COMMANDS FOR SERVICE

“Moreover He said to me, Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel” (Ezek. 3:1 NKJV).

The commands for service given to Ezekiel inn this verse is applicable to all of God’s servants. The command is twofold: eat and exhort.

Eat – “Eat what you find; eat this scroll.” Here we have the edibles for eating, the extent of eating, and the enjoyment of eating. First, the edibles for eating: “This scroll.” It spoke of the Word of God. Before we can serve God well, we must meditate on the Word of God and learn the Word. Second, the extent of eating. The Lord told Ezekiel to “receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you” (v.10). This meant that Ezekiel was to fill himself with the Word. Most folks today not interested in being filled with the Word of God. Third, the enjoyment of eating. When Ezekiel ate the Word he found it to taste sweet like honey (v. 3). When we seriously study and meditate on the Word of God, we too will find it to be sweet to the taste like honey.

Exhort – “Go speak to the house of Israel.” This order details Ezekiel’s service and is threefold - the call, character, and the congregation involved. First, the call to service” “Go.” After eating, we are not to sit and do nothing; we are to “go” in service for God. Eating gives us energy to serve the Lord. Second, the character of service: “Speak.” Ezekiel was called to preach. And while not everyone is called to preach, whatever is our service, we will still have to eat the Word in order to serve effectively. Preachers and teachers must take in before they can give out. Third, the congregation for service: “The house of Israel.” Ezekiel did not get a call to go a nice prestigious church with a big salary. Rather, he had to go to a rebellious people who would not take well to his message. Similarly, we must go where God sends us if you would serve Him faithfully.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God measures our service, not by our ability, but by our willingness!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Dropsy

In Luke 14:2 we read, “And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy!” (NKJV).

Dropsy is the Greek word hudrōpikos (ὑδρωπικός = hoo-dro-pik-os'). It is made up of two words: “hudor” which means water, and “ops” which means face or countenance. Thus the word describes a condition in which there is an excessive accumulation of watery fluid in the body. Dropsy per se is not a disease but the sign of an underlying disease. As mentioned above, this word is derived from water and face because the disease often made a person look bloated in their face. This the only occurrence in the New Testament. It is therefore appropriate that Luke being a physician, would make mention of the healing of this disease by Lord Jesus Christ.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would die but would be resurrected (Jonah 2:32).

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 12:40; 16:4

Did You Know…

In the Bible it states that the Lord Jesus came to die and destroy Satan’s power (Heb. 2:14).

Bible Quiz

What was the name of Mary’s cousin who was also pregnant?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: The scriptures say: “David was afraid of God that day…” What had made David afraid? The Lord had just killed Uzza for touching the Ark of the Covenant (1 Chron. 13:9-12).

Names For God Found in the Bible

“Yahweh Tsidkenu”

"Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer. 23:5-6).

1. Meaning – Yahweh Tsidkenu means “The Lord our righteousness.” This is a powerful Messianic title as it presents the Messiah as the righteous king, as God, and as Redeemer.

2. Insights – In context, all the kings had failed, so God determined to provide His own ruler from the Davidic dynasty, the Messiah (i.e., the Anointed One). “Days are coming” when the Lord will raise up one called a righteous “Branch” (grow, sprout). This ideal king will rule wisely (i.e. prosper or to have insight). This ruler will do what is just and right. Both Judah and Israel will be saved and live in safety under His ruler. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul applied the title to the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 1:30). Thus the Lord Jesus is the One who is the true Branch, the Messiah for all people.

Did You Know – Christian History

David Pendleton Oakerhater was born in the 1840s in the Indian Territory (later the U.S. state of Oklahoma). He was a Cheyenne Indian warrior and spiritual leader, who became an artist and Episcopal deacon.

Oakerhater (O-kuh-ha-tah) was the second of three boys. He was raised as a traditional Cheyenne and his childhood name was Noksowist (Bear Going Straight). Oakerhater is believed by some to have been the youngest man to complete the sun dance ritual. He participated in his first war party (military raid) at age 14 against the Otoe and Missouri tribes, and was initiated into his tribe’s “Bowstring Society” (one of five military societies).

In the 1860s, Oakerhater had led a fierce corps of Cheyenne fighters against the United States Army, and distinguished himself as a brave leader. However, in 1875, he and twenty seven other warriors were arrested as ringleaders of an uprising. Without trial, they were marched to old Ft. Marion military prison in Florida. They might have rotted in jail except for the concern of Captain Richard H. Pratt. Pratt taught them English and educated them. He saw that Oakerhater was a natural leader so he placed him at the head of the Indian self-discipline force. .

As a result of Pratt’s kindness, Oakerhater and some others converted to Christianity. Four of them decided to study for the ministry. Sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, the four traveled north. When Oakerhater was baptized in the Grace Episcopal Church, Syracuse in 1878, he took the name David Pendleton Oakerhater, in honor of the woman who paid his way. He was ordained a deacon in 1881.

Oakerhater returned to his people and told them, “You remember when I led you out to war I went first, and what I told you was true. Now I have been away to the East and I have learned about another captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is my leader. He goes first, and all he tells me is true.”

Until his death on August 31, 1931, Oakerhater worked hard to bring the peace of Christ to his people. He operated schools and missions at great personal cost, overcoming the apathy of churches and government opposition. Guided by his great captain, he never gave up. The Indians respected Oakerhater’s faith and nicknamed him “God’s Warrior.” In 1982, Episcopal Bishops recommended that David be included in the church calendar. Episcopalians remember him on September 1st.

A Little Humor

After the service a young couple talked to a church member about joining the church. He hadn’t met the husband before, and he asked what church he was transferring from. After a short hesitation, he replied, “I am transferring from the Municipal Golf Course.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“The road to heaven is never overcrowded!”