Ezekiel 10-12; Psalm 83; John 4
Ezekiel describes a critical moment in Israel's history. God's glory, or His direct presence, gradually departs from the temple. God's presence among the people of Israel was the greatest blessing He promised them when establishing the covenant at Sinai. God descended into the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle at that time. Later, when the temple was built, He filled it with His glory. Imagine the Creator of heaven and earth living among people!
However, because the Jews systematically, continuously, and over a long period violated God's law, trampling on the covenant they had solemnly promised to keep, God, after numerous warnings, departed from the temple. This happens gradually and visibly so that those around can see it.
The glory of the Lord first rises above the temple to the threshold of the Lord's house (Ezek. 10:4).
Then, with the cherubim, it rises and stops above the temple's eastern gate (Ezek. 10:19).
Finally, the glory of the Lord completely leaves Jerusalem, stopping over the Mount of Olives before ascending to heaven (Ezek. 11:23).
At the same time, even in these circumstances, due to His faithfulness to Abraham, God promises to preserve a remnant of Israel and one day bring them back from the lands of exile (Ezek. 11:13-20). God also mentions the New Covenant, though He does not name it directly (Ezek. 11:19-20).
Psalm 83
Another prayer—a plea for mercy and protection from the enemies surrounding Israel.
John 4
After Nicodemus, one of the Jewish religious leaders, fails to accept Jesus as the Messiah sent to Israel, John recounts the story of the Samaritan woman, who was far from expecting Christ. Still, she is the one who accepts Him. This is a story about how salvation is found by those who recognize their need and are willing to acknowledge themselves as sinners.
Remarkably, Jesus is willing to speak both to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, even though His disciples were surprised that their Teacher, being a Jew, was talking to a Samaritan woman, who, as it later turned out, had been with many men.
Despite all this and her initial objections, Jesus Christ tells her about the essence of salvation and the fullness of life that He brings from heaven.
As a result, not only did she come to faith, but many people from her city did.
However, because the Jews systematically, continuously, and over a long period violated God's law, trampling on the covenant they had solemnly promised to keep, God, after numerous warnings, departed from the temple. This happens gradually and visibly so that those around can see it.
The glory of the Lord first rises above the temple to the threshold of the Lord's house (Ezek. 10:4).
Then, with the cherubim, it rises and stops above the temple's eastern gate (Ezek. 10:19).
Finally, the glory of the Lord completely leaves Jerusalem, stopping over the Mount of Olives before ascending to heaven (Ezek. 11:23).
At the same time, even in these circumstances, due to His faithfulness to Abraham, God promises to preserve a remnant of Israel and one day bring them back from the lands of exile (Ezek. 11:13-20). God also mentions the New Covenant, though He does not name it directly (Ezek. 11:19-20).
Psalm 83
Another prayer—a plea for mercy and protection from the enemies surrounding Israel.
John 4
After Nicodemus, one of the Jewish religious leaders, fails to accept Jesus as the Messiah sent to Israel, John recounts the story of the Samaritan woman, who was far from expecting Christ. Still, she is the one who accepts Him. This is a story about how salvation is found by those who recognize their need and are willing to acknowledge themselves as sinners.
Remarkably, Jesus is willing to speak both to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, even though His disciples were surprised that their Teacher, being a Jew, was talking to a Samaritan woman, who, as it later turned out, had been with many men.
Despite all this and her initial objections, Jesus Christ tells her about the essence of salvation and the fullness of life that He brings from heaven.
As a result, not only did she come to faith, but many people from her city did.
Posted in Reading Bible Together