Daily Bible Devotionals

“Remember the instruction of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. Look, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome Day of the Lord comes. And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”  Malachi 4:4-6 (CSB)

“And His disciples asked Him, ‘Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’  And He answered and said, ‘Elijah is coming and will restore all things; But I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands. Then the disciples understood that he was talking about John the Baptist.”  Matthew 17:10-13 (NASB)

What was John the Baptist’s message? It was the same message of return & repentance that Malachi foretold.

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is near.’”  Matthew 3:1-2 (HCSB)

Isaiah is another prophet who foretold John’s coming. “For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said: a voice of one crying out in the wilderness, saying ‘Prepare the way for the Lord. Make His paths straight!’”  Matthew 3:3 (HCSB) (Isaiah 57:14)

John the Baptist’s ministry is even mentioned in the Psalms.

“Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.”  Psalm 85:13 (HCSB)

And how was the Lord’s way to be prepared? The way was prepared when people repented and turned their hearts toward the Lord.

If you have ever walked against the flow on a Manhattan sidewalk, you understand that it is easier to reach your destination when everyone walks in the same direction as you!

Repentance reverses the flow of spiritual and moral traffic, so to speak. By turning hearts toward the Lord and His Word, men become educated about God’s character, His commandments, the concepts of holiness & man’s depravity, and the world’s need for Messiah. In short, repentance prepares the heart to receive the gospel.

Repentance is not, in & of itself, salvation. It simply prepares the way for it. That’s why John said, “…but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I”. (Matthew 3: 11)

Moving into the New Testament, let’s continue turning our hearts to God’s Word. Let’s commit to advancing His kingdom by sharing the Truth of Messiah, which His Spirit reveals to us, one chapter at a time.

“At that time, those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared YHWH and had high regard for His name. ‘They will be Mine.’ says the Lord of Hosts, ‘a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked between the one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.’” Malachi 3:16-18 (HCSB)

I love this passage because it reminds me of the people who study the Bible with me in coffeehouses. Those of us who fear the Lord are getting together and speaking about Him openly and publicly. Scripture says the Lord is with us when we gather in Messiah’s Name. He takes notice and listens.

“For where two or three have gathered in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:19 (NKJV)

Two factors distinguish the believers Malachi speaks of: 1) They fear the Lord, and 2) They have high regard for His name. Remember the third commandment: Do not receive the Lord’s name in vain. A “Book of Remembrance” is written before the Lord. All who fear YHWH are set apart as “a special possession” on the day of the Lord when the Lord judges the world. Malachi’s words are obviously Messianic.

Consider how the Lord will have compassion on those whose names are written in the book: “as a man would have compassion on his son.”  Those who follow Jesus are called sons and daughters, co-inheritors with the Messiah. (Rom 8:16-17) As God raised Jesus from the dead, so He will also raise those who, by faith, believe in Jesus. Finally, a distinction is drawn between those of Israel who fear the Lord and those who do not: righteous and wicked, servants and self-servers. Compare God’s offer of compassion (toward Israel’s repentance) in Malachi 3 with His attitude toward Israel’s wickedness in Exodus 32.  

“The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me I will erase from my book. Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about; see, my angel will go before you. But on the day I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin.’ And the Lord inflicted a plague on the people for what they did with the calf Aaron had made.” Exodus 32:33-35 (CSB)

The idea that salvation is secured to the Jew simply by virtue of having been born Jewish is not supported even by the Old Testament. It is as ridiculous as the notion that damnation is unavoidable for the Gentile by being born a non-Jew. Righteousness must be imputed into each believer’s account by God’s grace alone. That transaction occurs when individuals turn from their sin and faithfully fear the Lord by trusting God’s Word concerning the Messiah. This is how men are saved. This is how our names are recorded in the Book of Remembrance. (Revelation 21:27)

“You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you ask, ‘How have we wearied the Lord?’  When you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the Lord’s sight, and He is pleased with them,’ or ‘Where is the God of justice?’”  Malachi 2:17 (HCSB)

Here is a saying that bears repeating. Two things confound a fool: 1) How slow God is to respond to sin, and 2) How quickly He shows up to judge.

The religious contradictions in Israel had reached their peak by the end of the first prophetic age. On the one hand, the religious leaders were teaching that God was overly gracious, to the point that He was pleased with those who practiced evil. On the other hand, they demanded God’s justice for their enemies.

How can a God, who is pleased with evil, serve justice? Justice demands that God hates what is evil.

Today’s verse reminds me of a conversation I had with a gentleman in Israel a few years back. This young man told me he didn’t believe anyone was going to Hell. He thought we shouldn’t risk personal confrontation by preaching about judgment and redemption because God would pardon the whole world at the last moment.

Later that day, the issue of suicide bombers came up. The same fellow’s comment was, “I hope those suicide bombers get what they deserve!”  Contradiction. When we refuse the Bible as the standard, we allow feelings, politics, and secular philosophy to determine our theology. With this approach, our opinions “seem” to make sense in isolated situations, but they don’t collectively agree. We elevate our intellect to be the judge and humiliate the Bible to be “just another opinion.”  

We find a similar situation in the book of the Judges.

“In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did whatever he wanted.” Judges 21:25 (HCSB)

Paul lists several manifestations of moral relativism displayed in the last days.

“But know this: difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of religion, but denying its power. Avoid these people!”  2 Timothy 3: 1-5 (HCSB)

The same perversion of truth, which brought judgment upon Israel before Messiah’s first coming, will eventually bring judgment upon the whole earth. It signals the approach of Jesus’ second coming, not as a Suffering Servant but as the Righteous Judge.

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am your father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? Thus says the Lord of Hosts to you priests, who despise My name. ” Malachi 1:6 (HCSB)

It may not sound very hip, but I am concerned with what corporate worship services have become for many congregations. I say this from the perspective of having performed over 1,000 concerts in worship settings worldwide.  

There is a growing sense, present in many churches, that following God is all about us as individuals. The music, theatrics, marketing & promotion, and message series seem to be focused on our pleasure. The whole production seems to be at the expense of simply teaching the Bible comprehensively and living out God’s Word in a community of accountability.

This was very much the case with Israel in the days of Malachi. Prophets and priests tickled the ears of the public and showed favor to whoever contributed the most money. The religious leaders spoke of the positive and popular aspects of God’s blessing, and they steered clear of the negative and unpopular elements of His standard.  

Selective preaching perpetuated an ignorance of God’s Word. Ignorance of His Word leads to a diminished view of God’s character. A diminished view of God leads to a heightened view of oneself.  

Ultimately, the leaders were more concerned with the approval of men than with glorifying God, at the risk of man’s rejection. As a result, Israel heralded Adonai neither as Father nor Lord.

Most modern-day production-centered churches assume that their methods result in the spiritual growth of their congregants. Research has discovered that this may not be the case. For instance, consider this example from Chicago seeker church, Willow Creek: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/march/11.27.html

Please understand I’m a showbiz guy. The music business is my professional background. I love a great worship experience when music, media, and message are artfully woven together. But problems arise when a congregation focuses more on gathering, retaining, and (dare I say) entertaining congregants rather than graciously yet comprehensively teaching the Bible.

“The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding.”  Proverbs 4:7 (NASB)

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (NASB)

When we acknowledge God as Father AND Lord, we will worship Him as such.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Zechariah 14. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man Who is My Companion,” says the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn My hand against the little ones. And it shall come to pass in all the land,” says the Lord, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zechariah 13:7-9 (NKJV)

Speaking of Messiah, the great Shepherd of Israel, Zechariah reminds us of Messiah’s primary role in His first coming: Atonement for sin. He does not come first as the great King whom so many people in the Jewish community are awaiting today. While He will return as the triumphant King in His second coming (Revelation 19:11-16), Messiah first comes to atone for the sin of the flesh with His own flesh, offering atonement, even to the rebels who opposed Him.

“Therefore I will give Him the many as a portion, and He will receive the mighty as spoil, because He submitted Himself to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet He bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.” Isaiah 53:12 (HCSB)

Of course, we know the Messiah has been revealed in the person of Jesus. A portion of our evidence (that Jesus is Messiah) comes from His fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy (and Micah’s (Micah 5:2), David’s (Psalm 22), and Isaiah’s (Isaiah 53), to name a few. He was struck down, and His crucifixion resulted in the scattering of His “sheep,” aka His disciples.

“Then Jesus to them, all of you shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” Matthew 26:31 (see also: Mark 14:27; John 10:12)

But more than fulfilling prophecy, the scattering of Jesus’ “sheep” also had a therapeutic result. It separated His disciples from the vicious “wolves” posing as shepherds in Jerusalem, separated “wheat-from-tare” among those who called themselves His disciples, and helped spread the gospel by 1) Scattering the evangelists around the world and 2) Ensuring that the gospel preached was pure. Job spoke of the purifying nature of his own hardships.

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 (NKJV)

A great thing about God’s chastening & refining His people is that the season of chastening & refinement does not last forever. Hence, He fulfills Hosea’s words.

“Say to your brethren, ‘My people,’ and to your sisters, ‘Mercy is shown.’” Hosea 2:1 (NKJV)

“Then I will pour out the Spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at Me whom they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly for Him as one weeps for a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning of Hadad-Rimmon in the plains of Meggido. The land will mourn, every family by itself: the family of David’s house by itself and their women by themselves; the family of Nathan’s house by itself and their women by themselves; the family of Levi’s house by itself and their women by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself and their women by themselves; all the remaining families, every family by itself and their women by themselves.” Zechariah 12:10-14 (HCSB)

Today’s passage presents a picture of the awakening of Israel when the “veil” begins to be taken away. (Romans 11) Then the call will come to self-humility and contrition of heart for Israel having rejected Messiah and having sinfully refused the testimony of the Holy Spirit as to Jesus’ true identity. This will be, for that Remnant, their great “Yom Kippur” (day-of-atonement). At least two millennia have elapsed since Messiah atoned for the sin of the World, and since that time, the community of Israel has not kept that day of fasting and introspective soul searching, as God commanded. In 70 A.D., the Romans destroyed the Temple, which is in ruins today, making Temple sacrifices impossible. So, while the Jewish community may set the day aside, they fall short of God’s desired requirements for the day.

It is important to note that we are studying the words of an ancient prophet who predates Jesus’ earthly advent by almost 600 years! For the sake of discussion, let’s say that Jesus is not the Messiah, and the “real” Messiah was to come on the scene today. According to Scripture, the Jewish community would not accept him, either! They would reject him and kill him - simply because it is prophesied, all the way down to their acknowledgment of wrongdoing and grief for having “pierced” him.

Now, back to reality: Jesus IS the Messiah! And there will come a time when a Remnant of Israel will not only worship Him; they will grieve, family by family, for how they had once rejected Him. We see it also in Revelation 1:7

“To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to His God and Father – to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him. And all the families of the earth will mourn over Him. This is certain. Amen.” Revelation 1:5b-7 (HCSB)

It is not a wailing of terror that is described here but the anguished mourning of the awakened Remnant when they realize the dreadful impiety their fathers were guilty of in crucifying the Lord of glory. Yet God will pour on that believing Remnant of David’s house (and on Jerusalem) His spirit of grace and prayer, not one of judgment & wrath!

“Then I said to them, ‘If it seems right to you, give me my wages, but if not, keep them.’ So they weighed My wages, 30 pieces of silver. ‘Throw it to the potter,’ the Lord said to me – this magnificent price I was valued by them. So I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw it into the house of the Lord, to the potter. Then I cut in two my second staff, Union, annulling the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. The Lord said to me: ‘Take the equipment of a foolish shepherd. I am about to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are going astray, and he will not seek the lost or heal the broken. He will not sustain the healthy, but he will not sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the fat of sheep and tear off their hooves.’” Zechariah 11:12-16 (HCSB)

Reading today’s passage, one might believe they were reading one of the New Testament descriptions of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, for it is a perfect fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy:

“Then one of the twelve – the man called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?’ So they weighed out 30 pieces of silver for him. And from that time, he started looking for a good opportunity to betray Him.” Matthew 26:14-16 (HCSB)

“Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,’ He said. ‘What’s that to us?’ they said. ‘See to it yourself!’ So he threw the silver into the sanctuary and departed. Then he went and hanged himself. The chief priests took the silver and said, ‘It’s not lawful to put it into the temple treasury since it is blood money.’ So they conferred together and bought the potter’s field with it as a burial place for foreigners.” Matthew 27:3-7 (HCSB)

So, the Good Shepherd has asked for His wages and broken His shepherd staffs, named “Favor” and “Union.” It reminds me of the violinist who not only retired from performing but he smashed his violin, making a return to the concert stage nearly impossible. But what of the new shepherd? Contrary to The Who song, for Israel, it was not a case of “meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” It was more like, “Meet the new boss; he is evil and selfish.” In other words, Meet the Anti-shepherd, “Antichrist.”

The scenes leading up to today’s chapter have contained some lovely pictures of God’s favor for the repentant Remnant of Israel. But the glory of Israel’s full return has been held at a distance from our present generation because of the rejection of the Shepherd upon whom the blessing depends, Jesus. So, we are still left with the sorrowful account of the refusal of the Good Shepherd. (Isaiah 53). The spirit of Anti-shepherd, who seeks only his own glory and doesn’t care a bit for the ruin and scattering of the Lord’s “Flock” is rampant. The former passage predicting the events surrounding Jesus’ betrayal was fulfilled precisely as prophesied, so we can expect Anti-messiah to arrive on the scene exactly on time. Already, the signs of the end are appearing. Are you ready? Jesus is coming to redeem and shepherd His Flock. Have you joined His sheepfold?

“Ask the Lord for rain in the season of spring rain. The Lord makes the rain clouds and He will give them showers of rain and crops in the field for everyone. For their idols speak falsehood, and the diviners see illusions; they relate empty dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore, the people wander like sheep; they suffer affliction because there is no shepherd. My anger burns against the shepherds, so I will punish the leaders. For the Lord of Hosts tended His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His majestic steed in battle. From them will come the cornerstone, from them the tent peg, from them the battle bow, from them every ruler.” Zechariah 10:1-4 (HCSB)

Today’s chapter details a time when another Remnant of Israel will again reach out to Him, whom they once “spurned” as the Anointed One. From verses 6 and 7, we see that the Remnant will not merely come from Judah but will represent all twelve tribes. These are those brought into blessing and who will settle in the land of their fathers, never more to be uprooted by an enemy’s hand. This chapter communicates more than simple immigration of Jews to the land of Israel. It carries with it the implication of returning to the Lord through Messiah and being restored to the land. In that sense, a Jewish person may immigrate to modern Israel yet not be fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy if they do not embrace Jesus as Messiah. Furthermore, suppose a Jewish person comes to faith in Jesus and never moves to Israel in their lifetime. In that case, they fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy because Scripture promises they will eventually reside in the New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:2)

Considering agriculture & meteorology, without the latter rain (Joel 2:23), Israel becomes little better than a desert wilderness. Under natural conditions, the former and latter rains are required to ensure agriculture and, hence, the prosperity of the people. Therefore, we should not be surprised to find the prophets using these “rains” in a figurative sense.  

Spiritually, Israel (in her history) had received her former rain when God blessed her by allowing her to be a nation and His Temple established in Jerusalem. But a long season of drought had set in, triggered by her idolatry. Zechariah encouraged them to look up again and ask the Lord for “rain in the time of the spring rain.”  In response to their request, God pledged Himself to give them showers of blessing. There is no doubt that Zechariah is speaking prophetically of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit predicted by Joel. It would be Israel’s “latter rain.”  But for us, looking forward, the giving of the Holy Spirit constitutes our former rain. We are still awaiting our latter rain when the Holy Spirit works mightily again in this present season of spiritual drought. This will be a brief time before Jesus returns, resulting in a revival that includes Jewish people.

Until then, a spiritual famine of sorts prevails. Yes, Jewish people are coming to faith (and in increasingly significant numbers) in our day, but since the days of Jesus, they have primarily been like “sheep without a shepherd,” blindly following blind guides. (Mark 6:34) That is why our proper understanding (and preaching) of God’s Word is so important: We don’t know how long the Lord will tarry, so we cannot assume our present Jewish friends will be part of this prophesied revival. We must preach as if He will tarry!

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 (HCSB)

The book of Zechariah is divided into two parts. The second division embraces chapters 7-14. Chapters 9-11 deal with the coming of Messiah, Jesus, and His rejection by Judah. (Chapters 12-14 follow with the inspired account of Jesus’ second coming and His acceptance by the repentant Remnant.)  

Israel’s refusal of the Messiah was connected with the state of moral decline into which the people had fallen long before. The cross was just the culmination of a course of willful hardening that had been going on since the days when Moses was guiding Israel through the wilderness. Because of this “willful hardening” of the heart, Israel suffered various captivities, and many afflictions had come upon them. When these Divine disciplinary rebukes resulted in true repentance, God mercifully relented His rebuke. It was such repentance that Israel was called to in chapters 7 and 8.

In chapter 9, the prophet begins speaking of the coming of the Savior King and how hearts must be prepared to receive Him. Today’s passage is quoted in three of the four gospels: Matthew 21:2-5, Mark 11:1-9, Luke 19:28-35, and all three speak of the direct fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy.

And what an accurate prophecy it was! Try and visualize, if you will, Jesus riding into Jerusalem amid the welcoming cries of His disciples, a “remnant” from among those who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. They all cried out, “Hosanna!” which literally translates, “Save us now!”  Surely, they saw Jesus as the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prediction. In this way, Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, the chief Cornerstone of the rebuilding of Israel’s worship, only to be despised and cast away as a stonemason casts off a rock unfit for construction.

But when Jesus comes a second time, it will not be as the humble Prince who rides His donkey through the streets while His disciples herald his arrival. No, in the second coming, He will present Himself as the Warrior-King on the white horse of victorious judgment. (Revelation 19)

But between verses 9 & 10, this entire dispensation of grace comes in; it is evident that the latter part of chapter 9 has never been fulfilled. The King came but was refused. His cross has become the sign of salvation for all who trust in Him, while He Himself has taken His seated beside the Father in the Heavens. Never, for even one hour, has He occupied the throne of David. He will take that throne with power and great glory when He descends from the Heavens. Then He will cut off all the enemies of Jerusalem, and “He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:10b. Only when He appears in person will Zechariah’s words fully come to pass.

“The Lord of Hosts says this: ‘Though it may seem incredible to the remnant of this people in those days, should it also seem incredible to Me?’ – the declaration of the Lord of hosts. The Lord of Hosts says this: ‘I will save My people from the land of the East and the land of the West. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem. They will be My people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.’ The Lord of Host says this: ‘Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words that the prophets spoke when the foundations were laid for the rebuilding of the Temple, the house of the Lord of Hosts. For prior to those days neither man nor beast had wages. There was no safety from the enemy for anyone who came or went, for I turned everyone against his neighbor. But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days’ – this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.” Zechariah 8:6-11 (HCSB)

Today’s chapter is another one of those incredibly encouraging, exhorting, and uplifting sections of Scripture. Yet, we will only focus on a small portion of it. But what a portion it is!  

Have you ever thought to pray for something yet paused and said to yourself, “That would be asking too much of the Lord.”? I have. But God’s statement to Israel conveys precisely the opposite sentiment. He tells Israel that what may seem incredible to them is commonplace to Him. Split a sea in two? No problem. Speak the cosmos into existence with a single word? Easy. We begin to take on His character when we align ourselves with His Word. We want the things He wants and seek His will over ours (or the world’s will). Then, we know what to pray for. Therefore, if you are pursuing such Godly Biblical “alignment,” pray away! Through His Spirit, God will guide you and teach you that some of the things we used to pray for were Worldly and trivial, and He will direct you toward His heart. It is amazing when our prayers are God-led because that is when we see what is humanly impossible materialize before our eyes.

This is what God is telling the remnant of Israel: He is saying that a day will come when Jerusalem will be rebuilt, restored, and re-populated. It seemed impossible to the Babylonian remnant, standing amidst the dirt & rubble of their destroyed city. It seemed impossible in 1948, just before Israel was again reformed, seemingly overnight, and it will seem impossible in the days of the Antichrist, when evil will dominate the world, threatening to annihilate all who follow the Lord. More than simply rebuilding the city, the Lord will literally lower the “New Jerusalem” from Heaven. Seems far-fetched? It is not for God, especially in light of all the other “miracles” documented in the Bible.

God will save His people from the West and East. The West, with its “Liberty without accountability” mindset, and the East, with its “Discipline without personal relationship” ideals, will be laid to waste; out from the East and West will come true accountable disciples with freedom in their personal relationship with Messiah Jesus. We must take in the words of the prophets that everything we need will be eternally provided in God’s timing & wisdom. It is planned. The Lord has declared it.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Zechariah 7. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“The word of the Lord came to me: “Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Take silver and gold, make crowns and place them on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.  You are to tell him: This is what the Lord of Hosts says: Here is a man whose name is Branch; He will branch out from His place and build the Lord’s temple.  Yes, He will build the Lord’s temple; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. There will also be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two of them.” Zechariah 6:9-13 (HCSB)

After eight visions, the Lord directs Zechariah to carry out a symbolic act with significant Messianic implications. Zechariah was told to take silver and gold from the relatively small number of exiles who had returned to Jerusalem and fashion a crown to be placed on the head of the high priest. It was to encourage them and demonstrate that God had a plan, and their return was part of a greater deliverance.

But there is a problem. High priests are not to be crowned kings. The kingship was exclusively given to the family of David from the tribe of Judah, and the priesthood went to Aaron’s descendants from the tribe of Levi. So, why would the Lord tell Zechariah to crown a high priest as King? God is sending a message concerning Messiah, Who will be both High Priest and King forever. We know this because God tells Zechariah this Priest/King will be named “the Branch,” specifically, a name given to Messiah throughout history.

“In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.” Isaiah 4:2 (NIV)

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1 (NIV)

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.’” Jeremiah 23:5 (NIV)

“In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; He will do what is just and right in the land.” Jeremiah 33:15 (NIV)

Interestingly, God says, “Here is THE MAN whose Name is the Branch,” the same words Pilate used to present Jesus: “Behold the man” (John 19:5)

Thus, we get another clear picture that Jesus’ advent, some 2000 years ago, was not arbitrary but had been planned since before time began.  (Micah 5:2; Revelation 13:8; John 1:1-14)

“I looked up and saw a flying scroll. ‘What do you see’ he asked me. ‘I see a flying scroll,’ I replied, ’30 feet long and 15 feet wide.’ Then he said to me, ‘This is the curse that is going out over the whole land, for every thief will be removed according to what is written on one side, and everyone who swears falsely will be removed according to what is written on the other side. I will send it out,’ – the declaration of the Lord of Hosts – ‘and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My name. It will stay inside his house and destroy it with its timbers and stones.’” Zechariah 5:1-4 (HCSB)

In Sikeston, Missouri, there is a famous restaurant called Lambert’s Cafe. Lambert’s is known as “The home of the throwed roll.” That is, whenever the dinner rolls are baked and just hot from the oven, the cook steps just outside the kitchen and yells, “Who wants a roll?” If you want a roll (and everyone wants a roll), you raise your hand, and the cook proceeds to throw your roll across the room to your table! Better yet, bring a catcher’s mitt!

Today’s chapter in the King James Bible is titled “The Flying Roll.”. My Bible titles the chapter “The Flying Scroll,” which is more accurate to the prophecy. Having left the Angel of the Lord, Zechariah is back with his “interpreting angel,” who explains the meaning of the scroll and its curse on all who steal and swear falsely by the Name of the Lord. Everyone knows what a thief is, but what does it mean to “swear falsely” by the Lord’s Name? Let’s start with what it does not mean. It does not mean to use the Lord’s Name as a swear word or as a curse. The offense is much deeper than that. To swear by the name of the Lord is more closely related to the third commandment: Do not take the Lord’s Name in vain. To understand taking (or using) the Lord’s name in vain, it helps to think of our relationship with Him in terms of a marriage. When two people get married, the bride generally takes the husband’s last name as her own. Anyone seriously studying the Bible knows that God often describes His relationship with Israel as that of a husband and wife. Furthermore, the New Testament refers to Jesus as the “groom” and The Church as His “bride.” It also commands men to love their wives as Messiah loves the Church.

Now, imagine a man and a woman getting married, and (as is the cultural norm) the woman takes the man’s last name as her own. But what if the woman refuses to live faithfully to her husband and flaunts her adulterous lifestyle? She would have received her husband’s name but in vain because she had rejected the essence of marriage: faithfulness. Now, imagine if she went around town telling people that her “husband” was saying things he never said, nor would he ever intend to say? This was Israel in Zechariah’s day. Israel wanted the benefits of being God’s “bride” and would swear to be faithful to Him. Still, all the while, she was practicing idolatry, serving other gods, all the while claiming that her “husband” had authorized such behavior. Just as an unfaithful woman will eventually face the wrath of a jealous husband, Israel was about to face the wrath God was storing–up for her punishment. 80% of American households have a Bible in them. On average, they have 2 Bibles. Far from a “flying scroll,” there is a “lying scroll,” i.e., a Bible lying around most American homes that testifies against all who refuse to read and obey it.

“So he answered me, ‘This is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts. What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you will become a plain. And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it!’ Then the Word of the Lord came to me: Zerubbabel’s hands have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you. For who scorns the day of small things? These seven eyes of the Lord, which scan throughout the earth, will rejoice when they see a plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:6-10 (HCSB)

When I was in college, I ran cross-country and long-distance track. I had a guilty pleasure back in those days. I used to laugh when the young runners would compete in their first college races. They would always start out in first place, but most of them would be rounding out the last place by the race’s end. That is because they had not developed a significant mileage “base,” which is essential for enduring long races at fast paces. Long-distance runners cannot have sprinters’ strategies. Otherwise, they burn out too fast.

As briefly mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, Zerubbabel was the uncrowned heir of David’s line. It was his job to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon, another son of David’s, had built the original Temple. Yet another, known as the “Son of David,” Jesus, would come later and, indeed, He has gone ahead of us, not just to build another Temple, but to prepare a whole New Jerusalem for those who faithfully believe in Him.  Zerubbabel was a building contractor. As such, he had a long-distance runner’s mindset. To finish his task, he took a step-by-faithful-step strategy.  

If you have ever been on a large-scale construction site toward the end of construction, you have probably noticed it was pretty impressive. But construction is unimpressive for the first 2/3 of the build. That is because any good contractor knows the importance of building a proper foundation. Wise contractors don’t get over-excited about getting the walls & roof built. They level the ground, wait for it to settle, steamroll it, grate it, wait…then pour the foundation. After that, everything seems to go quite quickly.

The same is true with our spiritual growth. Often, we are too concerned with producing the “fruit” of evangelism that we neglect to lay a strong Biblical foundation. We ask, ‘Where’s the fruit?” but whoever asks about the foundation? That is why many talented young believers have successful ministry experiences and then quickly crash & burn. Sadly, the whole Messianic community suffers unnecessarily simply because people would rather be sprinters than long-distance runners!

God tells us that we should not scorn the day of “small things.”  There is power in doing simple things diligently: Bible study, prayer, seeking His will above ours. You may not be a huge “fruit producer” initially. But foundational disciplines are “root builders,” growing seeds of readiness & righteousness. The Lord, in His timing, provides the might & strength needed for spiritual success, according to His will, which we have learned from reading His Word and experiencing His faithfulness when we obey Him.

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’ Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’” Zechariah 3:1-4 (NKJV)

Today’s chapter is so full of theological “gold” that it seems shameful to limit the exposition to one aspect. Still, we have our limits with these daily devotionals. I always recommend you dig further into a good commentary to help you “mine” all the gold there is.

There were three significant “Joshuas” in the Bible. First, there is Joshua, son of Nun, who led Israel into the Promised Land. There is, of course, “Yeshua” (a form of the name Joshua), known by most of the world as “Jesus,” the Messiah. And there is today’s “Joshua,” high priest and associate of Zerubbabel, and the uncrowned heir of David’s line. In essence, Jesus was a combination of the two “Joshuas.” He is our great High Priest who atones for our sins, and He is leading us to the New Jerusalem.

In today’s passage, the high priest, Joshua, stands before the Angel of the Lord as if for judgment. At his right hand stands Satan, the Accuser, the never-ceasing accuser of God’s people. We see this scene of Satan the Accuser at least three other places in Scripture:

“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’ So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’” Job 1:6 (NKJV)

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 (NIV)

“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2 (HCSB)

God’s great grace and mercy is that, even though Joshua was standing next to Satan the Accuser and was wearing filthy clothes (instead of the usual spotless garments of the priesthood), God rebuked Satan before he could speak. And He gave Joshua new clothes. As the high priest, whose job was to atone for the sins of the community, new clothes for Joshua meant forgiveness for the community. Who could ask for more? Satan is silenced, and righteousness is extended by grace. Sounds like Jesus to me!

“‘Daughter Zion, shout for joy and be glad for I am coming to dwell among you’ – the Lord’s declaration. ‘Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day and become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to you. The Lord will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem. Let all the people be silent before the Lord, for He is coming from His holy dwelling.’” Zechariah 2:10-13 (HCSB)

Today’s chapter contains only one vision – a man with a measuring line in his hand. Upon seeing him, Zechariah asks where he is going. The man replies, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and length.” At this, the interpreting angel left the prophet’s side and met another angel coming toward him. The latter cried, “Run, speak to this young man, saying Jerusalem will be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle inside her; for I, says the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire around her, and will be the glory in the midst of her.”

Important to note is that the Mormons foolishly believe the young man with the measuring line to be Joseph Smith (the false prophet) and the angel to be Moroni, who is fabled to have revealed to him the golden plates of the Book of Mormon. I point this out simply to illustrate that people fall into such cults primarily because they are Biblically illiterate. Even the most casual reading of today’s chapter would make clear that it has no reference to a “Zion” in America but is ultimately connected to what has gone before and follows after, as to Jerusalem and the land of Israel.

Now, onward to today’s passage. Many theologians believe the angel that the “interpreting angel” left Zechariah to speak with was the Angel of the Lord, a specific title for pre-advent Messiah (Jesus). That is Jesus, in the glory He had with the Father before he came to earth as a baby. (Micah 5:2) The reason for this belief is the language the Angel used: “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day and become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent Me to you”. The idea that Gentiles would be accepted by the Lord as His people is not a New Testament invention. God’s redemption of Gentiles is firmly rooted in the Prophets. Notice the similarities in today’s passage with Isaiah’s and Jesus’s words.

“‘And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord minister to Him, love the name of Yahweh and become His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold firmly to My covenant— I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’ This is the declaration of the Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: ‘I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.” Isaiah 56:6-8 (HCSB)

“Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, ‘It is written, “My house is a house of prayer,” but you have made it a den of thieves.’” Luke 19:45-46 (NKJV)

“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the Word of the Lord came to the prophet, Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo: ‘The Lord was extremely angry with your ancestors. So tell the people: This is what the Lord of Hosts says: “Return to Me”’ – this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts – ‘and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. Don’t be like your ancestors; the earlier prophets proclaimed to them: This is what the Lord of Hosts says: Turn from your evil ways and your evil deeds. But they did not listen or pay attention to Me’ – the Lord’s declaration. ‘Where are your ancestors now? And do the prophets live forever? But didn’t My words and My statutes that I commanded My servants the prophets overtake your ancestors? They repented and said: ‘As surely as the Lord of Hosts proposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so He has dealt with us.’” Zechariah 1:1-7 (HCSB)

From the opening words of Zechariah’s prophecy, we notice that Zechariah and Haggai prophesied within two months of each other. Haggai had aroused the people’s consciences, and as a result, they began the work of rebuilding the Temple. Furthermore, Haggai encouraged the now-awakened people by directing their attention to the coming day of Messiah’s glory. In the following month, Zechariah was called by the Lord to prophesy: first, in a rousing call to self-judgment and repentance, then, later on, to a remarkable description of Messiah that Haggai had only briefly outlined.

Interesting to note is Zechariah’s genealogy. “Zechariah” means “YHWH remembers”; “Berechiah” is “YHWH blesses,” and “Iddo” is “the appointed time.”  So, when read through Hebrew understanding, we have: YHWH remembers, YHWH blesses at the appointed time.” Thus, when the set time to favor Zion has come, all the promises of the Lord will be fulfilled and carried out in blessing. That’s an encouragement for us, too!

Given such an encouraging pedigree, one would think the returning Babylonian exiles would have graciously received Zechariah’s exhortation/prophecy/encouragement…not so. Like so many of his predecessors, Zechariah died a violent death at the hands of his countrymen when spiritual decline had, once again, set in. Jesus mentioned this:

“So all the righteous bloodshed on the earth will be charged to you, from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. I assure you: All these things will come on this generation! Jerusalem, Jerusalem! The city who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing! See your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!” Matthew 23:35-38 (CSB)

Jesus’ words are the “mirror image” of Zechariah’s prophecy: Indictment, prediction of Judgment, and restoration through repentance. Its message is still relevant for our generation: A reckoning is forthcoming – grab the grace and mercy while it’s extended.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Haggai 2. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“The Lord of Hosts says this: ‘Think carefully about your ways. Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house (of the Lord). Then I will be pleased with it and be glorified,’ says the Lord. “You expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought the harvest to your house, I ruined it. Why?’ This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.”  Haggai 1:7-9 (HCSB)

The Bible has much to say about giving. My personal tendency is to give only when I have ample access to money. It reminds me of the Bob Dylan song, “Like A Rolling Stone.”

“Once upon a time, you dressed so fine. You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you?”  Bob Dylan

It is harder to be generous when you are the bum begging for a dime when times are lean. Still, the Bible commands and exhorts us to give (regardless of the abundance of our wealth), so I do. God is more concerned with the abundance of your faith than the size of your offering. (Mark 12:41-44)

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18 (NIV)

Somehow, the Lord has always provided abundantly when I have been obedient. When I have withheld my giving, it was as if He withheld His blessing because I would begin sinking financially. However, many followers of Jesus can say “Amen!” to what I have shared; how and when God provides for us is still a great mystery for many others. I do not believe God’s faithfulness can be truly understood until we faithfully obey God in this matter.

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

Today’s passage is not just a story about ancient Israel. The Lord is using Haggai to speak to us, as well. On average, 20% of church attendees provide 80% of the finances needed for their local ministry. Does that mean 80% of all Christians live below the poverty level? Absolutely not! It means 80% of church attendees are more concerned with building their own houses than God’s Kingdom! (See also: Luke 21:1-4)

Where do you fit into that 80/20 split? As we move toward finishing the TANAKH (Old Testament), let’s remember to faithfully worship the God Who provides instead of worshipping the provision of God.

“Woe to the city that is rebellious and defiled, the oppressive city! She has not obeyed; she has not accepted discipline. She has not trusted in the Lord; she has not drawn near to her God. The princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are wolves of the night, which leave nothing for the morning. Her prophets are reckless – treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to instruction. The righteous Lord is in her; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.” Zephaniah 3:1-5 (HCSB)

Today’s passage delivers a picture of a religious culture that has utterly rejected the truth. At the same time, within that religious culture stands a remnant that, even in weakness, has held fast to the Word and the Name of God. Princes are lions, Judges are wolves, prophets are reckless, and priests are profaners. But God dwells among His faithful followers within the community. It was an accurate picture of Jerusalem in Zephaniah’s day, and it pretty much describes the Messianic community (the Church-at-large) of our generation.

Jerusalem, the most highly privileged of all cities, is described in verse one as “rebellious, oppressive and defiled.”  Here, we find a four-fold indictment in verse two: She has not obeyed or accepted discipline. She has not trusted in the Lord; she has not drawn near to her God. These are intensely solemn statements, to say the least. But in them, we are forced to search ourselves to detect (in our lives) any departure that may lead us to a state similar to what Jerusalem is charged with.

Ask yourself, “Have I obeyed the voice of the Lord?” What does that mean? It means, “Have you read God’s Word and allowed it to affect you to the point that you would be willing to apply it?”

Ask yourself, “Have I accepted discipline from God’s Word?” Based on what God has revealed through His Word, have you taken active steps to change your way of living and thinking to align yourself with His will?

Ask yourself, “Do I truly trust in the Lord?” Even though He may not work on the timetable of your personal expectations, are you willing to walk by faith?

Ask yourself, “Do I really draw near to the Lord?” Do you confide in Him, bringing your requests and confessions, knowing He cares and is faithful and just to forgive us if we confess our sins?

You see, God is showing us a consistent pattern of discipleship. If we seek God’s Word with the intent to know and live according to it, He will reveal its truth to us. In return, we discipline ourselves to obey His revealed will. When we faithfully follow Him, we experience His faithfulness extended to those committed to following Him.  When He proves Himself faithful, it builds our trust, so we reciprocate by drawing nearer to Him, making confessions and petitions, and experiencing Him more personally. If we refuse to seek His Word, the whole equation unravels exactly in the reverse process.

“Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, before the decree is issued, or the day passes like chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.”  Zephaniah 2:1-3 (NKJV)

Of the little information we have about the prophet Zephaniah, we are certain that he prophesied during the era of the divided kingdom at the time of Judah’s darkest days. Zephaniah commented during the reigns of Judah’s most wicked kings, Manasseh and Amon, and he was around toward the beginning of the reign of the young righteous king, Josiah. Given the evil culture that had taken over Jerusalem, it is easy to see why Zephaniah’s primary message focused on God’s impending judgment. Zephaniah speaks more about the “day of the Lord” than any other Old Testament book.

Yet, the purpose of prophecy is to reveal the ending BEFORE the story unfolds. Every good storyteller knows that a story is not a legend until it ends. Therefore, the prophet’s message tells of TWO endings, one of the unrepentant hearer and another for the repentant. We must understand that God desires all people everywhere to repent.

“Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.”  Acts 17:30-32 (HCSB)

This idea of God’s grace and mercy is not solely a New Testament “Christian” idea. It is inconsistent with God’s character throughout Scripture. We see it in God’s sending of Jonah to preach to Nineveh, and we also see God’s heart in Ezekiel’s message.

“‘Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?’ This is the declaration of the Lord God. ‘Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?’” Ezekiel 18:23 (HCSB)

There is a judgment, a “reckoning” forthcoming for our generation, just as sure as there was a reckoning for Zephaniah’s generation. And your response to that message of impending judgment will be one of the two responses to Zephaniah’s prophecy. I plead with you to turn to Messiah Jesus! He is our only refuge and salvation, yet His atonement is offered liberally to anyone who would turn from their sin and receive it. Invite Him into your heart and surrender your life to His Lordship today. You WILL be hidden in the coming day of the Lord’s anger.

“I will bring distress on mankind and they will walk like the blind because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. Their silver and their gold will not be able to rescue them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy. For, He will make a complete, yes, a horrifying end of all the inhabitants of the earth.” Zephaniah 1:17-18 (HCSB)

We don’t know much about the prophet Zephaniah beyond what he tells us of himself in the first verse. His pedigree is traced back four generations, and the date of his ministry is given as “in the days of Josiah, the son of Amon, king of Judah.” Those were days of blessing and revival for a “remnant” of Judah, but obviously, the vast multitude of Judeans, though outwardly reformed, were in the sad spiritual state described in this book (a message echoed in the early chapters of Jeremiah). Lesson: Having a reputation of holiness is not the same as being holy. And there is a time when the Lord will search throughout the earth, looking for half-hearted men, to separate them from His people, intending to destroy them. The object of Zephaniah’s prophecy was to warn those clinging to a “form of godliness” of the coming judgment. The apostle Peter also echoed Zephaniah’s sentiments:

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them and will bring swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and because of them the truth will be blasphemed. In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep.” 2 Peter 2:1-3 (HCSB)

Besides clinging to a distorted version of the truth (a half-truth is no truth), the Judeans were counting on their stored-up wealth to help them ride out any seasons of a market downturn. Whenever people turn away from the invisible God, revealed only in Scripture, their only refuge is to cling to tangible things. We see this even in our present-day culture. People are still looking towards modern versions of “gold and silver” to sustain them through turbulent times. I am not against wise investments, but if it were possible to pinpoint that the source of a specific market and natural disasters was the Holy God, what other refuge would there be for the unrepentant?

God has determined a Day when He will completely sweep mankind from the earth. For those who do not believe in a literal rapture, you may find it hard to get around this statement! He is doing business in Jerusalem, just as He is cleansing the other nations. While this prophecy is in advance of Babylon’s invasion, its totality of destruction must also be extended to that “Day of the Lord,” which is yet to come. In this knowledge, we have an advantage (and higher degree of accountability) over God’s people in Zephaniah’s day. Because we know how God’s prophecy was fulfilled – to the letter – we can only expect it will likewise be fulfilled in the end to come. Therefore, let’s take Zephaniah’s prophecy to heart; let’s repent from our sinfulness and wholeheartedly follow the Messiah, our only Hope.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! YHWH, my Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights! For the choir director: on stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:17-20 (HCSB)

I don’t like to go work out at the gym. But I know I need to go in order to be healthy. I have experienced that while I never like to start a workout, I always feel revived when it’s through. Presently, many of us are facing tough “workouts.”  Some are facing job loss, health loss, loss of a loved one, loss of a home, or the loss of a relationship. If I have learned anything in my walk with the Lord, it is simply to trust Him and cling to His character. This, He has revealed in His Word. That’s not to say I have mastered faith! I’m just saying I know my Master is faithful.

The last three verses of Habakkuk’s prophecy are the expression of a truly revived man who has learned to find all his “springs” in the Lord. You almost have to live in a desert region (as I have) to appreciate water that emerges from the least likely sources. But if we change the backdrop to finances, don’t we all appreciate when money or opportunity shows up seemingly out of nowhere? Paul surely had Habakkuk in mind when he encouraged the Philippians through a season of bitterness & strife:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Messiah Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any praise – dwell on these received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 (HCSB)

There is such a difference in the spirit of Habakkuk from beginning to end. He begins bewildered and confused, full of questions and perplexities. And Habakkuk ends as one who has found the answers to all his questions, whose soul has found satisfaction in the Lord God Himself. We can all identify with his questions and confusion, and in Habakkuk’s patient endurance, we find encouragement to hold fast in faith.

Habakkuk is such a short book; if we blink, we will miss the major lessons:  Even the most pious men have questions. Nobody fully understands God or knows His plans, although He has revealed enough of Himself (clearly articulated in His Word) for us to follow Him rightly. Therefore, no man is without excuse on the day He comes to test (or ultimately judge) us. We all have doubts, and God constantly allows situations in our lives that weigh our personal theologies against His Biblical truth. And when He has tested us, given we hold faithfully, we shall emerge rejoicing.

“I will stand at My guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what He should reply about My complaint. The Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.” Habakkuk 2:1-3 (HCSB)

When I was in college, I had a fraternity brother whose Labrador retriever could do all kinds of tricks. To me, the most impressive trick had nothing to do with fetching a beer from the fridge or catching a Frisbee. This guy’s dog would allow his master to put a treat on the dog’s own nose. Then, the dog would sit there for long periods, treat resting upon his snout. Then, the master would snap his finger, and the dog would finally devour the treat. Impressive for a beast. Not many humans display such control of their fleshly desires.

There is nothing harder for mankind to do than wait on God. The restlessness of our flesh will not stand delayed gratification. We count the time we spend waiting as lost time. It was the opposite for Habakkuk. Habakkuk had sought the Lord eagerly and anxiously. Then, he took the attitude of a patient learner who remains silent until the master is ready to make his thoughts known. The apostle Peter had a similar exhortation:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Adding to Peter’s words, the Apostle Paul underscored that God’s delay has a sense of urgency attached to it. Like those “Limited offer” commercials we have become so familiar with.

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” Romans 13:11 (NASB)

While God may take His time, the time of His visitation will certainly arrive. And when it comes, like an expired coupon, the grace extended today will have been reeled back in.

“I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.” Revelation 2:21 (NASB)

I say it often, but I believe it bears repeating: Two things confound a fool: How slow God is to judge sin and how quickly He shows up! Commit to follow Him while it is still daytime because no one can imagine how terribly black the night will be.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Habakkuk 1. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Because of the continual prostitution of the prostitute, the attractive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft, I am against you. This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.” Nahum 3:4-5 (HCSB)

The book of Nahum has been doubly valuable for us. It has shown us how prophecy has been completely fulfilled in the past. In doing so, Nahum has assured our hearts that all prophecy, yet to be fulfilled, will come to pass exactly as the prophets have spoken.

“And He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.’” Ezekiel 3:1 (NIV)

As Ezekiel was commanded to eat the scroll of the Lord and share its words, so we are encouraged by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:1) to prophesy - literally, to consume God’s Word and seek His revelation, with the expressed purpose of sharing it to a generation that faces an Assyrian-style ultimate end. The more we read God’s Word, the more we learn His character, the more we see the same scenarios of redemption and judgment mounting around us, and the more faithfully we respond to life’s ever-changing social, economic, and religious climates. The Bible reveals attitudes and actions we once considered acceptable to a holy God as dangerously offensive.

I have seen several world dictators come and go in my time: Manuel Noriega, Idi Amin, Sadam Hussein, Pol Pot, Kim Il Sung, Augusto Pinochet, Papa Doc Duvalier, Efrain Rios Montt, Slobodan Milosevic, Foday Sankoh…and many more. They were all men of lies and violence. And they led bloodthirsty regimes that kept whole nations in terror but only for a season. This describes the Assyrians, the fiercest nation of their day. And they bore the filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Prostitution and sorcery were openly accepted as they worshipped their demonic gods. Therefore, God’s face was against them.

Today’s chapter tells of the inevitable end of such nations, along with all who follow in their corruption. When I lived in California, two blocks from where I used to study the Bible in the mornings, there was a “palm reader.”  The palm reading establishment was a well-kept residence; it had a nicely manicured lawn, and the neon sign read “open.”  Sorcery. Three miles away, women were walking the streets, sauntering up to cars, negotiating their bodies for sale. A mile in the other direction, at a local shopping center, I recall being handed a brochure urging me to vote to protect “marital equality,” which was code for “gay marriage.”  And we think our country’s present economic and political downturn is simply the natural response to market and geopolitical conditions? In the words of Nahum: WAKE UP!!

We, too, must “eat” The Book! Read the Bible. Savor its sweetness. Our eyes must be opened to God and (ultimately) to our sinful selves. Yes, it will sour our stomachs, but the restoration that comes from its knowledge is something for which we will be eternally grateful. Hence, we are compelled to share it with others so that they, too, might escape the certain coming judgment.

“The shields of his warriors are dyed red; the valiant men are dressed in scarlet. The fittings of the chariot flash like fire on the day of its battle preparations, and the spears are brandished. The chariots dash madly through the streets; they rush around in the plazas. They look like torches; they dart back and forth like lightning. He gives his orders to his officers; they stumble as they advance. They race to its wall; the protective shield is set in place. The river gates are opened, and the palace erodes away.” Nahum 2:3-6 (HCSB)

For many years, it was speculated that the stories of Jonah and Nahum were merely metaphors, moral stories not based on real occurrences. The thought was that there was no archaeological evidence for the existence of Nineveh. But in the late 1800s, the deliberation was silenced. A pair of explorers named Layard and Rawlinson made excavations and discoveries that brought to life a “metropolis” so vast that no serious mind could doubt what Jonah and Nahum prophesied concerning Nineveh’s splendor and the destruction at the peak of its glory.

Furthermore, the ancient Greek historian, Diodorus Siculus, describes Nineveh’s end in the following language: “There was an old prophecy that Nineveh should not be taken till the river became an enemy to the city. And in the third year of the siege, the river became so swollen with continual rains, overflowed every part of the city, and broke down the wall for twenty furlongs; then the king, thinking that the oracle was fulfilled, and the river became an enemy to the city, built a large funeral pile in the palace, and collected together all his wealth and his concubines and eunuchs, burnt himself and the palace with them all; and the enemy entered at the breach that the waters had made and took the city.”

So the prophecy was true, down to the details. With violence, Nineveh’s pride was laid low, and the “established” people were led away captive. Nineveh had proudly thought herself so established that she would live forever, but her end came suddenly because she exalted herself above God’s Word.

An interesting detail to note in Diodorus Siculus’ account is how the king of Nineveh knew of Nahum’s prophecy yet failed to repent! God, in His grace, had sent Jonah. And when the people repented, in His mercy, God spared them. In His grace, He also sent Nahum, and when the people refused to repent, in His justice, He destroyed them. Nahum had spoken of Nineveh’s destruction 100 years before it fell. Plenty of time for a generation to leave their idolatry and embrace the Lord!  

So, how are you going to respond to the Gospel? Are you going to seek the Lord and His mercy or turn away and test His justice?

“The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite: God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies; the Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him.” Nahum 1:1-6 (NKJV)

Before Messiah Jesus was taken into custody through the betrayal of Judas, there were several attempts made by Jewish religious authorities to apprehend Him. One such failed attempt is recorded in John’s gospel. Take note of the Pharisees’ rationale of “Biblical ignorance” for why anyone would believe in Jesus…also, Nicodemus’ (the Teacher of Israel – John 3:10) defense of Him!  

“Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, ‘Why have you not brought Him?’ The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this Man!’  Then the Pharisees answered them, ‘Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.’  Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, ‘Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?’ They answered and said to him, ‘Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.’” John 7:45-52 (NKJV)

I mention this because of the comical (albeit tragic) rationale of the Pharisees that “no prophet has arisen out of Galilee,” and anyone who would think otherwise was ignorant of God’s Word. In fact, there were TWO Old Testament prophets from Galilee: Jonah & Nahum. And BOTH were called to preach to Nineveh. Jonah was called to preach GRACE, and Nahum preached JUDGMENT, both to lead the Gentiles to repentance! So, the Pharisee’s indictment toward Christians as being Biblically illiterate actually proved their personal Biblical illiteracy. By this time, Nicodemus had most likely become a Christian. (John 19:39)

Getting to today’s passage, it is easy to read the Old Testament and feel that God hates Gentiles. Nothing is further from the truth! He is God “of the world and all who dwell in it.” As such, His heart has always been that all men, everywhere, would repent. (Acts 17:30) Have you received His offer of peace through faith in Jesus?

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies.” Nahum 1:7-8 (NKJV)

“Who is a God like You, removing iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not hold on to His anger forever, because He delights in faithful love. He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show loyalty to Jacob and faithful love to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from days long ago.” Micah 7:18-20 (HCSB)

Someone once said the difference between “Sympathy” and “Compassion” is that a sympathetic person sees and feels but does nothing. A compassionate person sees, feels, and gets to work amending the situation.

I thank God that He didn’t simply “sympathize” with our sin struggle. He has compassion and puts His love into action. That’s what the Biblical idea of Messiah is all about. God provided redemption to the spiritually bankrupt because of His great compassion. He set into motion His plan to remove our iniquity by vanquishing it, and He cast our sin into a “sea of forgetfulness,” as it were.  

“But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10 (HCSB)

Anyone holding to the opinion that the “Old Testament God” was always angry, smiting, and purely a God of wrath should heed Micah’s message. There is no “Old” and “New” God. There is only God because His character never changes. That is why His promises are always trustworthy. He promises to 1) Judge & rebuke sin and 2) Show grace & mercy to all who humble themselves, wholeheartedly turning to Him.  

When Micah speaks of “Jacob,” he is referring to “Israel,” i.e., “Hebrews.”  When he says of “Abraham,” he is including anyone who, like Abraham, believes in the Lord by faith and is counted righteous by God’s grace. We must remember that Abraham was a Gentile (from Ur of the Chaldees) when he responded to the call of God. Matthew 1:1 describes Messiah Jesus as “Son of David, Son of Abraham” for this very reason. Salvation is (and has always been) offered to both Jew and Gentile, by God’s grace, through faith in Him.

It has always been God’s heart to honor true repentance, regardless of a person’s ethnicity. Israel does not hold exclusive rights to the Lord. That Jesus would be the Savior of the world (John 3:16-17) is not an exclusively “New Testament” idea.

“He says, ‘It is too small a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make you a light of the nations, so that my salvation (Yeshua) may reach to the end of the earth.’”  Isaiah 49:6 (NASB)

“What should I bring before the Lord when I come to bow before God on high? Should I come before Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with 10,000 streams of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the child of my body for my own sin?" Micah  6:6-7 (CSB)

During Christmastime, you will probably hear the term “immaculate conception.” Most people believe the phrase means “virgin conceived.” While a virgin named Miriam (Mary) did, in fact, conceive and give birth to Jesus, that’s not what the term “immaculate conception” means. The term refers to the Catholic notion that “Mary” was without sin when she conceived by the Holy Spirit that Mary herself was immaculate. That is simply false. (See: Romans 3:23) Miriam was an otherwise normal Jewish girl whom the Lord chose, by His infinite wisdom, to bear & raise His Son. She conceived not by virtue of her perfection but because of the perfection of the Holy Spirit, who worked despite Miriam’s sinful nature. Miriam’s conception of Jesus, whose “origin is from antiquity, from eternity” (Micah 5:2), was determined by God’s miracle and not by human merit/achievement. We may relate to Jesus’ humanity, but it is His Divinity that we need, the divinity that atoned for sin and secured our salvation.

Micah spoke of the impossibility of anything purely earthly or fleshly atoning for sin. Notice Micah’s examples: Hanukkah is recorded in John, chapter 10, as the “Feast of Dedication.” Hanukkah is the remembrance of a miracle where God allowed one day’s supply of oil to last eight days. This was so the Menorah could stay lit in the temple while new oil could be consecrated. That said, Micah exhorts that 10,000 streams of oil could not fully please God. Religious Jews await the modern rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple so they may resume sacrifices. Micah indicates that animal sacrifices cannot sufficiently atone for sin. What of the notion that an average “fully human” Jewish firstborn child could substitute for a father’s sin? Sin begets sin.

Consider the words of Jesus, to the Levite Scribes & Pharisees: “…and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have taken part with them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ You, therefore, testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ sins!” Matthew 23:30-32 (HCSB)

So, what does the Lord require?

“Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (CSB)

Only Jesus has accomplished this directive by virtue of His divinity. And only through a personal saving relationship with Him can we stand justified before God.

In short, Jesus didn’t need Mary’s righteousness. She needed His.

“Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity. Therefore, He will abandon them until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the people of Israel. He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God.” Micah 5:2-4a (HCSB)

Some would say that the culture we live in is “postmodern.” Perhaps you have heard that term and wonder exactly what it means. A quick tutorial may be in order since “postmodern” has become a generational catch-all term in many respects.

Let’s say the height of the “modern era” was the WWII generation. This was a generation where the big “isms” flourished:  Industrialism, Communism, Capitalism, Fascism…  The general belief was that there were “absolutes” worth dying for, non-negotiable rights and wrongs. Each movement had its own literary manifestos.  

Moving beyond the political realm, “modernism” stretched into all facets of culture, including religion. Every religious patron declared theirs was the ONLY way.

In response to the failures of many modern “isms,” postmodernism rejects absolute truth altogether. A postmodern attitude toward religion holds to the notion that every religion may own a piece of a larger puzzle, but no one religion is the “only” way. This philosophy is, of course, a lie. Declaring “no absolutes” is itself an absolute statement.

Perhaps the most observable method of determining whether the Lord is the only God is through Biblical prophecy. If God alone can call His prophets from such varied social, economic, and educational backgrounds to predict the future of such various events as wars, the rise and fall of kingdoms, famines, the weather, etc., then surely He is absolutely the ONLY true God. Furthermore, His Word should be considered the ONLY source of Spiritual truth. The Bethlehem birth of Messiah Jesus was predicted in Micah chapter 5. In addition, the deity of Messiah is clearly stated. Jesus’ human birthplace may be Bethlehem, but His “origin” is “from antiquity, from eternity.”  Also, the 400-year silence of Israel’s prophets is predicted, its silence broken with the birth of Messiah.

Is there absolute truth? Absolutely. As every pool shark knows, Any fool can knock a few balls into the pockets. Only a pro can call his shots. Only God can call His shots thousands of years in advance and make everyone! After all, if what God has predicted has come true, what logical person would assume the rest of the prophecy would not unfold as the Lord has determined? It’s not a question of pre-modern, modern, or postmodern philosophy. It’s simply an acknowledgment of prophecy, combined with the faith that God is able & willing to accomplish His purposes.

“Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet…”  Matthew 1:22 (HCSB)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Micah 4. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“This is what the Lord says concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who proclaim peace when they have food to sink their teeth into but declare war against the one who puts nothing in their mouths. Therefore, it will be night for you— without visions; it will grow dark for you— without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them.” Micah 3:5-6 (HCSB)

When I was 20 years old, I humbled myself before the Lord. With my whole heart, I confessed my sin to God and professed that I believe Jesus is the Messiah. I told Him I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive, offering salvation to all who would turn from their sin and follow Him. At that moment, I received salvation by God’s grace.

In addition to that prayer of salvation, I asked the Lord to teach me what it means to be a disciple or “disciplined follower” of Him.  Shortly afterward, someone handed me a copy of the New Testament. At the time, I figured Christians believed in the New Testament, and the Jews believed in the TANAKH (Old Testament). Thus, I began my early journey of discipleship, reading the New Testament and disregarding the Old. But before that “New Testament only” philosophy took deep roots, the Lord “hid” me, as it were, by placing me in a great Bible study group that stressed reading the entire Bible, not just the New Testament. Over time, I grew in Scriptural knowledge to the point where I could discern between sound doctrinal teaching and destructive/heretical teachings present among the church at large.

What if I had found myself, as a young believer, in a group of heretics - men who appeared to teach God’s Word but were perverting the truth for their own profit? This was the case with Israel at the time of Micah. Israel was full of “for-profit” prophets & priests.  

Eventually, for the good of His Kingdom, the Lord afflicted Israel, first by war with Assyria and later by the Babylonians and eventually the Romans. These “afflictions’ caused them to be scattered throughout the nations. God was rebuking them for their sin. But for redemptive reasons, He also acted as a “gang-buster,” protecting the greater community from centralized heretical teaching.

The reason there is a “New Testament” and an “Old Testament,” per se, is because God silenced significant prophetic vision among Israel for 400 years. This was to “cleanse the palate,” so to speak. Micah (and other righteous prophets) prophesied this would happen.

When we recognize the reason for the “silence” or “black-out” period, we view the Old & New Testaments from a different perspective. Put into perspective, the Bible, in its entirety, is one completely connected and continuous message. And what is that message? It is the story of the Messiah, the redeemer of creation from before creation (Micah 5:2; Revelation 13:8), continuing throughout history (1 Corinthians 10:3-4) and extending into eternity (Revelation 11:15). (See also: John 3:16-17)

“‘Quit your preaching,’ they preach. ‘They should not preach these things; shame will not overtake us.’ House of Jacob, should it be asked, ‘Is the Spirit of the Lord impatient? Are these the things He does?’ Don’t My words bring good to the one who walks uprightly?" Micah 2:6-7 (HCSB)

There is a serious debate within the Church at large. The argument is over how to present the gospel: Should we focus on God’s forgiving love or on His standard by which mankind will be judged?

I believe we should present both equally. To me, that is what sharing the whole gospel is about. It’s what the Bible would call “not straying from the path.”  

“Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn your foot from evil.”  Proverbs 4:27 (NASB)

God has given us the Bible to show us how we should live. In the Bible, we understand God’s Holiness, man’s sinfulness, Jesus’ gracefulness, and the believer’s thankfulness.  

When we stray to the “left” of the Bible’s instruction, we abuse God’s liberty by rebelling against accountability. Swing too far to the “right,” and we worship the discipline of religion while denying ourselves God’s gracious gift of a personal relationship with Him.

A healthy “walk” with Jesus is a balance of freedom with accountability and discipline with a personal relationship.

In the days of Micah, the liberal “left,” so to speak, had taken the Lord’s grace for granted to the point that they worshipped idols. Understand, they had not completely abandoned the Lord. They simply presented the “positive” aspects of God’s loving provision while denying the reality of His hatred of sin, which leads to judgment.  

This approach to worship led to spiritual compromise: the Lord + idolatry. They sought a religion that allowed them to retain a primary identity with the Lord yet didn’t isolate them from their sinful desires or profitable political relationships with other nations. Does this sound familiar?

Whenever the prophets would preach of the true standard of God, Israel would reject their message. It would be very confusing for anyone on the outside because both parties claimed to be God-honoring Jews. Given the options, the average person would probably go with the religion that asked “least” of their devotion while promising the most liberty. We read God’s Word to know the truth and walk according to it.  

Lord, grant us the opportunity (along with the boldness) to share the “whole gospel” with others. We want to walk in Your ways, neither adding to nor taking away from your Word.

“Because of this, I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like the jackals and mourn like daughters of the desert. For her wounds are incurable and has reached even Judah; it has approached the gate of my people, as far as Jerusalem.” Micah 1:8-9 (HCSB)

Have you ever been upset over sin? I’m not talking about your personal sin, which you may have suffered rebuke. Have you ever grieved over sin’s presence in the world and its effects on the Church at large?  

I am an artist, but I’m not the stereotypical artist. That is, I’m not an extremely emotional person. It’s not to say that I don’t have feelings. I don’t have incredibly high “highs” or extremely low “lows.”  I’m pretty even-keeled. So, as a young believer, I was perplexed when I read the Bible’s accounts of men like Jeremiah, aka the weeping prophet. I wondered how men could be moved to tears and dramatic expressions of sorrow over other people’s sins. I simply could not relate to that level of emotion. It would upset me that I couldn’t seem to “empathize” at the level of the prophets.  

As I spoke with others, I found that I am not alone. Most of the believers I have asked about this subject admit that they focus very little energy lamenting over sin, personal or corporate. Bottom line: They either think God doesn’t care or that their sin isn’t “sinful enough” to warrant judgment.

As for myself, my attitude toward sin began to change when I decided to take the Bible seriously, and I read it consistently. Everything trustworthy that I know about God, I have learned from His Word. I suppose that is why the Bible says that our knowledge of God’s Word determines our level of faith.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes through the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

These days, my life is viewed through the lens of Scripture, and experience is weighed on the scale of God’s character, as defined by the Bible. As I read the Bible, He replaces my old thoughts & attitudes with the mind & heart of Messiah. By the power of His Spirit, the Lord enables His children to love what He loves, hate what He hates, and feel as He feels. Consequently, my heart now breaks over my sin and sin in the world.

As we read God’s Word together, I pray that He will balance our knowledge of His Grace toward sinners with an understanding of His impending judgment. I pray that we will all learn to grieve, lament over sin, and intercede on behalf of the lost.

“So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city. And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, ‘It is better for me to die than to live.’ Then God said to Jonah, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?’ And he said, ‘It is right for me to be angry, even to death!’ But the Lord said, ‘You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?’” Jonah 4:5-11 (NKJV)

To understand the tension between the Lord and Jonah, it helps to review God’s purpose for the Jewish people. God’s plan was never to quarantine a nation of “chosen” people apart from everyone else. God’s purpose for the Jews was to be a nation of “priests,” through which all the other nations of the world would see how God can transform & sustain a people. Gentiles were to observe God’s interaction with the Jews, hear their testimony about the Lord, and, in turn, worship Him alone.  

“And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:3-6 (NKJV)

The vine, which grew up over Jonah, was symbolic of the Lord’s promise of blessing to Israel, but the vine dried up because sin had “wormed” its way onto Jonah’s (and Israel’s) theology, to the point where he had forsaken God’s true calling of being a ‘priest to the nations.’  

“But everyone shall sit under his vine and his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.” Micah 4:4-5 (NKJV)

“Jonah” is not only a story of how a man forgot his true calling. It is also a warning and a challenge to us Christians who have received the same calling!

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV)

“Then God saw their actions – that they had turned from their evil ways – so God relented from the disaster He had threatened to do to them. And He did not do it.”  Jonah 3:10 (HCSB)

Jonah, being a prophet, was very aware of God’s message to Nineveh. He knew that Assyria’s army had been defeated, and he was aware that from their humbled state, Nineveh would quite possibly repent and admit that YHWH was the only true God.

Before we cast stones at Jonah, let’s put ourselves in his shoes. Imagine a street gang terrorizing your neighborhood. Suppose that the gang members had even harassed people close to you, perhaps killing a member of your family.

After all that, how would you respond if God told you to share the gospel with them? What if God told you He was hoping the gang members would repent so He could show His grace to them, allowing them to escape the justice they deserved? Would you answer God’s call or let Him roll to spiritual “voice mail”?

This was Jonah’s dilemma. It was also the apostle Peter’s.

After watching the Sanhedrin unjustly accuse and beat Jesus and seeing Romans flog and crucify Him, Peter was probably ready to check out of being a disciple. He went back to his old job, fishing. I’m confident the last thing he wanted was for grace to be shown to a Roman!

But one morning, Jesus appeared to Peter, along with Thomas, Nathaniel, James, and John, as they were fishing. Later, on the shore, Jesus began a dialogue with Peter. Three times, He addressed Peter as “Son of Jonah.”  (John 21:15)

Jesus called Peter “Son of Jonah,” partly because He would eventually send Peter to evangelize a Roman, and Peter would encounter all manner of Gentiles. It was the equivalent of Jonah’s calling to share God’s Word with evil Nineveh.  

Peter’s first recorded Gentile convert was a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius believed because Peter heeded God’s call to share the gospel with a Roman. Where was Peter when God called Him? He was in Joppa, the same city where Jonah had boarded the boat to flee from God’s calling.  

“Simon, son of Jonah.”  There is grace in that term because God chose to remember Jonah’s repentance instead of his rebellion. Similarly, Jesus chose to focus on Peter’s faithful future rather than his history of faithless denials.

There is no one so bad that they cannot receive God’s grace and no one so good that they don’t need it. It is not up to us to decide who may follow Jesus. We are simply called to faithfully and freely share the gospel with everyone. Who knows? Your next best friend could be a former enemy you lead to Jesus today!

“‘While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Those who are followers of worthless idols abandon their faithfulness, but I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.’ Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land.” Jonah 2:7-10 (NASB)

During a 2008 Republican debate, the candidates were asked whether they believed everything in the Bible was true. As could be imagined, there was some mighty soft stepping around that question!

One of the candidates, Rudy Giuliani, said that he believed some parts of the Bible were literal and some metaphoric. He said, “For instance, I don’t believe Jonah was actually in the belly of a whale.”

It never ceases to amaze me how people refuse to follow their faith to faithful conclusions. They refuse to do so, perhaps because they fear that faithful assumptions may lead to faithful statements and stands. Faithful stands may lead to our being alienated by others. This is, in effect, idolatry because we elevate the opinions of faithless men over God’s command to walk faithfully in His Word.

Do I believe Jonah was in the belly of an actual whale? A better question might be: Is it possible for the God of all creation to sustain the life of a man in the belly of a whale for three days and three nights? Yes, it is.

Scientists have proven that it is indeed possible for a person to survive three days & nights in the belly of certain whales, but that’s not the point. The point is whether we believe the Lord can (or would wish to) accomplish such a miracle. If you can prove the feasibility of an event, it ceases to be a miracle. It simply becomes a rare phenomenon. God is in the MIRACLE business! Whenever He wants to seize our attention and command our respect, He does things that cannot be explained, even as phenomenal. The only description we can offer is “miraculous.”  For instance, when the children of Israel needed bread in the desert, God provided it. The word they used to describe it was “manna,” which translates, “What is it?”  God had performed a miracle, and there was no other thing in the world to compare it to.    

I bring this up because Jonah’s need for salvation is not unlike our own. Whether we are in a literal or figurative “belly of a whale,” God hears our cries for help, and He has the inexhaustible means to deliver us when conventional, even phenomenal, delivery options are absent.  

Salvation is by God’s grace, through our faith in Jesus alone. To deny the exclusivity of His salvation is to forsake the miracle of Messiah’s faithful love. To accept it leads to a response of thanksgiving and the bold fulfillment of our vow to Him, to follow whenever and wherever He leads, even into situations from which there is no earthly possibility of deliverance.

If we genuinely believe that Jesus can raise us from the dead and live forever with Him in heaven, then why do we hesitate to carry the gospel into life-threatening venues? And why should we have a problem believing in God’s ability to preserve one guy in a whale’s belly?

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Jonah 1. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“But there will be a deliverance on Mount Zion, and it will be holy; the house of Jacob will dispossess those who dispossessed them. Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame, but the house of Esau will be stubble; they will set them on fire and consume them. Therefore no survivor will remain, of the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken.” Obadiah 17-18 (HCSB)

Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of the patriarch, Isaac. Their sibling rivalry was far beyond normal. From the outset, the older was to serve the younger. We see a pattern elsewhere in Scripture: Cain & Abel, Ishmael & Isaac, Reuben & Joseph, and Ephraim & Manasseh.

“And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.’” Genesis 25:21-23 (ESV)

As the boys grew up, Esau sold his birthright (the right to lead the family spiritually) to Jacob for a bowl of soup. Then, Jacob tricked his blind father, Isaac, into giving him the family blessing instead of Esau. Alongside their notorious personal relationship, “Jacob” and “Esau” are also synonymous with the nations that descended from them: Israel and Edom.

When Israel came out of Egypt and headed toward Canaan, Edom refused to let them pass through their land. When Babylon fought against Israel, Edom stood quietly by, and when Jerusalem was destroyed, Edom cast lots with Babylon to divide the spoils.

But beyond the familial and national relationships, there is a more profound symbolism at play with Jacob and Esau. The brothers are also symbolic of the inner struggle of every believer between our old “fleshly” self-serving nature and the “new creation,” learning to overcome the flesh by discipline and submission to God’s Word. The Lord declares at the beginning of the book of Malachi, “I have loved Jacob, but Esau I hated,” and Obadiah’s prophecy clarifies the depth of that hatred. Where Scripture says that believers from foreign nations are restored and brought into blessing in the millennial kingdom, Edom will fall and rise no more: total destruction.

Therefore, even though our flesh may rise up, strut, intimidate, and surge within us at times, threatening our spiritual well-being, we know the flesh has a certain, hell-bound end. So, we believers await, with joy and confidence, the day when all flesh and everything that presently disturbs and distresses us will be overthrown forever - when Messiah Jesus, alone, will be exalted. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

“Look, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom and I will destroy it from the face of the earth. However, I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob – the Lord’s declaration – for I am about to give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among the nations, as one shakes a sieve, but not a grain will fall to the ground. All the sinners from among My people, who say, ‘Disaster will not overtake or confront us,’ will die by the sword.’” Amos 9:8-10 (HCSB)

This final chapter of Amos’ prophecy divides into two parts. Verses 1-10 give the last of the five visions and the Lord’s telling of the afflictions awaiting Israel in the lands of their wanderings, but with the assurance that not a grain of his wheat will be lost. Then, in verses 11-15, as is customary with the prophets, Amos looks toward Israel’s restoration to glory and blessing in the last days when their tribulations will pass forever, and the nation will be saved in the recovered remnant.

For today’s passage, I focused on the “sifting” of God’s people. The reason being that it is essential to remember that Amos was prophesying to Israel. And that means that within the community of Israel - the chosen people - were those who chose God and those who didn’t. God was communicating that His massive “shakedown” of the Jewish community had a revealing and redemptive purpose: To separate the devotion of Israel from those who were born of Jewish families yet rejected the Lord.  Jesus warned Peter of a similar “sifting”:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 (HCSB)

The Apostle Paul spoke of the division within the Jewish community:

“But it is not as though the Word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.” Romans 9:6 (HCSB)

Paul’s point was that there had been a long-standing delusion among the Jewish community that salvation was automatic simply because they were Jewish. That so-called “theology” leads to complacency and, ultimately, idolatry. Yes, latter generations profited from their forefathers’ faithfulness to God, but faith in Messiah brings salvation, not Jewish DNA or works of the law.

This is not exclusively a New Testament idea. It is rooted in the prophets. God is not sifting the nations and keeping the Jews in this instance. He is sifting Jerusalem and keeping those who believe in Him rightly. Furthermore, there is a “sifting” yet awaiting the greater Messianic community (The Church). Just because a person does good works does not ensure their salvation. They must first believe in their hearts that Jesus is the Messiah. When the sifting comes, true believers stand on faith instead of retreating to the World. As we learned from Job: FAITH isn’t FACT until it’s tested…i.e., “sifted.”

“Hear this! The days are coming – this is the declaration of the Lord God – when I will send a famine through the land; not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea, and roam from north to east, seeking the Word of the Lord but they will not find it.” Amos 8:11-12 (HCSB)

When I was in college, I went to a Bible study with a couple of crazy brothers, Rich and Dave Christiano. They were “crazy,” in a good way. I remember one of them challenged us to 2 two-week fasts. The first was a fast from the media. No music/TV/movies for two weeks. Could you do it? The second fast was from reading the Bible. Obviously, he didn’t want us to stop reading the Bible for two weeks. He was simply making a point: Would you miss your media more than you would miss your Bible? Sadly, I was way more bummed about the prospects of two weeks without media.

That was God’s point in today’s passage, exactly. He kept His Word and, shortly after that, began an era of 400 years of prophetic silence. The Israelites must have laughed at Amos’ words. I can hear their reactions, “Is that all He’s got? We were expecting something like another earthquake, a flood, or disease. But a famine from a book we seldom read? Bring it on!”

The United States is experiencing various hardships at the moment. It is a slow collapse yet observable. In the past, if a person got laid off, they had a better-than-average chance of getting another comparable job. After a few weeks, they were back in stride. But these days, there are hardly any jobs to have. So, layoffs lead to long-term unemployment, which brings down longstanding institutions like banks and other industry giants. I say all that to make this point: Many people, even professing followers of Jesus, are picking up their Bibles and reading them for the very first time! That is why these daily Bible devotionals exist, to fill that need. I saw America’s “famine from the Word” coming a long way off. In a sense, I was born into the beginning of that era. When the average American has exhausted all other options to escape certain ruin, they often reach out to God as their last-ditch effort.  

I don’t like this current season our country is in; quite honestly, it hurts. But I thank the Lord for such a season, nonetheless. And I hope people are sincerely seeking God in these times. I hope they are returning to the Lord (or coming to Him for the first time) with their whole hearts. Because today’s chapter describes God’s eventual response to people who only give Him “lip service” when things get uncomfortable yet return to their backsliding ways once things appear to be getting more comfortable. Eventually, even God’s grace wears thin. Justice will ultimately override grace and mercy.

Imagine losing everything, literally being invaded by a foreign country and hauled off as slaves. That would be horrible. But it would be even worse if you looked for comfort from God’s Word, and all you could find was silence or “I told you so.”

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (HCSB)

“He showed me this: The Lord was standing there by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand. The Lord asked me, ‘What do you see, Amos?’  I replied, ‘A plumb line.’  Then the Lord said, ‘I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel; I will no longer spare them: Isaac’s high places will be deserted, and Israel’s sanctuaries will be in ruins; I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with a sword.’” Amos 7:7-9 (HCSB)

The last section of the book of Amos contains a series of five visions, symbolically setting forth divine judgment and drawing chapters 7 and 9 into one complete thought. Chapter seven begins with three of these visions. The first vision is a plague of devouring locusts, and the second is a consuming fire. In both instances, Amos interceded for the people, pleading for the Lord to stop His revealed plans of destruction. The reason Amos pleaded with the Lord was that it was evident that if God were to follow through, “Jacob” (the whole community of Israel) would have been completely destroyed. Everyone who prays should be encouraged because the Lord stopped His plans on both occasions.

Why would God cease His plans simply because of the prayer of one of His creatures? Many reasons have been put forth: One suggests that God remembered that the humanity of Jesus, Savior of the World, was to be passed down through the physical line of David. Another reason suggests that God remembered His everlasting covenant with Israel. But I don’t like either of those reasons because they put forth that God was forgetful and had to be reminded, not a very “omniscient” posture for an all-knowing God.  

I believe that God never intended to go through with either judgment. Rather, He incited Amos to pray. I have learned the best way to get my children to repent is to tell them the list of punishments I am considering!! I may have to go through several scenarios, but eventually, I always land on one close to their hearts (or at least their backsides!). God does not delight in punishing us when we turn from our sins. He delighted to hear the fervent prayers of his repentant children, and He was pleased with Amos’ petition. Amos was not solely concerned with his personal survival; he had the entire nation on his prayer list! Do you pray for others to the extent that you pray for yourself?

Furthermore, by sharing the first two scenarios, God was showing His capabilities. It’s the reason countries televise their military parades and missile test launches. Even after the Assyrians had sacked Israel and deported her people, the children of Israel would remember Amos’ first two visions and look to God as gracious. While the destruction was massive, the survivors knew it could have been much worse!

The Lord chose a plumb line. It seems a little weak after the images of fire and locusts, but it was infinitely more effective because it was personal. The first two judgments were against the entire community of Israel. But God had determined to judge each person, using the gravity of His Word as a building inspector uses a plumb line. Long before Jesus died on the cross, God had implemented the idea of personal judgment. Jew and Gentile alike are judged according to the same standard: God’s Word.

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who feel secure on the hill of Samaria – the notable people in this first of the nations, those the house of Israel comes to.  Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines.  Are you better than these kingdoms?  Is their territory larger than yours?  You dismiss any thought of the evil day and bring in a reign of violence.” Amos 6:1-3 (HCSB)

The whole nation of Israel (not just the ten northern tribes) had provoked the Lord.  So, today’s chapter concludes with a stirring word to those living at ease in Zion, as well as those who trusted in the idol worship on the mountain of Samaria.  

Down in the southern kingdom, the danger facing their brothers in the northern kingdom seemed far off.  The Judeans in Jerusalem took comfort in the fact that Samaria could withstand a siege long enough to give the Judeans plenty of opportunities to prepare if the enemies drew near.  Therefore, Judah took it easy, unconcerned about obeying the voice of God, calling them to repentance.  Neither did Judah waste any time feeling sorry for their brothers getting pummeled in the North.  Surely, Israel in the North was judged for their blatant idolatry, so Judah self-righteously abstained from the fight.

“At ease in Zion” should, perhaps, be a synonym we adopt to describe that unexercised, lazy condition in which so many professing “Christians” find themselves in our generation.  How easy is it for us to disregard God’s Word concerning the times we are living in?  But if God’s people are indifferent to what is important to Him, how could we be surprised when He refuses to act for us when greater difficulties and afflictions arise?

God points to Philistine cities, once splendid and magnificent, now destroyed.  What better was Israel than these kingdoms?  In that sense, when it comes to idolatry, is the United States any more righteous than Haiti or India?  No, we do not openly profess voodoo.  Our idols are far more sophisticated, yet idols, nonetheless.

Violence and corruption were rampant within their borders, but Israel still considered the “evil day” of God’s judgment to be far off.  They stretched out on ivory beds, feasted without fear, chanted their improvised worship songs performed on instruments of their own imagination, drank wine, and delighted in costly ointments while God indicted them, saying, “…but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph”.  In short, you’re just out for yourselves and have lost all sense of “family.”

In our narcissistic, “me-centric” culture, Satan’s great triumph has been the breakdown of the family.  We have lost what it means to be a vital part of a community, so we seek to please ourselves simply because we do not trust anyone who seeks pleasure for us.  One of the worst conditions on earth is the independent soul.  We are created to be wholly dependent upon God and interdependent within the community of believers.  So, when you see a brother or sister in need, lend a hand in the name of Jesus, whose hands bear the scars of His giving.

“Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to the Remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:14-15 (HCSB)

I love my country. I grew up in that part of the United States where people are really proud to be Americans. My father was an officer in the military, and I was brought up to be patriotic. So, I am sad to see what America has become, and I pray for revival in our nation because the Bible is very clear about where we are headed unless we repent.

The fifth chapter of Amos’ book is a sad and solemn dirge-like lament over the fallen nation that he loved so well. Israel had utterly broken down as a people in their allegiance and faithfulness to God and had no claim to blessing based on their righteousness. If they were to rise again, it must only be by the grace of God because nothing but judgment could have awaited them.

Lest we esteem ourselves above Israel of old, remember that everything God would commit solely to mankind is destined to fail. This includes the testimony of The Church. But God has infinite resources in Himself, displayed by His grace towards us, to accomplish His purposes on earth through us, yet despite us! In the words of Oswald Chambers, concerning man’s role in evangelism: “God has given us a limited participation in something He does not need us to do.” I say that God has given us limited participation in something we do not deserve, apart from His grace! The apostle Peter understood his role. He graciously rebuked Cornelius, who bowed down to worship Peter simply because Peter was sent by God.

“But Peter made him get up, ‘Stand up,’ he said, ‘I am only a man myself.’” Acts 10:26 (HCSB)

Shortly after killing Goliath, David penned these words.

“Put them in fear, O Lord, That the nations may know themselves to be but men” Psalm 9:20 (NKJV)

As we learned in Amos, chapter 4, the five plagues that God sent to Israel were not His judgment as much as they were His grace toward Israel. At the end of each plague, God said, “…yet, you did not return to Me”.

In today’s passage, even with judgment at the gates of Jerusalem, as it were, God is still extending His grace toward His people. Oh, there is no stopping the destruction of Jerusalem; God’s grace is focused on the Remnant, those few Jewish people who would survive the Babylonian siege by God’s grace as they placed their faith in His Word.

I put forth that God is plaguing America in like manner; He is making things increasingly difficult. And we are experiencing waves of crisis that are created with the intent that we repent and return to Him.  Will we learn our lessons from Amos’s generation, or will future generations learn their lessons by reading about our poor choices?

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Amos 4. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“If a ram’s horn is blown in a city, aren’t people afraid? If a disaster occurs in a city, hasn’t the Lord done it? Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing His counsel to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who will not prophesy?” Amos 3:6-8 (HCSB)

Beginning in verse 4, Amos declares the reason for his message. It is a simple display of physics: An object at rest remains at rest unless acted upon. Otherwise, restful people get afraid because the ram’s horns are blown, and lions roar. Likewise, the Lord is bringing disaster upon (otherwise peaceful) Israel because sin has caused it, and (otherwise quiet) prophets are speaking God’s Word because He is speaking to them.

At present, the World is full of calamity. And while we may not be able to pinpoint any particular person’s sin (as the cause of the catastrophe), we can be sure that calamity exists because of sin’s presence. The fact that the Lord Himself would cause disaster has frustrated some overzealous for the reputation of the Lord. But a God who will not judge sin is not a God of love. Love sets a standard and governs by it. That is why Jesus had to die on the cross; the judgment of God had to be levied, and He was the only possible substitute.  

God’s judgment is the reason why believers can worship while taking communion, and unbelievers eat and drink judgment upon themselves. (1 Corinthians 11:29) It’s not that taking communion curses an unbeliever. Unbelievers are condemned already. (John 3:18) It simply means that while believers partake to remember the wrath removed, unbelievers are reminded of what awaits them because they have refused Messiah’s atonement.

The prophets had good cause to claim to speak on behalf of God. God had revealed His secrets to them. Therefore, we must boldly proclaim the truth God has revealed to us, through His Word. (1 Corinthians 14:1) The Bible is the only reason a believer can boldly proclaim, “The Lord has spoken!” Scripture is not only the proper moral ground, but it is the only proper moral ground that has ever existed!

If God has not spoken (or if a person does not believe God has spoken) through the Bible, then one man’s guess is as good as another’s; one philosopher’s speculations are as worthy of consideration as the next guy’s. Just a quick visit to your local public school or secular university will enlighten you on how little credence the Bible gets in our culture.

But if God Himself has spoken (as He has in His Word), then every matter of contention is settled in the hearts of those who fear Him. Amos’ challenge was similar to ours: Preach God’s Word to a people who have rejected its credibility, relevance, and authority. So, we use the same argument as Amos: If we were pleasing to God, why would He be allowing all this disaster, calamity, warfare - things set apart for judgment of sin - to run rampant in our midst? And if the Bible says it will only get worse unless we repent, then why not repent?

“For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, lies their fathers followed. But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.” Amos 2:4-5 (NKJV)

There are phrases in the Bible that seem like throw-away references, ones like, “He acted in the ways of his father…”, “He was the son of…” or “His mother was….” Often, we get so caught up in the Biblical storyline that we forget those (above) phrases that give us foundational information as to why the narrative is occurring and how we are to predict the outcome of an instance. In short, the Lord is telling us that “apples don’t fall far from the tree.” If something unnatural is going to happen (a person from an idolatrous family who defies their upbringing and chooses to live righteously), it must be the Lord intervening. In today’s chapter, both Judah and Israel are being judged because of their idolatry. But God, in His grace, reveals the source of idolatry: Fathers believed lies and taught them to their children, and worldliness polluted God’s Word. Lies built upon lies led to a generation that believed they were worshipping God, yet in opposition to His true desire for His people to live. That scenario was against God’s instruction to fathers.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

“…the father shall make known Your truth to the children.” (Isaiah 38:19b)

The idea of restoring a generation to the proper father/son discipleship relationship is the intent of Jesus’s words to His disciples. It is what He modeled to them and charged them to impart in the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20)

“Jesus said to him (Thomas), ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’ Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.’” John 14:6-18 (NKJV)

“The words of Amos who was one of the sheep breeders from Tekoa – what he saw regarding Israel in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. He said: the Lord roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the summit of Carmel withers.” Amos 1:1-2 (HCSB)

Concerning Amos, we have much more biographical information than we had of Joel (or any of the other “minor” prophets). Amos gives us several autobiographical notes of deep interest. Amos was a prophet, but he probably was not a contemporary of Joel and Isaiah. He was not a prophet by trade nor a member of the “company of prophets.”  Amos was a sheep breeder, a businessman who prophesied.

This mere fact should encourage every layman: prophecy is not exclusively a calling for the “professionals.”  As a matter of fact, the apostle Paul said that the ability to prophesy was something every believer should petition the Lord for.

“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 (HCSB)

Paul goes on to say the reason that believers prophesy is to speak to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation, building up the community of believers. (1 Corinthians 14:3-4) Simply put, we should seek God and ask that He reveal His Word (the Bible) to us, with the intent that we would share that revelation with others. That’s how an everyday person like you and me (and Amos) prophesies. God reveals the Truth of His Word, so we will share it, which is precisely what I am doing right now!

Amos was not just any businessman; he was a shepherd. (In chapter 7, we will find that he was also a gatherer of figs, which I will discuss when we reach that chapter.)  God is partial to shepherds. David was a shepherd. When Jesus was born, the angels appeared first to shepherds; Jesus called Himself the “Good Shepherd.”  Whenever the prophets railed against Israel’s spiritual and political leaders, they were always compared to evil, wicked shepherds. Do you have a shepherd’s heart? Then, you should be inclined to alter your life’s plans to rescue and care for God’s “sheep.”  Remember: Jesus’ last exhortation to Peter was a three-time command to “Feed My sheep.”

Not only was Amos a regular guy and a shepherd, but he was also from Tekoa, about 12 miles outside of Jerusalem. Joab sent a “wise woman” from Tekoa to persuade David to permit Absalom to return to him, in plain violation of the Torah. (2 Samuel 14:2). Ira, the son of Ikkesh, one of David’s mighty men, was born in Tekoa. (2 Samuel 23:26). The zeal of the men of Tekoa is spoken of, but their nobles were reproved in connection with the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 3:5, 27) Tekoa was a desert town, isolated and surrounded by large hills, a humble place from which God separated Amos and called him to be a prophet. Sometimes, as believers, it can feel like we are alone in the World. But that is the perfect place from which the Lord can call you!

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will cease their shining. The Lord will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the Israelites. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who dwells from Zion; My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy and foreigners will never overrun it again.” Joel 3:14-17 (HCSB)

I recall being in Israel one summer, and a young man I was traveling with was overcome with grief over the idea that God would send anyone to Hell. He said, ‘I believe that when each person stands before the Lord, He will give them one last chance to choose Jesus, and the evidence will be so overwhelming that everyone will choose Him.’  I wish that were so, but the Bible clearly discloses an opposite future for the unbeliever.

“And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 (HCSB)

Verse 14 of Joel’s third chapter is a graphic depiction of a very solemn scene: The Judgment of God. It is a verse which is often misunderstood. To be clear, it is the Lord who is doing the deciding, not a time when men are called upon to decide to follow Messiah, Jesus. It is common knowledge among believers that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, and that atonement is offered to all who would accept it. But, examining the eye-witness accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, notice how exactly His punishment (on the cross) fits Joel’s description of God’s judgment in the “Valley of Decision” - literally, in Hebrew: The valley of YHWH’s judgment)

“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” Matthew 27:45-54 (NIV)

Jesus suffered the exact penalty for our sins so that we can stand boldly (not proudly) before God, fully justified. (Romans 8:32-39) Run to the refuge while it is still offered!

“After this I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. I will even pour out My Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days. I will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth: blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and awe-inspiring Day of the Lord comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved, for there will be an escape for those on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, as the Lord promised, among the survivors the Lord calls.” Joel 2:28-32 (HCSB)

As I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional of Joel 1, prophecy in the TANAKH (Old Testament) speaks to three measures of time: 1.) The somewhat immediate future, 2.) The first coming of Jesus/His earthly ministry, and 3.) the 2nd coming of Jesus/the establishment of His Heavenly Kingdom. In today’s chapter, the images are clear enough for the average Bible student to decipher because they speak of events that we are familiar with: 1.) The Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (Joel’s extended generation), 2.) the Roman destruction of Jerusalem (After Jesus’ resurrection in 70A.D.), and 3.) the coming Day of the Lord as depicted in The Revelation.

As in all three periods, a call has gone out for the people to return to the Lord wholeheartedly.  

“‘Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration— turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him, so you can offer grain and wine to the Lord your God.” Joel 2:12-14 (HCSB)

There are false notions about God in the Church at large. One false assumption is that the God of the Old Testament is different from the New Testament God. Some people believe God used to be angry all of the time, judging sin more frequently than in our time. They also think the New Testament God is loving and kind, not so hasty to judge sin, more like a cosmic grandfather. In today’s chapter, Joel tells us that, even in the days of Uzziah, God was merciful, compassionate, and slow to anger.

Another false notion is that the Old Testament was written to the Jewish people alone. Today’s passage (from the Old Testament) reveals that God has always planned to pour out His Spirit on “all humanity.” In fact, that happened when the Holy Spirit was given on the Day of Shavuot (Pentecost) in Acts 2. Important to note is that “all humanity” does not mean “everybody.” It refers to the fact that people from every nation and tongue will believe in Messiah Jesus, and God will give His Spirit to all who place their faith in His Son’s atoning work. Also, among the survivors are “those who are called,” i.e., Jewish believers are seen mixed with the Gentile believers, yet still distinguished as Jews in the New Jerusalem, as they are, even today.

“Woe because of that day! For the Day of the Lord is near and will come as a devastation from the Almighty. Hasn’t the food been cut off from our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God?” Joel 1:15-16 (HCSB)

We don’t know a lot about ol’ Joel. All that one could ever understand about him is gleaned from the three chapters that form his message to Israel. Jewish tradition places him in the days of Uzziah, about 750-795 B.C. For a point of reference, Isaiah began prophesying during the reign of King Uzziah. Uzziah was a prosperous king, guided by the prophet Zechariah, but his pride led to his eventual downfall. As a result of his pride, Uzziah developed leprosy. Because of the nation’s sin (during Uzziah’s reign), there was a great earthquake and a famine resulting from locust infestation. Considering Joel’s account of the locust plague and his description of the earthquake (in chapter 2), we can rightly place Joel toward the end of Uzziah’s reign.

As I have mentioned before (when we have studied other prophets), prophecy is generally commenting on three stages of time: 1) Present-day/immediate future, 2) Jesus’ first coming/earthly ministry, and 3) End Times/Jesus’ return and fully established Kingdom. All three stages have the same message: Return to the Lord!  

Considering these three stages, we can see that Joel spoke of things happening in his own time. There was an actual famine caused by locusts and a real earthquake. Within 150 years, a whole other sort of “three-fold plague of locusts” would swarm Judah and destroy her completely: The Babylonians. Joel’s message was both timely and prophetic. Joel’s prophecy reminds us of the turbulent political and religious condition of Israel when Jesus was born, and it reminds us of Jesus’ words concerning a time yet to come:

“Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. This good news of the Kingdom will be proclaimed in the entire world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.” Matthew 24:9-14 (HCSB)

In one sense, Jesus spoke of the immediate future concerning the persecution of the early believers. But He also spoke directly of the end times, which I believe we are living in now. Still, the prophetic message is the same: Return to the Lord! As was the case with King Josiah in 2 Kings 22, so it may be in our time. The Judgment of the Lord was inevitable, but because King Josiah humbled himself (and the people followed suit), God relented His judgment against that generation. Based on God’s Word, what is His message for our generation? Return to the Lord, and bring as many people to His salvation as He allows you to!

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Hosea 14. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“O Israel, you are destroyed, but your help is from Me. I will be your King; where is any other, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges to whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’? I gave you a king in My anger, and took him away in My wrath.” Hosea 13:9-11 (NKJV)

God’s utmost desire is to save sinners rather than punish them. (Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Peter 3:9)  Yet, He is a God of justice and will, ultimately, “…by no means, clear the guilty”. (Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:8)  In a world that seeks to elect “kings” to make nations great, the “God who elects” also runs as a candidate for election. It helps us to remember the leadership drought before Israel sought their first king.

“Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba.  But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.  Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.  According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day - with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods - so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the King who will reign over them.’” 1 Samuel 8:1-9 (NKJV)

We must remember that God is not against kings, only kings who refuse to make Him King of their own lives. **Messiah Jesus is the “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords.”

“When you come to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations that are around me,’ you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.” Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (NKJV)

“But I am the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.” Hosea 12:9 (NKJV)

I love to watch documentaries, especially the ones about rock bands. My favorite part of every documentary is “the early years.” I like knowing how bands got together, how they struggled to make it, and how they overcame the odds to become successful. Once a band reaches success, I’m really not interested in most of their stories, nor am I particularly interested in their music. I would rather watch VH1’s “Behind The Music” than MTV’s “Cribs.”

Somehow, I relate more to a person’s struggle than their achievement. Perhaps that early era resonates with me because I learned most of my important life lessons during hard times.

I get the same feeling when I read the story of Israel. When they were wandering the desert, living in tents, God taught them to RELY on Him. When He miraculously provided for their needs, He taught them TRUST. Then, as He brought more challenges, they began to respond in FAITH.

Once Israel was settled into Canaan, their story took on a more unappealing perspective. Everyone cheers for the underdog long shot. Nobody has sympathy or empathy for the unappreciative kid who was born into blessing. The Lord recognized that the spiritual condition of Israel could not be cured with more “abundance.” If Israel was going to amount to anything, as a “nation of priests,” God was going to have to take them back to their roots.  

Israel would have to wander again as a people. If the Hebrews were bent on forsaking God’s festivals, He would make them suffer those same conditions of Egyptian-style oppression again. If they were to undergo the same oppressive conditions, perhaps the children of Israel would again cry out to God for deliverance.  

There was one exception:  Israel would not wander as a nation, as in the Exodus. This time, they would be in small communities, families, and individuals. God was sending a message that Israel’s sin was not so much at the national level but rather the personal one.

God cares as much about the process of our faith as He does the product of it. Do not despise the day of small things, those initial faithful attempts to return to God. (Zechariah 4:10) From our humbled states, meekness sprouts roots. When we have been rebuked for our rebellion, God graciously allows us to repent and submit again to His Lordship. We learn our greatest lessons amid our most difficult hardships. And by virtue of His holiness and great love for His children, the Lord will ordain hardship so we can reach the end of ourselves, realize the futility of rebellion, and return with the remembrance of how bad sin feels and how wonderfully restoration resounds.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. As they called them, so they went from them; they sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to carved images. I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them.  I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” Hosea 11:1-4 (NKJV)

It is important to note that the name “Ephriam” is used in the Bible in three senses. First, Ephriam was one of Joseph’s boys (along with his brother Manasseh) fathered with his Egyptian (not Jewish) bride. (A foreshadowing of spiritual intimacy) Still, Jacob blessed them as if they were his own sons.

“And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.” Genesis 48:5 (NKJV)

Secondly, “Ephriam” is associated with the land of Ephriam, a territory given to the tribe of Ephriam by the Lord when Israel crossed the Jordan 40 years after leaving Egypt. We must also remember that the only two faithful reports about the Promised Land (from the 12 tribal spies) came from Caleb (the tribe of Judah) and Joshua (the tribe of Ephriam). (Joshua 16-17)

Thirdly, “Ephriam” is synonymous with apostasy and idolatry (spiritual adultery). After the death of King Solomon, his son, Rehoboam, acted foolishly, and an Ephraimite named Jeroboam arose and persuaded 10 of the 12 Israelite tribes to follow him. To keep the people from uniting in worship (in Jerusalem) with their Israelite brothers of the tribes of Judah & Benjamin, Jeroboam set up two golden calves for the people to worship in Dan & Bethel. Henceforth, in Old Testament Scripture, the Jewish people are a divided kingdom known as “Israel” (aka Northern Kingdom/Ephriam) and “Judah” (Southern Kingdom), collectively. (1 Kings 12)

Hopefully, understanding “Ephriam” in its proper Biblical context (and specifically God’s continuing love for them in Hosea 11) helps you understand this often passed-over passage in the Christmas story “Wise Men” narrative.

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’” Matthew 2:13-15 (NKJV)

Of the tribe of Judah, Jesus’ Egyptian “exodus” signaled a firm faithfulness (conquering death and sin) that Caleb’s heroism only partly showed. Yet, He gracefully redeems the idolatrous route Joshua’s tribe (Ephraim/Israel) eventually pursued.

“Ephraim is a well-trained calf that loves to thresh, but I will place a yoke on her fine neck. I will harness Ephraim; Judah will plow; Jacob will do the final plowing. Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.”  Hosea 10:11-12 (HCSB)

As we move into the latter half of the Tanakh (Old Testament), the name “Ephraim” is used frequently among the prophets. “Ephraim” is synonymous with idolatry, primarily because Jeroboam, the Ephraimite, led Israel astray. He did so by dividing the kingdom politically and spiritually.  

Jeroboam set up two golden calves: One in Bethel and the other in Dan. The fashioning of these idols was intended to prevent the people from worshipping in Jerusalem. In doing so, Jeroboam significantly diminished the chances of the people’s hearts returning to the Lord.  

Eventually, idolatry spread throughout the whole nation, hardening hearts. This is the generation that Hosea is primarily writing to. This generation was about to be crushed and expelled from the land, dispersed among the nations.

Hosea’s comparison of Ephraim to a cow is possibly an allusion to their calf idol worship. The largest Israelite tribe, Ephraim, prided itself on treading upon Israel with what they believed was more open-minded and enlightened worship (because of its worldliness), crushing and dividing the Hebrew nation as a farm animal would tread out grain.  

God is telling Ephraim (aka Israel in the divided kingdom) that He is about to re-purpose their “bull-headedness,” as it were. God will make them disciplined and meek by subjecting them to the yoke of His rebuke. Eventually, Ephraim will be “broken,” as a horse must learn to obey its rider.

Today’s passage contains some beautifully simple agrarian imagery. With Ephraim harnessed and out of the way, Judah takes the leadership role in Hebrew restoration. Judah was more accustomed to challenging works of faith, so they plowed the hardened land. The rest of Israel follows Judah’s example by further breaking up the clods that Judah broke up.

In simple terms, Israel’s national heart was like hardened earth. By driving Israel out to live among (and be subject to) the Gentiles, God maximized their potential to turn back to Him. They would have no other choice but to turn to Him eventually. Like the turning of soil, God was softening their hearts to receive someday the chosen “seed” of Abraham, Messiah Jesus. Have you chosen the God who has chosen you? Or are you continuing to rebel against Him, hardening your heart toward Messiah Yeshua, like Pharaoh, Korah, Ephraim, and a host of others who suffered the Lord’s rebuke?

“The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have come. Let Israel recognize it! The prophet is a fool, and the inspired man is insane, because of the magnitude of your guilt and hostility. Ephraim’s watchman is with my God. The prophet encounters a fowler’s snare on all his ways. Hostility is in the house of his God! They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.” Hosea 9:7-9 (HCSB)

To comprehend Israel’s moral & spiritual depravity at the time of Hosea, we must understand what the prophet means by the term “days of Gibeah.” The answer is found in Judges, chapter 19.  

A Levite living in the hill country of Ephraim, was traveling with his concubine to go and worship in Jerusalem. On their journey, the Levite and his concubine spent the night with an elderly gentleman in the city of Gibeah. Gibeah is in the territory of Benjamin.  

It was there that the following incident took place:

“While they were enjoying themselves, all of the sudden, perverted men of the city surrounded the house and beat on the door. They said to the old man who was the owner of the house, ‘Bring out the man who came to your house so that we can have sex with him!’” Judges 19: 22 (HCSB)

The older man offered his virgin daughter to the mob, and the Levite offered his concubine. This scene mirrors the one that brought judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, except it directly involved tribes of Israel instead of pagan Gentiles. The Levite awoke the following morning to find his concubine dead in his doorway. She had been raped repeatedly. He cut her dead body into 12 pieces and sent them throughout Israel to rally the rest of Israel against the tribe of Benjamin.  

The event is known as “The Outrage in Benjamin” because the tribe of Benjamin would not admit any wrongdoing or punish those directly responsible.

Hosea tells us that Israel had corrupted themselves “as in the days of Gibeah.” Do you feel the gravity of his statement?

Consider the culture we live in today: legalized abortion, legalized homosexual marriage, liberal judges, and scandalous clergy. There is even opposition in many congregations toward Biblical preaching and anyone who holds the Bible as the infallible, authoritative Word of G_d.  Is Hosea not warning our generation, along with his own?

Let’s join together in prayer for revival: personal, corporate, national, and global.

“They have installed kings, but not through Me. They have appointed leaders, but without My approval. They make their silver and gold into idols for themselves for their own destruction. Your calf-idol is rejected, Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? For this thing is from Israel – a craftsman has made it and it is not God. The calf of Samaria will be smashed to bits!”  Hosea 8:4-6 (HCSB)

When people hear the word “innocence,” they may have varied definitions of what that means. As a matter of fact, “innocence” in the Bible has various meanings. When the Bible was translated into English, “innocence” became a “catch-all” term for several Hebrew words. As one could imagine, each Hebrew word bears a subtle yet distinct difference in definition.

In the book of Daniel is the word “ZAKHU,” meaning “absence of guilt of disloyalty to God.”  Then, in 1 Kings 2:31, there is “CHINNAM,” denoting “undeserved or without cause,” i.e., “victims of murder.” Job 33:9 uses “CHAPH” to describe “clean, by scraping or polishing” and refers to “forgiven sin,” which leads to moral purity. In all other places, the word “NIQQAYON” is found. It means “The absence of pollution,” connected with blood, and carries the idea of divine acquittal or forgiveness. In the New Testament, it is used twice in connection with blood. (Matthew 27:4, 24)

In Hosea 8 and 10, the word “niqqayon” is used. It means. “absence of pollution.”  Hosea is referencing Israel’s pollution due to idolatry. Hence, Israel was incapable of innocence as long as they worshipped idols.

We all remember the “golden calf” that Israel had made in direct defiance of God’s command to “not make any graven images” in Exodus 32. No doubt, every Hebrew child would have been taught this story. Yet, by Hosea’s generation, the Hebrew kingdom was split (two kingdoms, two kings). The pedestrian Jewish indifference to Adonai (the Lord) had reached the point where two more “golden calves” had been forged and were being worshipped.

Today’s challenge is for us to ask God to reveal our “idols.” Where are those we ascribed power (ergo, worship) to - power and worship that belongs only to God?

In the eyes of God, Christians remain in a constant state of “CHAPH” through the enduring atonement of the Messiah. That said, we may incur severe rebuke whenever we find ourselves lacking “NIQQAYON.” Thus, we find ourselves in the crosshairs of God’s righteous rebuke due to our allowing idolatry to creep back into our lives.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Hosea 7. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Daniel 12. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Come let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds. He will revive us after two days, and on the third day He will raise us up so we can live in His presence. Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like rain, like the spring showers that water the land.” Hosea 6:1-3 (HCSB)

As we learned in chapter five, God had determined to rebuke Israel for their sin of spiritual promiscuity. That is to say, He punished their idolatry. Not only did God judge their sin, but He established their only way of escape would be through their repentance as they earnestly turned back to Him. No other form of rescue exists when God rebukes.  

“Yes, I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off and no one can rescue them” Hosea 5:14b (HCSB)

In chapter six, Hosea pleads with Israel to accept that their only means of salvation is through their humble repentance. If God promised to judge our sins, and He specified that His judgment would take a certain form, and if it happened as He said it would, why would we refuse to accept His prescribed resolution to our dilemma? Only our pride would keep us from repenting. Yet, I see such pride in my life all too often.

Have you ever considered how Yeshua’s ministry is so foreign to our human nature? He humbled Himself before the Lord and said, “Not Mine, but Thy will be done.” Scripture tells us that Jesus never sinned, but to pay our sin penalty, He took the sin of the world upon Himself. (2 Corinthians 5:21) In doing this, Jesus also showed us His love for us and the severity of God’s hatred of (and His impending judgment of) our sin. When we consider Jesus’ suffering on our behalf, we are reminded that, apart from His atonement, the same level of suffering on the Roman cross would be awaiting us on the Day of Judgment.  

“Yet the Lord was pleased to crush Him severely. When You make Him a restitution offering, He will see His seed, He will prolong His days, and by His hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.” Isaiah 53:10 (HCSB)

Jesus’ willingness to atone for the sins of the world pleased God. Lest we get hung up on that word “pleased,” it is essential to clarify that Jesus’ suffering did not make God happy. The idea conveyed in Scripture is more transactional. When a convenience store sells a pack of gum for $1, and you pay the clerk $1, it pleases the clerk because you have satisfied the price requirement, and you owe nothing more than what was required. In the same manner, Jesus satisfied God’s righteous requirements for our sin debt.

In forecasting God’s forgiveness of repentant Israel, Hosea is also alluding to the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. In this, God is communicating, even to you & me, that we humble ourselves, turn from our sin, and accept Messiah’s sin self-offering; that we receive His atonement offered to us, by His Grace, through our Faith in Him.

“At the appointed time he will come again to the South, but this time will not be like the first. Ships of Kittim will come against him, and being intimidated, he will withdraw. Then he will rage against the holy covenant and take action. On his return, he will favor those who abandon the holy covenant. His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.” Daniel 11:29-31 (HCSB)

I was 14 when I got my first job, working for a country club. We used to videotape important tennis matches and re-ran them throughout the day on the big screen TV in the men’s locker room. Once, during the U.S. Open, I watched a club member win hundreds of dollars off another club member, betting on the outcome of a match he had seen the end of earlier in the day. That’s what we call “cheating.”

There are theological skeptics who try to late-date Daniel’s prophecies. That is, they claim the prophecies were written after the events prophesied had unfolded and then attributed them to Daniel. The reason they give for their allegations is purely the fact that Daniel’s prophecies are so accurate. Basically, they accuse the Bible’s compilers of cheating, knowing the outcome, and then writing the prophecy.

Prophecies yet to unfold, can be trusted because of prophecy fulfilled. Of course, that is exactly what irks the skeptics! Not only were Daniel’s prophecies accurate for the events close to his day & age, but they are also predicting apocalyptic events of the end times. Daniel’s prophecy about the coming of the Greek king, Antiochus Epiphanes, was also predicting the coming of the anti-messiah (aka antichrist) and is echoed in Revelation, Matthew’s gospel, and other places in the Bible.  

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that leads to desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel – let the reader understand…” Matthew 24:15 (NIV)

“And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’ And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.” Revelation 13:3b-6 (NKJV)

“Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.” Daniel 11:32-35 (NKJV)

“For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. Yes I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off, and no one can rescue them. I will depart and return to My place until they recognize their guilt and seek My face; they will search for Me in their distress.” Hosea 5:14-15 (HCSB)

Upon first reading today’s passage, my initial reaction was focused on the severity of Adonai’s judgment. He describes Himself as a lion, even a “young” lion eager to destroy and devour without restraint. There is an image of God put forth by many congregation leaders these days that He is a giant, all-loving “Grandfather” type of God. To those who hold to this view of God, He is the type who will never judge wrongdoing and who has infinite lap space for us to crawl up into. Perhaps those folks would read these verses and ask, “Where is the all-loving, all-accepting God we believe in? How could He do such a thing to His grandchildren?

I once heard a new Grandfather say he liked to spoil his grandchildren with gifts, fill them with sugar, and give them back to the parents, like “Top that!”. Grandfathers are supposed to be generous and more gracious than our parents. Grandfathers are always pardoning offenses because their age-honored wisdom has taught them that not every hill is worth “dying on” and because discipline is the Father’s job. Let’s face it: Grandfathers are pushovers, and we take advantage of them! And they like it that way. I can see why this image of God is popular. Because kids don’t have to live with Grandfathers all of the time, they get a distorted view of what it would be like to be that Grandfather’s child. But if a child were to ask their parents to describe growing up under the (now) Grandfather’s authority, the parents would recite a similar situation as every child/parent relationship.

But the truth is, God is never described in Scripture as a “Grandfather.”  He is our Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:9)  While He is gracious and merciful, He will not be taken advantage of. Anyone who holds to a passive view of God’s judgment will be caught unaware when that judgment comes. We know He will judge sin because He has promised to. The fact that His judgment does not come immediately should not be taken as if He doesn’t see, care, or have the ability to levy rebuke.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB)

Let’s shift focus now from God’s judgment to His redemption. God’s love for His people is displayed through His rebuke, in that He hopes Israel would whole-heartedly turn to Him in their distress. His rebuke is intended not to destroy His people but to align them with His righteousness. If you have sinned against the Lord and you are feeling the pain of His rebuke, do not continue to rebel. Recognize your guilt and repent by turning back to Him, seeking His face. Only He can deliver you, and He desires your return to fellowship with Him.

“Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, ‘O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!’ So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’ Then he said, ‘Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.’” Daniel 10:18-21 (NKJV)

In today’s passage, the angel Gabriel comes to deliver a message of comfort to Daniel. To better understand what is going on, it is essential to know a little background concerning the two angels mentioned: Gabriel and Michael. Based on Biblical understanding, Gabriel is a messenger of God, and Michael is the commander of the Lord’s army.

Also important to acknowledge is that the mission field is a spiritual battlefield! When we seek the truth of God’s Word and share the Gospel, we are doing battle, and we must keep that truth at the forefront of our minds because, quite honestly, freaky stuff happens whenever people get serious about following the Lord!! Otherwise, why would the apostle exhort us to be prepared for such warfare?  

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:11-12 (NKJV)

When we experience persecution, for the sake of the Gospel, we must remember that the enemy is not necessarily the people who are persecuting us. Instead, the real “enemy” is the World, the Flesh, and the Devil and their influence over a particular individual or group. That is why a radical Muslim may seek to kill you, but after his/her conversion to Jesus, they love you and call you brother/sister. Paul, perhaps, understood this idea best because he sought to kill followers of Jesus. But after he was radically saved from the evil influence, Paul became the most fervent evangelist (and ardent Christian brother) in the early community of believers.

But we should not fear evil’s attempts to destroy us. As with Daniel, God is on our side!

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the World. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Messiah Jesus has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the World.” 1 John 4:1-4 (NIV)

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you (priests) have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.” Hosea 4:6 (HCSB)

There are many different ways to do “church.” Some congregations emphasize music. Others are into drama, visual arts, or creativity. Some are very emotional, and some are quite stoic. Some want to preach the Bible in declarative terms as if motivating a football team, while others are subtle in their teaching as if trying to catch a butterfly.

While I have my preferences, none of these approaches in and of themselves are wrong. They are simply ministry models, methods designed to reach the unreached. If Christians live long enough, they will probably use varied approaches in sharing the gospel because none of them go against God’s character, as He has revealed Himself in the Bible.

God is undoubtedly dramatic, visual, and creative. Scripture informs us that Jesus displayed a wide range of emotions. Jesus quoted the Bible directly and taught with questions and parables designed to make people think.

That said, there is a way of “doing church,” which the Lord detests. That detestable way is the one that withholds the complete knowledge of God and His Word from the disciple.

Where many Christians take issue with one or more of these ministry models is when a church presents its particular way as the “only” way. According to Scripture, God is not ambiguous about the issue. Regardless of their method of presentation, church leaders are responsible for communicating the entire character of God. Those who refuse or neglect to teach the complete knowledge of God will be judged.

Consider two other Biblical examples of how God’s leaders fell short of His standard and were challenged to rise up in faith:  

1) The book of Joshua (chapters 13-24) confronts seven tribes who entered the land of Canaan yet failed to take possession of their inheritance.

2) The book of Revelation (chapters 2-3) lists seven gifted churches, yet each fails to teach the complete knowledge of God. The Lord commands them to repent.

We read the Bible every day because we are zealous to grow in the knowledge of God. And we can only share His Word to the extent that we have received and believe it! So, let’s continue reading and asking the Lord to reveal His plan and purpose for us and that He will direct us to people who need to hear it, as well!

“Then the Lord said to Me, 'Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.'” Hosea 3:1 (HCSB)

Today’s passage comes with the heading, “Waiting For Restoration.” In a sense, it could be the title of this present era of world history, especially for the Jewish people. Many are truly awaiting restoration: restoration to the land of Israel, and most importantly, awaiting restoration to God through Messiah Jesus.

Upon reading modern rabbinical interpretation, there is no argument against the fact that Israel was expelled from the Promised Land because of sin and idolatry. There is very little debate among rabbis concerning the idea that the spiritual condition of the Jews will be restored through the Messiah Jesus.

The debate rages at the suggestion that Jesus is, indeed, the Messiah that Israel has been waiting for!

“Husbands, love your wives as the Messiah loved the church and gave himself for it, so that he might make it holy by cleansing it, washing it with water and the word, and might present the church to himself in all its glory, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, but holy and without fault.” Ephesians 5:25-27 (ISV)

Consider the level of love God commanded Hosea to love his wife. Then, consider the level of passion that Messiah-following husbands are called to love their wives with. It is easy to recognize how Hosea was a “picture” of the Messiah. Hosea’s story casts an image of marital love and reconciliation that Jesus would accomplish spiritually for unfaithful Israel. Messiah’s Grace and Mercy are extended to the Church, that is, all who by faith believe He is Messiah and have committed themselves to follow Him.

“So I bought her for 15 shekels of silver and five bushels of barley.” Hosea 3:2 (HCSB)

Can you imagine a husband who would be willing to purchase his prostitute wife just to rescue her and spend time with her? That is precisely what Jesus has done for us! We have been purchased by Jesus’ blood so that we might respond by loving Him.  Consider Hosea 3 against the backdrop of 1 Peter 1:17-21  

Hosea 3 ends with the promise that “Israel” will be restored to God, but do not assume that ALL Jews will enter His kingdom. (Romans 9:6)  Remember that “Israel” was delivered into Canaan, yet a whole generation was not allowed to enter because of sin. So it will be, for all who reject Messiah, having rejected so great a love and salvation.  

This is a “waiting for restoration” season for the whole world. There is great urgency in this season, yet also great hope, in that Messiah extends His invitation to all mankind.

“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.” Daniel 9:1-6 (NKJV)

There are many Biblical heroes whom we should seek to emulate, but aside from Jesus, Daniel, perhaps, displayed the most integrity.  It is rare to see followers of Jesus who will make a public stand for Him these days, much less those who repeatedly put their lives on the line for their faith.  Daniel was that kind of believer.  But how did Daniel become so faithful?  Today, we get a peek into the source of Daniel’s faith: Scripture.

Before Daniel’s great epiphany, his personal and corporate confession, today’s passage tells us he was reading the Scriptures.  He was reading the Scriptures and thinking.  That is what we call “meditating” on the Scripture.  He was not simply reading it out of duty, and he was not reading it just to hurry up and get to the end.  Daniel wanted to know God, personally, and he knew that nothing could give him such a relationship, except for time in God’s Word.  Time spent in God’s Word is time spent with God; it is time spent with Jesus because He is, after all, the “Word made flesh.” (John 1:1-2, 14)

Daniel was reading the writings of a prophet named Jeremiah, who, years earlier, had predicted the destruction of Israel and prophesied that Jerusalem’s renewal and rebuilding would act as a catalyst for Israel’s spiritual return to the Lord.  Even though the prophetic message Daniel was reading was old, Daniel understood that all Scripture is “living” hence, relevant to every generation.

“For whatever was written in earlier times, was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NKJV)

Daniel found hope in Jeremiah’s rebuke, for wrapped in the indictment of sin was the gift of grace if the sinner would repent and follow the Lord!  As we continue to read the Bible each day, we should seek that God would reveal the truth of His Word to us, personally, as He did to Daniel. For certain, the apostle Paul esteemed such revelation above all spiritual gifts and a thing we should seek after and share with others.

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)

“I will respond to the sky and it will respond to the earth. The earth will respond to the grain, the new wine, and the oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. I will sow Israel in the land for Myself, and I will have compassion on No Compassion; I will say to Not My People: You are My people, and he will say: You are My God.” Hosea 2:21b-23 (HCSB)

It is important to remember that the people and events in the book of Hosea are both actual and metaphorical. God was using Hosea’s life example to send a message primarily to the half of the Divided Kingdom known as Judah (which consisted of both the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and people from the other tribes who wanted to worship God in Jerusalem). Secondarily, he spoke to the other ten tribes of the Divided Kingdom, referred to as “Israel.”  He is also speaking to us today.

Hosea lived during the last 25 years of Israel’s existence as a nation. During this time, six Kings reigned through a period of near anarchy and bloodshed. Israel’s spiritual condition had deteriorated to the point where knowledge of the Lord had almost been forgotten. Canaanite religion had been mixed with the worship of the Lord until the Lord could hardly be recognized. Priests and prophets also fell into this mixed religion. Rather than speaking out against idolatry, they promoted and participated in it.

In my opinion, the Church at large is headed down a similar path. The more believers absorb secular philosophy into their worship (and pastors not only tolerate it but also endorse it themselves), I can’t help but believe we are in for very difficult days. God simply will not tolerate it. In Chapter 1, the Lord told Hosea to marry a promiscuous wife named Gomer. Gomer bore Hosea three children. It is unclear whether they were Hosea’s children or whether they were children of Gomer’s promiscuous relationships with other men. In Hebrew, the children’s names are Yzre’el (God Sows), Lo-Ruchama (No Compassion), and Lo-‘Ammi (Not My People). They represent the progression of Israel’s spiritual decline. They are reversing the process of God’s having sown them into Canaan, shown them compassion, and called them His people.

As a result, the Lord punished Israel at the hands of the Assyrians, scattering them throughout the nations. Afterward, He again “sowed” Israel back into their land; God showed them compassion and identified them as His people. Israel’s return was largely in part to the fact that they repented, having been “persuaded” and “spoken tenderly to” by the Lord, in the wilderness of the nations. ( Hosea 2:14-16)  God always honors repentance, humility, and honest worship. As a result, the “prophecies” of the meanings of the names of Hosea’s children have been reversed!  

Similarly, our spiritual conditions change when we turn from spiritual harlotry and cultural idolatry, i.e., modern-day paganism. God’s Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness toward the repentant sinner are the hallmarks of His character. These marked the return of God’s favor for “adulterous” Israel, and they are extended to the repentant worldly believer today.

“While he was speaking, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. But Gabriel roused me with a touch and helped me to my feet. Then he said, ‘I am here to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath. What you have seen pertains to the very end of time. The two-horned ram represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy male goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes represents the first king of the Greek Empire. The four prominent horns that replaced the one large horn show that the Greek Empire will break into four kingdoms, but none as great as the first. At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning. He will even take on the Prince of princes in battle, but he will be broken, though not by human power. This vision about the 2,300 evenings and mornings is true. But none of these things will happen for a long time, so keep this vision a secret.”  Daniel 8:18-26 (NLT)

Hanukkah is the Jewish holiday that remembers both a military victory and a miracle of light. In Hebrew, the word Hanukkah means “dedication.”  I mention Hanukkah because the events surrounding Hanukkah are prophesied (and explained by the angel Gabriel) in today’s chapter. After the untimely death of the young Greek king, Alexander the Great, four rulers (horns) arose and contended for the kingdom. The smallest “horn” was a man named Antiochus, who called himself “Epiphanes,” meaning “Manifestation of God.”  He conquered his way along the Mediterranean Sea and down to Israel. In Jerusalem, Antiochus entered the Temple, defiled it, and declared his so-called deity. An Israelite named Judah Maccabee (a “messiah” of sorts) gathered his family & friends, and believing God’s Word through the prophet Daniel, against overwhelming odds, he routed the Seleucid Greeks. Perhaps, now, you can understand the conversation with Jesus at Hanukkah.

“It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah). He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded him and asked, ‘How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied, ‘I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’ Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, ‘At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?’ They replied, ‘We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.’” John 10:22-30 (NLT)

“When the Lord first spoke to Hosea, He said this to him: Go and marry a promiscuous wife and have children of promiscuity, for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the Lord.” Hosea 1:2 (HCSB)

The story of the prophet Hosea is disturbing for many followers of Jesus. The modern Messianic community has very little understanding of “Calling.” Our operational theology has almost no room for the idea that God would call righteous men and women to actions that would result in our suffering and humility. That is because it is hard for us to imagine there are times when our suffering may have nothing to do with our sin, that it may be a product of God’s Grace.  

Hosea was a prophet, so there is no indication that he was willfully sinning against the Lord. Could it be that God would call Hosea to suffer, not to punish his sinfulness, but to reward his righteousness? Had Hosea earned the trust of the Lord in that He would lead Hosea into a situation that a less-faithful person could not endure? What does that mean to us? Are we so preoccupied with protecting our reputation and trying to market God’s image in a positive light that we cannot follow God’s call into uncomfortable or unsavory situations?

God had a message for Israel, and it was going to take a special messenger to deliver it. God’s chosen venue to relay His message was through an unholy and promiscuous marriage. God’s messenger needed to trust Him through any situation. If this story has been written (at least in part) to encourage us to trust God even when it goes against social and cultural norms, then how was Hosea able to answer God’s call?

Hopefully, we are all aware of how Jesus trusted the Father, enduring even death by the cross. So, we are also familiar with how Jesus was raised from the grave and is alive today! The apostle Paul is another example of someone given a “calling” that most of us would never choose. Let’s consider some of Paul’s statements.  

“For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— you have heard, haven’t you, about the administration of God’s grace that He gave to me for you?” Ephesians 3:1-2 (HCSB)

“So then I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are for your glory.” Ephesians 3:13 (HCSB)

“For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.” Philippians 1:29 (HCSB)

As we explore the book of Hosea, let’s pray the Lord will open our hearts to His calling wherever and however He leads.

“I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their authority to rule was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time.” Daniel 7:11-12 (HCSB)

In today’s chapter, we learn that in addition to being a superior intellect and physical specimen with the ability to interpret dreams and visions, Daniel was given the gift of having dreams and visions of his own. It always amazes me what prophets see when they are “taken up” to heaven. Their experiences always seem like deleted scenes from some science fiction movie. What’s bizarre is how God’s perspective on reality seems like fantasy to us. But doesn’t that mean that God’s perspective IS reality and ours is the fantastic distortion?  

Have you ever considered how God sees things? For instance, in today’s chapter, who we would consider to be world leaders (those guys we see getting out of limos for a U.N. meeting), God sees as vicious, power-hungry beasts who are bent on destroying anything in their paths for the sake of national and personal ambition. Personally speaking, such a vision would have disturbed me, as well. But, when all seems out of control, we catch a glimpse of Messiah, Jesus.

“I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14 (HCSB)

We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. And God has shown us a glimpse of the future He holds. It is comforting to know that everything the Lord allowed Daniel to see has unfolded exactly as predicted. So, in light of such evidence, why would some people still be inclined to reject Jesus as Lord? Why would they seek another “god” and worship in defiance of God’s Word?  

It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. Or, as Albert Einstein put it, “We cannot attempt to move beyond our present circumstances by utilizing the methods that brought us here.”

The nature, purpose, and ultimate goal of sin have not been altered since the fall of man. Satan continues to steal, kill, and destroy throughout the generations. What Daniel saw prophetically, we can literally see 24-7 online and on television. That means our dependence on the certainty of redemption and the accuracy of Biblical prophecy is as necessary as ever. Messiah Jesus is Lord! He has been Lord from eternity past (Micah 5:2), and He will be Lord forever in the Kingdom to come.

“Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.’ So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: ‘King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.’” Daniel 6:5-7 (NKJV)

Today’s chapter is one of the best-known Bible stories. What child, whether Christian or Jewish, has not heard the story of Daniel in the lion’s den? Just the thought of it makes me crave goldfish crackers! But within the story of Daniel’s deliverance are other important narratives. I chose today’s passage because I wanted to highlight the method that Daniel’s enemies used to trap him. Daniel was a man of such upright character and sought to please the Lord to the extent that he was blameless, according to both the Torah of God and the laws of the Medes and Persians. So, the only way Daniel could be brought down was to make worshipping God a crime. I love Daniel’s response to the King’s decree.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.” Daniel 6:10-11 (NKJV)

I would like to believe Daniel remembered Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Lord’s Temple and that he was faithfully praying following Solomon’s words.

“May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.” 1 Kings 8:29 (NIV)

Years ago, I wrote a song titled “If Loving God Was a Crime.” The song was based on today’s chapter and posed the question: If loving God were against the law, would there be enough evidence to convict you? At the time, it seemed a bit far-fetched and futuristic, but these days, I wonder how much longer it will be before the song’s message becomes less of a personal challenge and more of a rebel anthem! It is becoming increasingly difficult to follow God and remain an upright “politically correct” American citizen. If you don’t believe me, try articulating the Bible’s teaching in the classroom or workplace on issues like abortion, homosexuality, or creation. And do I even have to mention what believers in places like China or the Muslim nations must endure? (Heb 11:32-38)

Daniel’s example is a challenge for us all. We must choose rightly between the worldly, culturally approved “wide path” or the righteous “narrow path” of the Lord. It’s not always easy, but we should live to honor the God who never leaves or forsakes us.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Daniel 5. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?’ Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, ‘This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.’” Daniel 4:29-32 (NIV)

As Nebuchadnezzar was collecting the “best of the best” intellects from the conquered nations, he would have done well to have sought out this proverb from among the Judean leaders.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

In a scenario opposite of Job’s, Nebuchadnezzar was the antithesis of humility and blamelessness. It is easy to prophesy (or at least hope for) the downfall of a proud man. But what about his restoration? We serve a God who not only judges; He also forgives. That is, His justice (at least up to His final judgment) is intended to bring people to repentance. That was Nebuchadnezzar’s response, to repent and give glory and honor to God.

“And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" Daniel 4:34-35 (NKJV)

Notice that Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding came back when he “looked up,” seeking the Lord. Often, we endure hardship by looking down and concentrating on our circumstances. Restoration begins by worshipping the One who alone can affect the kind of change that can affect our circumstances, even down to influencing the esteem and opinions of others.

“At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.” Daniel 4:36-37 (NKJV)

Daniel is the only Biblical book with sections written by a Gentile. As in the book of Jonah, Daniel exposes that God has always accepted Gentiles who worship Him rightly.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, ‘Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of You, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.’” Daniel 3:16-18 (HCSB)

As a child, I learned about all the heroes of the Bible: David, Samson, Daniel, Noah, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These were men and women (and sometimes boys and girls) whose faith led them to overcome impossible odds because their God was bigger than any situation the world could trap them in. The book of Hebrews recounts many of those great faith victories.

“And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead they were raised to life again.” Hebrews 11:32-35a (HCSB)

That was a pretty impressive advertisement for faithfulness, and it was only the end of a long list of faith champions. But just after telling their stories - the ones we all want to emulate - the writer of Hebrews describes another group of faithful followers.

“Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts, mountains, caves, and in holes in the ground. All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.” Hebrews 11:35b-40 (HCSB)

We may not know what the future holds (even the earthly outcomes of our day-to-day faithfulness), but we know Who holds the future. That is, we seek an eternal kingdom, which makes whatever hardship we must endure in this life worth it. We don’t look to our circumstances to determine whether we will be faithful; we look to our faith to determine how we will respond to our circumstances.

Notice Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not know whether God would rescue them. Neither we nor the “heroes of the faith” did. They knew God could rescue them if He desired. He had already saved them from the blazing fires of burning besieged Jerusalem! Still, the object of their faith was God Himself, not His deliverance. If you are struggling, hold on!! Either in this life or the next, God will deliver His faithful children, those whose hope is in Messiah.

“Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. He asked Arioch, the king’s officer, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel. So Daniel went and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter, urging them to ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of Babylon’s wise men. The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a vision at night, and Daniel praised the God of heaven…” Daniel 2:14-19 (HCSB)

In the business management world, there is a saying: Maximize your strengths and manage your weaknesses. Good leaders understand they can’t do everything, and they know the importance of having a good team. They know how to delegate tasks outside their strengths so they don’t find themselves bogged down doing things they aren’t good at. From this, we can reason that the purpose of community is to make our weaknesses ineffective. That is, in a healthy community, we only have to operate on our strengths because someone else’s strength is covering our weaknesses.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (HCSB)

We learned yesterday that Daniel was skilled in interpreting dreams and visions. This ability was a gift from the Lord, but Daniel was not about to take the Lord’s blessings for granted. Knowing that lives were at stake, Daniel rallied his three friends and enlisted them to pray on his behalf. Daniel was not a lone ranger. He did not simply rely on his “giftedness”; he understood the importance of a strong spiritual community and the power of prayer. Daniel knew the problem needed a level of discernment that could only be reached by the counsel of God-seeking men.

Today’s passage is also a challenge to us. Do you attempt to face life’s trials alone, perhaps too afraid to share your weaknesses with others? Or do you lean into the community of believers the Lord has given you? Because of Daniel’s willingness to share his situation with other strong believers, the Lord gave him an insight into the humanly impossible. Remember: We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. Daniel sought the Lord, and the unseeable was revealed.

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.” Daniel 1:1-2 (NKJV)

Those of us who have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus are at war. Like it or not. And the warfare we are “born again” into is a spiritual war. (Ephesians 6:12) We are relentlessly pursued by an enemy that makes itself known in three forms: The World, the Flesh, and the Devil. (Ephesians 2:1-3) And exactly what do we possess that the enemy wants to steal (by re-appropriation) or to utterly destroy? 1) Our identity as a people, 2) Our places of worship and their articles, 3) Our manhood (or womanhood) /gender identity, 4) Our intellect/language, 5) Our names/purpose, 6) Our diet, the very sustenance of our existence. (Mark 4:4) We see the Church-at-large attacked in these ways in our day, and we see all of those areas of life being attacked in the very first few paragraphs of the book of Daniel.

“Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.”  Daniel 1:3-4 (NKJV)

"And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.” Daniel 1:5 (NKJV)

“Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.”  Daniel 1:6-7 (NKJV)

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” Daniel 1:8-9 (NKJV)

So, how can we defend ourselves against such a spiritual onslaught? Moreover, how can we move beyond reactionary measures and attack-the-attacker, as it were? We must armor up! (Ephesians 6:10-18) And we must swing the sword of God’s Word!! How did Daniel & Co find the faithful fortitude to stand for the Lord? They believed the Word of the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:1-11) And the Lord proved Himself faithful to His Word! With what armor have you clothed yourself? What Word do you swing?

“These are the exits of the city: On the north side, which measures 1½ miles, there will be three gates facing north, the gates of the city being named for the tribes of Israel: one, the gate of Reuben; one, the gate of Judah; and one, the gate of Levi. On the east side, which is 1½ miles, there will be three gates: one, the gate of Joseph; one, the gate of Benjamin; and one, the gate of Dan. On the south side, which measures 1½ miles, there will be three gates: one, the gate of Simeon; one, the gate of Issachar; and one, the gate of Zebulun. On the west side, which is 1½ miles, there will be three gates: one, the gate of Gad; one, the gate of Asher; and one, the gate of Naphtali. The perimeter of the city will be six miles, and the name of the city from that day on will be: Yahweh Is There.”  Ezekiel 48:30-35 (HCSB)

In yesterday’s chapter, which began today’s chapter dividing the land of Israel after the exiles' return, we are (again) enlightened to God’s love of Gentiles who choose to follow Him.  Not only are Gentiles to be tolerated, living among the faithful of Israel, but they are also gracefully granted land as an inheritance among the faithful of Jewish descent!

“‘You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. You will allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners living among you, who have fathered children among you. You will treat them as native-born Israelites; along with you, they will be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe the foreigner lives, you will assign his inheritance there.’ This is the declaration of the Lord God.”  Ezekiel 47:21-23 (HCSB)

Before Gentile Christians rush to modern-day Israel to claim their “birthright in Messiah” property, let us consider that Ezekiel’s vision closer mirrors the New Jerusalem of the Revelation than the old one we visit on our yearly pilgrimage tours.

“Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me: ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ He then carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed with God’s glory. Her radiance was like a very precious stone, like a jasper stone, bright as crystal. The city had a massive high wall, with 12 gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the 12 tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.”  Revelation 21:9-13 (HCSB)

Given that today’s Ezekiel passage says the names of the patriarchs are written on the EXITS of the prophetic city, we can conclude that people will live outside of the walls of the New Jerusalem, coming in and going out.

“Each day its gates will never close because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing profane will ever enter it: no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.”  Revelation 21:25-27 (HCSB)

“Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple and there was water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the temple faced east. The water was coming down from under the south side of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar.” Ezekiel 47:1 (HCSB)

One fine Thanksgiving Day, my wife noticed that our kitchen floor was warmer in a particular area. Since we did not have heated floors, we quickly deduced that a hot water pipe had burst. If we hadn’t repaired it quickly, we might have fulfilled Ezekiel’s prophecy, for water would flow out from under our home and begin filling our town with its life-giving stuff!

The Bible begins with a description of a river that flowed through the Garden of Eden and broke into four tributaries as it left (Genesis 2:10-14). This is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. The Psalmist speaks of a river “whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells” (Psalm 46:4). Several of the prophets picture something similar: Joel speaks of a fountain that will flow out of the Lord’s house (Joel 3:8), and Zechariah describes “living water” which will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea, and half to the western sea (Zechariah 14:8). Of course, the Bible ends with a description of the New Jerusalem, from which emerges a river flowing from God’s throne (Revelation 22:1-2). The Revelation reference is, in fact, based directly on Ezekiel’s vision in today’s chapter. The interpretation of one affects the understanding of the other.

The river Ezekiel describes emerges from under the Temple threshold and runs (apparently) underground to emerge under the eastern gate, through the city, and into the countryside. After 2,500 yards, the river has become so wide and deep that no man can cross it. This is a big river! Eventually, it empties into the Dead Sea. Along its banks are signs of abundant life and prosperity - essentially, Eden, restored. It is all a picture of the kind of blessing God’s people may expect in the new kingdom: Every provision for every need will be taken care of by the Lord Himself.

The key to understanding the river that flows beneath the Temple is found in John’s gospel. There, Jesus, on the final day of Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), stands up and proclaims:

“‘If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.’ He said this about the Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit…” John 7:37-39 (HCSB)

Every day of Sukkot, a priest took a golden flask filled with water from the pool of Siloam near Jerusalem, carried it through the Water Gate, went up the ramp to the altar, and poured it out. In one sense, Ezekiel’s prophecy is being fulfilled every time a person chooses to follow Jesus and is given the gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell inside them (1 Corinthians 6:19). In a greater sense, imagine a picture of all believers gathered in the New Jerusalem, all with God’s Spirit flowing from them.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Ezekiel 46. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“When you divide the land by lot for inheritance, you are to set aside an offering for the Lord, a holy portion of the land.” Ezekiel 45:1a (HCSB)

If you want to start a fight in the Middle East today, all you have to do is ask a simple question: Who truly owns this land?  

Talk of land ownership can become a source of heated debate in almost any country, but most certainly so in Israel. To the exiled Israelites along the banks of the Keber River, whose land and homes had been taken away from them, talk of future land ownership must have been very encouraging. It is definitely more encouraging to them than to us, who read this chapter 2,500 years later!

Israel had been formed on the promise that everyone would be given his own portion of land to live and work. (Genesis 12:17) This was not simply the hopeful promise of a religious sage or the empty promise of political leader. The assurance came straight from the God of all creation! Israel’s exile had shown (more clearly than anything else) the disturbance not only of Israel’s dream but also of God’s favor. No doubt, they listened attentively as Ezekiel described the division of the land in New Jerusalem. Once again, Israel would have the opportunity to return to the land, fortunes restored. But more importantly, they would return to God’s abundant favor, the source of all hoped-for blessings.

The promise of the land of Canaan to the patriarchs’ descendants was an everlasting promise, which brings us to modern Israel. Many claim that God’s favor toward His people, the faithful of Israel (Remember: there are Jews who follow Jesus), has somehow failed or been replaced by the Church. Gentile Christians must recall that they are “grafted in” to the existing covenant promises to retain a proper perspective on God’s relationship to Israel and how both Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus fit together in the big picture. (Re-read Romans 11:11-31)

It may not be a popular stance, socially, academically, or politically, but God has not forgotten His people or His promises. That fact alone should give Gentile believers in Jesus reason to hope! Because if God can be trusted to keep His promises to the faithful of Israel, He can be trusted to keep His promises to Gentile believers…those of us who are not Jewish but are considered “grafted-in” through Messiah.  

In that sense, the question, “Who owns this land?” becomes irrelevant in the greater kingdom of Messiah. It is irrelevant because the Jerusalem to be inherited in the Olam HaBa (Kingdom to come) is not the Jerusalem one visits today. For those of us who await the New Jerusalem, there is no piece of property we hold eternally sacred! This earth will pass away. That frees us to serve the Messiah with no earthly distractions or affections. We serve the Messiah, who chose to atone for our sin, while we (both Jew & Gentile) were yet sinners, so we could be ONE flock, shepherded by Messiah Jesus, awaiting a common, undisputed Heaven-made homeland. (John 10:16)

“This will be their inheritance: I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.” Ezekiel 44:28 (HCSB)

Priests were chosen from the line of Aaron’s descent. However, a further narrowing of the priestly line occurred at the time of David, when Zadok, the priest, successfully backed Solomon as David’s successor. Only those Levites descended from Aaron through Zadok could serve as priests at the Temple.

According to Ezekiel, the Zadokites alone remained free from the charge of apostasy during the reign of the Israelite kings. Only those priests were allowed to offer sacrifices of “fat and blood.”  The fat was burned after the sacrifice, and the blood poured out on the altar as gifts to the Lord.  

One would suppose that this people group, favored by the Lord, should expect God’s favor to include wealth and worldly possessions. In fact, many Christian leaders would claim that God’s people should expect wealth and prosperity to be the natural outflow of faithfulness. Nothing could be more untrue.

The priests were given no inheritance in the land of Israel. Though a portion of the land surrounding the Temple was given to them, God Himself was to be their inheritance. They were to live off the various sacrifices which they were allowed to share. The pastor’s office as “spiritual shepherd” does not include fleecing or butchering the “sheep” for a profit. Instead, it is to tend to and care for the flock of the Master.

This is a point the New Testament makes clear, underlining the principle that those who live by the Gospel are to be maintained by the Gospel but not exploit it. Paul says that Elders who direct the affairs of the congregation are worthy of double honor – not double pay, as some preachers of our day have suggested. Those doing the work of the Gospel were to receive a twofold honor: the honor of respect and the honor of remuneration. (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9)

Those who might consider ministry purely as an entrepreneurial pursuit should consider changing their motives and expectations to align themselves with God’s Word!

Of course, the New Testament calls ALL believers “priests.” This means we should all maintain a temporal view of Worldly things and a continual understanding that our “inheritance” is other-worldly: serving & worshipping the Lord for all eternity.

“After this, he brought me to the gate facing east. There I saw the glory of the God of Israel approaching from the east. His voice was like the sound of rushing water and the earth shone with all His glory. The vision seemed like the vision I had seen when I came to destroy the city; also the visions were like the vision I had seen by the K’var River; and I fell on my face. The Lord’s glory entered the house through the gate facing east.” Ezekiel 43:1-4 (CJB)

One of the saddest moments in Israel’s history occurred when the Ark of the Covenant was taken into Philistine hands, and Israel was left deprived of the symbol of God’s help. When Eli heard of the consequential death of his two sons, he fell backward and broke his neck. In the shock of all the events, his daughter-in-law gave premature birth, dying in the process. Before she died, she gasped out that the child should be called “Ichabod,” meaning, “The glory has departed” (1 Samuel 4).

Israel’s condition in Ezekiel 43 was a similar “low point.” The collapse of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon’s Temple symbolized the idea that God had departed from His Holy City. (Of course, we know God never truly leaves.)  Ezekiel had been taken to Jerusalem in a vision in chapter 10 to see God depart! That was in 592 B.C. Almost 20 years had passed since that awful day. Nothing could be worse than that. If the description of the new Temple in Ezekiel’s vision is to hold any significance (other than for architects), the essential nature of its glory has to be underlined. This involves the return of God to dwell in His Temple again. This is what these verses now describe.

Ezekiel is brought to the east gate of the temple complex; this gate leads directly to the Temple area. It was from this gate that God’s glory departed in chapter 10. In chapter 43, we have the reverse of chapter 10: God is going to come back through the same gate by which He left. What Ezekiel sees, he tells us, is a reminder of the glory of God that he first encountered in the opening chapters: a vision of glory in chapter 1 and a vision of God coming to destroy the city in chapter 9 (43:3). Ezekiel, for the third time in this book, has come face-to-face with the living God.

If sin had driven the Lord from His Temple, then the holy pursuit of His people would keep Him there - holiness, which is unobtainable by men within the confines of their sinful flesh. But that is the power of the “good news” of the gospel. Jesus has accomplished what we could not. He paid a debt we could not pay, a debt He did not owe, all because He loves us and desires to make us whole and holy.

“Then the man said to me, “The northern and southern chambers that face the temple yard are the holy chambers where the priests who approach the Lord will eat the most holy offerings. There they will deposit the most holy offerings—the grain offerings, sin offerings, and restitution offerings—for the place is holy.” Ezekiel 42:13 (HCSB)

It is difficult to find much drama in these last few chapters of Ezekiel. Most of it reads like an architect’s blueprints! But the essence of what is being communicated is fascinating: we serve a precise God who is fully aware of every detail. Not only does He concern Himself with construction details, but He is also intimately aware of His standard for mankind and how each of us “measures up” to His requirements.

God’s standard for mankind is perfect holiness, an impossible goal for men to reach by their own achievement. The reason is that we are sinful and fall short of God’s requirements. That is why Jesus’ atoning work on the cross was so important. Only Jesus, “God made flesh” (John 1), could accomplish atonement for us, making up the good works lacking in our lives.  

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” 1 Colossians 1:21-23 (NKJV)

Whenever a building inspector steps onto a worksite, everyone gets nervous. If he is a good inspector, he will explore every detail of construction, ensuring everything meets the standard set by the building codes. The building inspector has the power to shut a whole construction site down, making the contractors start again, even pouring a new foundation.  

Similarly, people will stand before the Lord in the last days and be judged according to God’s “building codes”: the Ten Commandments. Each life will be thoroughly scrutinized, and not one detail will be allowed to “slip by” the Inspector’s eye. That is why I am so grateful that Jesus is not just the architect of my salvation but also the finishing carpenter.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

“On his way out, he measured the thickness of the wall of the house at ten-and-a-half feet (at ground level), and the width of all the side-rooms surrounding the house, seven feet (at ground level). There were three floors of side-rooms, thirty on each floor, and the wall around the house was terraced so that the side rooms rested on the terraces and were not supported on the vertical parts of the wall.” Ezekiel 41:5-6 (CJB)

The Temple was used for storing all kinds of treasures, including money (offerings), cups, bowls, silverware, candlesticks, and incense burners. These needed storage areas, and so, as in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:5-10), Ezekiel’s Temple provides chambers (side rooms) on all three sides of the Temple. Some of the features are worth noting:

1) Its Perfection: It is no coincidence that the temple area and its courtyards measured a hundred cubits square. The dimensions of the entire temple area, including the outer courtyard, are said to have been five hundred cubits square. Everything about God’s plan for the future worship of His people is perfection. The meticulous care over the design of this structure, given in a way that Ezekiel’s listeners would readily appreciate, was meant to convey how carefully He plans every detail.

2) Its Purpose:  The entire function of this elaborate building was to facilitate the worship of God. As such, it provided a place where God would come and take up residence. It had been David’s longing to provide a place for God to dwell that would prove to be a house of prayer for his sons and the whole of Israel. Isaiah expanded on this intent to include people of all nations. (Isaiah 56:6-7)

3) Its Beauty:  The interior of the Temple was wood-paneled, and many surfaces were adorned with intricate carvings of cherubim – no doubt reminding the onlooker of divine things. Also, Ezekiel saw images of palm trees – perhaps, reminding them of an oasis, something appreciated in the hot Middle Eastern desert climate. Maybe the trees were symbols of Eden: In chapter 47, Ezekiel describes the Sanctuary as containing the river and trees of life.

4) Its Symbolism:  The main temple worship event consisted of the sacrifice of “burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.”  Every detail of its architecture was intended to reinforce that this building was designed to take away sin and present the sinner with a way to approach the “Holy One of Israel.”  The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that the Sanctuary and the Temple were meant to be “copies” of Heavenly realities. Ezekiel is describing the glorious future of the people of God in terms that the Jews of Ezekiel’s day (and any future generation who reads God’s Word) would understand.

“In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month in the fourteenth year after Jerusalem had been captured, on that very day the Lord’s hand was on me, and He brought me there. In visions of God He took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. On its southern slope was a structure resembling a city. He brought me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. He was standing by the gate. He spoke to me: ‘Son of man, look with your eyes, listen with your ears, and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for you have been brought here so that I might show it to you. Report everything you see to the house of Israel.’” Ezekiel 40:1-4 (HCSB)

Prophecy can typically be analyzed in three stages: Immediate/present-day, Messianic era, and End Times. That is, a prophecy would generally be given for the (somewhat) immediate observation within the prophet’s generation (using the word “generation” in the greater sense). But that same prophecy might have Messianic implications, pointing to Jesus, as if to say, “Remember the last time these circumstances aligned themselves, and God judged sin & delivered His Remnant? That was a trial run for our greater deliverance through Messiah.”  And, of course, a prophecy fulfilled in the prophet’s generation (as well as being more greatly fulfilled in the days of Jesus) may still be “unfulfilled” in relation to the Day of The Lord or the coming Kingdom.

At first glance, today’s chapter appears to be written as an “impressionist painting.”  It is as if Ezekiel is conveying truths using abstract and exaggerated details. It can be compared to Debussy's music or Renoir's paintings. But simultaneously, he is communicating the concrete truth of God’s Word. For men to understand prophecy rightly, God’s truth must transcend the “impression” and be revealed as “concrete” by the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel understood what he saw because he was spiritually enabled to “see, hear, and pay attention.”  He was commanded to communicate that truth to the House of Israel. This idea is nothing new to anyone who has closely read the parables of Jesus.

“He told them, ‘The secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “They may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise, they might turn and be forgiven!”’” Mark 4:11-12 (NIV)

Isaiah was given a similar charge to preach God’s Word, but with the caveat that his audience would not believe.

“He said, ‘Go and tell this people: Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’” Isaiah 6:9 (NIV)

It is not that God only wants certain people to know the truth, yet others do not believe. Rather, He knows that men will not believe unless they earnestly seek truth in Him. (Matthew 7:7; John 6:44; Jeremiah 29:12-14) Keep seeking Him in His Word!

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Ezekiel 39. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“This is what the Lord God says: Are you the one I spoke about in former times through My servants, the prophets of Israel, who for years prophesied in those times that I would bring you against them? Now on that day, the day when Gog comes against the land of Israel”—this is the declaration of the Lord God— ‘My wrath will flare up. I swear in My zeal and fiery rage: On that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, every creature that crawls on the ground, and every human being on the face of the earth will tremble before Me. The mountains will be thrown down, the cliffs will collapse, and every wall will fall to the ground. I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains”—the declaration of the Lord God— “and every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone on him, as well as his troops and the many peoples who are with him. I will display My greatness and holiness, and will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’”  Ezekiel 38:17-23 (HCSB)

The promises in the previous chapters of a return to the land might have sounded fine if Babylon was all there was to contend with. After all, the Babylonian empire was already beginning to diminish. But, as Paul put it,

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the power of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

You see, the “Enemy” was never Babylon. The Enemy is the Devil. He is the root source of all opposition to Godliness. Jonah did not understand this concept. That is why he resisted God’s call to preach to Nineveh, Israel’s international enemy, in Jonah’s day. If the enemy were Nineveh, how could they repent and follow God? And if the true enemy were Babylon, how could Nebuchadnezzar eventually repent? (Daniel 4:34-36)

All of Israel’s past international (and intra-national) enemies have been humbled by the Lord, as will be the case of their present and future enemies. If God is FOR His people, who could be against them? (Romans 8:31) In today’s passage, Ezekiel is speaking prophetically of the rise of an international enemy called “Gog.”  The nation of Gog didn’t exist at the time of Ezekiel’s prophecy, nor does it today (although it may be forming at the moment). But of course, that is an arbitrary item because we know who the real enemy is, and we can spot his lies & tactics if we are familiar with God’s Word.

It is easy to misinterpret chapters 38-39. For example, citing that a figure called “Gog” comes out of the North, many theologians with a Bible in one hand and a TV remote in the other have proclaimed Gog to be Russia for the past century. However, the collapse of the Soviet Union has challenged that interpretation. Who knows? Have you considered that, while Babylon was prophesied to have been an invader from the North, they actually resided in the East? When they conquered Israel, Babylon invaded from the North, but my point is that anyone in Ezekiel’s time looking for a northern invader would have ruled out Babylon. All we must know is that what God promises, He brings to pass.

“They will not defile themselves anymore with their idols, their detestable things, and all their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances, and keep My statutes and obey them. They will live in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They will live in it forever with their children and grandchildren, and My servant David will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set My sanctuary among them forever.” Ezekiel 37:23-26 (HCSB)

It is the most remarkable testimony to God’s faithfulness that the blessings of His promises were obtained despite Israel’s sinful ways. Of course, Israel’s apostasy brought upon them God’s judgment of exile. But in today’s passage, Israel was prophesied to return to the land and be blessed in ways they could hardly imagine.

God promised to gather His people and “circumcise their hearts.” But the blessing God has in store is not exclusively for ethnic Israel. Here in Ezekiel, the definition of “Israel” begins to take on an expanded definition. Glimpses of God’s grand design had been given already: the famine that Elijah brought down on Israel resulted in the blessing of a Gentile widow (1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 4:26). Naaman (the Syrian general), whom God raised up as a scourge in Israel, was healed by Elisha to continue his vengeance on Israel. Jonah was commanded to preach the Word of God to the enemy Gentile city of Nineveh. Israel’s restoration set up the coming of Jesus: the redemption of the World. His continued blessing of Israel encourages us that not only is He faithful to His Word, but He has redemptive plans for Israel yet to unfold. (Revelation 7:4)

Jesus, whom Matthew calls the “Son of David” (Matthew 1:1), called Himself the “Good Shepherd.” (John 10:11). Jesus went on to say that He had sheep, who were not of the fold of Israel and that He must “bring them in also so that there would be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16) In short, Gentile believers have not replaced Israel as God’s people; rather, they have been included among those “Messianic” Jews who believe in Him rightly. Together, they form the greater flock of the Messiah.

“It is not as though God’s Word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.” Romans 9:6 (HCSB)

Jesus also said: “Greater love had no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command.” John 15:13-14 (NKJV)

When we combine these Scriptures with other evidence, like the restoration of the nation of Israel and the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers, it becomes apparent that Jesus is the central figure in fulfilling the prophecy in today’s chapter because He is Messiah!

“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, while the house of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it with their conduct and actions. Their behavior before Me was like menstrual impurity. So I poured out My wrath on them because of the blood they had shed on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols. I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered among the countries. I judged them according to their conduct and actions. When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said about them, “These are the people of Yahweh, yet they had to leave His land in exile.” Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went.’” Ezekiel 36:16-21 (HCSB)

Imagine a special dinner with the one you love. You spend months planning and saving up. Then, the day comes. You arrive at the restaurant and are escorted to their finest table. You think to yourself, “This couldn’t be better!”  Just then, a family is seated at the next table...and that’s when you meet the most annoying child ever! An uncontrollable child pretty much ruins any event. Israel had become God’s “brat” among the nations.

I have four children, so my wife and I have first-hand experience with “brattiness.”  One thing to understand about a brat is that the blame for the child’s behavior doesn’t always go to the parents. Believe it or not, some kids are simply strong-willed and would be brats even if raised by Mother Theresa! Obviously, God does not need “coaching” so as to improve His parenting skills. God Himself called Israel a “stiff-necked people.” (Exodus 32:9; Acts 7:51). Jesus expressed a similar sentiment, communicating that He wanted to gather Israel as a mother hen gathers her chicks, but they would not listen. (Luke 19:13-34-35)

Sometimes, we get so fed up with our kids that we tell them to go outside and play. We love them, but their proximity and bratty attitudes grate our nerves so much that we are literally protecting them by sending them out! But suppose, while the kids are outside, they continue being brats, to the point where we have to bring them back inside the house just to protect our family’s reputation and our Christian witness in the neighborhood! When we bring our kids back into the house, in such a situation, we would not reward them for any change of attitude. We would simply be protecting the neighborhood from our super brats!! This was the case with Israel’s expulsion and return from exile. Could this scenario be repeated today with the “brats” among those who claim to be God’s children through Jesus? Why not? Just because God is working around us doesn’t mean He is pleased with us or isn’t working despite us.

“Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went. I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations—the name you have profaned among them. The nations will know that I am Yahweh”—the declaration of the Lord God— “when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight.’” Ezekiel 36:22-23 (HCSB)

“Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it, and say to it, “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, O Mount Seir, I am against you; I will stretch out My hand against you, and make you most desolate; I shall lay your cities waste, and you shall be desolate. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.’” Because you have had an ancient hatred, and have shed the blood of the children of Israel by the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, when their iniquity came to an end…” Ezekiel 35:1-5 (NKJV)

When nations encounter difficult situations, their enemies will take advantage of them. It will be very interesting to know who America’s allies will be in 5 years… Following the collapse of Jerusalem, Judah was in no position to fight its enemies to the south. Indeed, the description of things given by Jeremiah is of a land of internal violence.  

Edom, one such long-standing enemy to the south-east, saw a golden opportunity to wage war. Ezekiel has already delivered a prophecy against Edom in which he warned of God’s vengeance on them for their treachery towards Judah in her time of weakness. Now, Ezekiel expands on the theme once more.

Since the previous chapter took us to the heights of the glory of Israel’s restoration, why would Ezekiel follow up with repeating a prophecy against Edom? The answer seems to lie in the fact that these chapters were delivered soon after the news of Jerusalem’s collapse had come to Ezekiel. That is to say, when he was prophesying Israel’s restoration, Ezekiel received news that what he prophesied earlier, in chapter 25, was now actually coming to pass. Therefore, he was commenting on the Word of the Lord being fulfilled.

We should note that the word “Edom” does not occur in this prophecy section.  Rather, “Mount Seir” – the mountainous region east of the Arbah, the rift valley running south from the Dead Sea, where the Edomites lived. Today, this area lies in the Kingdom of Jordan.  Chapters 35-36 speak of a contrast between Mount Seir (Edomites) and the “Mountains of Israel” (the Israelites).  

Edom was comprised of the descendants of Esau. Israel is comprised of the descendants of Jacob. Of course, the Arab peoples were descended from Ishmael. All three men were descended from Abraham…as was Jesus, through His mother. (After all, He is God, made flesh) There is a saying in the World today that goes, “We are all children of Abraham.” The idea behind the statement is that it doesn’t matter what religion you choose; we are all in right standing with God. Ezekiel would have issues with that statement because God distinguishes between “Abraham’s children” throughout this prophecy. He even divides His own people between apostate and “remnant.” “Faithful Abraham” is as “faithful Abraham” does. (Romans 9:6-13) My main takeaway from today’s short chapter is that God has a standard by which the World is being judged, and just because He takes His time (in our estimation), getting around to His judgment doesn’t mean it won’t eventually come to pass.

“The Word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them: This is what the Lord God says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened animals, but you do not tend the flock. You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered. My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the whole face of the earth, and there was no one searching or seeking for them.’” Ezekiel 34:1-6 (HCSB)

God loves a good shepherd!   When we think of shepherds of the Bible, we typically gravitate to David, the worship-leading shepherd boy who transcended the sheep fields to slay a giant, command an army, and eventually shepherd a nation. But even David, in his flesh, could act as a bad shepherd. We recall how David commanded for one of his “sheep” (Uriah the Hittite) to be led into the heat of battle, then abandoned so David could steal Uriah’s “lamb” (his wife) Bathsheba. Through David, we learn that even the most upright human shepherds will fail us in fleshly ways. Perhaps that is why David sang, “The Lord is my shepherd…”  Surely, he knew at the deepest level that only God could adequately shepherd His people.  

And that is precisely Ezekiel’s point in today’s passage! The shepherds of Israel were concerned more with the wool and mutton (exploitable byproducts of ministry) than with the wellbeing of the sheep themselves. Feed the sheep? Bad shepherds feed off the sheep, literally eating them for dinner! Perhaps that is why Jesus addressed this issue with the apostle Peter.

“He asked him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ He said, ‘Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.’ ‘Feed My sheep,’ Jesus said.” John 21:17 (HCSB)

And since the Lord is truly our Shepherd, we can understand why Jesus addressed Himself in this manner:

“‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, the hired man leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.’” John 10:11-15 (HCSB)

And, precisely, who are the sheep of Messiah’s pasture? Are they not ALL who trust in Him, both Jew and Gentile, who by faith believe in Him? (John 10:16-17)

“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.  Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” Ezekiel 33:7-9 (HCSB)

I love action movies, particularly those James Bond/Mission Impossible/Bourne Identity types of thrillers. I’m always fascinated with those scenes where the characters get past high-tech security to accomplish their missions. We have come a long way since the wild-west bank robbing days, when a cowboy would pull his bandana over his nose and run into a bank with guns drawn, yelling, “Stick ‘em up!”

As in the wild-west days, ancient cities were extremely vulnerable to attack at almost any moment. In the days of Ezekiel, no surveillance cameras, radar, or infrared detection devices existed. There was just the Watchman. Occupying a suitable vantage point from which he could survey the surrounding countryside, the Watchman would blow a trumpet to warn any approaching parties, whether they be friendly or not. The amount of time a city would have to get its villagers safely within its city walls and ready for defensive action largely depended on the swift actions of its Watchman. The lives of the people were dependent on the Watchman’s vigilance.

The “Watchman” in today’s chapter is a spiritual one. The focus falls on both the Watchman's duty and the people's response. The Watchman had two responsibilities: 1) Watch for danger and 2) Warn of approaching danger. But the people were likewise responsible: 1) Listen to the Watchman, and 2) React accordingly. Having given adequate warning, the Watchman could not be held accountable if the people ignored him. If the people failed to run into the city, they had only themselves to blame if they fell under the sword of the invading army.

Ezekiel has been Israel’s spiritual Watchman. He has sounded the notes of warning concerning God’s judgment. Israel should have been fully aware that their sin had placed them smack in the middle of Babylon’s warpath. Being a Watchman is also the commission of every follower of Jesus. It is the responsibility of each of us to give a full warning (to both the believer and non-believer) of the consequences of rebellion against God and of having rejected His offer of salvation. We are the Lord’s representatives:

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)

We are accountable for warning the lost, and they are accountable for their response.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Ezekiel 32. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: ‘Because you (Pharaoh, King of Egypt) are so tall, because he has lifted his head above the leafy boughs, because he has grown so arrogant about his height, I am handing him over to the mightiest of the nations, who will certainly deal with him as his wickedness deserves; I reject him.” Ezekiel 31:10-11 (CJB)

In today’s chapter, the Lord of history reveals Himself to be in charge of momentous international affairs. In a day when believers in Jesus conveniently confine God to purely personal issues, we need to regain the cosmic perspective of the prophets, as they spoke of the Lord of the universe, intimately involved in the international issues of their day. There is not an item of news that the Lord is not involved in.

Some of my fondest memories involve spending time at my grandparents’ home in Arkansas. Built on a 2-acre lot, their estate contained a fair amount of old-growth trees. Once, a tree trimmer was giving an estimate to my grandfather. As he patted the tree trunk in question, the expert stated, “You know, this tree is about 100 years old!”  “It’s older than that,” my grandfather shot back, “Because I am 100 years old, and it was this big when I showed up!” There is something proud about a majestic old tree, but as you have undoubtedly heard, pride comes before a fall!

This fifth prophecy against Egypt, dated 53 days after the preceding one, is in the style of the funeral dirge. Its subject: Egypt’s past glories. It takes the form of a poem likening Egypt to a “Lebanon cedar.” Generally, these massive trees are impressive, but the cedar Egypt is compared to is a great tree, fallen by the lumberjacks. Just as Assyria had fallen a century earlier at the battle of Carchemish, Egypt’s power will be destroyed.

The poem describes the greatness of the tree, even esteeming it above any tree to be found in Eden. The image portrayed is, of course, Egypt’s self-appraisal, not God’s honest appraisal. Like Assyria before her, all the conquering nations, since the pride of Egypt’s nationalism, knew no bounds. The lesson: their pride precedes their fall.

Babylon, the “ruler of the nations,” will cut Egypt down to size with its massive battle-ax, but the actual cause of Egypt’s fall is her wickedness. In a somber passage, Egypt is depicted as Sheol (the grave), lying alongside other trees (nations) who have died because of their prideful opposition to God. The point of the allegory is comparative: If Egypt were to fall, what chance did the tiny nations that depended on her for their survival have?

The doom of those who live in habitual sin is to “lie among the uncircumcised” (31:18; 28:10). Un-circumcision is a word used by the prophets to depict uncleanness, defilement, and unworthiness. In short, it is the symbolic distinction between the believer and unbeliever, the Remnant and the fallen, the saved and unsaved. The sad truth is the two extremes are separated not by education, wealth, nationality, or DNA; the object of their faith separates them. The only “tree” we should associate with is Messiah Jesus's cross.

“The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy and say, “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Wail, “Woe to the day!” For the day is near, Even the day of the Lord is near; It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.’” Ezekiel 30:1-3 (NKJV)

For the first time in Ezekiel’s book, we read the phrase “the day of the Lord.”  While the “day of the Lord” can sometimes refer to an event in the near future, it usually describes the consummation, the end of time, when God will come to judge the World.  

In today’s passage, we find Ezekiel is describing an event that is not in the too-distant future: the ransacking of North Africa by the Babylonians. But we must understand that all these passages are forecasts and foretastes of the judgment of what will most definitely come upon the World at the END of time.  

For centuries, Israel had entertained the thought that the “day of the Lord” would bring nothing but blessings for them. But that was a naïve view. Isaiah had warned Israel before its collapse to the Assyrians:

“The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) …the arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:12, 17 (NIV)

Ezekiel, like Amos, warns that the “day of the Lord” will be “dark” (30:18; Amos 5:18, 20; 8:9) And Zephaniah spoke of it as”

“…a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness” Zephaniah 1:15 (NIV)

Four particular features of the “Day of the Lord” are worth noting. 1) It is a day of distress, 2) The “day” is imminent, 3) It is a day of judgment, and 4) No one (apart from the atonement of Messiah) can escape the effects of this day.

As mentioned before, the error of Israel has been that they believe the Day of the Lord will be a day of judgment against the Gentiles and the vindication of the Jewish people. But upon closer observation, while today’s chapter deals with Gentile nations, a day was appointed by the Lord when Israel was judged and routed by the Babylonians, along with all the other nations. So, the judgment is against apostasy, regardless of nationality.

Ultimately, not ALL Israel was delivered during the “day of the Lord.”  On the contrary, only the Remnant - those who faithfully followed the Lord and believed in His Word – were delivered amid His judgment. Likewise, on the coming Day of the Lord, it will be the Remnant of Israel (those who trust in Jesus alone) who will be saved, along with Gentile believers.  (Acts 4:12; Romans 9:6)

“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, for they have been a staff made of reed to the house of Israel. When Israel grasped you by the hand, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you shattered and made all their hips unsteady.” Ezekiel 29:6-7 (HCSB)

Throughout the Bible, the observant reader will notice the image of the “staff” recurring. Moses had a miracle staff, but only after God changed it to be so. (Ex 4:2) The night before he was to be reunited with his brother Esau, that “heel-catching” deceiver, Jacob, said, “I have crossed-over with my staff and behold: I have become two camps” (Genesis 32:1-2). Judah gave his staff as a down payment for having sex with his daughter-in-law-feigned prostitute, Tamar. (Genesis 38:1-26) Many people remember David’s slingshot, but how many recall that he also took his staff to fight Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:40)  

So, what is a staff, and what does it represent in Scripture? The “staff” symbolizes what a person relies on to get through life. It is important to recognize that the culture of ancient Bible times was mostly nomadic, and the Middle East was very rocky and dangerous. Recall how, for 40 years, the entire nation of Israel wandered throughout such wilderness. In short, the staff is the support system for the journey.

Even people on a short hike know the importance of a good walking stick. The staff is something to lean on if you are tired; it is a means of defense in times of trouble; when secured to a tarp of canvas, it helps provide simple shelter; and, of course, depending on the craftsmanship & detailing, it can be a symbol of status. Again, the “staff” is emblematic of how one “does life.” Perhaps this insight helps us better appreciate the familiar passage:

“Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

If there was ever a time for Israel to reflect on Psalm 23, it was when they were deciding whether to trust in the “perceived” glory & power of Egypt instead of faithfully seeking the “actual” power & glory of the Invisible God. (Colossians 1:10-17)  Sadly, trusting God would not be Israel’s choice. Egypt was to go down hard by the hand of the Babylonians, and Israel was soon to follow. All for choosing the wrong “staff.”

Some believe our present national woes will be solved politically, financially, or militarily. But the Bible clearly points out that our only hope is living God’s way. And that means adopting His ways, choosing His “staff.”  If we would simply separate ourselves from our ways, God will reveal those ways to be sin. He did this for Moses. Moses’ staff became the symbol of sin, the snake. You may think God’s ways will bite you like a snake! Moses did, but when he faithfully humbled himself, bending down to lift up God’s staff, the Lord began using him in a mighty way.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God” Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, lament for the king of Tyre and say to him: This is what the Lord God says: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold; they were prepared on the day you were created. You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you.’” Ezekiel 28:11-15 (HCSB)

Behind the description of the fall of the King of Tyre lies the shadow of Satan. Many commentators have believed that behind this passage (and a similar one of the fall of the King of Babylon in Isaiah 14:12-14) lies a traditional account of the fall of Satan, whose image these arrogant monarchs bore. But other commentators believe Ezekiel’s description also bears a striking resemblance to Adam.

Commentators may be correct in both instances because, in essence, Ezekiel is poetically portraying the idea of a great fall from a “perfect” existence (28:12). The king seemed to have everything: he is decked out in high-class “bling” – and falls! Adam had everything – and fell! And with Adam, we, too, fell!

Satan had everything – and fell, as well! Ezekiel compares the King of Tyre to a guardian “cherub” on the “holy mountain of God” (28:14). This expression was a common way of alluding to the “place” where God was thought to dwell. Thus, the King of Tyre, who claimed to be a god, resides in the “mountain of God” but falls: unrighteousness is found in him (28:15). And the cause of his unrighteousness? Greed and self-aggrandizement, set up in a single, self-condemning sentence: Your heart became proud. (28:17)

It has been suggested that these were the elements that Adam found so alluring that pride was the essence of Adam’s sin in Eden because pride is the essence of sin in general. The King of Tyre’s fall, spectacular and shocking as it was, symbolizes what sin can expect, no matter where it is found. Adam was banished from Eden, and the fault lay entirely within himself. Regardless of the number of angles & attempts temptation takes in pursuit of our worship, it is impossible to con an honest man. As any sea-faring man knows (and surely the King of Tyre was the Sea-Farer of all seafarers), all the water in the World cannot sink even the smallest boat unless it finds a way inside!

And now another warning for America…are we not guilty of the same pride and position as Tyre? Have we not boasted of being the World’s “provider & protector”? Yes, American Christians sponsor the bulk of ministry and give more to charity than any other people group…yet wasn’t it Tyre who provided all the supplies for the building of Solomon’s temple? Our “island” is overwhelmed by the moral & financial tsunami we have created. Jesus is the only “ark” into which we must run to be saved! (Acts 4:12)