Dec 20

 Daniel 1-

reflections

Chapter 1

this chapter is about Daniel and his 3 friends being brought into the courts of Babylon. It is the most commonly quoted scripture where when you put God first, God will in turn put you first. But I think it has. to be also taken into context where the Daniel and his 3 friends were living in accordance to God's perfect will, which is to make sure that they continue to preserve Israel culture, even in foreign lands. and from the looks of it, whatever job they did is not the main point. main point is that with the role that God gave them in where they live, they fulfill it to the best they could for God.

Dec 17

 Ezekiel 39-48

Reflections:

This one shows God's redemption plan. Instead of giving more judgement, more destruction as compared to the rest of the book, this part he shows restoration. How he will rebuild Israel, starting from the temple. His dwelling place, the holies of holies, all the way down to the measurements of the temple. I think it is very significant because instead of talking about restoration with just 1 or 2 chapters, during exile, he took 10 chapters to talk about restoration, rebuilding and returning. Each books were very detailedly written, down to details of how big, how wide each building or component is to be constructed. I think even though Ezekiel wasn't the most emotional of books.... in fact, it probably is a judgment book as I heard many say it,  this part goes to say and remind that that is forgiveness.

Dec 15

 Ezekiel 39 - 

Reflections:

chapter 39 looks like the foreshadowing of what God will do when he comes back glorious to resign as supreme leader over all the entire world. as I look at the historical accounts of Gog and Magog, it looks like a nation who has been taking advantage of Israel for a very long time during Israels exile, and now, is having to pay the price. There is a lot of symbolism to be regarded from this, among them, the weapons that these nations pride themselves on using, all are going to be used by Israel as firewood. And then the fleshes of these powerful nation's warriors and kings will be used as food for wild animals. God even said to the wild animals, it will be like buffet for them. God treat these soldiers and powerful mighty men like food to be delivered as meals, luxurious meals to the wild animals. And for the main reason to point out his might, power and greatness to the entire nation of Israel and to the inflicted nations.

Dec 14

 Ezekiel 36 - 38

reflections:

This 3 chapters talks about the might of God to rescue and bring life again in spite of failure, hardship and struggles. 36 about God restoring the mountains and fields to be populated by Israel again. And he highlights that he is doing it not because of sympathy or compassion for Israel, but for holiness. because of a promise I believe. and from there, the action makes Israel remember God not because of his power, might and strength, but I realize.... because he is constant. long suffering, and disciplined (for the lack of a better word or thought process to describe the consistency I am witnessing). After reading, I get that He is not talking about how fast, and how swift he can do the restoration, more the magnitude or volume of it, but the sheer consistency of keeping to his promises, remembering every detail he announced, and all the rules he set for himself. the follow through.. now that is beyond impressive, and worthy to be worshipped. 

When comes chapter 37 which talks about dry bones becoming flesh part. this one goes to another level. I felt it because of 2 things. I used to hear people tell me from the respective of saying that God can easily replace Israel by turning bones into flesh into people. living people. but this time, when I read it again, I see God doesn't have the intention to replace them. Rather, God is using the miracle to show Israel that he can save them from anywhere and in any circumstances. He will not be handicapped, nor will He be contained from doing whatever His will is or His plan is. Every thing flows and submits to his mightiness. 

Today was a very tough day dealing with my father in law. His negativity exploded to big levels, and he targeted me today and yesterday, making himself very obnoxious. It was very hard to think straight and not focus on what he says as personal insults. Hard to not feel like reacting when it feels like he is being difficult on purpose. His mind is like wired to not look at things positively. God is good however to provide me with a wife that could help see and prevent me from spiraling emotionally, and balancing me out. 

Dec 13

 Ezekiel 33 - 35

Reflections;

Chapter 33

This chapter talks about a very different optics. The perspective that God doesn't like to see punishment though it is necessary. Verse 11 very clearly says I do not take delight in death of wicked people, but that they turn from their ways. and then with emphasis, Turn! and then again Turn from their ways. The highlight here is not just emotional, but also principle. I think this book is the 1 part, the only part that shows the true heart of God, the emotional part that has been hidden though out the whole of Ezekiel. A contrast between the severity of Sin, and how big a destruction it will cause to the nations and people who participate in it, and how badly God doesn't want that consequences to fall on the people. Also highlights.... that salvation through Christ is not the main solution, not the 1st solution, is the final and last option solution. The last resort alternative. But also in it, there is unmistakably, also the tone of frustration and having been pushed to the boundaries of limits.

Chapter 34

This chapter now talks about leadership. But it doesn't frame leadership as the way we see it. it frames it as responsibility, and accountability. that end of the day, it's not a reward. It's a role. A duty, a fiduciary duty that has been entrusted. And if failed? it has severe consequences. But it doesn't just stop there, it also goes at the people who are being the beneficiary of good leadership and good management. It goes at the sheep who dirties their pastures, spoil the food that they eat so the next person can't eat it, and soil the drinking water so the next person can't drink it. the "shutting the door behind them" action. God doesn't take kindly to this either, and clearly, I think, he puts this offense on the same level as incompetent and irresponsible shepherds. 

Chapter 35

This one talks about carnibalising another person's career, or profiting of other people's mistakes in ways that damages and affects their survival, or stealing something that belongs to them. Of the top of my head, the only thing I can think of is stealing someone else's spouse. This part deals a lot with the punishment and consequences of people who engage in this. Also, it talks about what one sets their mind to focus on. What one "likes". God says "because you like bloodshed, bloodshed will follow you" in a way saying you like it so much? here, I will give it to you, but not in a fun way.

Dec 12

 Ezekiel 25 -32

reflections:

Ezekiel 25

Everyone of the nations that opposed Israel was being destroyed. Every single one of them. What I took back from this reading is that though the punishment and destruction that they brought onto Israel was planned by God, I think the context is also, they too were given a choice. whether to oppose Israel and let another nation do the dirty work, or do it themselves. and God is clear, if you attack the chosen ones, he will attack back. So it wasn't just a question of why God attacked them back, I feel like it's also "one cannot attack God's chosen, which includes Christians, and hope to get away with it freely. very reassuring that nothing that happens to me in bad faith will go unpunished.

Ezekiel 26 - 32

I noticed a few things here, the big nations that are being brought low, a lot more account is being devoted to them, lot more writing space is given to them to 1, show how mighty is God, but also no 2, to also show that God judge them with the same measuring stick he judge all nations. all of them disobedient to him, not wanting to follow/ listen to him, he clear them off the deck like the rest. but instead of leaving them alive like Israel or Judah, he wipe them off. no more lineage after that. 

Dec 11

 Ezekiel 21 - 24

Reflection:

Today is one of the hardest date of reading Bible my mind enters. My mind is in full drift mode today, like it doesn't want to absorb anything of the bible. literally unfocused to the max. To make matters worse, each time I try and focus, something will try and distract me. Wife talking, suddenly remembering work, etc. It's like distraction 2.0 day, trying to make me give up reading the bible. after finishing 2 chapters, I still feel like nothing is going into my head. Yes, I am clearing chapters word for word and that I am understanding context and all, but from a revelation point of view? Nothing is going in at all. I will keep on pushing to see how far this goes until I get some form of revelation.

Chapter 23:

Finally, something I can get..... I always was of the impression that Israel has been sinning against God, and that God suddenly made the babylonians magically appear out of nowhere to conquer and take them out. but after reading this chapter, it now seems to indicate something else. As the Babylonians rise to power, Israel always has been in envy, in longing. and instead of trusting God, they followed Babylonian ways, even adopt their culture, their lifestyle and idols. the profanity that God mentions of Israel even includes incest and a lot of different adulterous versions. And it seems like Israel was openly doing it, following Babylonian ways.

Chapter 24:

This bit confuse me a bit. the part where God tells Ezekiel that his wife will die, and that he is not to mourn for his wife. The part that unravels me is who is God comparing Ezekiel to? What is the picture that he wants the Israelites to see from looking at Ezekiel handle that moment. is that the image of how God is seeing the whole situation? Because I can see that, but the words Ezekiel says later doesn't seem to telly with that. Or the other thought I have is God is using Ezekiel to show Israel how their emotional state will be when Babylon takes them into exile.

Dec 10

 Ezekiel 18 - 20

Reflections:

Chapter 18

Probably it's because my brain is wired heavily as an ENFP, reading Ezekiel isn't the easiest book. in fact.... it feels like the most confusing one. I recall, the earlier parts of the Old Testament, when fathers sin, the punishment tickles down to the next generation. I gather the reason is because earlier, reward is to the family, as the leader grows, God rewards via legacy. But at the same time, when they sin, God removes legacy. But in this case, God says the children shall not be accountable for the parents sin, but still maintains the parents are accountable for the children's sin. I think in this instance, the contrast is God is pointing at responsibility instead of legacy. Quite sure his earlier rule of "I will remove your legacy" still applies, but punishment also now targets specific individuals. But I recall Deuteronomy 28 was all about generational consequences that comes from sin. I don’t get this part.

Chapter 20: 

The sabbath here mentioned by God is highlighted not as a commandment, but something uniquely like a proof of protection disguised as a gift. (verse 12:  Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.) 

I found that part interesting because most of us now sees Sabbath as like how we see rest. But from that verse, it looks like Sabbath like how we see tithe. an action that is done because God provides. Keeping Sabbath is another form of tithing.

Dec 9

Ezekiel 17 - 

Reflections

Chapter 17: this a bit confusing. the eagles, followed by the reference of Babylon. As I read it, it feels like both information are not syncronised. yes, I get that Babylon is one of the eagles, and Israel is the branch, but I don't get is whose loyalty is God asking Israel to show to, Babylon? or himself. And whoever is the 2nd eagle?

Dec 8

 Ezekiel chapter 14:

Reflection

Chapter 14

I noticed 1 thing. God was definitely angry. unhappy and pissed off that the leaders, not the people, but the priestly leaders have idols in their hearts. and are still coming to him for council. But instead of rejection or removing them, ignoring them, he says, get your hearts right first. remove your idols, repent, then only come to me, and he shall return. That was forgiveness in its most pure form that I see.

Next part was about the punishment, the price that comes with sin. especially sins that is of such a huge magnitude. He also clearly outline his 4 disasters when people put him aside: Sword-> killing, Famine -> finance, wild beast -> not sure what it represents but I think removal of safety, and pestilence -> sickness. how many of these are present in our neighborhood?

Chapter 15:

I don't get it... why "your father is an ammonite and your mother a Hittite" is used in reference to this chapter. I shall consult my more knowledgable friends on this.

Dec 7

 Ezekiel 13 

Reflection:

I spoke with a friend today asking for clarity about Ezekiel, and he said it's about judgment. the whole thing, the whole time, especially the front is about God's judgment. there were certain things he brought up, and I didn't fully understood the severity of it, until I thought back. But now that I am writing it, I understand the severity of God leaving his temple, completely departing from it, signaling abandonment of Israel. what I feel dangerous about myself is while I process it intellectually, I do not seem to have any resonance to this information on an emotional level. I used to, but for some reason, I don't at the moment. Like... am I not scared enough? 

Also, He mentioned Ezekiel is a very angry prophet. He called Israel prostitutes. Finally, I asked him about the cherubim, and he answered, they were the angel guarding the garden of eden. they are like heralds

Dec 5

 Ezekiel 9- 12

Reflection:

Ok, I am probably too ENFP to really like this book. it feels to stoic, non emotional and too factual and straightforward. But it's also a book with a lot of prophecies, so I will muscle through it.

Chapter 9: why is the mass killing needed? so according to the study bible, the killing was actually done by the angels of the lord. But 1 angel was set aside to protect the chosen group. the group that remained faithful. That group was spared from the killing spree. so the question then I have is, is it a vision? or is this the moment where Ezekiel was looking at the sacking of Jerusalem through the spiritual lenses? 

Chapter 10: Through out Ezekiel so far, there has been a lot of mention of the cherubim. I do not know what is its significance. it's like some bizarre weird creature that God created. not in the most amusing either. The feeling I get is like something weird like this doesn't really seem to be inline with the perception I have. this one? this is like some kind of greek mythology. Chapter 10 describes the creature to some deeper detail. How it looks, how it moves, etc. Weird.

dec 4

 Ezekiel 8 

nothing... unfortunately.... enters my brain. haha

Dec 3

 Ezekiel 1-7

Chapter 1 is the most bizarre weird stuff I ever read. no clue what is going on here, and no clue what is its relevance. it's like watching a weird monster/ creature suddenly appear. only difference is that it is harmless/benevolent.

Chapter 2: Something that is very unique here, the calling of Ezekiel is very graphic, very unmistakable. In comparison to modern times that such kind of graphic callings would have been regarded as abnormal. Logic and reasoning would have rendered it undoable. Whereas back then, the mind was still relatively infant, so these kind of communications weren't an issue. Gaining knowledge seems to have become a deterrent in getting to know God.

Chapter 4-6: There's a contrast, a different tone from Jeremiah. Jeremiah spoke to the leadership mostly, and had a very emotional tone to it. But Ezekiel? Ezekiel is kinda weird. it felt like he is speaking to the masses instead of leadership. Also, there's a very stoic tone to the way he speaks. it's like he is living in his own world. The way God communicates with him is also not emotional. Very logical in fact. There's a feeling of very little Ne/Ni, and a lot of Se/Si function stack being used in this communication.

Chapter 7

And this contrast of communication method can be seen in chapter 7. Jeremiah's messages are always emotional (not sure if this is a style that is needed when talking with the Kings) but Ezekiel..... his style is blunt. flat, with no hidden lines. Not to mention, also very detailed.

Dec 2

 Jeremiah 39-  lamentations 6

The last bits of the book of Jeremiah is like judgment day reading. Reading something so ancient, yet now already knowing all those cursed nations are already wiped away. As someone who knows history, we can attest that the nations cursed in Jeremiah are gone. Ok, but apart from the history lesson of the ending to Jeremiah, I don't pick up anything new from it. 

Lamentations also didn't caught my eye, the only thing I noticed is the chronological order oh how God brought suffering due to the nation being disobedient, and then followed by more judgment that looks severe in the form of degeneration of people. People degrading themselves, destroying themselves. The self destruction attitude is actually the "God leaving people alone part" the punishment part. instead of using weapons and swords to kill of which now is seen as merciful, the real punishment is letting sin corrode the person inside out. As Lamentations chapter 6 recorded bits of it, kind women boiling their children alive. Now that is an alarming piece to read. 

Reflections: I think I shall not read the bible at night anymore. it was very hard to absorb anything.