SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020
TOPIC: DON'T BE A REBEL!
TEXT: Ezekiel 17:11-24
KEY VERSE:
“But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?” - (Ezekiel 17:15)
Russian communist leader, Joseph Stalin was one time a seminary student, preparing for the ministry. He made a decisive break from God later in his life. This dramatic and complete reversal of his conviction resulted in his hatred of all religion. Stalin, not his real name, means “Steel”. This name was given to him by his contemporaries who fell under his steel-like determination. He became one of Russia’s most brutal dictators, sending millions of his own people into the labour camps and many to their untimely death. He could have become a priest, but ended up a dictator.
Israel was a nation saved by God and separated from other nations as God’s own people. But they moved away like Stalin from this arrangement and became a nation sold to idolatry and sin. From the passage under consideration, they now faced a forced exile to Babylon as a result of their iniquities. Ezekiel prophesied that their attempt to rebel against the king of Babylon, after reaching a covenant to serve him as a conquered territory, will fail. Israel’s king as well as the members of the royal family and all the important men in society were exiled to Babylon, leaving only the poor in the land to live in their cities under an appointed regent.
Rebellion became so common in Israel’s history that they could no longer be trusted to keep to any covenant or agreement. They rebelled against God’s laws and all his appointed ministers, prophets and priests.
The purpose for studying the story of Israel’s rebellion is for us to learn and avoid their mistakes. We must abide under God’s control and scrutiny if we must bear fruit and prosper in life. The way of transgressors is hard and those who rebel against God cannot make it to heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Forsaking God means accepting the devil.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 21-22
HIGHER EVERYDAY
SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2020
THE BETTER COVENANT
TEXT: HEBREWS 12:22-29
MEMORY VERSE: "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel" (HEBREWS 12:24).
Someone defined a covenant as, "An agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not to do something specified. It presupposes two or more parties coming together to make a contract, agreeing on promises, stipulations, privileges, and responsibilities. In Church ministry, it is a solemn agreement among the members of the Church to act in harmony with the precepts of the gospel."
A covenant is a scriptural agreement between us and God. The Bible reveals two types of covenants - the Old Testament Covenant with Abraham, and the New and Better Covenant with Jesus Christ. Abraham was obedient when God called him to go from his country, his kindred, and his father's house. Because of his obedience and faithfulness, he and mankind became blessed. However, the new and better covenant is based on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the call on humanity to salvation, which is an effectual call. You may not receive such an extraordinary call to leave everything behind, and go to an unfamiliar territory, like Abraham, but God is calling everyone to repentance, sanctification and service.
QUOTE: Abraham was obedient.
CHALLENGE: Obey God to enjoy His blessings.
PRAYER: Oh God, give me an obedient heart.