November 7, Reading 1 – 1 Chronicles 22, 23

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Chronicles was written to encourage the returned exiles to rebuild. David prepared for building the Temple of the Lord. This was the responsibility of the returnees too. Corporate worship of the Lord is not peripheral to spiritual growth and strength. It is our responsibility to provide for the worship of God!

SJA Notes

* Father God in Heaven, if You should mark iniquities, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared.

“… And the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands.”

How clearly David saw the need for God’s house, and for God Himself, to be magnified throughout all the lands.

This is a concept and a thought for us today.

To be careful with our motivations and thoughts regarding God’s house. The house that is found in our Lord Jesus and us as living stones.

We can think about the impact God the Son as man born to woman has had on history.

Fame and glory throughout all lands.

God’s people today are from all tribes, all nations (the promise to Abraham).

We are all as little tabernacles, carrying about with us the presence of God (Him the Spirit abiding within us).

Our actions are to magnify the Lord and His house, as with our thoughts and deeds.

Will we bring honour and glory to God and His house today?

* God Above, merciful Father, Holy One of Israel,

You alone deserve our praise, You are without equal!

Thank You for Jesus, our great High Priest who has made it possible for us to enter into Your presence, His righteousness ours, His blood shed the sacrifice that pays the penalty for our sins.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.

November 7, Reading 2 – Ezekiel 20:45-21:32

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Jerusalem Below is to be destroyed – and it was. Solomon’s heir Zedekiah (verses 25-27) is to lose the kingship. The kingship is to depart until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs 21:27. At Jesus’ baptism, John the Baptist anoints Jesus King and Priest! (Baptism is by pouring or sprinkling on the head – anointing!)

SJA Notes

* God Above, please mark us as a people faithful to You, reflecting Your steadfast love and faithfulness to us.

“Son of man, set your face toward the southland;”

“Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries.”

“As for you, son of man, groan;”

“Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, say:”

“As for you, son of man, prophesy.”

“As for you, son of man, mark two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come.”

“And you, son of man, prophesy, and say,”

God continues to call Ezekiel “son of man”.

Eight times in this passage alone.

What does this mean for us?

We know that Jesus called Himself the “Son of Man”.

See Matthew 8:20, 9:6, 11:19, 16:13, 20:28, 24:27.

Jesus is the PRIME of Mankind. Paul says in Colossians 1,

“He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

So what does this passage mean for us today?

Why does God refer to Ezekiel as “son of man”?

Man is frail. That is us. We are sons of Adam, daughters of Eve, broken and dead in our sin.

Jesus is perfect. Jesus is before all things, in Him all things hold together. Jesus is the energy by which creation came into being, and He is the energy by which creation is sustained today.

Jesus is THE Son of Man.

We are _a_ son/daughter of man. One of many.

We are to be LIKE our King, to imitate Him, to follow Him.

Jesus is our model, our pattern, our hope and our light.

* Father God,

Thank You for Jesus. The beginning and the end, the firstborn from the dead.

Thank You that He is the pattern we are to imitate, that He walked obediently under Your will so that we could walk in the same way!

Amen.

November 7, Reading 3 – John 7:31-8:11

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The Feast of Tabernacles is where most commentators place Jesus’ discourse on Living Water. This was the feast at the end of all the annual grain/fruit/olive harvests. (Leviticus 23:33-39) In the New Testament, it aligns with the Marriage Feast of the Lamb (or the Last Day), as the Crucifixion aligns with Passover.

SJA Notes

* Dear God, You are Creator, Sustainer and Life-Giver. Please teach us from Your word today.

“The officers answered, ‘No one ever spoke like this man!'”

Here is a most wonderful testimony of Jesus, given by military men who were sent to arrest Him – His words have power like no other, He speaks the words of life!

This is the good news that we are to bring to those around us.

We have a Lord or does not manipulate or play games, He does not politick for power and prestige. His is not a ministry of double-speak.

Instead, His words (and He is God’s Word become flesh) – The Word of God – Are unique, power and important.

His words bring life.

This is our God, our King, our Saviour.

May our testimony be the same as the officers, that in Jesus we hear a voice speaking like no other.

* Father God,

Thank You for the testimony of these officers in the face of the unbelief and rejection of the chief priests and Pharisees.

Please help us to testify the same to those around us, at every opportunity You give to us.

Thank You for Jesus!

Amen.