Read To Me Daily Semester 4Sample

EZEKIEL 38-39:
Yesterday we heard the famous ‘dry bones’ chapter of Ezekiel. Again the prophecy is that David will rule over the nation of Israel, which is like a nation of bones brought back to life. The references to David of course point to his heir, Christ.

Starting today in chapter 38, we hear of the kingdoms of Gog and Magog. These names point to future kingdoms in the north (in Turkey or farther north). Like Ezekiel’s prophecies against the kings of Tyre and Babylon, Gog and Magog point to spiritual entities beyond this world, and we will hear those names coming up again in Revelation. I doubt that these names pointed to a specific kingdom in Ezekiel’s day, but if they did, the knowledge about that is lost.

ISAIAH 15:
Yesterday’s reading in Isaiah started out like Ezekiel, talking of Israel’s return from exile and slavery. Then we heard another portion where the king of Babylon is clearly portraying Satan. That section starts with these words:

Is. 14:12 NLT “How you are fallen from heaven,
O shining star, son of the morning!
You have been thrown down to the earth,
you who destroyed the nations of the world.
13 For you said to yourself,
‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars.

HEBREWS 10b:
Today we read the second half of Hebrews 10. In the first part of the chapter, the writer was still speaking of the advantages and greater glory of the new covenant, proving this with a reference to Psalm 40 and returning to the extended quote from Jeremiah 31.

Let’s pray.
How gracious You are to us, Lord! How precious it is to see the cohesive unity of your Word in each day’s readings. Recently the writer of Hebrews quoted from Jeremiah, but now we have seen similar promises in Ezekiel:

• You promised to sprinkle us with clean water and purify us from everything that has defiled us.
• You promised to give us a new heart and mind, and to take away our stubborn, stoney heart.
• You promised to put your Spirit in us, enabling us to follow your commands.
• You promised that a king like David would rule us forever.
• You promised to make a new covenant with us that guarantees our security forever.
• And even now, heavenly Father, You live with us. We call out to you, “You are our God,” and You respond, “You are my people.”

Thank You so much that we are now free to come into the Most Holy Place. What wonderful words: We come through the curtain, which is the body of Christ. Thank You for that precious spiritual reality. Teach us all that it means.