CALL TO DUTY

“Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations” (Ezek. 16:2 NKJV).

The call to duty for Ezekiel was a very important one. There are two things we want to note about this call: the preacher and the preaching involved in the call.

Preacher – “Son of man.” There are two things that we want to notice the preacher. Firstly, there is the lowliness of the preacher. The title “Son of Man” is one that does not flatter Ezekiel. Rather, it emphasizes his humanity, that he is simply a man. No high sounding titles are given him. He is simply “Son of man.” We do not have to be somebody special to be called of God to high duty. We only have to be obedient. Secondly, the legality for the preacher. In the preceding verse we learn that the call to duty came from the “Word of God.” This gives legality to anything he said. Ezekiel was not going out on his own, he was doing what the Word of God told him to do.

Preaching – “Cause Jerusalem to know her abominations.” This preaching is plain, personal, pure, and protested. First, this preaching is plain: “Cause Jerusalem to know.” Ezekiel was not to muddle the message. He was to make it plain so the people of Jerusalem would know without doubt what he was saying. Second, this preaching is personal: “Jerusalem.” Ezekiel was to be personal, not vague as to who the sinners were. He was to point the finger. His listeners could not say it was for others. Third, this preaching is pure: “Abominations.” No nice names were to be given to sin; it was to be characterized as “abominations.” Fourth, this preaching is protested. This kind of preaching is not popular. Any time a preacher preaches against the sins, he will be accused of being mean and unloving. However, this is the kind of preaching that is needed if people are going to repent and the land is going to be healed

(Adapted from Butler's Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Doing the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans!”

George MacDonald (1824 – 1905)

Scottish Author, Poet and Christian Minister

Word Study

Dwelt

In John 1:14 we read, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (NKJV).

Dwelt is the Greek word σκηνόω (skēnoō =skay-no'-o). It means to live, dwell, tabernacle. Figuratively it mean to occupy or to reside. Metaphorically, it is used of the body as a tent for the soul (2 Cor. 5:4). In classical Greek skēnoō means to pitch a tent, to move, to settle down. In the Septuagint, skēnoō also carries the idea of settling down, to abide. In the New Testament skēnoō is only used by the apostle John; once in the Gospel and four times in the Book of Revelation. Here in John 1:14, he wrote of the incarnation of the Lord Jesus, i.e. the Lord Jesus becoming flesh and “tabernacled or pitched His tent” among us. And just as the tabernacle of Israel in the wilderness was replaced with a permanent building when they entered the Promised Land, so too the temporary tent in which believers now dwell will be replaced one day in heaven with an eternal, imperishable body (1 Cor. 15:42, 53-54).

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be humble (Zech. 9:9).

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 11:29

Did You Know…

The Lord Jesus is the promised Messiah (Acts 18:28).

Bible Quiz

How old was Noah when the flood waters came on the earth?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: What were God’s initial instructions to Moses before He would speak to him at the flaming bush? Not to come closer until he had removed his shoes (Exodus 3:5).

Names For God Found in the Bible

“Yahweh Eloheenu”

"Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy” (Psalm 99:5).

1. Meaning – Yahweh Eloheenu “The Lord our God” speaks of the personal relationship that we can have with God.

2. Insights – In ancient times, the king’s footstool was immediately before his throne; it was a low piece of furniture on which he rested his feet. It represented a lowly position before him, as the one prostrating demonstrate deep humility and profound reverence. Similarly, to worship at God’s footstool (cf. Psalm 132:7) is a metaphor for worshiping at His feet (cf. Psalm 132:7). The Lord is best exalted by humble worship as people bow themselves before Him, acknowledging that He is holy, separate from all that is created and corrupted.

Did You Know...Christian History

Samuel Marsden was born June 25, 1765 in Farsley, Yorkshire, England. He was an English-born priest of the Church of England in Australia and a prominent member of the Church Missionary Society, believed to have introduced Christianity to New Zealand.

Marsden attended the village school and spent some years assisting his father on the farm. After his conversion, Marsden at first joined the Methodist Church, but afterward united himself to the Church of England. With a scholarship from the Elland Society, Marsden entered St. John’s College, Cambridge where he became associated with Joseph Milner and William Wilberforce. However, he abandoned his studies to respond to the call of Charles Simeon for service in overseas missions. Marsden was offered the position of second chaplain to Reverend Richard Johnson in the Colony of New South Wales.

Marsden was ordained in 1793, and in 1794 sailed to Australia as chaplain to the penal colony at Parramatta, near Sydney. His first sermon in Australia was from Luke 4:18, proclaiming deliverance to the captives.

Marsden was instrumental in persuading merchants and manufacturers of the importance of developing Australia as a wool-producing nation. He established a farm there which eventually became one of the finest in Australia. He introduced sheep and vineyards to New Zealand and was the first to ship wool from Australia to England. Marsden endeavored to train the convicts to habits of industry.

In 1807 he returned to England to make a report on the condition of the colony. He tried but could not interest the Church Missionary Society of England in sending someone to take the Gospel to the Maori of New Zealand. No one wanted to risk being killed and eaten on the islands. But Samuel believed the job could be done. He was however successful in enlisting two laymen, William Hall, a shipbuilder, and John King, a rope maker. Later, they were joined by a third, Thomas Kendall, a schoolmaster.

Marsden sailed back to Australia in 1810, and in 1814 outfitted a small vessel at his own expense. With his two assistants, Marsden sailed to New Zealand. The natives welcomed him gladly and he labored among them at intervals until his death, making in all seven visits to the islands, the last in 1837. In New South Wales, he was also very influential in the cause of civilization, establishing schools and a seminary.

Marsden died at Windsor, New South Wales, on May 12, 1838. He was buried in the cemetery of St. John’s Church, Parramatta, NSW.

A Little Humor

A woman drove a mini-van filled with a dozen screaming kids through the mall parking lot, looking for a space. Obviously frazzled, she coasted through a stop sign. “Hey, lady, have you forgotten how to stop?” yelled an irate man. She rolled down her window and said, “What makes you think these are all mine?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Your life will have been misspent if you get to the end of the road without Christ!”