Old Testament reading: Ezekiel 19-20
As Ezekiel 17 began with an account of two eagles, chapter 19 begins with the story of two young lions. As the lion is the “king of the jungle,” the lions in this account represent two kings of Judah, namely Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. In Ezekiel’s lamentation (v 1), each lion is carried captive into a foreign land. Ezekiel 19:1-4 pictures Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah, who ruled three months before being carried captive to Egypt by Pharaoh Necho. Necho replaced Jehoahaz, appointing his brother Eliakim to the throne and changing his name to Jehoiakim. Ezekiel 19:5-9 pictures Jehoiakim, who reigned 11 years before Nebuchadnezzar carried him captive to Babylon. Both accounts are recorded in 2 Chronicles 36:1-6. Ezekiel 19:10-14 pictures Jerusalem as a strong, towering, prosperous vine. But this vine was plucked in God’s fury and cast away. Though once planted in a well-watered paradise, she is now planted in a dry wilderness. Her fruit is burned up and her glory is gone.
New Testament reading: Acts 5-6
“Lord, thank you for allowing me to be beaten for Your name.” Just reading those words makes me shake my head. Could I say that if such were to be my lot in the kingdom? I would like to think so, but none of us knows our true mettle until we are in the midst of the fire. Yet, this is the very attitude expressed by the apostles after they were twice arrested, threatened, and subsequently beaten. Of this beating, Acts 5:41 says they rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Theirs was not an unusual circumstance for the early Christians. We will read of other acts of persecution in Acts 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23. Paul (Phil 1, 1 Thes 1) and Peter (1 Pet 1:6-7) exhorted brethren to faithfulness in the face of persecution as did the Hebrews author in Hebrews 12:1-11. This should come as a surprise to no one, as Jesus concluded the beatitudes with a promise of persecution for righteousness’ sake (Matt 5:10). Moreover, Jesus placed us in good company when such should come upon us (Matt 5:11-12). The prophets were some of the greatest men to ever grace this earth, and they endured extreme mistreatment for their faithful execution of God’s call. Should we foolishly think ourselves better than they?
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