Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Ezekiel 10:1–11:25; Hebrews 6:1-20; Psalm 105:16-36; and Proverbs 27:1-2. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Ezekiel 10-11:25 (Contemporary English Version)
Ezekiel 10
The LORD's Glory Leaves the Temple
1I saw the dome that was above the four winged creatures, a] and on it was the sapphire b] throne. c] 2The LORD said to the man in the linen robe, "Walk among the four wheels beside the creatures and pick up as many hot coals as you can carry. Then scatter them over the city of Jerusalem." I watched him as he followed the LORD's instructions. 3The winged creatures were standing south of the temple when the man walked among them. A cloud filled the inner courtyard, 4and the brightness of the LORD's glory moved from above the creatures and stopped at the entrance of the temple. The entire temple was filled with his glory, and the courtyard was dazzling bright. 5The sound of the creatures' wings was as loud as the voice of God All-Powerful and could even be heard in the outer courtyard. 6The man in the robe was now standing beside a wheel. 7One of the four creatures reached its hand into the fire among them and gave him some of the hot coals. The man took the coals and left.
8I noticed again that each of the four winged creatures had what looked like human hands under their wings, 9and I saw the four wheels near the creatures. These wheels were shining like chrysolite. d] 10Each wheel was exactly the same and had a second wheel that cut through the middle of it, e] 11so that they could move in any direction without turning. The wheels moved together whenever the creatures moved. 12I also noticed that the wheels and the creatures' bodies, including their backs, their hands, and their wings, were covered with eyes. 13And I heard a voice calling these "the wheels that spin." 14Each of the winged creatures had four faces: the face of a bull, f] the face of a human, the face of a lion, and the face of an eagle. 15-17These were the same creatures I had seen near the Chebar River. They controlled when and where the wheels moved--the wheels went wherever the creatures went and stopped whenever they stopped. Even when the creatures flew in the air, the wheels stayed beside them. 18Then I watched the brightness of the LORD's glory move from the entrance of the temple and stop above the winged creatures. 19They spread their wings and flew into the air with the wheels at their side. They stopped at the east gate of the temple, and the LORD's glory was above them.
20I knew for sure that these were the same creatures I had seen beneath the LORD's glory near the Chebar River. 21-22They had four wings with hands beneath them, and they had the same four faces as those near the River. Each creature moved straight ahead without turning.
8I noticed again that each of the four winged creatures had what looked like human hands under their wings, 9and I saw the four wheels near the creatures. These wheels were shining like chrysolite. d] 10Each wheel was exactly the same and had a second wheel that cut through the middle of it, e] 11so that they could move in any direction without turning. The wheels moved together whenever the creatures moved. 12I also noticed that the wheels and the creatures' bodies, including their backs, their hands, and their wings, were covered with eyes. 13And I heard a voice calling these "the wheels that spin." 14Each of the winged creatures had four faces: the face of a bull, f] the face of a human, the face of a lion, and the face of an eagle. 15-17These were the same creatures I had seen near the Chebar River. They controlled when and where the wheels moved--the wheels went wherever the creatures went and stopped whenever they stopped. Even when the creatures flew in the air, the wheels stayed beside them. 18Then I watched the brightness of the LORD's glory move from the entrance of the temple and stop above the winged creatures. 19They spread their wings and flew into the air with the wheels at their side. They stopped at the east gate of the temple, and the LORD's glory was above them.
20I knew for sure that these were the same creatures I had seen beneath the LORD's glory near the Chebar River. 21-22They had four wings with hands beneath them, and they had the same four faces as those near the River. Each creature moved straight ahead without turning.
Ezekiel 11
Ezekiel Condemns Jerusalem's Wicked Leaders
1The LORD's Spirit g] lifted me up and took me to the east gate of the temple, where I saw twenty-five men, including the two leaders, Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah. 2The LORD said, "Ezekiel, son of man, these men are making evil plans and giving dangerous advice to the people of Jerusalem. 3They say things like, `Let's build more houses. h] This city is like a cooking pot over a fire, and we are the meat, but at least the pot keeps us from being burned in the fire.' i]4So, Ezekiel, condemn them!" 5The LORD's Spirit took control of me and told me to tell these leaders: I, the LORD God, know what you leaders are saying. 6You have murdered so many people that the city is filled with dead bodies! 7This city is indeed a cooking pot, but the bodies of those you killed are the meat. And so I will force you to leave Jerusalem, 8and I'll send armies to attack you, just as you fear. 9Then you will be captured and punished by foreign enemies. j] 10You will be killed in your own country, but not before you realize that I, the LORD, have done these things. 11You leaders claim to be meat in a cooking pot, but you won't be protected by this city. No, you will die at the border of Israel. 12You will realize that while you were following the laws of nearby nations, you were disobeying my laws and teachings. And I am the LORD!
13Before I finished speaking, Pelatiah dropped dead. I bowed down and cried out, "Please, LORD God, don't kill everyone left in Israel."
13Before I finished speaking, Pelatiah dropped dead. I bowed down and cried out, "Please, LORD God, don't kill everyone left in Israel."
A Promise of Hope
14The LORD replied: 15Ezekiel, son of man, the people living in Jerusalem claim that you and the other Israelites who were taken to Babylonia are too far away to worship me. They also claim that the land of Israel now belongs only to them. 16But here is what I want you to tell the Israelites in Babylonia:
It's true that I, the LORD God, have forced you out of your own country and made you live among foreign nations. But for now, I will be with you wherever you are, so that you can worship me. 17And someday, I will gather you from the nations where you are scattered and let you live in Israel again. 18When that happens, I want you to clear the land of all disgusting idols. 19Then I will take away your stubbornness and make you eager to be completely faithful to me. You will want to obey me 20and all my laws and teachings. You will be my people, and I will be your God. 21But those who worship idols will be punished and get what they deserve. I, the LORD God, have spoken.
It's true that I, the LORD God, have forced you out of your own country and made you live among foreign nations. But for now, I will be with you wherever you are, so that you can worship me. 17And someday, I will gather you from the nations where you are scattered and let you live in Israel again. 18When that happens, I want you to clear the land of all disgusting idols. 19Then I will take away your stubbornness and make you eager to be completely faithful to me. You will want to obey me 20and all my laws and teachings. You will be my people, and I will be your God. 21But those who worship idols will be punished and get what they deserve. I, the LORD God, have spoken.
The LORD's Glory Leaves Jerusalem
22After the LORD had finished speaking, the winged creatures spread their wings and flew into the air, and the wheels were beside them. The brightness of the LORD's glory above them 23left Jerusalem and stopped at a hill east of the city. 24Then in my vision, the LORD's Spirit k] lifted me up and carried me back to the other exiles in Babylonia. The vision faded away, 25and I told them everything the LORD had shown me.
Footnotes:- Ezekiel 10:1 winged creatures: See the note at 9.3.
- Ezekiel 10:1 sapphire: See the note at 1.26.
- Ezekiel 10:1 dome. . . creatures. . . throne: See 1.22-26.
- Ezekiel 10:9 chrysolite: See the note at 1.16.
- Ezekiel 10:10 a second wheel that cut through the middle of it: See the note at 1.16.
- Ezekiel 10:14 a bull: The Hebrew text has "a winged creature," but see 1.10.
- Ezekiel 11:1 The LORD's Spirit: Or "A wind."
- Ezekiel 11:3 Let's. . . houses: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Ezekiel 11:3 the pot keeps us from being burned in the fire: These leaders were trying to convince the people of Jerusalem that they were secure, and that their future was bright.
- Ezekiel 11:9 foreign enemies: That is, the Babylonians.
- Ezekiel 11:24 the LORD's Spirit: See the note at 11.1.
Footnotes:
- Ezekiel 10:1 winged creatures: See the note at 9.3.
- Ezekiel 10:1 sapphire: See the note at 1.26.
- Ezekiel 10:1 dome. . . creatures. . . throne: See 1.22-26.
- Ezekiel 10:9 chrysolite: See the note at 1.16.
- Ezekiel 10:10 a second wheel that cut through the middle of it: See the note at 1.16.
- Ezekiel 10:14 a bull: The Hebrew text has "a winged creature," but see 1.10.
- Ezekiel 11:1 The LORD's Spirit: Or "A wind."
- Ezekiel 11:3 Let's. . . houses: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- Ezekiel 11:3 the pot keeps us from being burned in the fire: These leaders were trying to convince the people of Jerusalem that they were secure, and that their future was bright.
- Ezekiel 11:9 foreign enemies: That is, the Babylonians.
- Ezekiel 11:24 the LORD's Spirit: See the note at 11.1.
Hebrews 6:1-20 (Contemporary English Version)
Hebrews 6
1We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. We shouldn't need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God. 2And we shouldn't need to keep teaching about baptisms a] or about the laying on of hands b] or about people being raised from death and the future judgment. 3Let's grow up, if God is willing. 4-6But what about people who turn away after they have already seen the light and have received the gift from heaven and have shared in the Holy Spirit? What about those who turn away after they have received the good message of God and the powers of the future world? There is no way to bring them back. What they are doing is the same as nailing the Son of God to a cross and insulting him in public! 7A field is useful to farmers, if there is enough rain to make good crops grow. In fact, God will bless that field. 8But land that produces only thornbushes is worthless. It is likely to fall under God's curse, and in the end it will be set on fire.
9My friends, we are talking this way. But we are sure that you are doing those really good things that people do when they are being saved. 10God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won't forget the love you have shown his people. 11We wish that each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is. 12Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.
9My friends, we are talking this way. But we are sure that you are doing those really good things that people do when they are being saved. 10God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won't forget the love you have shown his people. 11We wish that each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is. 12Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.
God's Promise Is Sure
13No one is greater than God. So he made a promise in his own name when he said to Abraham, 14"I, the Lord, will bless you with many descendants!" 15Then after Abraham had been very patient, he was given what God had promised. 16When anyone wants to settle an argument, they make a vow by using the name of someone or something greater than themselves. 17So when God wanted to prove for certain that his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow. 18God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain c] and into the most holy place. 20Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever, just like Melchizedek. d]
Footnotes:- Hebrews 6:2 baptisms: Or "ceremonies of washing."
- Hebrews 6:2 laying on of hands: This was a ceremony in which church leaders and others put their hands on people to show that those people were chosen to do some special kind of work.
- Hebrews 6:19 behind the curtain: In the tent that was used for worship, a curtain separated the "holy place" from the "most holy place," which only the high priest could enter.
- Hebrews 6:20 Melchizedek: See the note at 5.6.
Footnotes:
- Hebrews 6:2 baptisms: Or "ceremonies of washing."
- Hebrews 6:2 laying on of hands: This was a ceremony in which church leaders and others put their hands on people to show that those people were chosen to do some special kind of work.
- Hebrews 6:19 behind the curtain: In the tent that was used for worship, a curtain separated the "holy place" from the "most holy place," which only the high priest could enter.
- Hebrews 6:20 Melchizedek: See the note at 5.6.
Psalm 105:16-36 (Contemporary English Version)
16God kept crops from growing
until food was scarce
everywhere in the land.
17But he had already sent Joseph,
sold as a slave into Egypt,
18with chains of iron
around his legs and neck.
19Joseph remained a slave
until his own words
had come true,
and the LORD had finished
testing him.
20Then the king of Egypt
set Joseph free
21and put him in charge
of everything he owned.
22Joseph was in command
of the officials,
and he taught the leaders
how to use wisdom.
23Jacob and his family
came
and settled in Egypt
as foreigners.
24They were the LORD's people,
so he let them grow stronger
than their enemies.
25They served the LORD,
and he made the Egyptians plan
hateful things against them.
26God sent his servant Moses.
He also chose and sent Aaron
27to his people in Egypt,
and they worked miracles
and wonders there.
28Moses and Aaron obeyed God,
and he sent darkness
to cover Egypt.
29God turned their rivers
into streams of blood,
and the fish all died.
30Frogs were everywhere,
even in the royal palace.
31When God gave the command,
flies and gnats
swarmed all around.
32In place of rain,
God sent hailstones
and flashes of lightning.
33He destroyed their grapevines
and their fig trees,
and he made splinters
of all the other trees.
34God gave the command,
and more grasshoppers came
than could be counted.
35They ate every green plant
and all the crops that grew
in the land of Egypt.
36Then God took the life
of every first-born son.
until food was scarce
everywhere in the land.
17But he had already sent Joseph,
sold as a slave into Egypt,
18with chains of iron
around his legs and neck.
19Joseph remained a slave
until his own words
had come true,
and the LORD had finished
testing him.
20Then the king of Egypt
set Joseph free
21and put him in charge
of everything he owned.
22Joseph was in command
of the officials,
and he taught the leaders
how to use wisdom.
23Jacob and his family
came
and settled in Egypt
as foreigners.
24They were the LORD's people,
so he let them grow stronger
than their enemies.
25They served the LORD,
and he made the Egyptians plan
hateful things against them.
26God sent his servant Moses.
He also chose and sent Aaron
27to his people in Egypt,
and they worked miracles
and wonders there.
28Moses and Aaron obeyed God,
and he sent darkness
to cover Egypt.
29God turned their rivers
into streams of blood,
and the fish all died.
30Frogs were everywhere,
even in the royal palace.
31When God gave the command,
flies and gnats
swarmed all around.
32In place of rain,
God sent hailstones
and flashes of lightning.
33He destroyed their grapevines
and their fig trees,
and he made splinters
of all the other trees.
34God gave the command,
and more grasshoppers came
than could be counted.
35They ate every green plant
and all the crops that grew
in the land of Egypt.
36Then God took the life
of every first-born son.
Proverbs 27:1-2 (Contemporary English Version)
Proverbs 27
Don't Brag about Tomorrow
1Don't brag about tomorrow! Each day brings
its own surprises.
2Don't brag about yourself--
let others praise you.
its own surprises.
2Don't brag about yourself--
let others praise you.
Thought for the Day
“He makes us worthy to be the servants of his new agreement that comes from the Holy Spirit and not from a written Law. After all, the Law brings death, but the Spirit brings life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6 - Contemporary English Version) Our relationship with God is grounded on the Spirit rather than the Law. And we are called to respond to this incredible gift by faith rather than obedience.
Quote for the Day
“He makes us worthy to be the servants of his new agreement that comes from the Holy Spirit and not from a written Law. After all, the Law brings death, but the Spirit brings life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6 - Contemporary English Version) Our relationship with God is grounded on the Spirit rather than the Law. And we are called to respond to this incredible gift by faith rather than obedience.
American journalist, author, and commentator, Bob Considine wrote, “I believe in opening mail once a month, whether it needs it or not.”
Joke for Today
A man spent a weekend gambling in Las Vegas casinos, and he won $100,000. He didn't want anyone to know about it, so when he came back home, he immediately went out to the backyard of his house, dug a hole and planted the money in it.
The next morning he walked outside and found only an empty hole. He noticed footsteps leading from the hole to the house next door, which was owned by a deaf-mute. On the same street lived a professor who understood sign language and was a friend of the deaf man. Grabbing his pistol, the enraged man went to awaken the professor and dragged him to the deaf man's house. He screamed at the professor:
"You tell this guy that if he doesn't give me back my money I'll kill him!"
The professor conveyed the message to his friend, and his friend replied in sign language: "I hid it in my backyard, underneath the cherry tree."
The professor turned to the man with the gun and said: "He's not going to tell you. He said he'd rather die first."
A Prayer Request
As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.
That our judges and Supreme Court justices would adjudicate with godly wisdom.
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