Zechariah 4 (résumé): The gold lampstand & the 2 olive trees

 Zechariah 4 brings encouragement for the rebuilding of the temple which will be accomplished by God's help: "Not by might, nor by strength, but by my spirit, says the Lord Almighty... who despises the day of small things?". This message comes from the vision of the gold lampstand and 2 Olive trees. "What are you? O mighty mountain (of challenges and difficulties)? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground". Thus he and all the returned exiles were encouraged that by God's strength the work of the temple would be completed.

Zechariah 3 (résumé): Clean garments for the high priest

 Zechariah 3 has a vision of Joshua the High Priest standing before the angel of the Lord while Satan is near at hand to accuse him. "The Lord said to Satan - the Lord rebuke you Satan!" Joshua was wearing filthy clothes so the angel ordered their removal. "See, I have taken away your sin, said the angel, and I will put rich garments on you". Then they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him. And the angel said "walk in my ways and keep my requirements and you will govern my house". Then he said "I am going to bring my servant, the Branch... and I will remove the sin of the land in a single day". Thus was symbolized the renewal of the priesthood post exile.

Zechariah 2 (résumé): A man with a measuring line

In the vision of Zechariah 2 God's protection is focused, the expansion yet to come of Jerusalem, the judgement of the enemy and the coming of the Lord. Zechariah saw a man going to measure Jerusalem and an angel then said that Jerusalem would be without walls to cope with their numbers and that God would protect it with a wall of fire. "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming and will live among you, declares the Lord... Many nations will join and become my people... The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again chose Jerusalem".

Zechariah 1 (résumé): A call to return to the Lord

The prophecy of Zechariah came after the Jews had returned from the Babylonian exile around 520 BC. The prophecy calls the people to repentance, calls then too to rebuild the temple and points to a coming Messiah.

God initially calls the people: "Return to me and I will return to you... turn from your evil ways". God warns the people not to repeat the errors of their forefathers because, as the exile showed, God always judges sin". Then comes a vision of a man riding a red horse among myrtle trees in front of red, brown and white horses. An angel and the man in the trees explain that the horses went round and found the world in peace. Then the angel asked God when he would be merciful to Jerusalem which he had punished for 70 years? God said that the nations had exaggerated with the punishment, but now he would return with mercy to Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt. Then Zechariah saw 4 horns which represent the powers which scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem, and he saw 4 craftsmen sent by God to terrify these oppressive nations. For God will ultimately judge these nations and remove their power.

Haggai 2 (résumé): The promised glory of the new house

Haggai 2 brings a message of encouragement to the rebuilders of the temple who might have felt their work wasn't up to Solomon's high standard. But they are told: "The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will grant peace". Then comes another message showing that holiness is not automatically transferred from one thing to another, and showing that impurity easily spreads, So the people's sin had defiled their sacrifices and work. Thus God had judged them through bad harvests and difficulties, but as from now with their commitment to rebuilding the temple: "From this day on I will bless you". Then finally another message came via Haggai: "I will shake the heavens and the earth... overthrow thrones and shatter kingdoms... I will overthrow chariots and their riders... on that day I will take you Zerubbabel and make you like a signet ring (authority) because I have chosen you, declared the Lord". 

Haggai 1 (résumé): A call to build the house of the Lord

This short prophetic book was written about 520 BC after the Jewish exiles had returned from exile, and the objective was to encourage the rebuilding of the temple. So a prophetic word comes through Haggai to Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua calling for the rebuilding of the temple, but the people said "The time has not yet come for the Lord's house to be built". Haggai questions if they should be living "in panelled houses while this house remains in ruin?" The people have neglected God and thus suffer much frustration in their lives. So God calls for the rebuilding of the temple by bringing wood from the mountains for this. And "the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God.... so God said I am with you... and they came and began to work on the house of the Lord".

Zephaniah 3 (résumé): The future of Jerusalem

 Zephaniah 3 compares Jerusalem's rebellion with God's restoration. "Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled... she does not trust in the Lord... her prophets are arrogant... her priests profane the sanctuary... so I have left their streets deserted... but they were still eager to act corruptly... so I will pour out my wrath on them... and then from beyond the rivers of Cush my scattered people will bring me offerings... and I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride... and the remnant of Israel will do no wrong... Sing O daughter of Zion... be glad and rejoice...because the Lord has taken away your punishment... the Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save... he will rejoice over you with singing... I will rescue the lame and gather those that have been scattered... I will bring you home... says the Lord".

Zephaniah 2 (résumé): The great day of the Lord will affect many nations

 "Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon left in ruins... I will destroy you and none will be left... but in the evening the Lord will restore their fortunes... I have heard the insults of Moab.. surely Moab will become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah... this is what they get in place of their pride... the Lord will destroy all their gods... you too O Cushites will be slain by my sword... God will stretch out his hand and destroy Assyria leaving Nineveh utterly desolate... the desert owl and the screech owl will roost on her columns... what a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts".

Pressing on!

I am pressing on towards the end of the Old Testament and have completed half the Minor Prophets, with Micah, which completed 900 chapters of the Bible and nearly 76% of scripture. I then went on to do Nahum and Habakkuk.

I am typing this whilst enjoying the beautiful duet of a pair of rust coloured Caatinga Cacholotes. Last night we had a late-night serenade with Gylmara's father Julimar playing guitar and singing songs about our state of Paraiba. It was very nice evening in the moonlight. 🌛🌜🌝

Our 10-year-old grandson Luis is joyfully stroking our 3 donkeys, and we suspect that the older female 'The Queen of Sheba' is pregnant so we might have a baby donkey a year from now!

Today is our granddaughter Alice's 19th birthday. Happy birthday Alice! May God bless you more and more! Alice is a student of psychology at university and is active in the Patos church. Alice is a specialist in working with autistic children.

I won 3 games of chess against Philip last night. ♜

Zephaniah 1 (résumé): Warning of coming destruction

The book of Zephaniah warns of coming destruction to Israel, surrounding nations and the whole world. However it also points to restoration and salvation in the Lord.

"I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the Lord... men, animals, birds and fish - everything!... I will stretch out my hand against Judah... I will cut off Baal priests, star and Molech worshippers... the day of the Lord is near... wail you who live in the market district... at that time I will punish those in Jerusalem who are complacent... their wealth will be plundered and their houses demolished".

"The great day of the Lord is near... the cry will be bitter... it will be a day of wrath... I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against the Lord... and their silver and gold won't be able to save them... and the whole world will be consumed". 

Habakkuk 3 (résumé): Habakkuk's prayer

Finally in chapter 3 Habakkuk no longer questions God but expresses his faith in worship to his great God revealed to him. "I stand in awe of your deeds... renew them today... in wrath remember mercy... God's glory covers the heavens and his praise filled the earth... his splendour was like the sunrise... he stood and shook the earth... sun and moon stood still in the heavens... you trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters... though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines... though there are no sheep in the pen... yet I will rejoice in the Lord... the sovereign Lord is my strength!"

Habakkuk 2 (résumé): God's answer

 God now answers that his justice may be apparently delayed but it will come at the right time. "God replied... the revelation awaits the appointed time... though it lingers wait for it... for it will certainly come and not delay... the righteous shall live by faith... woe to him who piles up stolen goods... how long must this go on?... you have plundered many nations and have shed man's blood... woe to him who builds his realm through unjust gain... for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord... but you will be filled with shame instead of glory... the cup from the Lord's right hand is coming round to you and disgrace will cover your glory... of what value is an idol?... wood covered with silver and gold yet it cannot speak!... but the Lord is in his holy temple so let all the earth be silent before him".

Habakkuk 1 (résumé): Habakkuk's complaints

The book of Habakkuk is a different prophetic book because it relates a conversation between the prophet and God. Habakkuk questions God about injustice and God's answers cover topics such as sovereignty and faithfulness. The book was written shortly before the Babylonian invasion of Judah in the 7th century BC.

Habakkuk's initial complaint is about all the uncontrolled injustice and violence in Judah. "How long O Lord must I cry for help... with violence... but you do not help... why do you tolerate wrong?... the law is paralyzed and justice never prevails". 

God responds saying that he is at work preparing the Babylonians to administer justice to Judah. "They are a feared and dreaded people... their horses are swifter than leopards... they fly like a vulture... they deride kings... they laugh at fortified cities". 

Habakkuk is flabbergasted by God putting justice into the hands of the Babylonians. "O Lord, you have appointed them to execute judgement! O Rock, you have ordained them to punish!... why do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?"

Nahum 3 (résumé): Woe to Nineveh!

 "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims... many casualties, piles of dead... all because of the wanton lust of a harlot... I am against you says the Lord... I will pelt you with filth... Nineveh is in ruins... all your fortresses are like fig trees... your troops are all women... your gates are wide open... the fire will devour you and the sword will cut you down... your people are scattered on the mountains with no-one to gather them... everyone who hears the news will rejoice remembering Nineveh's cruelty".

Nahum 2 (résumé): Nineveh to fall

Nahum 2 describes Nineveh's fall owing to its persistent cruelty and oppression. "An attacker advances against you Nineveh... the metal on the chariots flashes... as they storm through the streets... he summons his picked troops yet they stumble on their way... it is decreed that the city be exiled and carried away... plunder the silver and gold!... she is pillages, plundered and stripped... I am against you declares the Lord Almighty! I will burn up your chariots in smoke... the voices of your messengers will no longer be heard".

Nahum 1 (résumé): The Lord's anger against Nineveh

The book of Nahum announce God's judgment on the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. Nineveh had escaped judgement in the time of Jonah but now it had gone astray again and this time God was to punish them. "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God... even though he is slow to anger... but when he acts the mountains quake before him and the earth trembles... but the Lord is good and a refuge in time of trouble... but he will make an end of Nineveh... and they will be entangled in the thorns... and will be consumed like dry stubble... they will be cut down and pass away... the Lord commands Nineveh so that you will have no descendants... I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods... but Judah should celebrate  your festivals and fulfill your vows because the wicked will be completely destroyed". 

Micah 7 (résumé): Israel's misery

 Micah 7 starts with lament and then goes into hope because of God's faithfulness. "What misery is mine!... there are no grapes to eat... the godly have been swept from the land... both hands are skilled in doing evil... the judge accepts bribes... the powerful dictate what they want... a son dishonours his father... but as for me I keep watch for the Lord, I wait in hope for God my saviour; my God will hear me... and though I have fallen yet I will rise... God will bring me out to the light and I will see justice... the day for building walls will come... as in the days when you came out of Egypt I will show them my wonders... nations will lick dust like a snake... and turn in fear to God... who will have compassion on us... and you will be true to Jacob and show mercy to Abraham".

Micah 6 (résumé): The Lord's case against Israel

The literary format of Micah 6 is that of a court of law in which God declares his faithfulness to his people whilst pointing at their unfaithfulness. "The Lord has a charge against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel... what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God... Am I to forget you ill-gotten treasures?... shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales?... her rich me are violent liars... therefore I have begun to destroy you... you will store up but save nothing... you will plant but not harvest... as you have followed Ahab's practices I will give you over to ruin".

Salt

We have a constant battle with salt in the water tanks at Green Pastures owing to the salty water we have from our wells. The salt accumulates in mounds in the 7 water tanks and blocks up the ball valves. Every now and then we have to do a big job shovelling out the salt and disposing of it.

Micah 5 (résumé): A promised ruler from Bethlehem

Micah 5 is a chapter of both judgement and hope pointing to the Messiah and God's final deliverance of his people. "But you Bethlehem... small among the clans of Judah... yet from you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from ancient times... he will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord... and he will be their peace... he will deliver us from the Assyrian when he invades our land... the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations... your hand will be lifted up against our enemies and all our foes will be destroyed... and in that day I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells... I will destroy your images... and I will uproot your Asherah poles and I will take vengeance on the nations that have not obeyed me".

Micah 4 (résumé): The mountain of the Lord

 Micah 4 is a chapter of hope and the restoration of God's people. "In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established... and peoples will stream to it... God will teach us his ways... he will judge between many peoples... and they will beat their swords into ploughshares... and there will be no more wars... and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever... in that day I will gather the lame and assemble the exiles... and the Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and for ever... and the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies in Babylon... but how many nations are gathered against you without understanding God's plan and thoughts... rise and thresh O Daughter of Zion, I will give you horns of iron, hoofs of bronze and you will break in pieces many nations... and their wealth will be for the Lord of all the earth". 

Micah 3 (résumé): Leaders and Prophets rebuked

 Micah 3 brings a strong condemnation of corrupt Jewish leaders. "Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel... you hate good and love evil... you tear the skin from my people.... at that time God will hide his face from them because of the evil they've done... the sun will set for the prophets and the day will go dark for them... and they will get no answer from God... but I am filled with the Spirit of the Lord and with justice and might to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin... you rulers despise justice and distort all that is right... you leaders judge for a bribe... her priests teach for a price, her prophets tell fortunes for money... because of you Zion will be ploughed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble and the temple will be overgrown with thickets".

Micah 2 (résumé): Man's plans & God's plans

Micah 2 continues God's condemnation of Judah. "Woe to those who plan iniquity... they covet fields and seize them... they defraud a man of his home... therefore the Lord is planning disaster against his people... it will be a time of calamity... do not prophesy their prophets say... disgrace will not overtake us... but you strip off the rich robe from those who pass by without a care... you take away my blessing from the children for ever... for if a liar and a deceiver comes and says I will prophecy for you plenty of wine and beer, he would be just the prophet for this people!... but I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel... I will bring them together like a flock... their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head".

Micah 1 (résumé): Judgement against Samaria and Israel

The book of Micah is mainly pointed at the Jews in a time of corruption, injustice and idolatry. Micah warns of God's coming judgement as well as giving hope of restoration and a coming Messiah.

Micah 1 brings a word in vision received from God concerning Samaria and Jerusalem which he received during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah. "Hear O peoples... that the Sovereign Lord witnessed against you... because of Jacob's transgression and Israel's sins... I will make Samaria a heap of rubble... all her idols will be broken to pieces... I will weep and wail... I will howl like a jackal... her wound is incurable and it has come to Judah... even to Jerusalem itself... disaster has come from the Lord, even to the gate of Jerusalem... and the transgressions of Israel were found in you... I will bring a conqueror against you... make yourself as bald as vultures because your children will go from you into exile".

Jonah 4 (résumé): Jonah's anger at God's compassion

The ironic thing is that Jonah who had been miraculously and mercifully saved by God becomes angry at God's mercy and compassion for Nineveh! God reacted saying: "Have you any right to be angry?" God then proceeded to give Jonah an object lesson from a vine which gave him shade one day but not the next owing to destruction by insects. This annoyed Jonah for having lost the shade even it had not been planted by him. So God pointed to Jonah's incoherent upset about a plant whereas the saving of 120,000 people was criticized. For God's compassion is far greater than human prejudice and self-interest. God desires repentance rather than destruction!

Jonah 3 (résumé): Jonah goes to Nineveh

Now God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh for the second time and this time he went as he had learnt his lesson. His message from God to the inhabitants of Nineveh was: "40 more days and Nineveh will be destroyed"! The Ninevites believed God, declared a fast, and everyone, including the king, put on sackcloth. Then the king issued a decree for everyone to urgently call upon God, and give up their evil ways and violence, so that they will not perish. When God saw their sincere repentance he had compassion on them and relented from the destruction he had threatened. 

Jonah 2 (résumé): Jonah's prayer

 Jonah cried out to God from inside the great fish: "In my distress I called to the Lord... I called for help... the currents swirled around me... waves swept over me... seaweed was wrapped around my head... to the roots of the mountains I sank down... and you heard me and brought my life up from the pit... those who cling to worthless idols forfeit grace... but I with a song of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you... salvation comes from the Lord... and the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah on to dry land!"

Jonah 1 (résumé): Jonah flees from the Lord

The book of Jonah is a short prophetic book showing God's mercy and compassion on all people. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against it because of its wickedness. However Jonah ran way in the opposite direction boarding a ship to get away. The ship was engulfed in a violent storm and the sailors cast lots to see who was the cause of the life threatening storm, and the lots fell on Jonah. So Jonah asked them to throw him into the sea to calm things down, and he was swallowed by a large fish where he survived inside it for 3 days and night!

Obadiah (résumé): The vision of Obadiah

The book of Obadiah is the smallest book in the Old Testament with just one chapter of 21 verses. Its focus is God's judgement on Edom for its pride and for exploiting Judah when Jerusalem was under attack. Edom was a nation that descended from Esau. It starts: "This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom... I will make you small among the nations... because the pride of your heart has deceived you... I will bring you down from the height of an eagle says the Lord... Esau will be ransacked... your friends will deceive and overpower you... I will destroy the wise men of Edom... because of your violence against your brother Jacob... you didn't help him when he needed it... you should not rejoice in the day of your brother's destruction... for the day of the Lord is near for all nations... as you have done so it will be done to you... but on Mount Zion will be deliverance... the house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Esau will be stubble - set on fire and consumed... and there will be no survivors... Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord's". 

Amos 9 (résumé): Israel to be destroyed

Amos 9 relates God's final judgement on Israel but previews eventual restoration. "I saw the Lord standing by the altar and he said... Cut off the heads of all the people... none will escape... I will hunt them down anywhere... surely the eyes of the Lord are on the sinful kingdom... I will destroy it... but I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob... but all the sinners will die by the sword... but one day I will restore David's tent... I will repair its broken places and restore its ruins... declares the Lord who will do all things... then new wine will drip from the mountains and flow from the hills... I will bring back my exiled people Israel... they will plant vineyards and drink wine... I will plant Israel in their own land never again to be uprooted... says the Lord your God!"

Amos 8 (résumé): A basket of ripe fruit

Amos 8 contains another vision which Amos received - this time of a basket of ripe fruit because God had run out of patience with Israel so they were ripe and ready for judgement. God said to Amos after showing him the basket of ripe fruit: "The time is right for my people Israel, I will spare them no longer... the songs in the temple will turn to wailing... hear this you who trample the needy... I will never forget anything they have done... in that day declares the Lord I will make the sun go down at noon... I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads... I will send a famine... a famine of hearing the word of the Lord... they will search for the word in every direction but won't find it... they will fall never to rise again".  

Progress in the Minor Prophets

I am now progressing well with my synopses chapter by chapter of the Minor Prophets and have completed Hosea (14 chapters) and Joel (3 chapters). Now it's on to Amos (9 chapters), Obadiah (1 chapter) and Jonah (4 chapters) though the latter is a bit fishy! 

The beautiful orange and black Campo Troupial birds have multiplied profusely at Green Pastures this year and can be seen all over the reserve. Also seen today were Pigmy Owl, Burrowing Owl, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Scaled Doves and Red-cowled Cardinals.

Amos 7 (résumé): Locusts, fire & a plumb-line

Amos 7 relates 3 visions which Amos had and of his confrontation with Priest Amaziah at Bethel. In the first vision God shows Amos "he was preparing swarms of locusts and Amos interceded saying it would be unsupportable for Israel, and God relented. Then in the second vision God showed a devastating fire to devour the land, but Amos interceded and God changed his mind and relented again. However with the 3rd vision of the plumb-line God did not relent but decreed judgement on the temple and on the dynasty of King Jeroboam II. Finally Amaziah the priest denounced Amos before the king for conspiracy and ordered him to leave the country. Amos retorted that the priest's wife would become a prostitute, his children would be killed, his land would be divided up and he would die in a pagan country. He finally confirmed that Israel would indeed go into exile".

Amos 6 (résumé): Woe to the complacent

Amos 6 warns the complacent leaders of Israel and Judah who think everything is fine despite the widespread spiritual corruption in the land. "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion... you notable men of the nation... you put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror... you lie on beds inlaid with ivory... you dine on choice lambs... you drink wine by the bowlful... but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph... therefore you will be first into exile and that will put an end to your feasting... I abhor the pride of Jacob... the Lord has given the command and he will smash the great house into pieces... for you have turned justice into poison... I will stir up a nation against you, O house of Israel!"

Amos 5 (résumé): A lament over Israel

Amos 5 brings a fervent call for Israel to genuinely repent and not present an empty façade of a form of religion. The chapter starts with a sad lament: "Fallen is virgin Israel never to rise again... and God says seek me and live!... Gilgal will go into exile and Bethel will be reduced to nothing... seek the Lord and live!... you despise him who tells the truth... you trample on the poor... I know how many are your offenses... you oppress the righteous... seek good not evil... then God will be with you like you say he is... hate evil, love good... there will be wailing in all the streets... woe to you who long for the day of the Lord... for it will be darkness not light... I hate your religious feasts... away with the noise of your songs... rather let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream... I will send you into exile says the Lord". 

Amos 4 (résumé): Israel has not returned to God

 In Amos 4 comes the warning especially to the rich to stop oppressing the poor and repent. "Hear this word O cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy... you boast about your sacrifices, for this is what you love to do... but you have not returned to me... I tried to bring you back with rainfall or lack of it, but this didn't work either... I tried mildew, blight and locusts but this didn't function either... I sent plagues but they didn't bring you back... you were like a burning stick snatched from the fire but to no avail... therefore prepare to meet your God O Israel!"

Amos 3 (résumé): Witnesses summoned against Israel

Amos 3 points to God's unique relationship with Israel and his reasons for judging them within this context. The message starts "You only have I chosen... therefore I will punish you". Privilege comes with responsibility. Amos then shows that every effect has a cause. "The lion has roared - who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken - who can but prophesy? Then Amos lays bare the situation saying "They do not know how to do right, declares the Lord". So God will judge and "an enemy will overrun the land... on the day I punish Israel for her sins I will destroy the altars of Bethel... and the mansions will be demolished, declares the Lord".

Amos 2 (résumé): More divine judgement

In Amos 2 God's judgment moves on to Moab before addressing Judah and Israel. "I will send fire upon Moab because he burned, as if to lime, the bone's of Edom's king". Then comes Judah which God condemns because they have rejected the law of the Lord... and because they have been led astray by false gods". Finally comes Israel who were condemned because they sell the righteous for silver... they trample on the heads of the poor... they deny justice to the oppressed... father and son practice immorality using the same girl... you made the Nazirites break their vows and stopped the prophets prophesying... now then I will crush you... the strong will not escape and the warrior will not save his life". For human strength cannot prevail for those who persist in rebellion against God. 

Amos 1 (résumé): Judgement on Israel's neighbours

The Book of Amos calls Israel to repentance, justice and authentic worship. The prophet Amos was a Judean shepherd and a fig farmer sent by God to prophesy to the northern kingdom of Israel in a period of prosperity, though dogged by idolatry, corruption and oppression of the poor. Amos received a revelation from God "two years before the earthquake when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam was king of Israel". The revelation clearly shows that God is sovereign over all nations and not just Israel, and he announces judgement on several nations. Initially Damascus (Syria) is condemned for brutally crushing the people of Gilead: "She threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth". Then came Gaza and the Philistines who were condemned "because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom". Next came Tyre (Phoenicia) who were involved in slave trade "disregarding a treaty of brotherhood". Then came Edom who was condemned "because he pursued his brother (Israel) with a sword". Also came Ammon which practiced barbarities like "ripping open the pregnant women of Gilead". So God's righteousness is universal and no country is beyond his jurisdiction. 

Joel 3 (résumé): The nations judged

 Joel 3 points to the final judgement of the nations and the restoration of Judah and Jerusalem. "In those days when I restore Judah and Jerusalem I will gather all nations... and enter into judgement against them... O Tyre, Sidon and Philistia... I will return on your heads what you have done... I will sell your children to the Jews and they will sell them to a nation far away... so prepare for war!... beat your ploughshares into swords... then let the nations be roused and advance into the valley of Jehoshaphat... and there I will judge them... multitudes in the valley of decision... the Lord will roar from Zion... but the Lord will be a refuge for his people... and Jerusalem will be holy... and a fountain will water the valley of acacias but Egypt will be desolate... yet Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations... the Lord dwells in Zion!

Joel 2 (résumé): An army of locusts

 Joel 2 continues to point to impending judgement for Israel whilst also mentioning God's mercy and future restoration. "Let all who live in the land tremble because the day of the Lord is coming... a day of darkness and gloom... a large and mighty army comes... nothing escapes them... they charge like warriors... they plunge through defenses... their forces are beyond number... the day of the Lord is great... it is dreadful. Who can endure it?... so return to me with all your heart... rend your heart rather than your garments... declare a holy fast... let them say spare your people, O Lord... for why should they say among the people - where is their God?... and the Lord will take pity on his people... and send you grain, and wine and oil... and I will drive the northern army from you... surely he has done great things... rejoice in the Lord your God... for the vats will overflow with new wine and oil... and I will repay you for the years that the locusts have eaten... and you will have plenty to eat and be full... then you will know that I am in Israel and that I am the Lord your God".

Joel 1 (résumé): An invasion of locusts

The Book of Job calls God's people to repentance whilst appointing to the possibilities of judgement or restoration.

This first chapter describes a catastrophic attack of locusts which affects all areas of Jewish society and which acts as a warning to them to repent before God. "Nothing like this locust attack has ever been seen... so wake up you drunkard and weep!... a nation without number has invaded the land... and has laid waste the vines and fig trees... the priests are in mourning... the farmers wail... the harvest has been destroyed... all the fruits and produce is devastated and everyone's joy is withered away... put on sackcloth O priests... declare a holy fast... call a solemn assembly and cry unto the Lord... for the day of the Lord is near... the storehouses are in ruins... the cattle moan because they have no pasture... and the streams have dried up".

Hosea 14 (résumé): Repentance to bring blessing

Hosea 14 brings the book to a close with hope and a strong call to repentance. "Return O Israel to God!.... say to him 'forgive all our sins... we will never again refer to our gods'... I will heal their waywardness and love them freely... and he will blossom like a lily... his splendour will be like an olive tree... men will dwell again in his shade... all your fruitfulness comes from me... the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them".

Hosea 13 (résumé): The Lord's anger against Israel

 Hosea 13 is a further sad chapter depicting Israel's downfall and distancing from God. "Ephraim has become guilty of Baal worship and died... and they make elaborate idols for themselves... they offer human sacrifices and kiss the calf idols... therefore they will be like the morning mist... I am the Lord you God and you should worship no-one else... but when I fed them they became proud  and forgot me... so like a lion I will devour them... I will destroy you Israel... where is your king that he may save you?... the guilt of Ephraim is stored up... I will have no compassion... the people of Samaria must bear their guilt because they have rebelled against their God".

Hosea 12 (résumé): Israel's sin

Hosea 12 continues God's stringent condemnation of Israel sometimes referring to Ephraim as Israel and comparing them with faithful Jacob despite his imperfections. "Ephraim feeds on the wind... and makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.... the Lord will punish Jacob... as a man he struggled with God... you must return to your God... Ephraim boasts about his riches thinking that it will hide his iniquity... I am the Lord your God... I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions... but Ephraim has bitterly provoked him to anger... the Lord will repay him for his contempt".

Half of Hosea

I have written the synopses of the first half of the 14 chapters of Hosea which is the first of the minor prophets and the 28th book of the Bible.

Philip went last night to a service held at 'Campo Alegre' (Happy Field) Farm where a nice little crowd gather to hear the Gospel. Philip sung some songs for them which went down well.

Hosea 11 (summary): God's love for Israel

Hosea 11 is a moving chapter expressing God's profound love for Israel despite their waywardness and rebellion. "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son... but he went away from me... and they sacrificed to the Baals... despite me leading them with cords of love... so swords will flash in their cities... but my heart is moved within me and I won't carry out my fierce anger... for I am God, not man, and the people will follow the Lord... they will come trembling... and I will settle them in their homes". So one clearly feels in this chapter the tension between God's love and God's justice.

Hosea 10 (résumé): Israel was a spreading Vine

God's forthright condemnation of Israel continues in Hosea 10 criticizing them for their abandonment of God and their idolatry amidst their prosperity. "Israel was a spreading vine... his fruit increased... and prosperity went hand in hand with the building of pagan altars... the calf-idol will be carried to Assyria... Ephraim will be disgraced and Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols... and the high places of wickedness will be destroyed... thorns and thistles will cover their altars... I will punish them... break up your unplowed ground because it is time to seek the Lord... but the roar of battle will rise against you and your fortresses will be devastated... when that day dawns the king of Israel will be completely destroyed!"

Hosea 9 (résumé): Punishment for Israel

A doomful message of judgement continues in Hosea 9 as God warns the Jews that they ought to be preparing themselves for judgement rather than rejoicing over their prosperity. "Do not rejoice, O Israel, because you have been unfaithful to your God... and you love the wages of a prostitute... their sacrifices will not please God... thorns will overrun their tents... the days of punishment are coming... because your sins are so many... they have sunk deep into corruption... Ephraim's glory will fly away like a bird... woe to them... give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that are dry... because of their sinful deeds I will drive them out of my house... my God will reject them because they have not obeyed him".

Hosea 8 (résumé): Israel to reap the Whirlwind

Hosea 8 warns of impending judgement for a people that maintain superficial religiosity as a cover for a broken covenant distant from God. "The people have broken my covenant although they pretend to acknowledge me... they set up kings without my consent... and make idols from silver and gold... throw out your calf-idol O Samaria!... they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind... Israel has gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey... Ephraim has sold herself to lovers... they offer sacrifices to me and eat the meat... now the Lord will remember their wickedness and punish their sins... Israel has forgotten his maker... so I will send fire on their cities".

Hosea 7 (résumé): Ephraim is a flat cake

Hosea 7 carries on with the indictment of the northern kingdom of Israel which is also called Ephraim. "The sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed... their sins engulf them... they are all adulterers... all of them are hot as an oven; they devour their rulers... Ephraim mixes with nations and is a flat cake not turned over... Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless... woe to them because they have strayed from me... they do not cry to me from their hearts... they do not turn to the most high... and they will be ridiculed in Egypt".

Deaf Service

Last night we held a special service for the deaf with a church full including 16 deaf people. I led the service and deaf pastor Luiz Carlos preached on 'Obedience to God', based on John 14:23-28, with interpreter Daysa transmitting the message to the non-deaf. Before the message the deaf presented a short drama, and afterwards the deaf choir did a song. It was a lovely service. 

If anyone is able to help us build the new church at Ipueira we need 6 windows at £100 each and we need 4 doors at £300 each. Please send your donations to the EAB treasurer. Last week we put the roof on the church. We plan to inaugurate the church before the end of the year. Please pray!

Hosea 6 (résumé): Israel unrepentant

Hosea 6 shows Israel discussing returning to the Lord yet God sees this as superficial and lacking in commitment. The text shows that initially Israel cogitates: "Come let us return to the Lord, he has torn us to pieces but he will heal us... let us acknowledge the Lord... as surely as the sun rises he will appear". However God sees through their apparent reconciliation and reacts: "Your love is like the morning mist... therefore I cut you in pieces... for I desire mercy rather than sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings... but like Adam they have broken the covenant... committing shameful crimes... Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled. Also for you Judah a harvest is appointed".

Hosea 5 (résumé): Judgement against Israel

 Hosea 5 condemns the Jews for insistent idolatry and warns that judgement is approaching. He initially condemns the priests: "Hear this, you priests... judgement is against you... Ephraim turned to prostitution and Israel is corrupt... a spirit of prostitution is in their hearts... Israel's arrogance testifies against them... they are unfaithful to the Lord... Ephraim will be laid waste... I will pour out my wrath on Judah... I will tear them to pieces... in their misery they will earnestly seek me".

Hosea 4 (résumé): The charge against Israel

Hosea brings a formal legal charge against Israel for having broken their covenant. "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land... the land mourns because of this... you stumble day and night and the prophets stumble with you... because you have ignored the law of God I will ignore your children... it will be like people, like priests and I will punish both... they have deserted the Lord to turn to prostitution... they consult a wooden idol... a spirit of prostitution leads them astray... a people without understanding will come to ruin... the Israelites are stubborn like a stubborn heifer... a whirlwind will sweep them away and their sacrifices will bring them shame!"

Hosea 3 (résumé): Hosea's reconciliation with his wife

Hosea 3 shows how God's redeeming love is greater than our unfaithfulness and God tells Hosea to go and love his wife again even though she is an adulteress and "is loved by another". Gomer is now apparently enslaved to her lover but God tells Hosea to go and buy her back - go and redeem her. So he went and redeemed her paying 170 grams of silver plus 330 litres of barley and they returned to living as faithful husband and wife once again. The chapter closes referring to Israel's exile followed by their return when they will "seek the Lord and David their king... and they will have blessings in the last days".

Major Prophets

Yesterday I completed my summary of the Book of Daniel and thus concluded all the Major Prophets, 862 chapters of the Bible, and 72.5% of the Bible. Now its on to the Book of Hosea and all the other Minor Prophets.

Yesterday evening Liz and I went to the annual children's special festival held this year at the Pastor Frank Dyer School south of the River Espinharas in Patos. It was a lovely joyful time of praising Jesus with singing and dancing and the very clear presentation of the Gospel. The children clearly enjoyed it and so did we. 😄

Hosea 2 (résumé): Israel punished & restored

Maintaining the adulterous woman imagery Hosea 2 likens Israel to an unfaithful wife betraying the Lord with Baal and other pagan objects of worship. God rather retorts: "I will block her path with thornbushes... so that she cannot find her way... she has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her everything... I will stop all her celebrations, festivals and feasts... I will punish her for the days she burned incense to the Baals... and me she forgot". Despite all Israel's unfaithfulness however God still loved her "and will speak tenderly to her... I will give her back her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope... there she will sing as in her youth... in that she will call me my husband... not my master... I will remove the Baals from your lips... and I will betroth you to me forever... and you will acknowledge the Lord... and I will show my love... and I will say to Israel you are my people and they will say to me you are my God!"

Hosea 1 (résumé): Hosea's wife & children

The Book of Hosea has an unusual plot with him, his wife and family being a living parable! Hosea's wife Gomer is adulterous and so portrays the adulterous nature of Israel's sinful relationship with God. On the other hand Hosea persists in loving Gomer which also reflects God's attitude to his people.

In chapter 1 it is God who commands Hosea to marry Gomer who would be adulterous symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness to God owing to pagan idolatry and worship. As the couple had children God gave them symbolic names too with symbolic meaning. The first was named Jezreel: "Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel". Next they had a daughter whom they called Lo-Ruhamah meaning 'not loved' or 'no mercy', reflecting God's attitude to his people owing to their persistent rebellion. Then came another boy which was named Lo-Ammi ('not my people'). "For you are not my people and I am not your God". Then gratefully the chapter ends positively and a restored people will be called "sons of the living God and Judah and Israel will be re-united".

Daniel 12 (résumé): The end times

Daniel 12 concludes the prophet's final vision pointing to the end time, the resurrection of the dead and God's final victory. Initially Michael the princely protector of Israel arises in a time of extreme distress, but those whose names are written "in the book" will be delivered. "Multitudes who sleep in the dust will awake - some to everlasting life and others to shame and everlasting contempt". Then Daniel is told to seal the scroll for the time being. The 2 angels ask when all this will come to pass and the answer was: "It will be a time (year), times (2 years) and half a time (half a year) which adds up to 3 and a half years". Further periods of time are mentioned: 1,290 and 1,335 days, but their interpretation is not clear. Daniel is finally told that he will die but he will later arise to receive his allotted inheritance.

Daniel 11 (résumé): The Kings of the south & of the north

Daniel 11 starts saying that after 3 more Persian kings a further one would arise "far richer than all the others... (Thought to be Alexander the Great) but after his death the kingdom would be divided in 4 directions". The vision then focuses on conflict between the king of the south (Egypt) and the king of the north (Syria). Then the prophecy culminates denouncing Antiochus IV Epiphanes who will: "desecrate the temple... abolish the daily sacrifice... set up the abomination of desolation... and persecute God's people though many resisted". Finally the prophecy goes on to perhaps foresee the antichrist who "will exalt himself above every god... he will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a pagan god... he will extend his power over many countries... but eventually he will come to his end and no-one will help him". 

Daniel 10 (résumé): Daniel's vision of a man

Daniel 10 introduces the final vision of the book as laid out in chapters 10 to 12. Initially Daniel mourned, prayed and fasted for 3 weeks. Then he had a vision of a man dressed in linen and wearing a gold belt and his face was like lightning and his eyes like flaming torches and his voice was unbelievably loud. Daniel looked like he had seen a ghost and felt weak, and those with him fled even though they hadn't seen the vision. An angel touched Daniel and helped him stand, telling him not to fear and that his prayers were heard. However the angelic intervention was delayed by 21 days owing to resistance from the Persian prince. Then he told Daniel that the vision referred to "a time yet to come". He then touched Daniel and strengthened him, before leaving to fight against the prince of Persia. 

Daniel 9 (résumé): Daniel's Prayer

Daniel 9 starts with Daniel's prayer of repentance and then goes into a very significant prophecy of the seventy weeks. It was during the first year's reign of King Darius that Daniel was studying the writings of Jeremiah and realized that the 70 years exile was nearing its end so he seeks God in intense prayer and fasting. He remembers God's keeping of his covenant and confesses "we have sinned... we haven't listened to the prophets... we are covered with shame and have sinned against you... all Israel has transgressed your law... that's why you judged us... the Lord brought the disaster upon us rightly... please turn away your anger and wrath from us... give ear O God and hear... forgive!" Then comes the second part of the chapter with the arrival of the angel Gabriel who tells Daniel that "seventy sevens (weeks) are decreed for people and city to finish transgression, end sin, atone, bring everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy to anoint the most holy". The prophecy divides the 70 weeks as follows: 7 weeks (49 years) when Jerusalem will be rebuilt albeit in times of trouble + 62 weeks (434 years) building up to the coming of "the Anointed One, the ruler (the Messiah)" + 1 final week (7 years) when "he will confirm a covenant and put an end to sacrifice and offering... and he will be cut off (on the cross)".

Pastor Phil Watkins

We are thrilled to learn that Pastor Phil Watkins (Bristol Ivy Church) was released from hospital yesterday after a 2-month stay where he received a successful stem cell infusion for his Leukaemia from his compatible donor son Nathanael. Well done Nathanael! Well done Phil! Well done Shirley! Praise the Lord! (We were at Bristol Ivy Church last October 12th before all this erupted)

I have just eaten mashed cassava roots with salted meat cooked by our daughter-in-law Gylmara. Absolutely delicious. 😋

Daniel 8 (résumé): Daniel's vision of a Ram and a Goat

Daniel's vision of a ram and a goat points to God's sovereignty over history. He sees a ram with 2 horns representing Media and Persia. "No animal could resist him... he did as he pleased and became great". The goat represented Greece and the large horn probably represented Alexander the Great. Then the large horn is broken and replaced by 4 smaller horns representing the 4-way fracture of the kingdom. One of these horns, the "little horn" became arrogant, persecuting God's people and disrupting daily sacrifices. This oppression and persecution will last "2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated". Then the angel Gabriel came and explained the vision to Daniel showing that the ram represents Media and Persia and the goat represents Greece, whilst the little horn represents a deceitful ruler who opposes God, but eventually God will destroy him. The chapter ends stating how deeply perturbed was Daniel by the vision and its meaning.

Daniel 7 (résumé): Daniel's Dream of 4 Beasts

Daniel 7 tells about a dream which Daniel had during the reign of king Belshazzar. Daniel dreamt of "four great beasts, each different from the other, came up out of the sea". The first was like a lion but had the wings of an eagle, and this beast is often understood to represent Babylon. "I watched until its wings were torn off" thought to be a reference to God humiliating Babylon. The second beast was a bear with 3 ribs in its mouth suggesting conquest. This is thought to represent Medo-Persia. Next came a leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads which "was given authority to rule". This is usually interpreted as Greece under Alexander the Great and the kingdom's division into 4 after his death. Finally came a frightening strange beast with 10 horns and iron teeth often associated with Rome. Now the dream switches its focus from earth to heaven where we see "the Ancient of Days (God)" sitting on his throne as the heavenly court was convened, the books were opened and the 4th beast was judged, slain, destroyed and "thrown into the blazing fire"! Then "there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven... he was given authority, glory and power... and all nations worshiped him... and he has an everlasting dominion that will not pass away or ever be destroyed". The son of man here is clearly Jesus Christ. The 4 beasts clearly represent earthly kingdoms "but the saints of the most high will receive and possess the kingdom forever". God's kingdom is eternal. Evil will last for a time, but God will ultimately judge it. 

Daniel 6 (résumé): Daniel in the Den of Lions

King Darius was organizing the kingdom and appointed 120 satraps (regional governors) with 3 administrators coordinating them, and the plan was to appoint Daniel as coordinator of all. Daniel's popularity and success brought jealousy and some sought to damage his image, but they didn't succeed because Daniel was so upright and honest. So they approved an irrevocable law making it illegal to worship any god  other than Darius for 30 days. Being the spiritual man that he was Daniel ignored the law and continued with his normal daily prayers, and when he was caught they threw him into the Lion's den as punishment. But God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths and he was untouched. Then they got the jealous trouble makers and threw them to be devoured by the lions! So Darius decreed that Daniel's God was the living God who endures forever... his dominion will never end... and he performs signs and wonders!"

Daniel 5 (résumé): The Writing on the Wall

 Daniel 5 covers a period when Belshazzar was king of Babylon some years after Nebuchadnezzar's reign. The chapter relates Babylon's fall under Belshazzar. "King Belshazzar gave a banquet for a thousand nobles and drank wine with them using goblets taken from the temple in Jerusalem... and they praised their gods... suddenly a human hand appeared and wrote on the wall... and the king was scared stiff... but none of his wise men could decipher the meaning".  So Daniel was called and he told the king the meaning of the words written on the wall: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin. which meant: "God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end... you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting... your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians". Belshazzar rewards Daniel making him the third highest ruler in the kingdom and that very night "Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede took over at the age of 62".

Hair cut

 I have just had my bi-monthly hair cut. I hope you like it? 👨

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Pastor Murilo gave an excellent study on the 3rd Epistle of John. 

Having completed my synopsis of the Book of Ezekiel I have now covered 71.5% of the chapters of the Bible. I am now in the final book of the major prophets and have done one third of the 12 chapters of Daniel. Then it will be on to the 12 minor prophets to complete the Old Testament which is just over 78% of the Bible.

Daniel 4 (résumé): Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a tree

Daniel 4 is an unusual chapter as it is Nebuchadnezzar's personal testimony of how he was humbled and then restored by God. It is the only chapter in the Bible written by a pagan king. So Nebuchadnezzar tells us that "I had a dream that made me afraid". He told it to his magicians who couldn't interpret it so he called Daniel. In the dream he saw a gigantic tree "that reached the sky... and was visible to the ends of the earth... on it was food for all... and it sheltered beasts and birds". Then came a messenger ordering the felling of the tree and leaving just the stump bound by iron and bronze. Then the tree (Nebuchadnezzar) "is given the mind of an animal till seven times (years) pass by for him". Then it's declared that it must be recognized that "the Most High is sovereign and gives the kingdoms of men to whom he wishes". Daniel interprets the dream and the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar himself and his empire, and God will remove him from his throne. Then the king will "live with the wild animals, eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew. He will stay like this until he acknowledges the sovereignty of God... the remaining stump means that you will be restored when you acknowledge that heaven rules". Daniel advises repentance and doing what is right. Then the dream comes to pass with Nebuchadnezzar becoming insane living like a wild mad animal, "his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird" until he recognized the supreme sovereignty of God. Then, and only then, does God restore his right mind, and he praises "the Most High; I honoured and glorified him who lives forever... and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before". Thus Nebuchadnezzar concludes: "All those who walk in pride God is able to humble!"

Daniel 3 (résumé): The image of Gold & the Fiery Furnace

This chapter tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar building an enormous gold statue 27 metres high and 2.7 metres wide. He then summoned all the authorities to its inauguration and dedication and a herald announced that whenever people heard the sound of music from horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and pipes they must bow and worship the image. However 3 faithful Jews: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refused to comply and were threatened with being thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. They reacted that the Lord was able to rescue them from the furnace and that even if he didn't they would never bow before the idols. Infuriated Nebuchadnezzar had the fire made 7 times hotter than normal and tied up the men throwing them into the fire. However in a later inspection the king saw the men walking freely in the fire accompanied by a 4th man looking "like a son of the gods"! They eventually emerged from the fire untouched and not even smelling of smoke. So Nebuchadnezzar said: "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants". He then forbid persecution of the Lord and promoted the 3 men.

Hub Community Church

 Last night I led a wonderful service at Green Pastures with a team of 16 mainly young people from the Basingstoke Hub Community church which has been with us for a 2-week stay. The group sang, presented a drama sketch, preached a message based on the sketch and another of the group gave a word of testimony. It was a lovely blessed service.

Philip has also taken the group on 2 nature trails around the nature reserve.

We are thrilled and praising the Lord for a wonderful divine healing that we have seen. Liz and I were asked to pray for a child with the laying on of hands and God has healed the child from a quite complicated problem. All glory be to God! 🙌

I have completed my synopsis of the Book of Ezekiel and am now into the final major prophet Daniel. 

Daniel 2 (résumé): Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that deeply disturbed him so he summoned all his wise men and challenged them to both tell him what he had dreamt and give him its interpretation too. The wise men couldn't do it and kept stringing him along hoping that the king would cave in and tell them the dream so that they could then fix him with an interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar came to realize the wise men were playing for time and so he lost his patience and said he would have the men executed. Daniel got to hear about this, sought God, and God revealed the dream and its interpretation to him which he told to the king. In the dream was a great statue. It had a head of gold (Babylon), chest and arms of silver (an inferior kingdom probably the Medo-Persia), Belly and thighs of bronze - probably Greece), legs of iron (probably Rome), feet a mixture of iron and clay. Thus the statue revealed a series of kingdoms starting with Babylon and beyond. Then comes a stone not hewn by humans which smashes the statue representing God's eternal kingdom above all human kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar is ecstatic with the revelation of his dream and its interpretation and exalts God the author as "the God of gods and Lord of kings"! He promotes Daniel to a high post over Babylon and also appoints Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to places of authority.

Daniel 1 (resumé): Daniel's training in Babylon

Daniel 1 tells of the early life of Daniel in Babylonian exile and of his resolute faithfulness to God in this foreign and pagan context. Daniel and 3 other young Jews were chosen for a 3-year training course to immerse them in Babylonian culture, cuisine, literature and language so as to prepare them for work in the Babylonian court. However "Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine" scheduled for him and he politely yet firmly refused it, insisting on a vegetarian diet in keeping with Israelite culture. God honoured his faithfulness and he and his colleagues were healthier and stronger on the Jewish diet. What is more Nebuchadnezzar found the 4 men to be 10 times wiser that his magicians and enchanters, and Daniel received the special gift of interpreting dreams and visions. God blesses those who are faithful and Daniel served in the royal court for many years.

Ezekiel 48 (résumé): The division of the Land

This is the final chapter of the Book of Ezekiel showing the conclusion of the vision of the restoration of Israel with further details of the distribution of the land between the 12 tribes of Israel with an area of holy land at the centre for the temple and for the priests, Levites, the prince and the city. It is therefore always demonstrated that God is at the centre of Israel. And the city has 12 gates named after the tribes of Israel. So the book ends saying: "The name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE". God's presence had departed in Ezekiel 10 but in Ezekiel 48 it will be restored. Thus the book of Ezekiel ends on a note of hope. Gone is the judgement and exile. A living relationship with God will be finally restored.

Ezekiel 47 (résumé): The river from the temple

Ezekiel 37 further informs concerning the future restored temple and emphasizes the reinvigorating nature of the presence of God. Water was observed flowing as a stream from the east from beneath the temple and as it flowed it miraculously got deeper... ankle deep... knee deep... waist deep... and then "now it was a river that I could not cross... because the river had deepened and was deep enough to swim in - a river that no-one could cross". Fruit trees are watered by the banks of the river and the trees produce abundant monthly fruit for food and the leaves bring healing. The river symbolizes all that flows from God's nourishing healing presence. Then God defines the boundaries that would be laid out in the promised land between the 12 tribes of Israel. God includes foreigners in this land distribution for those aliens who had settled in Israel and this was a precursor for the spreading of the Gospel to the gentiles in Christ. So God's presence brings life and healing... and his spirit spreads grace to Israel and all nations!

Ezekiel 46 (résumé): Further worship instructions

Ezekiel 46 brings further instructions for worship in the eventually restored temple. To start with directives are given regarding the sabbath and new moon for which the east gate is to be opened and the prince enters through this gate on these days. There ensues clear instructions for burnt offerings, fellowship offerings and grain offerings, and the people are taught about orderly entrances and departures from the temple. Then comes discussions of the prince's inheritance of which he may give partly and permanently to his sons whilst living. However if he gives land to a servant this will return to him in the year of Jubilee. The prince is also banned from taking land from anyone by force. Finally Ezekiel was shown the kitchens: "These are the kitchens where those who minister in the temple will cook the sacrifices of the people". No aspect of the temple's functioning was forgotten.

Ezekiel 45 (résumé): Division of the land

Ezekiel 45 continues in the vein of Israel's eventual restoration now focusing on the land, worship and leadership. Initially God says that when the land is allotted a portion must be separated as holy serving for the sanctuary, area for the priests and levites, land for the city and for the prince (leader). Then God rebukes Israel's past sinful oppression of the people telling them to "give up violence and oppression and do what is just and right... stop dispossessing my people... use accurate scales"! True worship must be accompanied by righteous living. Then the people are told to provide offerings for which the prince (leader) is responsible to give in the required feasts and festivals. Then the Passover and Feast of Tabernacles are reconfirmed to Israel.

Philip & Family arrive

Last night our son Philip, his wife Gylmara and their son Luis arrived at our home in Patos. It was a joyful reunion! 😃They will be with us for a little over a month returning to the UK on August 26th. 

Last night I went to my excellent doctor Dr. Felícia Crispim and I was very pleased to get a glowing report with all my blood tests fine for the first half of 2026. All praise be to the Lord! 🙌

Gylmara brought me Ginger Nut biscuits and Liquorice Allsorts from England! 😋

Ezekiel 44 (résumé): The prince, the Levites, the priests

This chapter continues focusing on the restoration of the temple emphasizing that holiness is its essential ingredient. Initially it is stated that the eastern gate must always remain shut and no-one can enter through it because it was through this gate that God's glory entered. God then rebukes Israel's past "detestable practices" and insists that the Levites would only be permitted to do lesser tasks in the temple owing to their past unfaithfulness. However the "Levites and descendants of Zadok" will be given preference of service in the temple because of their resolute faithfulness in the past when everyone else went astray. The descendants of Zadok also received special instructions concerning what to wear, their conduct, teaching the people, acting as judges, avoiding ceremonial defilement and receiving their priestly inheritance. So we see that faithfulness to God is rewarded where as unfaithfulness has long lasting consequences. Spiritual leaders are called by God to minister through holy example and to teach and practice the truth.

Ezekiel 43 (résumé): The glory returns to the temple

 Ezekiel 43 is the climax to Ezekiel's temple vision when the glory returns: "I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east... and the glory of the Lord entered the temple... and filled it... this is the place of my throne... the house of Israel will never again defile my holy name... and all the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy". Then God gives detailed measurements for the altar and a 7-day consecration ceremony is prescribed with sacrifices by the priests. When all this is completed God says: "Then I will accept you, declares the Sovereign Lord".

Ezekiel 42 (résumé): Rooms for the priests

Ezekiel 42 continues the vision of the restored temple covering the rooms for the priests and the temple's overall dimensions. Ezekiel was shown rooms on the north and south sides which were where the priests "will eat the most holy offerings... store the grain, sin and guilt offerings... and change their garments". Then the general temple complex measurements were taken. "It had a wall all around it to separate the holy from the profane".

Ezekiel 41 (résumé): Measurements of the Temple

Ezekiel 41 continues the vision of the restored temple, and Ezekiel sees the inner sanctuary which is carefully measured emphasizing God's perfection and holiness. Ezekiel's guide measures the Most Holy Place, then he sees 3 levels of side rooms surrounding the temple. Then further measurements of the temple are taken emphasizing that the Lord is a God of holy meticulous order. The walls were decorated with "carved cherubim and palm trees" and each cherubim had 2 faces of a man and of a lion. There was also a wooden altar "before the Lord".

Administrative work

Liz finished a massive job of administrative work late last night linked to the mission. She has been dealing with this for many days. These mundane things have to be done.

Yesterday was our wonderful deaconess Sister Beatriz's 91st birthday. She is a blessed woman of prayer who always prays for me and encourages me. She is faithful in coming to church and is 100% lucid and cheerful. She has 14 children, 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Her husband Pedro went to be with the Lord 5 years ago.

I have now completed my synopses of 36 chapters of Ezekiel which is three-quarters of the book. Once completed the only major prophet left will be the 12 chapters of Daniel, prior to the 12 minor prophets, so the end of the Old Testament is in sight! 🙌

Ezekiel 40 (résumé): The new temple area

Ezekiel 40 begins, in year 25 of the 70-year exile, the prophet's vision of a future rebuilding of the temple. God transports Ezekiel back to Israel in a vision and there a man "whose appearance was like bronze" told the prophet to take note of everything and transmit it to the Jews. Ezekiel in the visions sees the temple wall, the eastern gate, the outer court, the north and south gates, the gates to the inner court, the rooms for preparing sacrifices, the rooms for the priests and the temple porch. Every meticulous detail of the temple speaks of God's holiness with clear order and perfection. Here would be again the place of true worship.

Ezekiel 39 (résumé): Son of man - prophesy!

 Ezekiel 39 continues the prophesy against Gog saying "on the mountains of Israel you will fall... all your troops and alliance... and vultures and wild beasts will scavenge the corpses". Then the Israelites gather the weapons of the defeated armies which gives them 7-years worth of firewood! Then God decides to give the valley of Hamon Gog as a burial ground for the defeated armies and it took the Israelites 7 months to bury them all. Then God also summons vultures and wild beasts to feast on Gog's corpses! There were an awful lot of dead bodies! Then God again reminds everyone that the exile was the result of Israel's sin, but the Lord promises to restore Israel. "When I have brought them back... I will show myself holy through them before the nations... and I will pour out my spirit on the house of Israel".

Ezekiel 38 (résumé): A prophecy against Gog

 Ezekiel 38 starts a prophecy against Gog, of the land of Magog, who leads a big alliance including Persia, Cush, Put, Gomes and Beth Togarmah. God declares that he will draw Gog's alliance to do battle with Israel. Gog schemes an invasion of Israel without realizing that this is what God wants. Then when Gog attacks he falls into God's ambush and God reacts with earthquake, confusion of the enemy bringing about friendly fire, pestilence, bloodshed, torrential rain, hailstone, burning sulphur and fire engulf the enemy. The result of the Lord's multifaceted attacks is a total trouncing of Gog and his massive alliance. The power of God was thus revealed to all.

Ezekiel 37 (résumé): The valley of dry bones

Ezekiel 37 is one of the most positive hopeful chapters of the book pointing to spiritual and national renewal of the Jews through 2 prophetic visions. First of all comes the vision of the valley of dry bones which clearly represents the desperate situation of Israel in exile. God tells Ezekiel to prophesy life to the dry bones and "the bones came together... then tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them... but they just lacked breath... so Ezekiel prophesied again... and they came to life and stood up". These bones restored represent Israel restored, revived and with new life. For God says: "I will put my spirit in you and you will live". Then comes the second vision of the chapter with the vision of 2 sticks representing Judah and Israel united in one kingdom. "I will make them one nation... there will be one king over all... they will no longer defile themselves with idols... I will save them from their sinful backsliding... David will be king over them... and they will have one shepherd.. and follow my law... David will be their prince forever... and I will make an everlasting covenant with them... and my sanctuary is among them forever".

Ezekiel 36 (résumé): A prophecy to the mountains of Israel

This chapter is one of hope and restoration as God promises to bless his people and renew them spiritually. First of all God promises to restore the Land: "O mountains of Israel you will produce branches and fruit for my people and they will soon come home... I will look on you with favour... and men and animals will be fruitful and numerous... and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples". God then goes on to remind Israel that they were exiled because of their sin as "they defiled the land by their conduct and actions... I judged them according to this... because they profaned my holy name". But God will restore Israel for his name's sake... "I am going to do these things for the sake of my holy name... and I will take you out of the nations... and give you a new heart and a new spirit... and you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers... crops, grain and fruit will be abundant... and the land will flourish again like the Garden of Eden... the Lord will rebuild that which was destroyed and replant that which was desolate... and Israel will become as numerous as sheep!" 

Ezekiel 35 (résumé): A prophecy against Edom

This chapter is a prophecy against Mount Seir representing Edom. "I will stretch out my hand against you and make you a desolate waste... because you harboured an ancient hostility against Israel... since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you... I will fill the mountains with the slain... I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy of them... for you boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint... so I will make you desolate'".

Ezekiel 34 (résumé): Shepherds & Sheep

This chapter focuses on Israel's false shepherds (kings, rulers and spiritual leaders) as God promises to be their true shepherd. God said: "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel... woe to the shepherds... who only take care of themselves... you have ruled harshly... so I will hold them responsible for the flock... and I myself will search for the sheep... and look after them... I will rescue them.. I will tend them in good pasture... and I will judge between the fat and lean sheep... and I will save my flock and they will no longer be plundered... and I will rid the land of wild beasts... and they will live in safety... then they will know that I am the Lord their God... you my sheep are my people and I am your God declares the Sovereign Lord".

Ezekiel 33 (résumé): Ezekiel a watchman

This chapter is the beginning of a shift in focus from judgement to hope and restoration. Initially God renews Ezekiel's calling as a watchmen for Israel and if people ignore the warnings then "his blood will be on their own head". On the other hand if Ezekiel the watchman fails to worn then it will be his responsibility. God then makes a call to repentance making it clear: "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live". Then a wicked person who repents will receive life, and God reacts to man's current response to him. Then news arrives that the city of Jerusalem had fallen as Ezekiel had predicted. And the text says: "Then they will know that I am the Lord when I have made the land a desolate waste, because of all the detestable things they have done". But the people hear Ezekiel's message and just treat it as a show never putting his message into practice. Only when everything comes true "they will know that a prophet has been among them".

God's compassion

I led the main service of the week in Patos yesterday and Missionary Sacha preached on "God's compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is God's faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). It was a lovely service and an excellent sermon.

Pastors Rafael and Murilo went to Imaculada yesterday where Rafael preached.

I watched the World Cup final with the first half very boring with Spain better including 65% possession. I didn't watch the interval's Americanism with Madonna and Shakira. I hope FIFA will never hold the World Cup in the USA again. The second half and extra time were equally boring and Argentina were a disgrace from beginning to end. Well done Spain! 🏆But it was a terrible final thanks to Argentina's negativism and dirt. 

Green Pastures

Last night I led and preached at the Green Pastures church with the local farming folk. I preached on John 9:1-12. It was a lovely service. I saw 2 Pigmy Nightjars on the way and 2 Tree-Frogs there.

I have now completed the résumés of 30 chapters of Ezekiel so that leaves 18 chapters to go. 

I see that England beat France by the unlikely margin of 6 x 4 to take 3rd spot in the World Cup. I didn't watch the game but Brazilian pundits say it was a really good game. Well done England!

Ezekiel 32 (résumé): A lament for Pharoah

Ezekiel 32 presents 2 laments for Pharoah and Egypt declaring its downfall to be a result of its pride. Pharoah is compared to a lion and sea monster... "but I will throw you on the land... and beasts will gorge on you... I will drench the land with your flowing blood... snuffing you out will darken the stars, sun and moon... when I bring about your destruction among the nations... the sword of Babylon will come against you... I will make Egypt desolate and all will know that I am the Lord". Then comes the second lament which points to how Egypt lies in Sheol with other nations judged by God... like Assyria, Elam, Meshech and Tubal, Edom, Sidon... so you too Pharoah will be broken and lie among the uncircumcised, and with those killed by the sword".   

Ezekiel 31 (résumé): A Cedar in Lebanon

Ezekiel 31 prophesies against Egypt using a Lebanese cedar as an example. The text points to Assyria, "once a cedar in Lebanon... majestic... with beautiful branches... nourished by abundant water... and it towered higher than all the other trees... no tree in the garden of God could rival it... but it was filled with pride because of its height and splendour and foreign nations came and cut it down... and I made the nations tremble at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the grave... you too Egypt will be brought down as was the cedar of Lebanon... you will lie with the uncircumcised... this is what will happen to Pharoah and all his hordes, declares the Sovereign Lord".

Ezekiel 30 (résumé): A lament for Egypt

 Ezekiel 30 continues the theme of God's judgement on Egypt and surrounding nations. "Wail... alas for that day... the day of the Lord is near... a time of doom for the nations... when the slain fall in Egypt her wealth will be carried away... the allies of Egypt will fall... I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt... Babylon will draw their swords against Egypt... I will destroy the idols... and I will spread fear... I will pour out my wrath... I will set fire to Egypt... she will be covered with clouds... So I will inflict punishment on Egypt... I am against Pharoah king of Egypt and will break both his arms so that he can't hold a sword... I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations... and I will put my sword in the hand of the king of Babylon... then they will know that I am the Lord".

Ezekiel 29 (résumé): A prophecy against Egypt

Ezekiel 29 speaks against Egypt's Pharoah and nation because of its pride and because of its unreliability in its support for Israel. God says: "I am against you Pharoah... I will put hooks in your jaws... I will give you as food for the beasts and birds... I will bring a sword against you and kill your men and animals... I will make Egypt a desolate waste... no one will live there for 40 years... and it will never again rule over the nations". Finally God gives Egypt to Babylon to compensate for their hard work against Tyre. And God will restores Israel's strength (horn) and enable Ezekiel to speak out boldly". 

Ezekiel 28 (résumé): A prophecy against the King of Tyre

Ezekiel 28 starts with a condemnation of the ruler of Tyre, then goes into a lament concerning the King of Tyre, this is followed by a prophecy against Sidon, and concludes promising a gathering from the nations of Israel. First then the ruler of Tyre was inflated by his pride as he even thought he was a god! Because of his arrogance God says he will judge him and he "will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners". Then in the next section a lament about the King of Tyre ensues saying how he was "the model of perfection... you were in Eden... blameless in your ways... but then wickedness was found in you... so I drove you from the mount of God... your heart become proud... so I reduced you to ashes... and you have come to a horrible end". Then God announces judgement on Sidon which is another Phoenician city: "I will send a plague on her and make blood flow in her streets". Then finally God promises the gathering of the Israelites from the nations... "and they will live in their own land... and they will live in safety". 

Sisters

I have now finished writing my summary of the first 24 chapters of Ezekiel which is half of the book. Chapter 23 is quite shocking being the most sensual chapter of the Bible, making the Song of Solomon like a children's book in kindergarten by comparison, only Ezekiel's sensual writing involves prostitution comparing Israel and Judah's sin with it. I was surprised how one commentary completely avoided reference to the sensual parts which are not few. It was like he was commenting on a different book! That it comes as quite a shock is true, but it's in the Bible as written by a certain priest and prophet called Ezekiel who lived in the 6th century BC. However it's not a chapter for children or adolescents. 

Last night our son Philip, his wife Gylmara and their youngest son Luis, arrived in Brazil just after 9 pm at Recife airport, having left Heathrow at 6 am. They then drove up the coast to João Pessoa where they will spend the week with Gyl's parents prior to coming to Patos in the interior.

The death-toll in our neighbouring Venezuela's earthquakes has tragically passed the 5,000 mark at 5,069!

Ezekiel 27 (résumé): A lament for Tyre

In this chapter the subject of the condemnation of Tyre continues with a lament or funeral song for a beautiful ship which sinks symbolizing Tyre's downfall under God's judgement. "You say, O Tyre, I am perfect in beauty... your deck inlaid with ivory... awnings of blue and purple... all the ships of the sea came alongside to trade your wares... men of Persia, Arvad and Helech brought your beauty to perfection... Tarshish did business with you... and Greece, Tubal, Meshech, Beth Togarmah, Rhodes, Aram. Judah, Israel... your oarsmen take you out to the high seas but the east wind will break you to pieces... everyone on board will sink into the sea... all who handle the oars will abandon their ships... and cry bitterly over you... they will shave their heads... they will take up a lament concerning you... now you are shattered by the sea in the depths and your wares and all your company have gone down with you!"

Ezekiel 26 (résumé): A prophecy against Tyre

Now starts a series of prophecies against the wealthy Phoenician city of Tyre which it thought would be benefitted by Jerusalem's downfall. "She lays in ruins", they gloated, "so we will prosper". So God in retribution says "I will bring many nations against you... they will destroy the walls of Tyre... and will become plunder for the nations". So God chooses Nebuchadnezzar to lead the charge against Tyre and "he will ravage your settlements... he will bring battering rams against them... and they will plunder your wealth... and break down your walls... leaving just bare rock to dry the fishing nets!" So the whole region was shocked by the fall of Tyre... "the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall". "I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more.... to never again be found".

Ezekiel 25 (résumé): Prophecies against surrounding nations of Judah

 Ezekiel 25 commences a series of condemnations of Judah's surrounding nations for their pride and hatred of the people of God. Initially Ezekiel prophesies against the Ammonites for rejoicing over the destruction of the temple and the sending of the Jews into exile. "I will destroy you and you will know that I am the Lord". Similarly "I will inflict punishment on Moab and give Moab, together with Ammon, to the people of the east". Then God vented his anger on Edom and said "I will stretch out my hand on Edom and kill their men and their animals... and they will know my vengeance because they took revenge on the House of Judah". Finally in chapter 25 judgement is decreed upon the Philistines. "I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath". 

Ezekiel 24 (résumé): The cooking pot

Ezekiel 24 marks the point where the judgement of the siege of Jerusalem started on January 15th in 588 BC. God then brings Ezekiel the parable of the cooking pot with the pot representing Jerusalem and the meat being cooked in the pot representing the people. "Woe to the city of bloodshed!... cook the meat well... and let the bones be charred... you will not be clean until my wrath against you has subsided... you will be judged according to your conduct and actions". Following the parable of the cooking pot comes the death of Ezekiel's wife which was a painful acting out of the loss of someone precious like Jerusalem is about to lose their precious temple, and Ezekiel was not even allowed by God to mourn his wife's passing! Finally with the news of Jerusalem's siege beginning "at that time your mouth will be opened... and be no longer silent... and they will know that I am the Lord".

Ezekiel 23 (résumé): Two adulterous sisters

Ezekiel 23 brings an allegory or parable of 2 sisters: Oholah who represents Israel (Samaria) and Oholibah who represents Judah (Jerusalem). Through this story God exposes his people's unfaithfulness showing why judgement is inevitable. These 2 sisters "became prostitutes in Egypt... Oholah gave herself as a prostitute to all the Assyrian elite and defiled herself with their idols... therefore I handed her over to the Assyrians... and they punished her... Oholibah her sister was even more depraved... she too lusted after the Assyrian governors, commanders, warriors, horsemen and handsome young men... she lusted too after the Chaldeans... and then the Babylonians... and I turned away from her in disgust as I did with her sister... yet she became more and more promiscuous... and lusted after Egyptian genitals that were like those of donkeys... so Oholibah I will stir up your lovers against you... the Babylonians, Chaldeans and Assyrians... and they will come against you with chariots... I will turn you over to them for punishment... and they will deal with you in fury... so I will put a stop to your lewd prostitution... you will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow... I have spoken declares the Sovereign Lord... judge Oholah and Oholibah... for they committed adultery with idols.... and desecrated my sabbaths... and sacrificed their children... you even sent for extra men from far away to have sex with... blood is on their hands... bring a mob against them... and I will put an end to lewdness in the land... and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry... then you will know that I am the Lord".

Ezekiel 22 (résumé): Jerusalem's sins

Ezekiel 22 is a powerful denunciation of Jerusalem's sin which makes judgement unavoidable. God starts calling Jerusalem a "city of bloodshed" which "defiles itself by making idols". You have "oppressed the alien, orphan and widow... and desecrated the sabbath... practiced sexual immorality and dishonour parents... so I will disperse you among the nations... and put an end to your uncleanness". Then God says that Israel is like dross and he will pour out his fire of judgement on Jerusalem to separate the dross from the metals of silver, copper, iron and lead. God then goes on to condemn all levels of Jerusalem society: "Her priests do violence to my law... her prophets whitewash things with false visions... her princes conspire... her officials commit violence and injustice... and her people practice oppression and robbery". Then God concludes saying: "I looked for someone to stand in the gap on behalf of the land... but I found none". 

Mud & Spit

I have prepared a sermon for tomorrow at Green Pastures on John 9:1-12 and the healing of a man blind from birth. Why Jesus used mud and spit in the healing process I don't know, but the great thing was that he was healed. It is one of three times that Jesus used spit in healings. 

Yesterday we had a time of prayer with a family from the Patos church whose daughter is unwell. We prayed for God's blessing and healing. 

The youth group from Basingstoke Community Church were in Barra de Oitis village yesterday and are in the village of Mata Oitis today. Tomorrow they will be in the town of Diamante.

Last night I led the prayer meeting and Bible study and it was an excellent service with a good number present. Lawyer Rayla gave a good study on 1 Samuel 5, the prayer and praise flowed beautifully and participations were blessed. 

Ezekiel 21 (résumé): Babylon, God's sword of judgement

Ezekiel 21 proclaims God's imminent judgement because of Israel's sin. The instrument of this judgement will be the Babylonians. Initially God describes his decision to judge as a drawn sword: "my sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north... it is a sword sharpened and polished for slaughter". Then Nebuchadnezzar seeks an omen and opts to attack Jerusalem and the Jews will be reminded of their guilt and be taken captive. Then the text says that "the profane and wicked prince of Israel" (King Zedekiah) will be dethroned and the Davidic lineage to the throne "will not be restored until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs (Jesus the Messiah)". Then the chapter comes to an end predicting judgement on the Ammonites too: "I will pour out my wrath upon you". 

England beaten

I saw England beaten by Argentina 2 x 1 in the World Cup yesterday. Sadly England threw the match away by trying to just defend for 35 minutes after having scored through Gordon early in the second half. As time went by it looked increasingly unlikely that England would survive the onslaught and they didn't. England only have themselves to blame for losing a semi-final with a whimper. Very sad. 😖All credit to Argentina for turning the game round from 1 x 0.

Ezekiel 20 (résumé): Rebellious Israel

Ezekiel 20 gives an overview of Israel's constant historical rebellion against God. Initially some elders came to consult Ezekiel but God forbid this. Then God reminds Israel how he brought them out of Egypt yet "they rebelled against me and would not listen to me... and they would not forsake the idols of Egypt". God however gave them the law and taught them to worship his alone, but they ignored the law: "They rejected my laws and utterly desecrated my sabbaths". Eventually God punished that generation by not allowing them to enter the promised land: "Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel". Then God said to the people: "Do not follow the statutes of your fathers... or defile yourselves with their idols... but keep the sabbath, reject idols and obey the law". Despite this the following generation also rebelled against the Lord! Even after entering the promised land they rebelled "sacrificing their sons in the fire... defiling themselves with idols... and worshipping in the high places". God then says "I will rule over you with a mighty hand.... I will bring you from the nations... and eventually I will judge you and bring you into the bond of the covenant... there on the holy mountain the entire house of Israel will serve me". The chapter ends with a prophecy of consuming fire on the southern forest (Israel) by the flames of Babylon.

Ezekiel 19 (résumé): A lament for Israel's princes

Ezekiel 19 is a lament about the rebellion of the princes of Judah. Judah is compared to a lioness which had "young lions and reared her cubs (or princes). The first cub becomes a fierce lion but is captured and taken to Egypt (King Jehoahaz) and then comes a second cub who eventually is captured too and taken to Babylon (King Jehoiachin or Zedekiah). Finally Judah is compared to a fruitful vine as a symbol of prosperity. However under God's judgement "it was uprooted in fury... it shrivelled and was stripped of its fruit... and no strong branch is left fit to rule". 

Ezekiel 18 (résumé): The soul that sins will die - individual responsibility

Ezekiel 18 focuses on individual responsibility of each person before God. God tells Israel to stop quoting the proverb: "the fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge". That is that each individual answers for his own sin and should not blame it on previous generations. Ezekiel gives 3 examples of this principal starting with a righteous man "who does what is just and right... he will surely live declares the Sovereign Lord". Next comes the righteous man's violent son who "defiles his neighbour's wife... oppresses the poor...and does detestable things... will such a man live? He will not!" Then comes the violent son's son who "keeps God's law's and follows his decrees... he will surely live". Thus it was shown that nobody is judged according to the behaviour of another person. Then the text goes on to show that repentance will be rewarded and that the ways of God are just. The chapter concludes exhorting all to "get a new heart and spirit" from the Lord and live. 

Street meeting

Last night I travelled with some men from the Patos Church men's fellowship to preach the Gospel in a street service in the town of São Mamede. The service was led by School Teacher Claudivan, Márcio (a white rat keeper for the university) and I brought short words, and Pastor Rafael brought the main message. In the middle of his message a surprise shower of rain came scattering the people, so we finished the service inside the house of Maricô and José. The service was good and after it Sister Maricô served everyone with a tasty snack. 

Ezekiel 17 (résumé): Two eagles & a vine

Ezekiel 17 starts with a parable of 2 eagles and a vine which God gave to Ezekiel. "A great eagle with powerful wings (Babylon) chops the top off a cedar tree in Lebanon (King Jehoiachin) and takes it to Babylon. The eagle plants a seed "and it sprouted and became a low spreading vine". Then comes a second eagle (Egypt) and the vine turns towards it rather than Babylon. Because of this betrayal God says "All its new growth will wither". For this betrayal was not pleasing to God. Finally God says "I myself will take a shoot from the top of a cedar... and plant it on the mountain heights of Israel and it will become splendid". This messianic promise is confirmed saying: "I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it".

Donate to EAB online

You can support the work of EAB online at https://www.justgiving.com/evangelicalactionbrazil/donate  Thank you and God bless you. Liz and I have been working with EAB and its Brazilian partner ACEV, in the interior of Brazil's northeast, for 54 years and we value your prayers. 🙏

Liz went to the Ladies prayer meeting last night. There weren't many there but she is faithful and rarely misses.

Yesterday I completed the synopses of Ezekiel up to chapter 16 so that means a third of the book is done. 

Ezekiel 16 (résumé): An allegory of unfaithful Jerusalem

Ezekiel 16 is a very long and graphic chapter using the allegory of a woman to describe God's relationship with Jerusalem. Initially God finds and rescues Jerusalem as an abandoned child "for on the day you were born you were despised". God cared for her: "I made you grow like a plant of the field... I then when you were older married you and entered into a covenant relationship with you... I dressed you with fine linen and costly garments and adorned you with jewelry... you became very beautiful and rose to be a queen... but you trusted more in your beauty than you trusted in me... and you used your fame to become a prostitute... and you made gaudy high places to practice your prostitution... and you sacrificed your children to idols... and you forgot from where I had brought you... Woe to you declares the Sovereign Lord... and then you engaged in prostitution with the Egyptians... and with the Philistines and Assyrians... and then included the Babylonians... you are a brazen prostitute... you prefer strangers to me your husband... you adulterous wife... in the light of all this I will gather all your foreign lovers and expose your nakedness... they will stone you and hack you to pieces... and I will put a stop to your prostitution... for you are worse than your sister Sodom... your sins were more vile than theirs... so I will deal with you as you deserve but I will remember the covenant of your youth and will establish an everlasting covenant with you... and you will know that I am the Lord".