Officially, I have finished the Old Testament. This week the readings went from Ezekiel to Zechariah. Truthfully, there were days when I was thinking I couldn’t get out of the Old Testament soon enough ~ but that seems almost sacrilegious to say.
But for Daniel this week, I believe I might have been swimming in a see of doom. The more I continue to read though, I am determined to read through again chronologically to put some of this all into an even better perspective ~ specifically how the prophets all fit in to the timeline of kings, etc… I think reading it in order will help to see how prophecies are fulfilled and give me a grasp on where Israel was as a country.
All that aside, here are a few of the things that I jotted down this week during my reading:
- Ezekiel not being able to grieve when his wife died…wow. In today’s society I could see him being tried for pre-meditated murder or something since he told everyone it would happen and then it did.
- It would be so helpful {while reading Ezekiel} to have maps around that show where these cities are in relation to those that are attacking them.
- The comparison of Israel and Judah to prostitutes was umm…interesting {Day 61}
- Love the ‘Good Shepherd’ analogy in Ezekiel 34
- Ezekiel started out more ‘doom & gloom’ and then somehow turned into a re-hashing of Leviticus {laws, etc…}
- Ezekiel 40 ~ I would love a virtual tour of the temple that Ezekiel in envisioning. Just so I can picture what he is seeing in my own mind.
- Amazed at the SPECIFIC measurements in his vision of the temple ~ why is that?
- In Daniel 1:6 ~ the King attempted to change their names in an attempt to change them. Each one of the men’s Hebrew names involved the name God/Lord. Their new names attempted to change them to other gods.
- Why {when we talk about Daniel} do we always refer to him by his Hebrew name, but the other three we use their Babylonian names? Makes me determined to learn their other ones and call them by those ~ especially knowing what their new names mean.
- Daniel 2:24 ~ Daniel chose not to let the imposters be killed after they interpreted the king’s dream incorrectly. He is a much better man that I would have been.
- Daniel 3:16 ~ Love the words from the men in the furnance ~ “He will rescue us…. but even if He doesn’t…” Such confidence, but also completely secure in their God!
- Chapter 4 in Daniel ~ what a horrible feeling to know what the king’s dream meant {him becoming like a beast in the fields} and have to relay that.
- Never realized that there were 4 kings during Daniel’s time in Babylon
That’s it for this week ~ of course there were lots of other prophets…but my brain hurts just thinking about some of the stuff. :) Next week ~ the New Testament!!!
If you are interested in learning more about the 90 Day Bible reading challenge, visit Mom’s Toolbox ~ she’ll be starting up the challenge again on July 1st. You can also download your own printable reading bookmark if you want to join along in the challenge ~ you can start at any time because the bookmark isn’t dated.
Jolanthe,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all the many things you have touched on and learned in your study! I can't wait to hear how God has blessed you during these times.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Hi Jolanthe
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your take on Daniel, had never thought about the fact we always use Daniel as his Hebrew name but that his friends never got their's.
Just remembered you to our heavenly Father, may you continue to be blesssed by this challenge - well done for keeping up.
Grainne
I love these updates!!! (I always need and want maps, too.)
ReplyDeleteI have always thought that the specific measurements were about one simple thing: obedience. God was requesting obedience. Then, and now. In big things and small.
Hi Jolanthe
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your take on Daniel, had never thought about the fact we always use Daniel as his Hebrew name but that his friends never got their's.
Just remembered you to our heavenly Father, may you continue to be blesssed by this challenge - well done for keeping up.
Grainne