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Overcoming The Jackals!

O people of Israel, these prophets of yours are like jackals digging in the ruins. They have done nothing to repair the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the LORD. (Ezekiel 13:4–5, NLT)

In today’s reading, God has nothing good to say about Israel’s prophets. He likens them to jackals—vicious opportunists digging among the ruins, preying on God’s people. They have prophesied in the name of the Lord, but their message is not from God. Instead, the message is a scheme of their imagination. They have seen and heard nothing from God. They have told lies, made false predictions, and, according to Ezekiel 13:6, they think they can force God to fulfill their prophecies because they have claimed His name! These prophets have created an illusion of safety and peace when there is none. Of course, God’s people loved hearing what they were hearing—spiritually, the nation was a disaster.

What a reminder for our day. God has spoken! It’s called the Word of God—the Bible. In these last days, it is crucial to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). To compare what we hear and see around us with the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Receiving conviction, repenting, and not walking away from the mirror of God’s Word, forgetting what we saw and heard (James 1:22–24). And allowing the Spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Truth, to lead us into all Truth, which is the Word of God (John 14:26, 16:13, 17:17). The jackals are out on the prowl (2 Peter 2-3), let us not fall prey to their opportunistic ways.

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 13-15.

God’s Sovereignty & Man’s Responsibility!

Yesterday’s reading and today’s reading highlight God’s sovereignty over the nations. Reading these chapters exposes us to deep theological truth. For example, Scripture makes it clear that God is ruling in men’s affairs. Is man, therefore, responsible for his actions? If God raised Babylon to chasten Judah and exile her—and they do that—but then God holds them accountable and punishes Babylon for doing it, how do we reconcile this?

A Mysterious Relationship

Great is the mysterious relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. So often, to reconcile this mystery from our massively limited point of view and fit it neatly in our small box of understanding, we deny the one to support the other. Yet the Scriptures unite God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. Did not God harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he refused to let Israel go, yet hold Pharaoh responsible for his actions and judge him accordingly? Did not God bring Babylon against Judah and then hold Babylon responsible?

The Stumbling Block

This does not have to be a stumbling block, though it often is. Notice what God says about Himself.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8–9, KJV) O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (Romans 11:33–34, KJV)

Notice what Job said of God: For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. (Job 9:32, KJV)

The sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man united are only stumbling blocks when we have a shallow view of God that fits inside our tiny box of reason.

God Is Good

What was the testimony of those who saw Jesus on this earth? In Mark 7:37, they say that he did all things well. Acts 10:38 says that Jesus went about doing good. In Romans 8:28, we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. The Bible says in James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Many more verses reveal God to us—that God is good. So, can God be trusted?

The Power of Faith

What is it that pleases God? But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6, KJV) Can we trust God? Yes! Is He good? Yes! Is this trust bigger than our small perspective? Yes! Is God’s sovereignty and our responsibility a stumbling block? Not any longer! Humbling and yet comforting, isn’t it? What we can see by faith is amazing! By faith, let’s trust God and see past these stumbling blocks!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 49-50.

The Delusion of Sin!

In today’s reading, there is an assassination. The governor appointed by the king of Babylon over Judah has been killed. Chaos ensued, and people were killed. When it was all sorted out, notice what the people of Judah said to Jeremiah.

...pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do. (Jeremiah 42:2–3, KJV)

The people were afraid of what Babylon might do to them once they heard the news that their appointed governor was killed. They were thinking about fleeing to Egypt for protection.

Great News

Ten days later, the Lord gave His reply to Jeremiah.

‘If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.’ (Jeremiah 42:10–12, NKJV)

Jeremiah also warned them that if they went to Egypt, they would die, for God was preparing to do to Egypt what He did to Judah.

A Stunning Rebellion

So, how did the people respond to this good news?

Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt! Baruch son of Neriah has convinced you to say this, because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonians or be carried off into exile.” (Jeremiah 43:2–3, NLT)

In fact, they go so far as to tell Jeremiah they will stop listening to God’s messages because ever since they stopped worshipping their false gods, specifically the Queen of Heaven, it has been nothing but trouble for them (Jeremiah 44:16–18). This would have been a reference to Josiah’s reforms in Judah. In other words, God was out, and idolatry was back in for this remnant left in Judah. They are blaming God for their trouble, not themselves and their sin. It’s as though they missed the whole point of the exile of Judah to Babylon!

The Delusion of Sin

What an illustration of the delusion of sin resulting from the rejection of the truth and God. When one turns away from God and the truth, there is only error and delusion to take its place—the ultimate doom loop! In this state of delusion, one thinks God is the problem, not themselves or their sin. Of course, when sin is finished, it brings death (James 1:15). May we choose God, truth, and life over sin, delusion, and death!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 41-45.

Wisdom from God!

Can you imagine God, the Creator of all things, omnipotent in power, asking you what you want? And then God says, “Ask, and I will give it to you.” In the reading this morning, the LORD appeared to Solomon and asked him this question, “What do you want?” (1 Kings 3:5) Solomon’s response is also shocking. What’s surprising is he first confesses why he is asking for what he wants. Notice…

“…I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around…Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong…” (1 Kings 3:7–9, NLT)

When was the last time you heard a politician or leader say they are like little children—they don’t even know their way around—and ask God for understanding? What humility on Solomon’s part! Did God bless Solomon’s humble and honest request? Yes! And quite handsomely.

How about in our lives? Are we humble enough to admit and truly recognize that we need wisdom from God? Replacing pride with humility? If we ask, will God give us wisdom? Notice this verse from James.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, NKJV)

So, let’s ask the big question. What is wisdom, and how does one get it? God has already responded! Notice His answer.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)

Let’s ask for wisdom, which begins with reverence for God. True insight begins with knowing Him. God will honor this request through humility. Can anyone honestly say they don’t need wisdom?

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 1 Kings 3-4; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 72.