tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329627782024-03-06T03:14:01.854-05:00Old Old StoryStudying the Bible (online)since 2006. Thank you so much for your visits!
"Here is a study of the Bible using the Authorized KJV. Our purpose is simple: to learn what is in the Bible and follow the Old Old Story as it unfolds. It is not a debate about the Bible's validity or a place to attack others. 'Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.'" Please link or send as many as you can here. Milton SoutherlandMiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.comBlogger801125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-88204410853088773382010-10-27T12:48:00.002-04:002010-10-27T13:04:18.344-04:00Nebuchadnezzar's Dream - Daniel 2<strong><em>Daniel 2:1 "And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him." </em></strong>See the last chapter of II Chronicles for a time prospective.<br /><br />The problem with this dream is that the king does not remember it, only that it was very troubling. The king wants someone to tell him the dream and what it means. Of course, it is an impossible task for mere humans. Yet, the king demanded that his wise men tell him the dream and the meaning or he is going to put them all to death. That would have included Daniel.<br /><br /><strong><em>v2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>I</em></strong> suppose these people had it pretty good so long as they could make up a convincing meaning for the king's dreams. But they are on the spot now, they have no way to fake this one. So they tell the king that he is asking something that no other king would ask of anyone. Well, Nebuchadnezzar is not just another king. He is the big boss and tells them that they will not have time to make up something.<br /><br /><strong><em>v9 "But if ye</em></strong> <strong><em>will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you; for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed, therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />We find that they failed the test that the king put forth and so the decree went out to kill the lot of them. Daniel heard the news and asked to see the king.<br /><br /><strong><em>v16 "Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation."</em></strong><br /><br />It would appear that Daniel has put himself on the spot but we must remember that Daniel is a man of faith and the first thing he did was gather his praying friends together to help him seek the Lord's help.<br /><br /><strong><em>v18 "That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon."</em></strong><br /><br />We now know that Daniel did get help and that the dream was revealed to him. He did not go immediately off to tell the king but rather stayed long enough to give the Lord thanks.<br /><br /><strong><em>v20 "Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his;"</em></strong><br /><br />Daniel did not take credit for the wisdom he received but rather remembered where his help came from.<br /><br />Daniel told the king that the wise men could not reveal the dream but<br /><br /><strong><em>v28 "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these:</em></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><em></em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-28003499556356702092010-10-22T10:18:00.002-04:002010-10-22T10:32:46.164-04:00King's Meat Daniel 1<strong><em>Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I don't think it was that they could not have had better food from the market but rather that the meat and drink from the king's table was eaten in the name of their false gods and that is what Daniel objected to. He did not want to eat in the name of the false gods.<br /><br />The key to this verse in that Daniel "purposed in his heart" . He had his mind made up before he had to confront the decision. But, he still had an attitude of humility with his keepers.<br /><br /><strong><em>We </em></strong>should note strongly that the Lord had prepared the way for Daniel.<br /><br /><strong><em>v9 "Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs." </em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Still the prince of the eunuchs was reluctant to agree with Daniel's request. Upon reading closely we discover that there was another eunuch put over Daniel by the name of Melzar. He did give Daniel and his three friends three days to prove themselves.<br /><br /><strong><em>v12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days, and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />(pulse is vegetable type food, in some cases it talks of peas and such but here probably vegetables in general)<br /><br />So after ten days Daniel and his friends were examined and found to look better than those who ate the king's meat.<br /><br /><strong><em>v15 "And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat."</em></strong><br /><br />Again the Lord prepared their way and gave them the wisdom they would need to give meaning to the dreams of the king later.<br /><br /><strong><em>v17 "As for these four children God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel and understanding in all visions and dreams."</em></strong><br /><br />It was finally time for the children to appear before the king where he talked with them. These four passed with flying colors. It says that Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. It is now the second year of Nebuchadnezzar."Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-63158242481443805372010-09-22T12:37:00.002-04:002010-09-22T12:39:41.738-04:00RequestI have a tag at the bottom of each post which makes it easy to <span style="color:#cc0000;">tell a friend</span> about this Bible study. It is not an in depth study but if you are in a hurry and need a subject to think about during the day. It is quick and easy to read over a study. <span style="color:#990000;">Please tell someone</span> once in a while. Thank you.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-19309489540089164912010-09-22T12:16:00.003-04:002010-09-22T12:35:32.025-04:00The Names - Daniel 1<strong><em>Daniel 1:6-7 "Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah of Abednego."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I feel sure that there were more Hebrew children who did well and remained true to God but we are given these as examples. They stirred up quite a fuss in the Chaldean kingdom.<br /><br />The meanings:<br /><br /> Daniel - God is judge. Belteshazzar - the lord's leader. (Don't confuse this name with the son of Nebuchadnezzar whose name is very similiar and was Belshazzar, notice the 'te' in Daniel's name.<br /><br /> Hananiah - Jehovah is gracious. (Nice name) . Shadrach - Royal (?) the meaning is a perhaps.<br /><br /> Mishael - who is what God is? Meshach - can't find a meaning for that name<br /><br /> Azariah - Jehovah is keeper Abednego - servant of Nego<br /><br />These are wonderful names, that is the original names. It is no wonder they wanted to change them, otherwise every time they called the boys, they would be calling out an attribute of the one true God. However, Daniel kept his original name most of the time. God is judge.<br /><br /><strong><em>v8 "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."</em></strong><br /><br />Daniel did not wait 'for the right time' to do what he felt was right. He started right off and it seems to me, in a quiet manner. He made friends or rather God gave him favor which allowed him to prove that serving God was a good way.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-68782044689826642332010-09-21T12:52:00.002-04:002010-09-21T13:04:43.223-04:00Daniel - Child, Leader and Prophet<strong><em>Daniel 1:1 "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />We have studied the story how Nebuchadnezzar came and took Jerusalem under the will of God as punishment for their sin. It is the beginning of the captivity.<br /><br />The king took back treasures to Babylon from the Lord's house. I'm sure he meant them as bounty but it turned out to be for safe keeping of the items.<br /><br />The king also took some of the most promising children back with him to teach and to be in his company. Daniel was one of these children.<br /><br /><strong><em>v2 "And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god, v3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;"</em></strong><br /><br />So not only are the treasures of the Lord's house preserved but also the king's seed is preserved. The bloodline is preserved.<br /><br />Daniel came to Babylon as a child full of wisdom. The first part of the book is about the challenges he faced along with his friends. Then, we see him in his adult life as a leader after interrupting some very important dreams or visions of the king. He had his fair share of trials but is finally established. Then we see the visions Daniel saw and the explanation of them.<br /><br />The book of Daniel should be studied along with the book of Revelation to help with an understanding of the end times.<br /><br /><strong><em>v4 "Children in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongues of the Chaldeans."</em></strong><br /><br />Daniel had a good resume to start with but he improved on it. He also had the blessing of his Heavenly Father who answered the prayers he prayed. Daniel was a man of faith as illustrated by his statement to the king that God would show the vision.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-9611772991351859392010-09-14T10:31:00.003-04:002010-09-14T10:45:17.923-04:00Oblation - Ezekiel 48<strong><em>Ezekiel 48:21 "And the residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the midst thereof. See Revelation 21:3 and Joshua 18:1 </em></strong><br /><br />It is, of course, appropriate that the book of Ezekiel end with an offering (oblation) for the prince. We know him and the coming king, Jesus Christ. This chapter should be read in conjunction with Revelation 22.<br /><br />It tells of the dividing of the land of Canaan. I expect for the kingdom age but I am not sure. The words of this chapter are beautiful but there is still a bit of a cloud that is taken off in Revelation. It is amazing to me that our unworthy generation is able to see things that were kept from the old prophets. We are blessed.<br /><br />Zadok, the priest, is given special mention because he did not go astray as the other Levites did. He is therefore allowed to approach the Lord.<br /><br /><strong><em>v11 "It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray." </em></strong><br /><br />Although Zadok was of the priesthood, we see here a distinction between him and the Levites. It is like when the kingdom was divided and it became Israel and Judah. It is now Zadok and the Levites.<br /><br />It is noted that Joseph gets two portions in the names of his sons.<br /><br /><strong><em>v5 "And by the border of Manaseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim."</em></strong><br /><br /> And so we end Ezekiel with a very appropriate verse. In the beginning of Ezekiel we saw the glory of the Lord depart the temple, then in the end we saw the glory of the Lord return. Oh happy day. Now we find another name for the city and it ought to be a joyous name.<br /><br /><strong><em>v35 "It was round about eighteen thousand measures; and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there."</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em>And </em></strong>that makes all the difference, to know that the LORD is there. <br /><br />The book of Daniel is next.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-73976379753558775452010-09-10T08:19:00.004-04:002010-09-10T08:34:18.370-04:00River Too Wide & Lots of Fish - Ezekiel 47<strong><em>Ezekiel 47 : 5 "Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I saw the Mississippi at the mouth where it runs into the gulf. The waters are wide and move with the force of hundreds of miles of water behind it. It was frightening and magnificent at the same time. If it had not been muddy, it might have been a good comparison to this river.<br /><br /><strong><em>v2 "Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side."</em></strong><br /><br />I'm thinking this is a clouded picture of the New Jerusalem we read about in Revelation. I should back up and get the first verse.<br /><br /><strong><em>v1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward; for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar."</em></strong><br /><br />We are often pointed eastward in these passages. Ever looking toward the place where the prince is to stand.<br /><br /><strong><em>Revelation 22:1 "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."</em></strong><br /><br />In Ezekiel, a man is showing Ezekiel these things, in Revelation, a man is showing John. I don't think he was an ordinary man though.<br /><br />The rest of the chapter deals with dividing the land for the twelve tribes.<br /><br />I did like one passage especially. It was about the fish in the river. My son, in heaven, would like this.<br /><br /><strong><em>v10 "And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many."</em></strong><br /><br />From Engedi to Eneglaim, I might could catch a fish there.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-46142895957068062022010-09-09T07:08:00.003-04:002010-09-09T07:29:30.420-04:00Prince at the Post - Ezekiel 46<strong><em>Ezekiel 46:2 "And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate; then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>v3 "Likewise, the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the sabbaths and in the new moons."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>What</em></strong> some have called superstition may have come about from this very chapter of Ezekiel. I have heard during my life that if you go in a door you should leave by the same door. In this chapter, it is commanded to leave by a different door than where they came in. It is a good example of how things get turned around.<br /><br /><strong><em>v9 "But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate; and he that entereth by way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate; he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it. </em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I think this has to do with organization. If you can picture two lines going and coming from the temple. It would be difficult for everyone to get through if they turned against the traffic and there would be a log jam at the gates. <br /><br />Remember, all Israel was to go to Jerusalem at certain times of the year. <br /><br />The prince was different, he was to enter and leave by the same way.<br /><br /><strong><em>v8 "And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of the gate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof."</em></strong><br /><br />Now look at the following verse. As sons, Christians have a great inheritance. We join Christ as children of the Father.<br /><br /><strong><em>v16 "Thus saith the LORD GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance."</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em>Ephesians 3:6 "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel;"</em></strong><br /><br />But, of course, our passage is concerning the temple activities when it is restored. I do believe that there are parallels with our spiritual worship. <strong><em> </em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-10846942357279271482010-09-07T07:42:00.002-04:002010-09-07T08:10:48.727-04:00Prince and Priests - Ezekiel 45<strong><em>Ezekiel 45:17 "And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnitles of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel."</em></strong><br /><br />Upon my first reading, I did not notice that it is now the prince that is preparing the offerings. We can go on down to verse 19 and the priests come in.<br /><br /><strong><em>v19 "And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court."</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em>My reference Bible </em></strong>takes me to I Peter 2:24 <em><strong>"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed."</strong></em><br /><br />When Jesus was being accused and Pilate reasoned with the priests the priests made a profound statement<strong><em>: Matthew 27:25 "Then answered all the people and said, His blood be on us, and on our children."</em></strong><br /><br />I know they meant that they would take the blame but the statement was prophetic in a way. Jesus blood is the way to eternal life and those who come to him are cleansed by the blood.<br /><br />Jesus has become prince and priest to us. <br /><br />When Jesus was condemned for sins he did not commit, he was being condemned for the sins we did commit. The priest, unknowingly, prepared a sin offering, a peace offering and those other offerings, when they beat and crucified Jesus. He was the lamb of God, offered for our sins. Can you see as they beat Him and his blood was sprinkled round about.<br /><br />Chapter 45 tells us many details of how the land was to be divided with a portion set aside for the priest and the holy place. It also sets the measurement, just measurements, as well as the offerings. <br /><br />One final note<em><strong>: v18 "Thus saith the Lord God; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary."</strong></em><br /><em><strong></strong></em><br /><em><strong>v21 "In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten."</strong></em><br /><em><strong></strong></em><br /><em><strong>Luke 22:7-8 "Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed, And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat."</strong></em><br /><em><strong></strong></em><br />So, as we study through the Bible, the Old Old Story, can you see that the blood of the lamb on the door posts to save the first born, the sacrifices in the tabernacle and temple were all pointing to the cross of Calvary where redemption was purchased for mankind by the blood of the Lamb of God. There can be no other explanation. <strong><em> </em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-63628734526956201182010-09-02T08:38:00.002-04:002010-09-02T08:47:20.032-04:00Levites - Ezekiel 44<strong><em>Ezekiel 44:4 "Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD; and I fell upon my face."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />We leave the eastern gate where the prince shall enter and go toward the north where Ezekiel saw the reverse of earlier scripture. In the beginning of Ezekiel, the glory of the Lord departed the temple but now we see the vision of the return. I suspect this event is still to take place.<br /><br />Then we see the office of priesthood narrowed to one family of the house of the Levites.<br /><br /><strong><em>v15 "But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the LORD GOD:"</em></strong><br /><br />So the entire tribe of Levites can no longer enter into the most holy place, that is left for the children of Zadok who was faithful.<br /><br />The Levites who went after idols and offered sacrifice to them will remain in service but are not to approach to the Lord.<br /><br /><strong><em>v11 "Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them."</em></strong><br /><br />The balance of the chapter concerns the rules for the priests. It is good to know the rules before hand so there will be no mistakes.<br /><br /><strong><em>v30 And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's, ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house."</em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-62571636073751602652010-08-30T07:58:00.004-04:002010-08-30T08:20:21.723-04:00Eastern Gate<strong><em>Ezekiel 43:4 "And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>C10v19 "And the cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight; when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and everyone stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />So, initially, we see the glory of the Lord departing from the temple. In chapter 43, Ezekiel sees a vision of the glory returning. I believe this to be at a future time. Although, Jesus is said to have entered at the eastern gate because of the route he would have taken from the Mount of Olives. <em><strong> </strong></em><br /><em><strong></strong></em><br />The eastern gate is also called: Golden Gate, Gate of Mercy, Gate of Eternal Life, Beautiful Gate. As well as, names in other languages.<br /><br />In the pictures I saw, the gate leads directly into the temple.<br /><br /><strong><em>v10 "Thou son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern."</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em>The </em></strong>chapter tells further measurements for the altar and the ordinances. Then comes the sanctification of the altar.<br /><br /><strong><em>V20 "And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about; thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Another generation is learning what has already been taught in previous times. It is no less important.<br /><br /><strong><em>v27 "And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings, and I will accept you, saith the LORD GOD." </em></strong>See Lev. 9:1<br /><br />In studying this subject, we would be going into the time lines of prophecy. More learned men are better at that. I think they were going through these procedures during the time of Christ but it had again become a matter of profit.<br /><br />Jesus offered himself but was rejected by the nation Israel. He did, however, offer Himself as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. The crucifixion of Christ did not stop his mission. His kingdom is, nevertheless, established on a spiritual level which should also be manifest on a physical level as well.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-51871996741187799472010-08-26T08:36:00.002-04:002010-08-26T08:47:30.110-04:00Chambers & the four sides - Ezekiel 42<strong><em>Ezekiel 42:1 "Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north; and he brought me into the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was before the building toward the north."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I believe I am correct in saying that all things in the temple point toward the most holy place. The chambers were where the priests could change clothes and prepare the offerings. They had to wear holy garments to enter the most holy and other garments to go out to the people.<br /><br /><strong><em>v14 "When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />There is no foolishness here. A precise pattern is laid out for priests to make the transition from the sinful world and the holy place. We must remember that the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23) A sinful person cannot appear before God without the blood being applied to atone for sin.<br /><br />Under the law, which is what we are studying, it was the blood of animals offered often. IN the New Testament it is the blood of Christ offered once and for all.<br /><br /><strong><em>Hebrews 2:9 "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />So upon accepting Christ as our atonement for sin, the only chamber we have to open up is the chamber of our heart.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-78674738834449929682010-08-25T08:12:00.003-04:002010-08-25T08:30:45.567-04:00Temple Chambers - Ezekiel 41<strong><em>Ezekiel 41:1 "Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle."</em></strong><br /><br />Ah, the patience of the Lord. We have seen these <a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2008/12/solomon-begans-to-build-temple-ii.html">details</a> given before but this is a new generation. I believe history tells us that the second temple was modified to be 1/3 larger as the first was twice the size of the tabernacle. I do not know the significance of these changes. I believe the addition of the court for the gentiles has great importance and may point to the inclusion of the gentiles in the salvation plan.<br /><br /><strong><em>v7 "And there was an enlarging, and a winding about still upward to the side chambers: for the winding about of the house went still upward round about the house: therefore the breadth of the house was still upward, and so increased from the lowest chamber to the highest by the midst."</em></strong><br /><br />These details may seem unnecessary but they are not. I suppose we could think of meeting an important person. We would perhaps notice the lawn upkeep, the color of the walls in the first room we visited, the long hall we walked down, the place we waited for our appointment. Then finally, the doors are opened, we enter through a doorway and there he is.<br /><br />So it must be to enter the temple, knowing that beyond the trappings in the holiest place, the Lord is waiting to greet us. We'd remember the details.<br /><br /><strong><em>v26 "And there were narrow windows and palm trees on the one side and on the other side, on the sides of the porch, and upon the side chambers of the house, and thick planks."</em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-68795024533077476142010-08-23T08:18:00.004-04:002010-08-23T08:38:49.249-04:00Measuring the City - Ezekiel 40<strong><em>Ezekiel 40:1 "In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Now </em></strong>Ezekiel is brought to the city of Jerusalem in the 25th year of their captivity. He is given very precise measurements for the rebuilding. It goes on for the next couple of chapters. Scofield advises that this is the kingdom age. I do not doubt that the measurements will be used when the temple is rebuilt for the kingdom age.<br /><br />My notion is that this was a result of <a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2009/02/nehemiah-introduction.html">Nehemiah's</a> prayer in the 20th year.<br /><br /><strong><em>Nehemiah 1:1 "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />In the next chapter it mentions the 20th year of king Artaxerxes so which 20th is Nehemiah referring to. I think it was the 20th year of captivity but I'm not sure.<br /><br />To answer Nehemiah's prayer, he would need to have the building specifications when he went to Jerusalem. I think it is wonderful how it was all worked out.<br /><br /><strong><em>v5 "And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an handbreadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />See also Revelation 11 <strong><em>"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod; and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein."</em></strong><br /><br />So in studying this, we should know that earthly things of God, hence, the tabernacle, the temple, are made on the pattern of heavenly things. Even in the measurements of chapter 11, the court is not measured:<br /><br /><strong><em>v2 "But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles; and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."</em></strong><br /><br /><em><strong>Well</strong></em>, just about any subject can challenge the mind if we set out to learn all the details. I suggest picking a subject and ponder it for long hours. You may gain insight that will be used later.<br /><br />This chapter goes on for 49 verses with details and measurements. It may not mean much to the average reader but to a builder, the details are what makes the building stand.<br /><br /><strong><em>v49 "The length of the porch was twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits, and he brought me by the steps whereby they went up to it; and there were pillars by the post, one on this side, and another on that side."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-26299662312048881022010-08-20T08:13:00.003-04:002010-08-20T08:36:06.590-04:00Gog & Magog - Ezekiel 38<strong><em>Ezekiel 38:2 "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meschech and Tubal, and prophesy against him."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />In the next two chapters we deal with a subject that is too large for the format of this study. There are many scripture references that should be looked at to attempt to understand the subject. <br /><br />First of all, it should be noted that these passages speak to the future, the end of time and the last attempt to wipe out Israel. It can be studied in conjunction with Armageddon, Rev. 16, the real end not the movie.<br /><br />Meschech and Tubal are Moscow and Tobolsk according to my reference Bible notes. <br /><br />References for further study: Revelation 20:8,14:14-20,19:17-21, Matthew 24: 14-30, Zechariah 12:1-4<br /><br /><strong><em>v8 "After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste; but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>It will </em></strong>a time of the judging of the nations. A time of terrible fear upon the earth. I believe and hope that this takes place after the rapture of the church which no doubt will cause great confusion among the unsaved left behind.<br /><br /><strong><em>v19 "For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be great shaking in the land of Israel;"</em></strong><br /><br />I believe we would all have to agree that God has shown great patience with the world and its disrespect for Him and each other. When the final days start there will be no end until all is accomplished that God has said. There will be no intermission until he says so. It shall be a dreadful day for many.<br /><br /><strong><em>Matthew 24:21 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>v29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: v30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven;..."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />In a previous chapter we saw where the Lord told Israel that 'he was for them', but here concerning Gog, we hear the Lord say 'I am against thee'.<br /><br />So, a large subject has opened up before us. It is a subject that should sober the most carefree among us. There is to be an end to it all. We should, with all our efforts to prepare for things of this life, give serious attention to the affairs of eternity. <br /><strong><em></em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-69500272480125682372010-08-19T07:46:00.003-04:002010-08-19T07:57:09.207-04:00Dry Bones - Ezekiel 37<strong><em>Ezekiel 37:1 "The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />People often seek a sign in spiritual things but I doubt we could take such a sign as Ezekiel got. <br /><br />To be picked up and put down in a valley full of bones would be shocking to me.<br /><br />I like this chapter because it shows that what is impossible with men, is very possible with the Lord. He can take what seems completely used up and revive it.<br /><br /><strong><em>v4 "Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>I don't find it strange</em></strong>, but some might, that in a previous chapter we heard the Lord telling Ezekiel to prophesy to the mountains that they would be filled with people again and now that these bones would live again.<br /><br /><strong><em>v7 "So, I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I see a glimpse of resurrection day for the saints. Our loved ones who have gone to the grave will some day be pulled together to rise from the grave in an instant. Nothing is too hard for God.<br /><br /><strong><em>v9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Nothing is too hard for God.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>v13 "And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />The balance of the chapter talks about the reunion of Judah and Israel into one nation again under one king. A grand day it shall be.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-43971655839339162192010-08-16T08:33:00.002-04:002010-08-16T08:53:13.717-04:00Israel - The Land - Ezekiel 36<strong><em>Ezekiel 36:8 "But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel for they are at hand to come."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I'm not sure if this refers to the end of the captivity or a future time when the glory of Israel is restored at the coming of Christ as their king.<br /><br />It, nevertheless, tells of a time after the cleansing when the land will again yield in abundance. The people will have a heart for God and the heathen will no longer abuse the land or claim it as their own.<br /><br /><strong><em>v11 "And I will multiply upon you man and beast, and they shall increase and bring fruit, and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />The Lord has attached his name to Israel. Israel turned to idols and thus shamed themselves and almost the name of the Lord. That will all change.<br /><br />v<strong><em>18 "Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they hand polluted it:"</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>v22 "Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD, I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen whither ye went."</em></strong><br /><br />Up until now they are going by the law of Moses which is outward toward inward. It relies on the person making the law their life. It was imperfect as the New Testament tells us. There is to be a new way. Christians know it as the plan of salvation where the Spirit of God works from the inside toward the outward.<br /><br />It changes a person from the inside out.<br /><br /><strong><em>v26 "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."</em></strong><br /><br />The book of Hebrews explains it well.<br /><br /><strong><em>Hebrews 7:19 "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."</em></strong><br /><br />So in the place of the blood of animals, we have the perfect sacrifice of the Son of God, The Lamb of God who offered himself one time for all time for our sins.<br /><br /><strong><em>Hebrews 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."</em></strong><br /><br />Once the New Testament is accepted as truth, it is impossible not to see that many of the Old Testament scriptures refer to Jesus Christ and a new and better way. He came as a lamb and not as a warrior. His purpose was not to deliver us from a government but to deliver us from the wages of sin.<br /><br /><strong><em>v38 "As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men; and they shall know that I am the LORD."</em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-65311621575476842732010-08-12T08:08:00.003-04:002010-08-12T08:18:56.904-04:00Seir - Ezekiel 35<strong><em>Ezekiel 35:5 "Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end:"</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Seir is an area extending from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea and was occupied by the descendants of <a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2006/10/esaus-plea-for-blessing.html">Esau</a>. Seir also sometimes means Edom.<br /><br />So the old hatred is still alive here. While Israel is weak from the chastisement of God, Esau takes advantage. But they are called on their transgression.<br /><br /><strong><em>v15 "As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD. "</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />It is a saying that I have heard often, 'I may discipline my own but they are mine, so hands off.'<br /><br />Israel had a special place in the heart of God but he still cares what goes on in other nations.<br /><br /><strong><em>v13 "Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them."</em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-59090090640913051142010-08-11T07:12:00.004-04:002010-08-11T07:39:50.364-04:00Good Shepherd - Ezekiel 34<strong><em>Ezekiel 34:11 "For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />The flock has been taken away from those who used it for gain for themselves.<br /><br />The Lord has taken on the role of the shepherd for his people. He has always looked after them but with the use of under shepherds. Now, he is taking the direct role of shepherd.<br /><br />It was still a mystery, somewhat, when he wrote the next verse I will give. I believe when he says David, he is referring to the <a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2008/10/davids-desire-davidic-covenant-i.html">descendant</a> of <a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2008/04/david-chosen-to-be-king-i-samuel-16.html">David</a> after the flesh, the Christ.<br /><br /><strong><em>v23 "And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd."</em></strong><br /><br />Refer here to John chapter 10.<br /><br /><strong><em>John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth is life for the sheep."</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em>Hosea 3:5 "Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days."</em></strong><br /><br />Also in this chapter we have the covenant of peace mentioned. Who would not want peace in a land that has always know war.<br /><br /><strong><em>v25 "And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods."</em></strong><br /><br />Then the verse that brought on a song that I have often heard sung in church.<br /><br /><strong><em>v26 "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing."</em></strong><br /><br />It is a wonderful chapter. It speaks of when Christ shall reign and there will be no more danger of being attacked or carried away into captivity.<br /><br />No doubt, the mighty warriors of Israel and Judah were feeling pretty low about this time. They had been stripped and dragged away in chains and made to serve. The last verse tells them that they are still men and things will change.<br /><br /><strong><em>v31 "And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.</em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-58038428199359033272010-08-09T08:41:00.003-04:002010-08-09T08:56:27.463-04:00Bad Shepherd - Eekiel 34<strong><em>Ezekiel 34:2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?"</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />For the priests, the resources that came in were taken as their income. I suppose they became wealthy, for a time, yet, they cared not for the people. It says later in the chapter that, not only did they eat the good grass but they tread down what was left.<br /><br /><strong><em>v18 "Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?"</em></strong><br /><br />They took what they wanted and spoiled what was left.<br /><br />A shepherd has a responsibility to care for the sheep. Not just the healthy sheep but those who have become injured or are sick.<br /><br /><strong><em>v4 "The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them."</em></strong><br /><br />I am glad that some pastors and preachers are realizing that injured Christians are like injured soldiers in the battle field. If they are cared for, they will recover to fight another day. Christians get injured, lost on their way. It is not right to just write them off as lost causes. They should be sought for and restored.<br /><br /><strong><em>v6 "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every <a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2008/08/jeroboams-downfall-i-kings-14.html">high hill</a>; yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them."</em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em>So, the </em></strong>flock is taken away from the shepherds and we will learn in the next lesson about the Good Shepherd who took the flock and cared for it.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-36329292716581310762010-08-06T07:44:00.003-04:002010-08-06T08:03:27.013-04:00Watchman - Ezekiel 33<strong><em>Ezekiel 33:31 "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>v32 And , lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not. </em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>v33 "And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them."</em></strong><br /><br />Ezekiel 33 is a very solemn chapter. It tells of the responsibility of the prophet to say what the Lord told him to. It points out that the people may not believe but that the prophet has delivered his own soul. Thus the phrase often used by preachers that 'I delivered my soul.'<br /><br /><strong><em>v4 "Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head."</em></strong><br /><br />Before Israel went into Canaan to possess the land, there was preparation for battle. The <a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2008/01/jericho-joshua-6.html">trumpet</a> was used. There were signals set up to assemble and others which meant different things. It was a very effective way for all the people to act in unison. But if someone were in a dangerous place and the trumpet sounded for everyone to move to another place and that person was not paying attention, they could be there alone when the danger came.<br /><br />So here, the watchman and the trumpet are used to describe the state of iniquity and whether or not a person would turn from that iniquity when they heard the warning. IN this case, the trumpet was the voice of the prophet.<br /><br /><strong><em>v14 "Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; ... he shall surely live, he shall not die. v16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live."</em></strong><br /><br /><em><strong>The </strong></em>chapter also deals with the righteous turning the other way or trusting in their own righteousness. These words point to Christ and our dependence on his righteousness alone.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-81618565277948465052010-08-05T08:11:00.003-04:002010-08-05T08:29:22.006-04:00Pharaoh - Ezekiel 32<strong><em>Ezekiel 32:2 "Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou are like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas; and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy fee, and fouledst their rivers."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />After that some of Judah fled to Egypt, the king of Babylon invaded. It was the final chapter in the greatness of Egypt. Egypt is still there but the majesty of the Pharaoh's is gone.<br /><br />Also, in studying this chapter I was drawn back to Tyre where the king set himself up to be God and was judged. There we studied the doings of Satan. Here we see also the presence of Satan as a beast in the river whose carcass was to be dragged on land for the fowls to feed on. It is symbolic of the end of the dragon.<br /><br /><strong><em><a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2009/08/leviathan-job-41.html">Job 41:24 </a>"His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. v31 "He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment." v23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together; they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Ezekiel 29:4 "But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of the rivers shall stick unto thy scales."</em></strong><br /><br />So before God, there is a weakness in all things created.<br /><br />Pharaoh is going to be defeated although I suppose he believed otherwise until the end.<br /><br />Other nations will notice with trembling the fall of Egypt:<br /><br /><strong><em>v24 "There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain,... v26 There is Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude; her graves are round about him; v29 There is Edom, her kings, and all her princes, which with their might are laid by them that were slain...</em></strong><br /><br />The pronouncement to Pharaoh is a terrible statement in that it was so tragic for him - that he would join these other nations who did not acknowledge God as their only God.<br /><br /><strong><em>v31 "Pharaoh shall see them, and shall be comforted over all his multitude, even Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword, saith the Lord GOD."</em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-18077360060841463652010-08-04T08:16:00.002-04:002010-08-04T08:28:56.948-04:00Assyria - Ezekiel 31<strong><em>Ezekiel 31:3 "Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />In speaking to Egypt, the Lord told Ezekiel to tell Egypt about Assyria and their majesty. Upon doing so, it should have been clear to Egypt that even the greatest can be brought down.<br /><br />Assyria was one of four great kingdoms (monarchies) of the time. It sat where Kurdisten now stands but spread far and wide. It is also related to Nineveh where tablets with a strange form of writing has been dug up in recent years.<br /><br /><strong><em>v5 "Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth."</em></strong><br /><br />Assyria is compared to the garden of God, Eden. <br /><br /><strong><em>v8 "The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />But even this greatness came to nought under the judgment of God. So, Egypt would be no exception.<br /><br /><strong><em>v16 "I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit; and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />It is God who raises up nations and who has the power to cast them down.<br /><br /><strong><em>v18 "To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the neither parts of the earth; thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em> </em></strong>Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-11840036022344196512010-08-02T08:16:00.003-04:002010-08-02T08:31:56.530-04:00Egypt - scattered - Ezekiel 30<strong><em>Ezekiel 30:26 "And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />We often see these words in Ezekiel 'and they shall know that I am the LORD'. Oh how much trouble we would avoid if only we would acknowledge the Creator of the universe and all that is in it. Man is proud and we'd like to think that we were the makers of our own destiny, the captain of our own ship. We should never forget that the Lord made the sea we sail on and the wood that the ship is made from.<br /><br /><strong><em>v3 "For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen."</em></strong><br /><br />As it was in the day of Noah, so it was with Egypt, so it is in our time. A day of judgment comes, like the clock ticking toward midnight. We are powerless to stop it.<br /><br /><strong><em>v4 "And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down."</em></strong><br /><br />I think every great nation that has stood on earth must have thought that they could not be brought down. Babylon seemed indestructible. Egypt seemed indestructible. There are strong nations on earth today. Those that do not forget God and those who honor God will stand the test of time.<br /><br />Egypt was Israel's crutch, their go to nation until God took away that crutch so Israel would turn to him alone.<br /><br /><strong><em>v19 "Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt; and they shall know that I am the LORD.</em></strong><br /><br />Egypt's allies were also taken away so that Egypt had no one to call to support them.<br /><br /><strong><em>v6 "Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down; from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD."</em></strong><br /><br />Well it was a terrible time in the whole area. It went back to Israel turning to <a href="http://oldoldstory.blogspot.com/2007/06/false-gods-exodus-32.html">idols</a> instead of honoring God. The land paid a great price.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32962778.post-10237450279525819982010-07-30T07:40:00.002-04:002010-07-30T07:53:06.594-04:00Egypt - desolation - Ezekiel 29<strong><em>Ezekiel 29:3 "Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />There is that boosting again. Of course, we are talking about Egypt in the times of Ezekiel.<br /><br />There were two basic reasons why Egypt came under judgment here. One is that they did not give God the glory for their good fortune. The river/rivers were the source of the riches of Egypt. We all know about the Nile. I believe there was at one time a river system that made the land rich. I don't know much about what Egypt is like now.<br /><br />Another reason is that Israel was bad about turning to Egypt when they were in distress instead of turning to God as they should have. But Egypt took advantage in those times and hurt Israel.<br /><br />Therefore, Egypt was given to Nebuchadrezzar as his wages for the work in Tyre.<br /><br />Once Egypt was made a base nation, Israel would no longer turn to them as they did when Egypt was full of power and splendor.<br /><br /><strong><em>II Kings 18:21 "Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />So, we can see, in these studies, that during this time the face of the whole region changed tremendously. There was greatness all around but it went to Babylon under the judgment of God. <br /><br />v<strong><em>13 "Yet, thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered; v14 And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>v19 "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army."</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />I would like to have seen these nations in their glory days. It must have been a sight to behold. But they rejected or turned from the Lord GOD and it cost them their kingdoms.Miltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17781916458342031662noreply@blogger.com1