After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.
2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.” 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? 4 Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went.
5 The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” 6 And they said to him, “There came a man to meet us, and said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you, and say to him, Thus says the Lord, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” 7 He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?” 8 They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”
9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty men with his fifty. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” 10 But Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
11 Again the king sent to him another captain of fifty men with his fifty. And he answered and said to him, “O man of God, this is the king's order, ‘Come down quickly!’” 12 But Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
13 Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. 14 Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.” 15 Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king 16 and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’”
17 So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken. Jehoram became king in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, because Ahaziah had no son. 18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.
 
Meditation
Where do you turn for hope and healing when you or someone you love is sick? Ahaziah turned to trust Baal-zebub the god of Ekron when he lay sick. God invites us to trust Him first and foremost.
 
God sent Elijah to intercept the king’s messengers with a simple word: , ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? This is to ask: Why do you not trust me? Why do you not turn to me first for healing and hope?
 
God often uses medicine and doctors for healing but God’s chosen means should not hold our hope. God alone brings true hope!
 
King Ahaziah was upset when he heard Elijah’s words and sent a captain and fifty armed men to capture the unarmed prophet. The king’s pride is portrayed in two waves of troops sent to capture Elijah. One cannot help but remember the scene with Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel (1 Kings 18). There is only one true God!
 
Finally, a humble captain comes and the Lord sends Elijah with him (14-16). The king dies and authenticates the word of the Lord (17-18). God’s word is true because He alone is God.
 
God is gracious and invites us to trust His word for healing and hope.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What or whom do you primarily trust for healing and hope? I am NOT saying we cannot trust doctors, medicine, or medical plans. I am saying that God invites us to trust Him alone, beginning with believing His word, and including following His providential plan for healing (which may include doctors and medicine, as my journey has!). What or whom do you primarily trust for healing and hope?
 
-Why is it easier to trust things right in front of us more than God, His care, love, and promises?
 
-Ahaziah did not humble himself before the Lord, trusting Him. Jesus invites you to trust Him, from your heart. Jesus is God of His people. Jesus is with you. Will you turn and trust Him?
 
Key Verse
3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? 

“Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish, 2 and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers smeared with oil. You shall make them of fine wheat flour. 3 You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, and bring the bull and the two rams.4 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 5 Then you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breast piece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 6 And you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. 7 You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him.8 Then you shall bring his sons and put coats on them,9 and you shall gird Aaron and his sons with sashes and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever. Thus you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.
10 “Then you shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. 11 Then you shall kill the bull before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting, 12 and shall take part of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and the rest of the blood you shall pour out at the base of the altar. 13 And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But the flesh of the bull and its skin and its dung you shall burn with fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering.
15 “Then you shall take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram,16 and you shall kill the ram and shall take its blood and throw it against the sides of the altar. 17 Then you shall cut the ram into pieces, and wash its entrails and its legs, and put them with its pieces and its head, 18 and burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord. It is a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord.
19 “You shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, 20 and you shall kill the ram and take part of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tips of the right ears of his sons, and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the great toes of their right feet, and throw the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar. 21 Then you shall take part of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons' garments with him. He and his garments shall be holy, and his sons and his sons' garments with him.
22 “You shall also take the fat from the ram and the fat tail and the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of ordination), 23 and one loaf of bread and one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before the Lord. 24 You shall put all these on the palms of Aaron and on the palms of his sons, and wave them for a wave offering before the Lord. 25 Then you shall take them from their hands and burn them on the altar on top of the burnt offering, as a pleasing aroma before the Lord. It is a food offering to the Lord.
26 “You shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron's ordination and wave it for a wave offering before the Lord, and it shall be your portion. 27 And you shall consecrate the breast of the wave offering that is waved and the thigh of the priests' portion that is contributed from the ram of ordination, from what was Aaron's and his sons'.28 It shall be for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual due from the people of Israel, for it is a contribution. It shall be a contribution from the people of Israel from their peace offerings, their contribution to the Lord.
29 “The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him; they shall be anointed in them and ordained in them.30 The son who succeeds him as priest, who comes into the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place, shall wear them seven days.
31 “You shall take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place. 32 And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket in the entrance of the tent of meeting. 33 They shall eat those things with which atonement was made at their ordination and consecration, but an outsider shall not eat of them, because they are holy. 34 And if any of the flesh for the ordination or of the bread remain until the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire. It shall not be eaten, because it is holy.
35 “Thus you shall do to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Through seven days shall you ordain them, 36 and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it. 37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it, and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall become holy.
38 “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day regularly. 39 One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight. 40 And with the first lamb a tenth measure of fine flour mingled with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil, and a fourth of a hin of wine for a drink offering. 41 The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it a grain offering and its drink offering, as in the morning, for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. 42 It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there. 43 There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory. 44 I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. 45 I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. 46 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

Meditation
The greatest promise any human has made to me is the vows Lisa promised at our wedding. The greatest promise God makes through His covenant is repeated in today’s reading, “I will dwell among (my people) and I will be there God” (45). This promise is accomplished through priestly mediation.
 
Priests were prescribed to wash and be cleansed for service (1-9). To enter the service and fellowship of the Lord we must be cleansed. Jesus Christ was consecrated for service as our great High Priest to restore us to the presence of God.
 
The priests of the old covenant represented the people before the Lord but they themselves needed a representative to appeal for mercy. A bull represented the priests in sacrifice for atonement of sin (10-14) and the slaughter of a ram was an appeal for mercy (15-18).  The priests were “branded” with blood on the right earlobe, thumb, and toe (20), forever committed to God’s service, welcomed as family to feast and fellowship with the Lord (31-34).
 
Jesus Christ is the fullness of God’s promise, a greater High Priest who restores God’s presence with us. Hebrews 8:5-7 describes the tabernacle and priests as copies and shadows of Heavenly realities made flesh through Christ.
 
Jesus fulfills God’s promises! The blood of Christ cleanses. The sacrifice of Christ atones for our sin. The Spirit of God brands us for His service. The love of Christ welcomes us to the family table to feast and fellowship.
 
Richly Dwelling
-God has promised to restore fellowship with His people. Is this promise inviting to you?
 
-Like the priests we need cleansing, atonement, and representation. Where do you need to be cleansed? What sins do you need atonement for? How can you turn to Christ as your representative?
 
-Jesus has done everything we need from beginning to end. The work is accomplished! We need only to believe and receive the promises that we might know our God is the Lord who has redeemed us and wants relationship with us (46)!
 
Key Verse
43 There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory. 44 I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Rules for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
 
Meditation
God gives you the power to live a transformed life through the finished work of Jesus. We are united to Christ by faith, saved by faith and walking by faith (2:6). Faith in Christ leads to a transformed life where we do everything in the name of Christ, giving thanks to our Father through Christ.
 
On your own how would you finish this sentence: “If then you have been raised with Christ…” (1)? Paul provides at least eight implications of being united with Christ by faith, direction for growth with eight redemptive realities that are a response to union with Christ.
 
1- Seek the things that are above. One day we will appear with Christ in glory (1-4)!
2- Put to death what is earthly, we are being renewed after the image of our Creator (5-11)!
3- Put on the clothes of Christ, living as Christ has lived for you (12-13)
4- Put on love above all, that we may love as Christ loved us (14).
5- Let peace rule in your heart (15).
6- Be Thankful (15).
7- Let the Word of God dwell in you richly (16).
8- Do everything, in word and deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him (17).
 
God’s grace gives power for these redemptive realities to be embraced in our life individually, together as the Body of Christ, in our homes, at work, and in all of life in the world (18-4:1).
 
Richly Dwelling
- Which of these redemptive realities stands out to you? Why?
 
- Faith unites us with Christ in His death and resurrection so that we walk in a newness of life (Romans 6:1-6).  Is the reality of Christ’s finished work reflected in how you walk through life?
 
- Which of the eight implications listed is the hardest to cultivate?  Take time now to pray for God to bring fruit in that area. 
 
Key Verse
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. 3 And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” 4 For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.
 
Meditation
God wants to show His love through you.
 
God called Hosea to “go again” to love a woman who was loved by another man (1). Again? Hosea had married Ghomer but she had gone off to be with another. Hosea’s pursuit of Ghomer gives a picture of a God whose love is always coming after us.
 
Hosea bought Ghomer back with precious silver and foodstuffs. Redeeming love is costly for Hosea and the One his actions points to. While we were still sinners Jesus Christ bought us with His blood. Jesus gave His precious life for you and me.
 
Hosea instructs Ghomer to respond to redemption with obedience (3). Days of running away are over. Time to trust love. Likewise Paul commands the Church, “You are not your own but you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God…” (1 Corinthians 6:20). God wants us to love Him back with our lives, trusting His love in obedience.
 
The picture of Hosea and Ghomer is a promise of God to His people. God’s covenant promises are greater than our rebellion. We may run but He will pursue and restore relationship. Forever. God will have mercy and we will be His people, His Bride. Redeemed. Revived. Restored. Reconciled.
 
God wants to show His love through us. We are loved to show love. We are redeemed to rejoice in the love of our God by sharing His love with the world.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Who in your life have you witnessed displaying the love of God to you and others around you?
 
-What difference does it make that God has bought us with His blood, Christ’s death for our lives?
 
-How does hope form you, that you will eternally dwell with God, forever secure in His love? How does this strengthen your security in Him?
 
Key Verse
And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” 
Read This Week's Links Here

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
    incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
    I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
    that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
    but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a testimony in Jacob
    and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
    to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them,
    the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
7     so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
    but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers,
    a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
    whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9 The Ephraimites, armed with[b] the bow,
    turned back on the day of battle.
10 They did not keep God's covenant,
    but refused to walk according to his law.
11 They forgot his works
    and the wonders that he had shown them.
12 In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders
    in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it,
    and made the waters stand like a heap.
14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud,
    and all the night with a fiery light.
15 He split rocks in the wilderness
    and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
16 He made streams come out of the rock
    and caused waters to flow down like rivers.
17 Yet they sinned still more against him,
    rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
18 They tested God in their heart
    by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God, saying,
    “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out
    and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread
    or provide meat for his people?”
21 Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath;
    a fire was kindled against Jacob;
    his anger rose against Israel,
22 because they did not believe in God
    and did not trust his saving power.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above
    and opened the doors of heaven,
24 and he rained down on them manna to eat
    and gave them the grain of heaven.
25 Man ate of the bread of the angels;
    he sent them food in abundance.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
    and by his power he led out the south wind;
27 he rained meat on them like dust,
    winged birds like the sand of the seas;
28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp,
    all around their dwellings.
29 And they ate and were well filled,
    for he gave them what they craved.
30 But before they had satisfied their craving,
    while the food was still in their mouths,
31 the anger of God rose against them,
    and he killed the strongest of them
    and laid low the young men of Israel.
32 In spite of all this, they still sinned;
    despite his wonders, they did not believe.
33 So he made their days vanish like[c] a breath,[d]
    and their years in terror.
34 When he killed them, they sought him;
    they repented and sought God earnestly.
35 They remembered that God was their rock,
    the Most High God their redeemer.
36 But they flattered him with their mouths;
    they lied to him with their tongues.
37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him;
    they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he, being compassionate,
    atoned for their iniquity
    and did not destroy them;
he restrained his anger often
    and did not stir up all his wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
    a wind that passes and comes not again.
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
    and grieved him in the desert!
41 They tested God again and again
    and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his power[e]
    or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,
43 when he performed his signs in Egypt
    and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.
44 He turned their rivers to blood,
    so that they could not drink of their streams.
45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them,
    and frogs, which destroyed them.
46 He gave their crops to the destroying locust
    and the fruit of their labor to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hail
    and their sycamores with frost.
48 He gave over their cattle to the hail
    and their flocks to thunderbolts.
49 He let loose on them his burning anger,
    wrath, indignation, and distress,
    a company of destroying angels.
50 He made a path for his anger;
    he did not spare them from death,
    but gave their lives over to the plague.
51 He struck down every firstborn in Egypt,
    the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52 Then he led out his people like sheep
    and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid,
    but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 And he brought them to his holy land,
    to the mountain which his right hand had won.
55 He drove out nations before them;
    he apportioned them for a possession
    and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
56 Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God
    and did not keep his testimonies,
57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers;
    they twisted like a deceitful bow.
58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places;
    they moved him to jealousy with their idols.
59 When God heard, he was full of wrath,
    and he utterly rejected Israel.
60 He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh,
    the tent where he dwelt among mankind,
61 and delivered his power to captivity,
    his glory to the hand of the foe.
62 He gave his people over to the sword
    and vented his wrath on his heritage.
63 Fire devoured their young men,
    and their young women had no marriage song.
64 Their priests fell by the sword,
    and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
    like a strong man shouting because of wine.
66 And he put his adversaries to rout;
    he put them to everlasting shame.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph;
    he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,
    Mount Zion, which he loves.
69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,
    like the earth, which he has founded forever.
70 He chose David his servant
    and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him
    to shepherd Jacob his people,
    Israel his inheritance.
72 With upright heart he shepherded them
    and guided them with his skillful hand.
 
Meditation
Many Christians are grieving recent data reflecting the exodus of younger people from the Church and the rise in rejection of God, His word, and His love. We must ask: Are we reaping what we have sown? History is repeating itself and to turn the tide we must relearn a lesson from redemptive history.
 
The Psalmist is clear in what it looks like to shape the next generation- “TEACH” (4, 5).

​Teaching is “telling the coming generation of the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that He has done” (4).  We must tell the next generation of the wondrous works of Jesus!
 
Teaching is testifying, sharing how Jesus has changed our lives so (the next generation) “should set their hope in God and not forget the work of God, keeping the commandments of God” (6-7).  The tests we have faced in life are testimonies of God’s faithfulness to share.
 
This Psalm is a historical sermon compelling us to remember our role in shaping the next generation. Israel had not taught the generation after Joshua and the rebellion of the period of Judges followed (Judges 2:10). We must enjoy and engage the call to teach our children God’s Word (Deuteronomy 6:7). 
 
God’s grace invites us to begin again. The celebration of David’s shepherd leadership (72) points to our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. The grace of Jesus is the ground on which we grow in fruitfully teaching and testifying to the coming generation.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Who in the coming generation are you teaching and testifying to?
 
-Where have you dropped the ball in your family, church, and community in teaching and testifying to the coming generation? Why?
 
-God’s grace compels us to begin again. How can you start freshly or deepen what you are doing in teaching and training the next generation?
 
Key Verse
4 We will not hide them from their children,
    but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house. 3 As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. 4 You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. 5 In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. 6 In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.”
7 And I did as I was commanded. I brought out my baggage by day, as baggage for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my own hands. I brought out my baggage at dusk, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight.
8 In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’ 10 Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: This oracle concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it.’ 11 Say, ‘I am a sign for you: as I have done, so shall it be done to them. They shall go into exile, into captivity.’12 And the prince who is among them shall lift his baggage upon his shoulder at dusk, and shall go out. They shall dig through the wall to bring him out through it. He shall cover his face, that he may not see the land with his eyes. 13 And I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, yet he shall not see it, and he shall die there. 14 And I will scatter toward every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops, and I will unsheathe the sword after them. 15 And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. 16 But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the Lord.”
17 And the word of the Lord came to me: 18 “Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink water with trembling and with anxiety. 19 And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord God concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink water in dismay. In this way her land will be stripped of all it contains, on account of the violence of all those who dwell in it. 20 And the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
21 And the word of the Lord came to me: 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? 23 Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision. 24 For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. 25 For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.”
26 And the word of the Lord came to me: 27 “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”

Meditation
God desires His word to be heard so He speaks through people’s lips and lives. Jesus was the Word made flesh. Jesus did not only have a message, Jesus was the message. God SHOWED His love for us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. God wants to speak through the life, love, labor, and lips of His people today. God spoke through His prophets in this way, too.
 
God called Ezekiel to be His mouthpiece to Judah, having Ezekiel eat a scroll to symbolize the sweet word of God he would soon speak. Ezekiel often accompanied the message with acting out what God wanted to say, living the message he was called to speak. Today Ezekiel acts out exile.
 
Ezekiel packed his bags, ate with anxiety and drank with despair. Ezekiel cut a hole in the wall and went through with his face covered. Ezekiel’s life was a “sign” (6, 11) for the people, pointing to the truth of God’s word. Ezekiel performed God’s message because God would soon perform that which He promised (26), rebellious people will experience exile as discipline for their sin.
 
God calls His people to live the message he wants them to speak. Isaiah went naked for three years to call God’s people to have naked faith. Hosea married a prostitute. Jesus came to serve, die, and rise again. God calls us to imitate Jesus, walking in love and giving our lives away (Ephesians 5:1-2) so He can SHOW the world His love.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Whose life has spoken the loudest to you? Why?
 
-What does your life say to God’s people and to those who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior? Seriously, if you were to have three words that represented what your life says what would they be?
 
-Jesus SHOWED His love for us and LIVED grace and forgiveness so we can be new creations. What are some practical ways you can show the love of God with your life, labor, and love as you speak about His love with your lips?
 
Key Verse
6 In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.”