Bible Truth And Prophecy

Todays readings.. 1 Chronicles 4, Ezekiel 17, Luke 13&14 

    There are many parables and challenging sayings in today’s 2 chapters in Luke’s gospel. Jesus’ utterance of just 3 words are very thought provoking: “Salt is good” [14 v34] 

      This immediately reminds us of what Jesus said in his ‘Sermon on the Mount’ after what we call the ‘Beatitudes’ Look at Matt. 5 v.13, – he said “You are the salt of the earth” to illustrate the role his genuine followers; were to have, to talk and live and act so as to become a good influence on those around them. How successful are we in doing that?

     In the passage in Luke, Jesus then adds, “but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away.”   So if we are not having an influence in adding a beneficial flavour to the lives around us how can we expect to have a place in God’s kingdom and serve him there as the world as a whole at last learns righteousness, (see Isaiah 26 v.9)

      How many are there today that Jesus would see as “salt”?  In Luke 13 we saw the response when someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will those who are saved be few? [v.23]  This question caused him to tell a parable about “the narrow door” and how vital it is to “strive to enter” through it.  The Master bluntly says, “For many I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  He then adds many will “begin to stand outside and to knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer them, ‘I do not know where you come from.” [v.25]  

      Jesus would be aware of the lesson of Noah in the ark, and how “the LORD shut him in” [Gen 7 v.16] Noah did not close the door!  We can imagine the scene as the rain poured down and the floods grew – what would be the mood among the scoffers then!

     His parable continues – those knocking at the door will say to him,  “We ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our streets” [v.26] and some/many of later generations may well say, ‘we owned a Bible and read it sometimes’  But he will say, “I do not know where you come from” – he cannot see any “salt” in them!

Todays readings… 1 Chronicles 3, Ezekiel 16, Luke 12

Our ch. 16 in Ezekiel today finishes with this wonderfully positive declaration.  After all the negative messages Ezekiel had been caused to send back to the remnant of his people in and around Jerusalem – in v,60 we read, “yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant.”   And so we ponder the wonder of the return and re-establishment of Israel in their homeland that began nearly 100 years ago. 

Our chapter ends with the declaration, “I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD.” We cannot resist the feeling that their time to “remember and be confounded” will very soon happen!  Alongside this,  let us be mindful of the atoning work of Jesus for us – have we genuinely accepted it – and been baptised?

The nation of Israel was scattered from their land and Jerusalem destroyed nearly 2,000 years ago.  Jesus said, as we will read next week, “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles, are fulfilled.” [Luke 21 v.24] The return of several million Jews to their homeland over the past 100 years – and becoming a recognised nation 70 years ago – is obviously a miracle. 

Paul, in writing his letter to the believers in Rome , where many of the Jews had begun to live (also think of how many Roman Centurions showed their belief in Jesus) was inspired to make this prophecy, “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” [11 v.25]  It is very enlightening to read the rest of that chapter!  How long now before the world witnesses the fulfilment of God’s “everlasting covenant.”?  Those who really know, have faith in and obey God’s word will be there to see it.  How utterly wonderful.   

Todays readings.. 1 Chronicles 2, Ezekiel 15, Luke 11. 

           Our Luke reading today features Jesus’ criticism of the religious leaders. They were obsessed with unimportant ritual.  They had elaborated on the straightforward commandments of Moses about washing hands and making sure cups and vessels were clean. What really motivated them to do this?

         The ritual they had created was more important to them than the reason for the commandment.  The lesson Jesus draws from this failure is one we must value.  He says, “You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness” (11 v.39). 

The outward appearance, what other people saw, was most important to them. They did things which would be seen by others, creating the image that they were righteous, good living people.   The way politics is often played out today for the media, provides us with a 21^st Century parallel.

Jesus went on to comment that they gave a tithe (a tenth of the value) of all the little things (v.42) but “neglect justice and the love of God.”    Let us beware; spirituality can so easily be just a façade.  Some churches are a bad odour today when the façade collapses.

   God’s anger built up against that generation; they had seen all the wonders of His Son’s miracles.  Our generation has learnt far more than any other about the intricate miracles of what God did at the creation of the world; things that had previously been beyond human sight. 

Yet, more and more people have locked their minds into believing there is no God!!    However, those who are fully convinced there is One God and that the Bible is his message must make sure that this conviction is on the inside! This is where God looks!  What Peter wrote is so meaningful; “let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” [1 Pet.3 v.4].  This surely applies to both men and women, make sure it applies to you. 

Todays readings.. 1 Chronicles 1, Ezekiel 14, Luke 10                                                                                                                      

           There are many idols in the world today.  Modern means of instant communication have made it possible to promote news about all kinds of things, especially what people are doing and achieving in sports and entertainment. 

            The best achievers are put on a pedestal – and many admire and idolize them. These people make enormous amounts of money, especially entertainers and sports stars.  All the best footballers in the AFL become millionaires.  Pop stars become multi-millionaires, even billionaires!   They are adored (worshipped?) by idolizing fans.

            Our Ezekiel reading (Ch. 14) is all about idols.  Long ago all the nations, apart from Israel, worshipped idols instead of the one true God.  Why?  The way they worshipped idols appealed to human nature.  There were temple prostitutes in attendance in the temples of these idols, other orgies took place there; it appealed greatly to baser human instincts.

            God tells Ezekiel to “speak to them and say … anyone … who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face and yet comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him …Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations” [v.4,6] He adds, “anyone … who separates himself from me … I will set my face against that person” [v.7,8]

            Today, God surely takes the same attitude to those who turn from him and allow godless attitudes to thrive in their minds, but then on Sunday come to worship and sing hymns … we cannot expect God’s attitude to be any different to what it was in the days of Ezekiel.  

            Those who today have come out from this godless world can see this most clearly and fully appreciate the words of Paul, “You were slaves of sin … but what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?  … become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” [Romans 6 v.20-22]  “Turn away from your idols.”

Todays readings… 2 Kings 24&25, Ezekiel 13, Luke 9               

     There is a parallel between today’s readings which complete the 2^nd book of Kings and what we read in Ezekiel: they are both about the same period, the end and destruction of the wonderful Kingdom David and Solomon had established; but it is written from two different aspects.

    The people of God’s kingdom had descended into spiritual depravity and we cannot help but see parallels with today.  Ezekiel was a Priest who went into captivity with King Jehoiachin in the year 597BC (2 Kings 24 v.14-16).   Eleven years later Jerusalem was destroyed. (25 v,2).  It was during this period that Ezekiel is sending messages back to those still in Jerusalem, and telling those who were with him in exile that their dreams of Jerusalem’s return to prosperity and of returning would not be fulfilled – and why!

    His messages are to counteract the misleading pronouncements of those who falsely claim to be prophets of the LORD. Yesterday’s reading (Ch. 12) finished with the message “say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord GOD’.”

    Chapter 13 starts with Ezekiel being told to “say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD’” [v.2], then, that the LORD says, “Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!” [v.3].   The ‘punch line’ that follows is – “They say ‘declares the LORD, when the LORD has not sent them and yet they expect him to fulfil their word” [v.6]. 

We fear there is a parallel with preaching today – that God is totally loving and forgiving regardless of behaviour and their future in heaven is assured, yet such who preach this do so “from their own hearts”.

    We have one big advantage today, the whole world has God’s word in their own language and those who are not satisfied with the messages they hear (if they choose to hear them at all) can check up and read God’s words for themselves.  It is a gold mine of God’s messages that all can ‘dig’ and bring to the surface – providing nourishing daily food for human minds. Those who ‘dig’ with the aim of becoming teachers of others need to heed the warning of James, “Not many of you should become teachers … for … we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” [3 v.1]