Ezekiel 25-27; Psalm 85; John 9
Just like the prophet Isaiah, Ezekiel proclaims God’s judgment not only on the people of Israel but also on the surrounding nations. These chapters speak of judgment on the kings of Ammon, Moab, the Philistines, and Tyre. God primarily judges pride and all the sins and issues that arise from it. He allowed these kings to perform hostile actions as punishment for His people. However, He punishes the evil of these kings, particularly their attitude toward Israel: “Say to the Ammonites, ‘Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you said “Aha!” over My sanctuary when it was desecrated, over the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and over the people of Judah when they went into exile, therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk.’” (Ezek. 25:3-4).
God may allow His children to be disciplined, but He will never cease to care for them.
The same is written about the other kings. They, too, will be punished for their evil toward Israel.
Psalm 85
A plea for God’s mercy, recognizing one’s sinfulness, and recalling God’s past faithfulness. God’s mercy does not ignore His truth. In Him, “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed” (Psalm 84:11).
John 9
The story of the healing of the blind man teaches several important lessons. First, only the Messiah could open the eyes of the blind: “Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:32-33). This is another miracle performed by Christ that John includes as proof that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God.
Against the background of this obvious miracle, John describes the remarkable unbelief of the Jews who refuse to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus Himself summarizes the story:
“For judgment, I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39). “Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains’” (John 9:41).
God may allow His children to be disciplined, but He will never cease to care for them.
The same is written about the other kings. They, too, will be punished for their evil toward Israel.
Psalm 85
A plea for God’s mercy, recognizing one’s sinfulness, and recalling God’s past faithfulness. God’s mercy does not ignore His truth. In Him, “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed” (Psalm 84:11).
John 9
The story of the healing of the blind man teaches several important lessons. First, only the Messiah could open the eyes of the blind: “Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:32-33). This is another miracle performed by Christ that John includes as proof that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God.
Against the background of this obvious miracle, John describes the remarkable unbelief of the Jews who refuse to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus Himself summarizes the story:
“For judgment, I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39). “Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains’” (John 9:41).
Posted in Reading Bible Together