November 13 Bible Reading

Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in Ezekiel 31 and 32.

The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 133.

The Greek Testament reading is in 1 Peter 4.

Essential Studies.

Ezekiel 25 through 32, Chiastic structure
Additional studies: Ezekiel Index

What is the horn of the house of Israel? Israel as the northern kingdom at the time of this prophecy was already no more, having been taken captive by the Assyrians hundreds of years prior. They have never returned to their land. Interesting too that He doesn’t say, the horn of the house of Ephraim or the horn of the house of Judah as He does most often elsewhere in prophetic Scripture, when He is speaking about the two houses as two separate and distinct entities. As a horn is a ruler, I believe the horn of the house of Israel is the ruler of the unified house of Israel, all twelve tribes – Messiah Yeshua! The chiastic structure of the prophecy against the nations, has at its heart, the coming of Messiah Yeshua, who will open His mouth and speak in the midst of the nations. And then all nations shall know that YHVH is God. ♥

Psalm 133, Reverse Parallelism
Additional studies: Psalms Book Five: 107-150 Index

The precious oil that runs down on Aaron’s beard, is the holy anointing oil. The holy anointing oil which anoints the priesthood for service, is a natural picture that represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the royal priesthood of believers that we encountered yesterday. This anointing is like dew descending on the mountains of Zion, the place of citizenship for the believers. In other words, a precious and pleasant and life-giving thing. The unity of the brethren is like that precious oil. Does unity mean that you must agree with each other on every doctrine? No, I don’t know if we can all agree until the Lord Jesus returns. All of us are at different stages along the path of life, at different levels of knowledge of the Word of God and in relationship with Him, and at different stages of wisdom and maturity. But we can lay aside tithing dill, mint, and cumin for the sake of the weightier matters of Torah – love, faithfulness, and justice. And when we do, we might find the precious oil of the anointing of the Holy Spirit flows more thickly and freely. ♥

1 Peter 4, Chiastic structure
Additional studies: 1&2 Peter Index

The central axis of the structure is that love covers a multitude of sins. That axis is wrapped with fervent love one for another, and having the open door of hospitality for each other; love in action. Love then is wrapped with intercession and prophecy, two gifts of the Spirit which are two sides of the same coin. Intercession is speaking on man’s behalf to God; prophecy is speaking on God’s behalf to man. Then the outer shell is the reviling of the world upon us, and whatever suffering that may cause in this life. But all in hope, for their reproach does not change our covenant status as the household of God. ♥