year, Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Booths.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 252

Sep9

Day 252 – Reading – EZEKIEL 40 – 42

Read the Scriptures.  Meditate on what the prophet is saying.

 

Illustration: Ezekiel’s Vision of the New “Millennial” Temple when “the Prince” (Jesus) will reign as King.

Ezekiel 40.

Ezekiel has this wondrous vision in the 25th year of his exile (14 years after Jerusalem fell), on the tenth day of the month, at the beginning of the Jewish year, when the preparations of Passover began.  God took Ezekiel, in a vision, to the land of Israel, to a high mountain (probably Mt. Zion, lifted up by that great earthquake (Ezek. 38:19). 

The LORD’s instructions to Ezekiel were:  “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, FOR YOU WERE BROUGHT HERE IN ORDER THAT I MIGHT SHOW IT ALL TO YOU. Declare ALL you see to the house of  Israel.”

Boy, I would have had to have the drawings, schematics, pens, and rulers, etc., to fulfill that task!  But it seems a “man like bronze” helped Ezekiel by measuring everything.  This was the Temple and the area around it (chambers, court, gates, walls).

NOTE: This is the MILLENNIAL (1,000-year) Temple when Jesus will reign on earth.  (It’s NOT Zerubbabel’s small temple built by the returned exiles, and later rebuilt by Herod (God’s presence was not in that one). It was NOT the “Eternal” temple in heaven, because the Lord and the Lamb are that Temple.)

Ezekiel 41.

This describes the “nave” (Holy Place) and the Most Holy Place, which are of the exact measurements as Solomon’s temple (twice that of the Tabernacle).  There is a large building to the West of the Temple, which was probably a large storehouse for supplies. He describes a few things inside the “nave” (Holy Place), such as a wooden altar, like the “Altar of Incense.”  And it looks like wooden, hinged double doors separated the “nave” from the Most Holy Place (instead of a massive veil).  

NOTE: There is no mention of the Ark of the Covenant.

Ezekiel 42.

Next to the inner court where the Temple was, on both north and south sides, were large, 3-storey “Priest’s Chambers.”  In these, the priests would change into the priestly garments before entering the Temple area and where they would eat the “holy offerings.” 

The “bronze man” then took Ezekiel OUTSIDE the walls, through the Eastern Gate, and showed him the measurements of the wall.  They were approximately ONE MILE on each side.  (Yes, too large for Mt Moriah, but remember the changes to the area of Jerusalem during the Great Battle at the end of the Tribulation. See Zechariah 14).  This wall separated “the holy and the common.”

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I love how the Temple area is exactly square now. It reminds me of the New Jerusalem coming down (Revelation) which will be a 1,500 mile cube.  The LORD is a God of order. He has wonderful plans which He revealed to Ezekiel (and the other prophets, and to John) so His people will know He will forever take care of them.  I PRAISE YOU, O God!

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 250 & 251

Sep8

Sunday and Monday studies are posted TOGETHER on Monday.

Day 250 – Reading – EZEKIEL 34 – 36

Day 251 – Reading EZEKIEL – 37 – 39

Read the Scriptures.  Meditate on what the prophets were saying. Check out the linked verses.

Day 250 – Ezekiel 34.

This chapter is about shepherds (good and bad), and sheep. Ezekiel 34:1-5 tells of the bad shepherds of Israel who mistreated, misused the ones in their care, and allowed wild beasts to get them. 

Ezekiel 34:11:16 reminds me of Psalm 23 (I will feed them with good pasture, vs14) and (They shall lie down in good grazing land, I myself will make them lie down, vs. 15).   

John 10:1-6 and Luke 15: 4-5 also tells of Jesus being a “good” shepherd, going after lost sheep, binding up the injured and carrying the weak. 

Matthew 25:31-46 tells about Jesus dividing the nations into sheep and goats and judging them on that final day, similar to Ezekiel 34: 17 and 20.

Read those verses in Psalms, Luke, John and Matthew, if you have time.

And the promise: One day, God will set over Israel ONE SHEPHERD, God’s servant, David, the “prince among them.”  And God will make a covenant of “Peace” with them.  And He will send down “showers of blessing” upon them and provide “renowned plantations” for them. “They will be His people, His sheep, human sheep of His pasture, and He will be their God.”

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Ezekiel 35.

This chapter is a prophecy against Mount Seir, or Edom, the people of Esau who was Jacob/Israel’s older twin brother. Animosity was between them… from the womb!

Now God is their enemy, and says he will cause desolation to them as well, their cities will be come a waste. This prediction came to pass, beginning with King Nebuchadnezzar. There is no trace of Edomites now, though their cities remain as ruins, such as Petra. 

There were multiple reasons for their destruction.

  1. “They cherished perpetual enmity against Israel,
  2. They killed and gave the people (who were escaping) back to the hands of Nebuchadnezzar,
  3. They planned to snatch the now vacant land of Israel and Judah as their own,
  4. They showed anger, envy, and hatred against Israel/Judah,
  5. They magnified themselves against God and multiplied their words against Him. (He heard it.)
  6. Their joy over Israel’s calamity.

So, God said to them, “You shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.”

‘

Ezekiel 36.

Next comes a chapter of blessing, on the LAND (mountains, hills, ravines, and valleys).  They will no longer be used by the surrounding nations as places of worship of their gods.  No longer shall they “devour God’s people and bereave the nation of their children. (worship of Moloch) and make them stumble. 

But now the mountains of Israel “shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home!”

God isn’t doing it for the Land’s sake, or for the sake of the people, but for His own Holy Name’s sake, which they had profaned among the nations. 

God will bring back his people and “sprinkle clean water on them to cleanse them from all uncleanness.”  He will give them a new heart, and a new spirit within them, and cause them to walk in His statutes and obey His rules. He will cause them in increase like a flock, so the waste cities will be filled.  They shall be His people, and He their God. 

And they will KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.

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Day 251 – EZEKIEL 37.

“Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones! O hear the word of the Lord.”

YEP, those bones are in this chapter.  God gives Ezekiel another vision.  He is “taken” to a valley where he sees huge numbers of dry bones scattered everywhere, representing the scattered exiles of Israel and Judah. 

“Son of man,” the LORD asked him, “Can these bones live?

“O Lord God,” he said. “Only YOU know.”

“Prophesy and say to the bones, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.  I will cause breath to enter you and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come to you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live. And you will know that I am the LORD.”

So Ezekiel prophesied this, and …. as he spoke there was a sound…, a rattling… and the bones came together, bone “connected”  to its bone.  And there were sinews on them… and flesh… and skin covered them…. But there was no breath in them.

“Prophesy and say to ‘the breath,’ “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain that they may live.”  And so Ezekiel did, and the breath came into them, and they LIVED and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

“These bones are the whole house of Israel. They are saying, ‘Our bones are dried-up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.”  “But say to them, ‘I will open your graves and raise you, O my people. I will bring you into the land of Israel.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live and I shall place you in your own land.”

.The God said to Ezekiel, “Take a stick and write on it, JUDAH. Take another stick and write on it ISRAEL. Then join them together, that they may become ONE in your hand.”  This was to show how God would ONE DAY bring both nations together again with ONE king, a descendant of David, a prince forever. And God would make an “everlasting covenant of peace” with them.

God also promised they would be in THEIR LAND, multiplied in number, and that God’s Sanctuary would be in their midst forever.  He would forever dwell with them.

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Ezekiel 38 – 39.

Next comes a prophecy that has been debated often.  Heads are scratched, trying to figure out just WHO God was taking about. 

Gog, in the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: whoever he is, God is against him.  Some believe this leader and his country represent Russia and its vassal states, along with the areas of Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. (the north).  But who knows if those nations are in existence when this prophecy takes place. 

Many people have tried to take the distribution of peoples after the Flood, and figure out the names from that list (See Genesis 10:1-10. Meshech and Tubal ARE mentioned).  But as Ezekiel said in Chapter 37, “LORD, You know.”

Anyway, a great war is to take place between Gog’s hordes and the countries with him, and God’s people, Israel. Gog will come as a great cloud covering the land, but God will VINDICATE HIS HOLINESS!  

  • His  WRATH will be roused! 
  • In his JEALOUSY He will declare a GREAT EARTHQUAKE. 
  • He will summon a sword against Gog (and they will fight among themselves).
  • With pestilence and bloodshed, the LORD will JUDGE Gog.
  • He will send torrential rain and hail, fire and sulfur on them. 
  • He will show His greatness and Holiness.
  • And they will know that He is the LORD.

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Ezekiel is to prophesy further to this invading monster, 

  • “Behold I am against you, O Gog,
  • I will turn you about and drive you forward and bring you up from the North
  • I will lead you against the mountains of Israel.
  • I will strike your bow and arrow.
  • You will fall, you and your hordes and all the peoples with you.
  • I will give you to the birds of prey and the beasts of the field to be devoured.
  • I will send fire on Magog and those who dwell securely in the coastlands.

And God said, “My holy name I will make know in the midst of my people Israel,

and I will not let My holy name be profaned any more.

And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.”

After that great battle (Armageddon), the people of Israel will burn the weapons of these dead for SEVEN YEARS.  And God will designate a place of burial for all the millions of fallen intruders.  It will take Israel SEVEN MONTHS to bury them all and cleanse the land. 

All this, the war, the decimation of Gog, etc., will prove to the world that He is THE LORD.  They will see His power and glory, and know.

And after he has restored the fortunes of Jacob, and has shown merch on the house of Israel… THEY will forget their shame and treachery against Him, THEY will see and know that He is the LORD.

“I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord God.

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( O LORD, I’m so glad Your name and holiness will be vindicated!  I’m glad Israel will finally see You as their God.  You are faithful to Your Word!  Though the hours, days, and years may stretch way out, I can fully trust the promises in Your Word.  Help me to keep my eyes on YOU, and stay “standing on the promises of God, my king!”)

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 249

Sep6

Day 249 – Reading – EZEKIEL 31 – 33

Read the Scriptures.  Meditate on what the prophets were saying.

EZEKIEL 31.

This is another metaphor, portraying Assyria as a tall Cedar tree, more lovely than the trees in Eden.  God made it tall and strong. It had pride. God gave it into the hands of the mighty one and the most ruthless of the nations (Babylon). It fell into the pit of Sheol.  And then God turns to Egypt…..  

  • Whom are you like in glory and greatness among the trees of Eden?  You shall be brought down with them to the world below.  You shall be among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword.  This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.”

. Ezekiel 32.

This is twelve years before the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation.  A lamentation over the Pharaoh and Egypt.  Egypt thinks of itself as a lion, but God compares Pharaoh to a Dragon in the sea.  God will drag it from the water, throw it on the ground, and allow the beasts and fowl to devour it.  The flesh of her will be scattered throughout the land, and her blood will drench the mountains.

Many peoples will be appalled at them. It will be the king of Babylon who will ruin the pride of Egypt and kill its multitudes. Assyria is already there (gone), and so is Elam, Meshech-Tubal, Edom, and the Sidonians.  These are the “uncircumcised” whom Egypt will lie amongst. 

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Ezekiel 33. 

God has set apart Ezekiel to be a Watchman for His people.  If he sees “the sword” coming and warns the people by blowing his trumpet … if any of them hear it but 1) do not heed it, the sword will come and take them away. But their blood (the responsibility) will not be on the Watchman’s head.  

But if the Watchman sees the sword coming and does NOT warn by blowing the trumpet, and the people don’t hear and take heed, and they are taken away,  2) their blood will be on the Watchman’s head. (His responsibility).

And so whenever God speaks to Ezekiel about the people’s wickedness, and he does not warn them, THEIR blood shall be on HIM.  But if he warns them and they do noting, they will die, but YOU Ezekiel, have delivered your soul. 

And God asks, “Why will you die, Israel??  As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked TURN FROM THEIR EVIL WAYS and live.  TURN BACK!  Why will you die, O house of Israel??

  1. When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it.
  2. When the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. 

And you say, O House of Israel, that the ways of the LORD are not just.  It is YOUR way that is not just.

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Then, on January 8, 585 B.C., six months after Jerusalem’s fall, a “fugitive” from Jerusalem came to Ezekiel. “The city has been struck down.”

When the people came to complain that the land was THEIRS, God rebuked them for their sin.  “I will make the land a desolation and a waste, and her proud might shall come to an end, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that none will pass through. THEN THEY WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.”

(Oh, LORD, our hearts are so sinful and prideful. And many times WE argue with you. YOU, the almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth! LORD, forgive us. YOUR way is right and truthful. Please help us, help ME, to follow your path … follow Jesus.)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 248

Sep5

Day 248 – Reading – EZEKIEL 28 – 30

Read the Scriptures.  Meditate on what the prophets were saying.

EZEKIEL 28.

Ezekiel continues the scathing prophesies against the nations around God’s people for cheering the destruction of Jerusalem, and their eagerness to plunder her themselves.  Here, he continues with the City-State of Tyre.

“The word of the LORD came to me: son of man, say to the prince of Tyre…….”

  • “Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods,’ yet you are but a man and no god … because you make your heart like the heart of a god,
  • THEREFORE, behold, I will bring foreigners upon you, the most ruthless of nations, and they will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor. 
  • They shall thrust you down into the pit, and you shall die the death of the slain in the heart of the seas.
  • “Will you still say I am a god…?

Then God tells Ezekiel to raise a lamentation over the kin of Tyre.  (This “lamentation,” although about the King of Tyre, has many people comparing it to Satan’s pride and beauty, as an anointed guardian cherub, and his fall from heaven.)

Sidon.  God next tells Ezekiel to prophesy against Sidon, a sister city with Tyre. He will execute judgment on them too, and show them His holiness when He sends “pestilence into her, and blood into her streets.”

Having settled accounts with Israel’s neighbors on all sides, He says that the House of Israel shall no more have briar or thorn to hurt her.   And when He gathers them home from the nations of exile, they will build houses and plant vineyards and dwell securely.  (Can you hear a big sigh?) 

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Ezekiel 29.

Ezekiel steps back a few years (twelfth day, tenth month, tenth year) of their exile.  Nebuchadnezzar is at Jerusalem, but it will be seven months before it is destroyed.

God tells Ezekiel to set his face against Pharaoh, king of Egypt (for four chapters).

  • “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lies in the midst of his streams, that says, ‘My Nile is my own; I made it myself.’ 
  • I will put hooks in your jaws, and make the “
  • fish” (people) of your streams stick to you when I draw you up.
  • And I will cast you out into the wilderness, and you will fall in the open field… to the beasts of the earth and birds of the heavens …. for food.”

God will judge them because they failed Israel when they grasped them for help.

God will also judge them for their pride in saying they “made” the Nile River.

  • “I will make the land of Egypt a desolation … and her cities shall be a desolation for forty years. 
  • I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries. 
  • Then I will gather and restore their fortunes. But they shall be a lowly kingdom, the most lowly. They will never rule over nations again. 
  • They will never again be the reliance of Israel.
  • THAT THEY WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD GOD.

Then God tells Ezekiel something interesting… 

He brought Nebuchadnezzar against Tyre (as foretold in chapter 26), and the Babylonian army had to “labor hard” against them. But they never got anything for their labor.  THEREFORE, says God, He was going to pay for the labor Nebuchadnezzar performed for Him by giving the king the land of Egypt and her wealth. 

HUH!  Yes, God is totally sovereign!  He has the nations in the palms of His hands.  (He would always win at Monopoly!)

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Ezekiel 30.

Then God told Ezekiel to “lament” for Egypt.

  • “Wail, ‘Alas for the day!’ For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near;
  • it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.
  • sword shall come upon Egypt, and anguish shall be in Cush,
  • when the slain fall in Egypt, and her wealth is carried away,
  • and her foundations are torn down.

(Cush, Put, Lud, all Arabia, and Libya, and the people who are in league … shall fall with them (Egypt) by the sword.)  “Those who support Egypt shall fall.”

  • “I will put an end to the wealth of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.
  • He and his people with him shall be brought in to destroy the land,
  • draw their swords against Egypt,
  • fill the land with the slain.   
  • And I will dry up the Nile… I am the LORD, I have spoken. 
  • There shall no longer be a prince from Egypt. 
  • I will set fire to Egypt. 

And Ezekiel continues to tell again that the LORD will defeat, scatter and take captive Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar.  THEN, THEY WILL KNOW….

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God uses nations and kings as pieces on a chessboard.  He knows, He sees. And He performs, according to His goodwill… and with His own people in His mind. All for His chosen. Yes, He is spanking them severely, but for their own good.  But the enemies around them will die.

I recall the blessing God gave to Abraham. (Genesis 12)

“I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

**** LORD, Thank You for Abraham’s blessing and his children (from both flocks). Thank You, that You never change, and a promise is secure with You!

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 247

Sep4

Day 247 – Reading – EZEKIEL 25 – 27

Read the Scriptures.  Meditate on what the prophets were saying.

EZEKIEL 25.

With the total judgment and destruction of Jerusalem, Ezekiel now proclaims judgment on seven other nations in the following eight chapters (like Jeremiah 46-51).  Chapter 25 covers four of them, known for their jealousy and vindictive hate of Israel.  

Ammonites.  (Distantly related to Israel [along with Moab] through Abraham’s nephew Lot.)  They are judged especially because of their glee at the destruction of God’s temple and the exile of God’s people to Babylon.   The LORD  tells them through this prophecy that they will be conquered and assimilated into “the people of the East” (the Arabian people). 

“Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel … therefore, I have stretched out My hand against you, and will hand you over to the nations.  THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.”

Moabites. (Descended from Lot.) They are also judged for saying Judah was not chosen by God, but a people like all peoples. They are also to be absorbed into the Arabian tribes.

Edomites. (Descendants of Israel’s brother Esau.) Edom was south of Ammon, Moab, and the Dead Sea. David had almost annihilated them. Their revenge was hostility to Israel… constantly. They cheered the Babylonians when Israel was defeated and exiled.  Much later, the Jewish forces under Judas Maccabeus fully conquered Edom.  They also were absorbed into the Arab peoples.

Philistines.  Because the Philistines acted revengefully “with malice of soul” to destroy Israel in never-ending enmity, God was going to destroy them (as well as the Cretons who joined them on the coast) via the Babylonians.

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Ezekiel 26.

The prophet again announces the day Jerusalem was captured. On the eleventh year, first day (of Jehoiachin’s captivity) (and Ezekiel’s).

Tyre. It was situated north of Israel on a well-fortified island. Known for fishing, it became a “world power” in shipping and trading throughout the Mediterranean.  It was King Hiram who helped David and Solomon with Cedar wood and supplies for building the Temple and the King’s Palace.  Later, they were guilty of selling Jews into slavery. 

God would use several nations (in waves) to destroy this power: the Babylonians, Alexander the Great, and finally, the Greeks in a devastating attack.   It takes three chapters for Ezekiel to write out the judgment on them.  

When Jerusalem was conquered, Tyre said, “Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to ME. I shall be replenished now that she is laid waste.”

And so God said, “I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as a sea brings up its waves.  They will destroy the WALLS of Tyre and break down her TOWERS, and I will SCRAPE HER SOIL and make her a BARE ROCK, and she will never be rebuilt.  And her daughters on the mainland shall be killed by the sword. 

Then they will KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.”

“(First) I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon… and he will kill with the sword.” 

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Ezekiel 27.

This whole chapter is a lamentation for Tyre, as a great ship destroyed on the high seas.   

Verses 3-9 describe the building of that ship. 

Verses 10-25 describe the merchants who did business with Tyre.

Verses 26-27 describe the shipwreck.

Verses 28-35 describes the merchants bemoaning the loss of her commerce.

“The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.”

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(Although God judges [disciplines] Judah and Jerusalem, His heart is still wholly on them.  And when surrounding nations jump and clap with glee, and plan how they will ransack her for their own benefit, God turns his wrathful judgment on THEM.

This reminds me of a protecting shepherd, who runs with vengeance upon any animal that taunts or attacks his sheep.  Thank you for caring for me so much, even when I foolishly wander off.  Thank you for “walking with me through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.”  Thank You for the promise of eternity with YOU!)