Read the Bible in One Year!

Daniel's Vision Scripture August 31—Daniel 7-12: Daniel the Dreamer Observation The first half of Daniel's book portrays him as "Daniel the Interpreter", the second half portrays him as "Daniel the Dreamer." Even though God's people are captive, God's power is still active. In a wide-ranging series of prophetic dreams and visions, Daniel sets forth predictions that clearly show God's interest in, influence upon, and lordship over all the nations of the earth. Daniel in the Critic's Den—Critics have been swift to question the authorship of the book of Daniel. They point particularly to the detailed prophecies of today's study, which sound more like history than prophecy. But take a look at Matthew 24:15 , where Christ quotes the words of Daniel 9:27 and attributes them to none other than "Daniel the prophet"! Jesus the omniscient Son of God places his stamp of authority on this important prophecy! Application Today we co...

A Depiction of Daniel in the Lion's Den Scripture August 30—Daniel 4-6: Daniel's Daring Faith Observation Today's reading spans the reigns of three kings, each of whom receives a message from God delivered through Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar pays the penalty for pride and learns the hard way to praise Daniel's Most High God (chapter 4). Belshazzar, guilty of drunken sacrilege, summons Daniel to read a mysterious inscription, only to discover that God has written his epitaph upon the wall of his palace (chapter 5). And Darius, tricked by jealous advisers into sentencing Daniel to become supper for the lions, learns firsthand that Daniel's God rewards devotion with deliverance (chapter 6). Note: In Diagnosing an Ancient Disease—the symptoms displayed by Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 4 have since been given a recognized medical title: insania zoanthropia a rare mental disorder in which a person acts like a beast. Application The decree had been signed and sealed; accor...

Faith in the Fury Furnace! Daniel Introduction Daniel, deported to Babylon as a youth, served in the courts of Babylonia and Persia during the seventy-year captivity. Used by God as his spokesman to both Gentiles and Jews, Daniel demonstrated God's power through his interpretation of dreams and in his life of godly obedience. In his own visions, Daniel saw God's perfect plan for the chosen nation. Throughout his ministry Daniel's message comes through with ringing clarity: God is in control, not only of the present, but of the future as well! Scripture August 29—Daniel 1-3: Adventures of Daniel and His Friends Observation Hundreds of miles from home. Surrounded by people speaking an unknown language. Nothing to look back on but a temple (now in ruins) and a homeland (now in enemy hands). Surely God is dead or at least asleep to have so forgotten his exiled people. Right? Not if you ask Daniel and his three friends! For them, God is still very much alive a...

 A Depiction of a Revived Revival! Weekly Devotional August 28— Psalm 85 : Revive Us Again Reflection The rebellion of Judah, the judgment of God of God. Ezekiel has been preaching those twin themes continually. Now he shifts to surrounding nations, showing that God has much against them as well. Then he turns to look at the horizon of hope, seeing the restoration of God's people and a new covenant. God seeks revival in the lives of his children. It had happened in the past, but now it seemed hearts were hardened unalterably. Do you sense your own heart growing lukewarm? Now is the time for revival. Spend today in God's Word with Psalm 85, and ask your Lord to revive you again. On Having a Spiritual Awakening! One of the hardest things in the world to revive is a revival. Elijah demonstrated to the entire nation assembled on Mt. Camel that the Lord is God ( 1 Kings 18 ), but within a few years the people had returned to their worship of Baal. Jonah's preachin...

The City of God is There! Scripture August 27—Ezekiel 44-48: New Worship for Israel Observation Having discussed in detail the new temple, Ezekiel now turns to the new worship that will take place there. As in the past, Israel will rely heavily on the priests, Levites, sacrifices and feasts. Strict stipulations are laid down regarding duties and privileges in the new temple. Finally, Ezekiel describes the the new divisions of the land for the tribes, priests, princes and people of Jerusalem. The book closes with a fitting statement: "The name of the city will be 'The City of God'" (48:35). At the end of his book, as in the beginning, Ezekiel's burden continues to be that the world might know the God of Israel, the Lord of glory and holiness. The Lord is here, there and everywhere. The concluding phrase of Ezekiel, "The City of God" (literally "the Lord is there," 48:35), becomes the recurring theme of John in the book of Revelation . G...

The New Temple Scripture August 26—Ezekiel 40-43: New Temple for Israel Observation Twenty years after beginning his ministry, Ezekiel is once again transported in a vision to Jerusalem. On his first visit, he gloomily prophesied the destruction of that rebellious city (8:1-9, 17-18). Now he goes joyfully to measure the dimensions of the rebuilt temple. Ezekiel's attention to detail underscores God's intent to carry out what he has so specifically promised. In the middle of Ezekiel's calculations, he witnesses the thrilling return of God's glory to the temple, a glory not seen since chapter 11. If you have trouble with Ezekiel, join the club! The closing chapters (40-48) of Ezekiel's prophecy contain many difficult passages. The rabbis of the Talmud (the official body of Jewish interpretation and tradition concerning the Old Testament) remarked that only the prophet Elijah would be able to fully explain the challenging terms and truths that appear in the boo...

Ezekiel Speaks to the Valley of Dry Bones Scripture August 25—Ezekiel 37-39: New Life for Israel Observation Two of Ezekiel's most striking prophecies make up today's study. Both the valley of dry bones (chapter 37) and the attack of Gog (chapter 38-39) reveal God's loving concern for Israel. Though dead as bones, the nation would be restored to life again. And though outnumbered and seemingly defenseless, restored Israel would be supernaturally protected against Gog. All this serves to display God's incomparable glory before the watching world. Gog and Magog in the Pages of World History—Ezekiel 38 and 39 have long baffled Bible scholars. Who is Gog? Where is Magog? Is the battle Ezekiel describes past, present or future? Revelation 20:7-10 sheds some light on the question. Regardless of where and when the battle is fought, one truth remains certain: Mankind will never prevail against Israel's sovereign God! Application Are there individuals who, in your ...

Ezekiel a Watchman on the Wall Scripture August 24—Ezekiel 33-36: New Shepherd for Israel Observation Chapter 33 marks a central point in the book of Ezekiel. Chapters 1-32 are saturated with statements of sin and punishment. From now till the end of the book, the prophet will fashion a catalog of comfort as he scans the prophetic horizon as a watchman on the wall. Beyond judgment God will regather and restore his people, and in the process establish a new covenant with them. Glory will prevail when the groaning has ceased. Application Mark Twain perhaps said it best: "Forgiveness is the fragrance that the flower leaves on the heel of the one who crushed it." When was the last time someone came to you and asked, "Will you forgive me?" Even more important, when was the last time you asked forgiveness from someone else? For the nation of Judah, the promise of forgiveness is woven throughout the fiber of chapter 36. Forgiveness provides a refreshing shower for ...

Egypt's Desolation Scripture August 23—Ezekiel 29-32: Judgment on Egypt Observation Ezekiel's last and greatest prophecy regarding Judah's neighbors is reserved for Egypt. Unlike the other nations already mentioned. Egypt will not be utterly destroyed but merely reduced to "the lowliest of all the nations" (29:15). Historically, though invaded and plundered by Nebuchadnezzar, Egypt has continued to exist as a nation. But to this day it has never again recovered its former glory or influence in world affairs. Ezekiel's prophecies are delivered in the form of six visions covering a period of more than sixteen years. Application One of the greatest evidences for fulfilled prophecy is a present-day map of the world. Go to Maps on your computer or phone and glance at it periodically as you read on. Though God promised to tear his people from their homeland and punish them for their persistent disobedience, he also promised to restore them to the land. Can y...

The Enemies-Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia & Tyre Scripture August 22—Ezekiel 25-28: Judgment on Judah's Enemies Observation Ezekiel has spent twenty-four chapters describing the rebelliousness of God's people and the resulting discipline they are about to experience. He now turns his attention to the east, west, north and south of Judah to aim his verbal missiles of judgment at the various neighboring nations. Because their sins are as disgusting to God as those of Judah, their people will be punished in similar fashion. Application Pride has been called "the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it." Chapter 28 is the description of a proud king and what happened to him as a result of his pride. Before you dismiss these verses as interesting but impractical, consider this: Pride is perhaps the most slippery of temptations to cope with. You may not have a problem with pride, and be justly proud of it and in the process, y...

In God's Presence! Weekly Devotional August 21— Psalm 84 : Stay in God's Presence Reflection Ezekiel serves God in Babylonia, proclaiming his message to his fellow Jews in exile just before the final downfall of Judah. God first gives him a most unusual vision of his greatness and glory, fortifying him for the task ahead. Then Ezekiel foresees the destruction of his nation for its rebellion. What kept Ezekiel going in the face of sinful opposition? He walked closely with his almighty God, drawing strength, comfort, and guidance. You may not be a prophet, but you can walk more closely with your God too. Focus your heart and mind today on Psalm 84 to encourage you to do just that. In God's Presence! Have you discovered in your own life yet the excitement of practicing the presence of God? For the Old Testament believer, the presence or "sanctuary" of God was located in a building: the temple. No one was permitted into the presence of God except the h...

Judgment Coming Scripture August 20—Ezekiel 20-24: Pronouncements of Judgment Observation Lest Judah think that God is judging her impulsively on the basis of present sins, Ezekiel retreats into the nation's past and catalogs the periods of rebellion that the people have displayed. God has been patient with them down through the centuries, but now their cup is full and judgment must come. As God wields the sword of judgment and prepares the smelting furnace of his anger, it is clear that Judah is about to meet the same fate that befell her sister Israel: strong discipline for stubborn rebellion. Application Thought for the day: Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on toes.  Discipline has been defined as "that painful reproof that everyone needs but no one wants." It is the price you pay for failing to learn your lesson the first time, either as a child of your parents or as a child of your heavenly Father. No parent enjoys ...

Pride and Harlotry Scripture August 19—Ezekiel 16-19: Parables of Judgment Observation Ezekiel continues to expand to the twin themes that have dominated his message: the great rebellion of God's people, and the resulting reprimand that is coming. Like an adulterous woman, the nation has played the harlot (16:15) in her relationship with God. Her leaders have broken their covenants with Babylon, turning to Egypt in a vain search for security. In the light of such waywardness and weakness from Judah's leaders, judgment cannot be far away. Application Which of the following have you been tempted to use as an explanation for an action in your life that you were not proud of? (a) "The devil made me do it." (b) "There was nothing else I could do." (c) "My parents used to do the same thing all the time." (d) Everybody seems to be doing it these days." (e) "I was wrong, and I take full responsibility." According to chapter 18, any e...

Ezekiel's Coming Exile Picturesque Scripture August 18—Ezekiel 12-15: Condemnation for False Leaders Observation Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel is asked by God to illustrate his messages in some rather unusual and highly picturesque ways! In an attempt to capture the attention of the people, Ezekiel picks up his "bag" and crawls through a hole in the wall to picture the coming exile for the nation of Judah. Then he lashes out at the false prophets and idolatrous elders of the land, piling up evidence upon evidence of Judah's rebelliousness. Clearly the nation is a fruitless vine, profitable for nothing. As a result, both Judah's enemies and Judah's God have set their faces against the nation. Application Think back to the last time you spent an entire day taming the shrubbery around your house. Perhaps you found yourself pruning, gathering and burning overgrown foliage that was long overdue for a "trim." Do you remember the feeling of success when yo...

Idolatry in the Temple Scripture August 17—Ezekiel 7-11: Condemnation for Idolatry Observation In chapters 4-6, Ezekiel sees a vision of Jerusalem's fall. Now in today's lesson you will read another word picture as Ezekiel describes the calamity about to descend upon Jerusalem. The idolatrous population will be slaughtered, the city will be burned, God's glory will depart from the temple and Judah's leaders will stand by helplessly. But though the outlook is bleak, the uplook is still bright, for the Holy one of Israel declares: "I will give you one heart and a new spirit; I will take from you your hearts of stone and give you tender hearts of love for God" (11:19). Application "Use it or lose it." What is not fostered is forfeited." "For to him who has will more be given but from him who has not,  even the little he has will be taken away" (Matthew 13:12) . Any way you state it, the principle remains the same: spiritual privi...

Ezekiel's Visions from God Ezekiel Introduction Eleven years before the actual downfall of Jerusalem (586 B.C.), Ezekiel had already been exiled to Babylonia. The first part of his prophecy stresses the sure completion of God's judgment against Judah, culminating in the destruction of the holy city. But once Jerusalem's walls have been breached and its citizens marched into exile, Ezekiel's tone changes to one of hope and consolation. God will one day restore his nation in such a way that all nations will know that he is the Lord. Scripture August 16—Ezekiel 1-6: Ezekiel's Vision and Call Observation While Jeremiah is in Judah prophesying the downfall of Jerusalem, his younger contemporary Ezekiel is in Babylon proclaiming the same message to the first group of his exiled countrymen. Unlike Jeremiah, Ezekiel battles his harsh sermons in a soothing note of consolation. God's chastening is designed to prevent and correct faithlessness in the nat...

Jeremiah Weeps Lamentations Introduction Jeremiah the prophet had warned the people of Judah for years of their impending doom if they would not repent. When his prophecies were fulfilled and Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations, a funeral dirge for a city. Written in five poems, this is probably the saddest book of the Bible. However, Jeremiah saw ultimate reason and hope beyond the ruins of his city. His God is sovereign—after all, he had described this judgement years before—and he is gracious. In his faithful mercy Jerusalem will be restored. Scripture August 15—Lamentations 1-5: Tears for the Toppled City Observation The battle at last is over. For forty years Jeremiah has warned that judgment is coming unless the people change their wicked ways. But his persistent pleas have met with only hardhearted indifference. Now the nation is gone, utterly destroyed by the brutal Babylonians. The book of Lamentations is the tear-stained...

Weekly Devotional August 14— Psalm 78 : On Having a Warm Heart Reflection Judah dislikes the message Jeremiah brings, so they seek to kill the messenger. But despite the bleak situation, God promises not to forsake his people forever. Even so, Jeremiah stands firm, but watches in sadness as his nation is taken captive. Jeremiah knew he served the God of all nations—a God of justice and glory. And that's what kept him going. Perhaps you need a little help to keep you going today. Take time now to meditate on Psalm 78, in which Asaph recounts God's faithfulness toward a people who were continually disobedient and rebellious and ungrateful. Why not learn a lesson from that negative example today? Have a Heart of Gratitude! A woman asked her physician, "Doctor, why am I seized with these restless longings for the glamorous and faraway?" "My dear lady," he replied, "they are the usual symptoms of too much comfort in the home and too much ing...

The Fall of Babylon Scripture August 13—Jeremiah 50-52: Downfall of Babylon Observation In describing the fate of ungodly nations, Jeremiah saves the best or rather the worst for last. He devotes two full chapters to a "litany of destruction" for Babylon's desolation so complete that passers-by would be "appalled and mock at her for all her wounds" (50:13). After briefly recounting the fall of Jerusalem, the prophet ends his book on a high note. As a foretaste of restoration to come, Judah's exiled king Jehoiachin receives unexpected kindness from his captors. Application As the curtain falls on Jeremiah's book, the scene is one of dark days of Jewish captivity in Babylon. Judah had rejected God's gracious offer one too many times. The cry of "Repent and return!" would be heard no more from the prophet's lips. Jeremiah and the other Old Testament prophets were part of God's "Early Warning System." Their job: to si...

The Whole World is in His Hands! Scripture August 12—Jeremiah 46-49: All Nations are Disciplined Observation God's power is not limited to the weak and insignificant nations. His authority extends over every people and tongue, influencing the affairs of all mankind. So indicates Jeremiah in the powerful closing chapters of his prophetic masterpiece. From west to east—from Elam to Egypt, Damascus to Edom—all godless and idolatrous nations will one day know the might and justice of the one and only true God. Application It's a poor teacher indeed who spends the entire class time with one pupil while allowing the rest of the students to run wild. In the light of today's reading describing the fate of pagan nations, think of God as a wise Teacher who has just finished discipling one unruly pupil (Judah) and now returns to apply the same standards of behavior to the rest of the "class." In this way, God underscores his divine claim upon all nations and peo...