further the kingdom – Be Still…

Numbers 6:1-21 – What’s a Nazirite?

According to our text, a Nazirite is someone who takes a special vow, “setting themselves apart to the Lord in a special way.” So long as they keep their vow intact, they are given certain requirements of things they can and can’t do, including food and drink.

While the requirements are not at all “undoable,” they would require certain behaviors to change making the vow harder to keep for some than others. Especially hard would be times of mourning at the loss of a family member. Continue reading “Numbers 6:1-21 – What’s a Nazirite?”

Ezekiel 12:1-20 – Knowing God

Read Ezekiel 12:1-20

What does it take for us to recognize and know the LORD? We might recognize God moving in a lot of things, like an exquisite sunset or rescue from a tragedy or answered prayer. But how do we know God? For us, we can take Paul’s counsel in Colossians 1:15a which says, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” We can start knowing God by knowing Jesus as our Savior.

God seems intent on being known in this vision. He’s certainly making Ezekiel jump through some hoops to make that message tangible for the people to grasp. If the people can witness the future before it happens, that should open their eyes to recognize God’s hand. Just one more way to effectively get his message across. Continue reading “Ezekiel 12:1-20 – Knowing God”

Daniel 12:1-13 – The End Times

Read Daniel 12:1-13

This reading concludes Daniel’s discussion with the angel messenger and the book of Daniel. What a way to end! Daniel will be one of the ones in heaven one day! He may not understand what that all means, none of us do. It is an inheritance unparalleled.

This was a lot for Daniel to take in. We have the honor to be living in a world after Jesus’ first coming. We know how many prophecies Jesus’ life fulfilled, and how many more are yet to be fulfilled. Daniel’s message is one of those prophetic messages with “unfinished business.” Continue reading “Daniel 12:1-13 – The End Times”

2 Chronicles 35:20-27 – When God Speaks

Read 2 Chronicles 35:20-27

Another succession of kingly power in Judah, yet we know God is ready to punish Judah. It could happen any day. We’ll have to wait a bit to see that play out. But what can we glean from this reading or the life of King Josiah?

He was a faithful king, until he wasn’t at the end. However, I don’t think that was so much a matter of faith but rather a mistaken assumption. Did Josiah perhaps think that he, or his people, God’s people, were the only one that God would speak to? That would explain a lot if that’s the case. Continue reading “2 Chronicles 35:20-27 – When God Speaks”