Today’s Reading:  Ezek 30:1–31:18, Rev 14:14–15:8, Job 37:1–8

Today’s Theme: God’s Self Revelation

Today’s theme looks at one of the Bible’s main overarching themes which is God’s self revelation. God reveals who He is to His honour and glory not only though His word, nature and the conscience but also through His acts of judgement and mercy.

Ezekiel 30:1–31:18

Worthless support

“Thus says the Lord: Those who support Egypt shall fall, and her proud might shall come down; from Migdol to Syene they shall fall within her by the sword, declares the Lord God. (Ezekiel 30:6, ESV)

When judgement and destruction are declared, no worldly support system can help a nation.

Proud might shall come to an end

At Tehaphnehes the day shall be dark, when I break there the yoke bars of Egypt, and her proud might shall come to an end in her; she shall be covered by a cloud, and her daughters shall go into captivity. (Ezekiel 30:18, ESV)

All great nations including ours should take note.

Then they will know I am the Lord

Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 30:19, ESV)

This is the recurring motivational and resultant theme in all the Ezekiel judgement passages.

Is God against you

Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break his arms, both the strong arm and the one that was broken, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. (Ezekiel 30:22, ESV)

This is the real God of the Bible, not the Hollywood version which is the ultimate egalitarian entity with a narrow and naive love complex. No, beware God is not against you (because of your rebellion), if He is you have no chance.

God’s self revelation

And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 30:26, ESV)

The overarching theme of God’s self revelation. In this case shown through determining the outcome of battles and wars.

Abundant water

So it towered high above all the trees of the field; its boughs grew large and its branches long from abundant water in its shoots. (Ezekiel 31:5, ESV)

We need the abundant water of the Holy Spirit to grow.

We are mortal

“Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 31:18, ESV)

A reminder to great Pharaoh that he is a mere mortal and will soon die too.

Revelation 14:14–15:8

Great judgement

And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia. (Revelation 14:20, ESV)

This is a great and terrible Judgement.

To God be the glory

Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:4, ESV)

The end game for God is to get the glory He so rightly deserves.

Job 37:1–8

Passion for God

“At this also my heart trembles and leaps out of its place. (Job 37:1, ESV)

This young man had a real passion for the Lord.

God’s majesty

God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. (Job 37:5, ESV)

What a beautiful and poetic way to express God’s great majesty.

God’s providence

Then the beasts go into their lairs, and remain in their dens. (Job 37:8, ESV)

God’s providence over all creation.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Revelation 15