“Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, there is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land drys up, and all who live in it waste away…”
Does that sound like what is going on in the world today? Someone recently asked me a question that is rather common. “How can we as Christians account for the suffering of the world?” Besides suffering that comes from natural disasters, bad things happen in the world because people do bad things. No faith, no love, no acknowledgment of God, no Godly principles guiding their lives; and no moral bounds,. Verse 5 says: we “are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
Not only did this describe the Israelites and what is happening in the world today, it also described me without God. I was wasting away; destroying myself and others.
The solution is to Draw close to God and be healed. In Chapter 6:vurses 1&2, notice the reference to the resurrection of Jesus. It says: :
”Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After 2 days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.”
The Israelites sin, and my own sin, tore us away from God. It is the resurrection power of Jesus that restores our relationship to Him. What an incredible thing: that we may live in the presence of God! I want to live in his presence today! How about you?
In summary what we read today is that God instructed Hosea to marry an adulterous woman. Well she leaves him for another man. He goes and finds her and brings her back home to him. Her actions are symbolic of Israel leaving God and God continuing to love them despite their actions.
What is one key verse?
Hosea 3:1 The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”
How does what you read change your vision of God?
We see how God will ask us to do what seems to be impossible.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
We need to be ready in case God asks us to do the impossible.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
Love God through the challenges he gives us.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
In John 8:1-11 Jesus forgives a woman caught in adultery the same way Gomer was forgiven. God told Hosea to go show your love to your wife.
In these chapters God gives Daniel a vision that strikes him to his core. So astonished and overwhelmed he is given over to even physical exhaustion to the point that his body starts to give up on him. Daniel then received strength and encouragement allowing him to hear God’s plan for His people and the whole world as he knew it. The Lord then reveals in detail how He will shake the nations. He tells Daniel of the rise and fall of the earthly rulers to come, about the refining process of God’s people through suffering and God then professes how He will deliver his people whose names have been written in the book of life.
What is one key verse and why?
Daniel 10:12
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them”
This verse shows me that our God is eagerly waiting for us to respond to him. As soon as I humbly decide to choose his will for my life he is there already working to clear a path for me.
How does what you read change your vision of God?
These chapters remind me that God is a father waiting with open arms as seen in Luke 15:11-32 in the parable of the lost son. They show me what great lengths God had been and is willing to go to turn the hearts of his children to Him
How does what you read change your vision of selfor others?
What I’ve read had enhanced the vision for myself. I envision myself being bolder in my walk with God. Like Daniel, setting my mind on God, seeking Him for understanding with a humble and ready spirit.
How will you Go with God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
I will not walk in fear and I will strive to deepen my relationship with God by being consistent in prayer and reading God’s Word with intent to change.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
Daniel’s vision of the “man dressed in linen” makes me look forward to meeting Jesus face to face in his heavenly glory. I wonder if I’ll be able to stand in his presence.
Daniel has many visions and dreams about things to come. He sees kingdoms rise and fall and evil and destruction prevail. Ultimately, an everlasting Kingdom will reign. We also see Daniel praying to God and pleading on behalf of all of Israel.
What is one key verse?
Daniel 7:13-14 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
How does what you read change your vision of God?
These scriptures affirm God’s sovereignty. They remind us that despite how wicked and evil the world is around us, God has been and will be victorious.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
When I think of Daniel, the first thing I think of is how he did what was right despite opposition (Daniel 1 & Daniel 6). He had incredible devotion to God even when his life was at risk. In Daniel 9, he pleads with God in prayer and fasting on behalf of his people. Despite his devotion to God, he did not separate himself from the sins of his people. Do I have the same humility when it comes to sin? Or do I view myself as good because I’m “not as bad” as the world around me?
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
I think this changes the way I worship God. Worship is not just about his kindness and his goodness. But I will worship God for his sovereignty, his mighty power, and being victorious over evil. His kingdom will never be destroyed. As it says in Daniel 7:14, “all people, nations and men of every language worshiped him”.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
The Son of Man. One of the titles that Jesus refers to himself very often. It reminds us of Jesus’ humanity but also of his authority over all people and nations. After reading Daniel 7, this enhances my reading of scriptures like Matthew 24:30, Matthew 25:31-33, Matthew 26:63-64, and Matthew 9:6. Jesus has final authority to judge: not just condemn, but He can declare us innocent.
In these chapters, you see Daniel interact with three different Babylonian kings. The first is King Nebuchadnezzar, who has a troubling dream. Daniel interprets the dream, advising him to repent, but he remains prideful and is driven to graze amongst the wild animals. When the King returns to his senses, he praises God. The second king is Belshazzar, who was drinking wine a at a feast with goblets from the temple in Jerusalem. A finger like a human hand writes on the wall and Daniel interprets the writing, predicting the king’s death and division of his kingdom. Finally, there is the story involving king Darius and the decree that those who pray to any god
be thrown into the Lion’s den. Daniel continued to pray to God, who rescued him from the mouth of the lions. The chapters end with Darius praising God before all his subjects and Daniel continuing to prosper.
What is one key verse?
“Finally these men said, ‘We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.’”
Daniel 6:5
How does what you read change your vision of God?
When I look at these stories, I see how God went to great (and very creative) lengths to make a point of humbling the kings who became proud and ceased to acknowledge him. I also see the powerful way that God used Daniel as his messenger and blessed Daniel’s life for aligning himself with God.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
When I think of Daniel, I think of someone who walked in integrity regardless of what the outcome could be. In each of these stories, Daniel was put in a difficult position, whether having to deliver a difficult message to a king or where he could literally be attacked by lions for continuing to pray to his God. He continued to humbly align himself with God, and give God the glory in everything, to the point where even great kings couldn’t help but praise God. Daniel could have easily become prideful when put in a position of power or been tempted to advance through following the ways of the world.
For me, it inspires me to walk with integrity in my workplace. I want my coworkers to be able to say that same statement that the satraps said about Daniel. It also motivates me that when we walk with integrity, it makes God known to the world. King Darius literally decreed for all his subjects to worship God!
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
I am reminded of 1 Peter 2:12 where Peter admonishes the disciples to “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” Jesus also preached in Matthew 5:16 to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” I want to go with God by walking in integrity in my daily life, especially at work, so that others may glorify God because of me.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
At the end of Chapter 6, King Darius glorifies God before all his subjects, saying God’s kingdom will never be destroyed, and that he is a God who saves and rescues. I can’t help but see Jesus in this passage, who ushered in that new kingdom, and saved and rescued us through his death. It was so powerful to see those words uttered by a king who didn’t have the knowledge we have of what was to come!
While in exile, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, are chosen to serve in the palace. They are set apart from the beginning by their choice to honor God. He blesses them in all of their efforts and sets them apart even in their aptitude. In the next chapter, the wise men’s lives are endangered by Nebuchadnezzar’s decree that all wise men should die for their inability to both tell him his dream as well as interpret it. Daniel and his friends petition God through prayer, and God reveals both the dream and the interpretation, telling of a kingdom to come that will supercede all others kingdoms and last eternally. In chapter 3, we return to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refuse to bow down to an image of gold made by king Nebuchadnezzar. In retaliation, the king throws them into the furnace. They miraculously survive with the help of a mysterious visitor. Nebuchadnezzar recognizes the power of God and decrees that all people honor this God or die.
What is one key verse?
Daniel 2:20-23
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.””
How does what you read change your vision of God?
This passage reminds me that all wisdom, understanding and power comes from God.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
It’s amazing that it is by God’s power and will that we succeed and have understanding. It makes me really grateful to be in his hands and not dependent on my own capabilities.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
I am going to God to Budapest on a mission team. I am so grateful that it is by His power and plan that the world turns!
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
The kingdom that never ends is the kingdom that Jesus brought to earth!!!!
Summarize what you read in one paragraph: The restoration that God is going to bring to his people through the true king and savior. Even amongst the previous chapters of sin and abandonment God is showing Ezekiel the hope and what is to come!
What is one key verse?
Ezekiel 47:8 “And he said to me, this water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea. When the water flows in the sea, the water will become fresh.”
How does what you read change your vision of God? While God is just he is also merciful and this is a good reminder that just doing good isn’t enough but God created one way for salvation and it is a glorious depiction that God has redemption for his people.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others? I can often get caught up in doing what I think is right but I need to be sure to follow God and humble myself to his will.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?) Being more reflective on parts of my life that I have been ignorant of thinking about as God has an abundant life for me to serve him.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
In chapter 47 where the river kept getting deeper and it ran into the sea making the water fresh. I see Jesus as deep fresh waters renewing and refreshing bringing an abundant life source.
These chapters described the temple floor plan in extensive detail. Measurements were given for every nook and cranny of the temple. Everything was perfect and planned out in perfection.
What is one key verse? Why?
“ ‘Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins. Let them consider its perfection, and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple—its arrangement, its exits and entrances—its whole design and all its regulations and laws. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations. “This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy. Such is the law of the temple. “
Ezekiel 43:10-12
How does what you read change your vision of God?
God is specific and clear with his standards. He desires for us to have a very clear understanding of who he is and how we are to live.
How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?
The detail of the description of the temple was important to God. The perfection of the temple reflected God and not man. In fact it directly was meant to humble us in our imperfection. I can struggle with feeling as though perfection is attainable or desirable in my life or at least that I can present myself as close to perfect to others. Instead I should elevate my imperfections to show even more so the perfection of my creator.
How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)
We must remind each other of God’s perfection as well as acknowledge our continued imperfections. When we remember why we need Jesus we can live a more humble life following God’s law.
Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)
Jesus is our ultimate symbol of perfection that reminds us of our sinfulness.
This section begins with Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of the Dry Bones. God asks him if he thinks these bones can live, to which Ezekiel replies “O Lord God, you know”. Then God breathes life into the bones and flesh forms around them. He tells Ezekiel that these bones represent the House of Israel, that though they believe they are dried up, cut off, and have no hope, God will raise them from their graves and restore them to the land of Israel.
He then has Ezekiel hold two sticks together to represent the reunification of Israel and Judah, who will again have one king over them from the line of David and no longer worship idols.
Ezekiel then prophesies to Gog and Magog, that they will come against Israel with their great numbers, and that through them God’s holiness will be vindicated before Israel’s eyes, because at the time when they would destroy Israel, God will instead destroy them, and that God’s name will no longer be profaned, and the nations will know that He is God.
After that, Israel will burn their weapons. For seven years they won’t need to gather wood because they’ll be burning their weapons instead. Then for seven months they will go throughout Israel marking the bodies of Gog’s armies and burying them in the “Valley of the Travelers” which will be renamed the Valley of Hamon-gog.
Then, in the key verse it says,
“And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt so treacherously with me that I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions, and hid my face from them.
“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name. They shall forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they dwell securely in their land with none to make them afraid, when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies’ lands, and through them have vindicated my holiness in the sight of many nations.
Ezekiel 39:23-27
Many times through this section in Ezekiel God mentions that his name will no longer be profaned, and that his holiness will be vindicated, and the nations will know that He is God. Israel was punished and sent into captivity because they failed to represent who God is to the nations around them. We have this same responsibility today as Christians, and God is still not about letting his name be profaned or his holiness called into question.
We need to make sure we are doing the best we can to represent the character of God to the world around us!
An action step I see that I could take is writing out a list of God’s qualities, and reading and praying through them daily to remind myself of the character of the God I serve and the attributes of His that I am trying to imitate in my life.
Jesus represented God perfectly, and yet he took the punishment for our iniquity. This demonstrates the sacrificial quality of God’s love for us and shows how earnestly he desires us to be reconciled to him.Attachments area
These chapters are about how God is going to restore his people and the land He promised them.
Key verses:. 36:22-23, 26-27
22 “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
This changes my vision of God because of how clearly it is stated that everything God does is for HIS glory, not mine.
This changes my vision about myself in how it makes it clear to me where I fit in God’s plan.
I will see that my actions should, also be, all for the glory of God.
When God declares, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” That’s all about Jesus!!
2020 Bible Vision 