God’s will – Be Still…

Leviticus 4:1-35 – An Offering for Sin

Read Leviticus 4:1-35

People sin all the time and don’t realize it. Whether we know our sins or not, they are still sins, and we are still guilty. The LORD spoke through Moses about what should happen when someone discovers their sin. This chapter is the “how to” manual for priests and lay people who sin and need to be cleansed.

The process as described has similarities and differences to the instructions given for burnt offerings. I’m a bit confused at which sacrifice is appropriate when? Both sacrifice procedures cover sinfulness. Would the priests make that call? Continue reading “Leviticus 4:1-35 – An Offering for Sin”

Ezekiel 45:1-8 – Fairness of God

Read Ezekiel 45:1-8

There’s land to distribute again. When the Israelites first took the Promised Land, the land was intentionally distributed among the twelve tribes. I couldn’t help but remember that story. However, this is different because it speaks of the holy land that will house the temple of God’s presence, a place for the priests, the princes, and the people. God’s place is discussed first.

Nobody has been left out. All have a place and a purpose. That’s God’s fairness. After all that the people have gone through, God wants to restore them in the land. There is a great promise here. If only they would listen to him this time and not try to figure things out on their own. Continue reading “Ezekiel 45:1-8 – Fairness of God”

Ezekiel 26:1-21 – God’s Will

Read Ezekiel 26:1-21

We have another time stamp for this prophecy. It’s approximately three years after Nebuchadnezzar began his siege in Jerusalem. In fact, the next couple chapters will focus on God’s will or plans for Tyre. For context, Tyre would be located in present day Lebanon.

Similar to the Ammonites, the nation of Tyre scoffed at the destruction of Judah. They took it a step farther claiming they would be the heirs now. God was not pleased with them and their boasting. The Sovereign Lord said, “I will bring many nations against you, like the waves of the sea crashing against your shoreline.” Continue reading “Ezekiel 26:1-21 – God’s Will”

2 Chronicles 28:1-27 – A Bad King

Read 1 Chronicles 28:1-27

King Ahaz was a bad king from the beginning. This text gives no indication that Ahaz started out good and then spiraled into an evil frenzy. Don’t you wonder how the son of a good king (Jotham) could be so corrupt? Rebellion perhaps?

The Chronicler loves storytelling, especially when it has to do with worship. An evil king becomes evil because of who he worships. The story unfolds about an evil king with no victories or successful conquests. In fact, defeats and plundering are more abundant. Why would a king want to lead like that? Did Ahaz even realize that these repeated disappointments were because of his worship practices?

2 Chronicles 10:1-19 – The Revolt

Read 2 Chronicles 10:1-19

Solomon’s son, Rehoboam became the new king. Very quickly, it seems, his kingdom shrank to only two of the twelve tribes. Realizing that the revolt had to happen according to God’s will makes it a little easier to accept.

What’s hard for me is that the name of the king God chose for the northern tribes was Jeroboam. Couldn’t his name have been a little less similar? If you’re curious about how God called Jeroboam, you can read about that in 1 Kings 11:26-40.