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Joshua witnessed the faithfulness of God throughout his lifetime.  As a young man, he accompanied Moses . As his servant, he waited at the foot of the mountain as God spoke and wrote to Moses. He heard God’s word and knew His word is truth.  God never breaks His promises, and He never changes.  For that reason, Joshua had zero doubt God will accomplish all He has proclaimed.  Today, we come to the end of the Old Testament in our study. My hope is that you also hold this truth firm in your own heart.  As He was yesterday, so is He today.   And forever He will be the same.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40: 8 NASB 

But When Will Justice Reign? 

Sometimes, we, like the people of Judah, wonder how long?  We become complacent with our lives.  We tend to believe “Sure He is coming, but not yet.  I have plenty of time.  It may not be even in my lifetime.” We think that even when the truth is staring us in the face. We are nearing the evening, and the midnight hour approaches rapidly.  In Ezekiel’s day the people had watched Israel fall.  The first group of exiles were taken with Daniel.  Ezekiel was within the second group.  Yet, the people did not believe God would ever allow Jerusalem to fall to the Babylonians. He believed that regardless of how much they themselves sinned.  God would protect them. But then Ezekiel spoke. 

Furthermore, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’  Therefore, say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,” declares the Lord God.  Ezekiel 12:26-28 (NASB) 

Do you hear His voice today?  And if we do hear His voice, do we fully understand what “the year of the Lord” means? Oh, yes, for those of us who know Christ we look for justice with joyous anticipation We know we are covered by the blood of Christ. Therefore no fear. However, we must remember were it not for grace, what that justice would mean for you and I as well.  Are we not to be filled a deep sorrow for those who are so blinded and lost?  This sorrow sprinkled with the anticipatory joy of seeing our Savior face to face? 

Zero doubt God will Accomplish All He has planned 

All the way back to Isaiah 41, God said He would raise up Cyrus to lead a great nation.  And in Jeremiah 25 He said. 

‘Then it will be when seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,’ declares the Lord, ‘for their wrongdoing, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation. I will bring upon that land all My words which I have pronounced against it, all that is written in this book which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations. (For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, even them; and I will repay them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands.)’”  Jeremiah 25: 12-14 (NASB). 

And then it happened just as God said through Isaiah and Jeremiah.   

 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: 

“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to rebuild for Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.   EZRA 1:1-3 (NASB) 

Leaving Zero Doubt God will Accomplish all He has planned. His Word is Truth 

Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel.  And they sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His favor is upon Israel forever.”  EZRA 3:10-11 (NASB) 

Many people of the surrounding land wrote to King Darius asking him to stop the building of the temple.  They also wrote years later to King Aheuresis (Xerxes) and then Artaxerxes suggesting that the Israelites needed to stop all building in Jerusalem.  You see, there will always be opposition, but we must hold fast with faith, knowing God has a perfect plan.  Nothing and no one can thwart His plan.  Ultimately, this is the letter sent back to the opposition from the King of Persia. 

Zero Doubt God Will Accomplish All He Proclaims-regardless of opposition

Leave that work on the house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild that house of God on its site.  Furthermore, I issue a decree concerning what you are to do for these elders of Judah in the rebuilding of that house of God: the full cost is to be paid to those people from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces beyond the Euphrates River, and that without interruption.   

And whatever is needed, bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine, and anointing oil, as the priests in Jerusalem order, it is to be given to them daily without fail, so that they may offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the lives of the king and his sons.   

Furthermore, the King of Persia issued a decree to protect them as well.  

And I issued a decree that any person who violates this decree, a timber shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it; His house shall be turned into a refuse heap on account of this.  May the God who has caused His name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who attempts to change it, so as to destroy that house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued this decree; it is to be carried out with all diligence!”  EZRA 6:7-12 NASB 

And later King Artaxerxes provided Nehemiah with all he needed to build the wall.  How amazing! God provided all!  He moved the heart of a pagan King to be the supplier.  

“I myself, King Artaxerxes, issue a decree to all the treasurers who are in the provinces beyond the Euphrates River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, it shall be done diligently, up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred kors of wheat, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred baths of anointing oil, and salt as needed. Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, it shall be done with zeal for the house of the God of heaven, so that there will not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons.  We also inform you that it is not allowed to impose tax, tribute, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.  Ezra 7:21-24 (NASB) 

Furthermore, King Artaxerxes spoke to Ezra. 

25 “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges so that they may judge all the people who are in the province beyond the Euphrates River, that is, all those who know the laws of your God; and you may teach anyone who is ignorant of them. 26 And whoever does not comply with the Law of your God and the law of the king, judgment is to be executed upon him strictly, whether for death or for banishment, or for confiscation of property or for imprisonment.” 

For this Ezra proclaimed: 

 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to glorify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem and has extended favor to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty officials. So, I was strengthened according to the hand of the Lord my God that was upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.   Ezra 7:27-28 (NASB) 

And still, the people sinned. 

But what can we say?  Is this not what we also do?  And so, God addresses them through Malachi.  

“‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of armies to you, the priests who despise My name! But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is to be despised.’ And when you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not evil? Or when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not evil? …

“If only there were one among you who would shut the gates, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar for nothing! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of armies, “nor will I accept an offering from your hand.  For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name shall be great among the nations, and in every place frankincense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name shall be great among the nations,” says the Lord of armies. …  You also say, ‘See, how tiresome it is!’ And you view it as trivial,” says the Lord of armies, Malachi 1:  5-8, 10-11, 13 NASB 

Do We Trivialize God?

We think it is ok to give God our leftovers-time, energy, and worship.  Then we trivialize the very thought of Him.  All going through the motions without the devotion of our hearts.   

You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, “How have we wearied Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”  Malachi 2:17 NASB 

Do we not hear the same being taught?   

Malachi was the last messenger, the last prophet until John the Baptist was born.  There would be a gap of 400 years.  Perhaps this is why his message must be one of a harsh rebuke against sin, a call to repentance and plea for the dedication of the people.   

Would anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.  You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the entire nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this,” says the Lord of armies, “if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground; nor will the vine in the field prove fruitless to you,” says the Lord of armies.  “All the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of armies.   Malachi 3: 8-12 NASB 

Zero Doubt God Will Accomplish All He Has Planned-Judgement and Blessing 

Beyond those who failed to follow His word, there are many of us who merely grumble and moan about our lives.  We lack an attitude of gratitude to surround our hearts.  Expecting God to do more than the everything He has done.  

“Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is pointless to serve God; and what benefit is it for us that we have done what He required, and that we have walked in mourning before the Lord of armies? So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up, but they also put God to the test and escape punishment.’” Malachi 3: 13-15 (NASB) 

Yet some did remember God with honor as they spoke among themselves. 

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened attentively and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and esteem His name.  Malachi 3: 16 (NASB) 

How sweet is that.  As we join here together, God is listening attentively.  His reply? 

 “And they will be Mine,” says the Lord of armies, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will have compassion for them just as a man has compassion for his own son who serves him.”  So, you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. Malachi 3: 17-18 (NASB) 

Zero Doubt, God Will Accomplish All that He has Proclaimed 

 “Behold, I am sending My messenger, and he will clear a way before Me. And the Lord, whom you are seeking, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of armies.  “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap.  Malachi 3:1-2 (NASB). 

John the Baptist was the messenger preparing the way for Jesus.  Little did they understand, He came first to be the Sacrificial lamb.  Only He could pay the penalty for all our sin.  Yet, they rejected Him.  But He will come again, this time to sit upon His throne in Jerusalem.  For now, how precious the thought, He tarries that we might be saved and we might go into the fields so white, ready for harvest.   

When He returns at the end of the tribulation and even all that occurs during the tribulation will be that necessary to purify the nation of Israel and the earth as a whole.   

 And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old, and as in former years.  Malachi 3: 3-4 (NASB) 

On that Day:  Zero Doubt God Will

“Then I will come near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, those who oppress the wage earner in his wages or the widow or the orphan, and those who turn away the stranger from justice and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of armies.  “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, the sons of Jacob, have not come to an end.   Malachi 3:5-6 (NASB) 

Zero Doubt, God will accomplish all He has Promised 

How do we know?  Because He has always since before the earth was formed. Therefore, we know, He will complete all He foretold to Malachi as well.  

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branches. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic: like calves from the stall. 3 And you will crush the wicked underfoot, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day [c]that I am preparing,” says the Lord of armies. Malachi 4:1-3 (NASB)  

So, we too must keep our eyes focused on Him.  

 “Remember the Law of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction.”  Malachi 4:4-6 (NASB) 

And because of all that—

we must labor to spread His word while we can. His Word is Truth. 

 As Jesus passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”  Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.  We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”  John 9:1-5 (NASB) 

It is He who indwells us with the Holy Spirit, so we must labor while we are in this world.   

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

How Amazing God Draws a Straight Line with Crooked Pencils 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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How is it possible that a perfect righteous God would consider us?  He who cannot even look upon sin, turning His back upon even His own son as our sin was laid upon Him.  Beyond that, Jesus willingly took our sin upon Himself, knowing the depth of wrath He must bare for our salvation.  He took our place that He might declare us righteous, even though we have no righteousness of our.  And because of all that Jesus willingly gave for our sake, we are bestowed with every spiritual gift. Furthermore, He has promised to transform our hearts into His image—completing the work He began in us.  We have this hope because He has demonstrated this throughout His Word.  God draws a straight-line with crooked pencils. He always has. 

This we will see clearly as we study the inspiring hope filled book of Zechariah, Haggai, and Esther.  God chooses at times the most unlikely to accomplish all He wills.  

“I made myself available to those who did not ask for me; 

(And) I appeared to those who did not look for me. 

I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ 

to a nation that did not invoke my name. 

I spread out my hands all day long 

to my rebellious people, …  Isaiah 65:1-2 NET 

God Draws Straight lines with Crooked Pencils 

Why would God choose the broken? Look at these words in I Corinthians.  

26 For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no human may boast before God. 30 But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”   I Corinthians 1:26-31 (NASB). 

Why would God proclaim a Nation His?   

Some would ask why God would choose a people to call His own like the nation of Israel?  For this I will turn to a sermon I heard of John McArthur¹ 

In it he laid out 7 reasons and I recommend that you go listen for more details of each point. 

1.  “to proclaim the existence of the true God. There had to be somebody in human society who would declare the truth about God.” 

2. “Secondly, He needed a nation through whom He could reveal the Messiah.” 

3. “Thirdly, God needed a nation to be a priest among men…. one who speaks to God on the behalf of men, who intercedes for men, and who, on occasion, will speak to men about God.”  (Jesus is our high priest today—yet the concept was introduced to mankind through the nation) 

4. “Fourthly, God chose Israel to transmit and preserve Scripture” (the Word of God) 

5. “God needed a nation that could show the world that He was a faithful God.” 

6. “Sixthly, I think the reason God needed a nation was to show man His grace in dealing with sin. God wanted to show the world that He was gracious, and there’s no better proof of it than to see how He blessed Israel in spite of Israel’s sin. “ 

7. “And seventh, a nation was needed to show God’s anger in dealing with unrepentance. God wanted the world to see how He dealt with sin and unrepentance and willful sin. And Israel is a perfect illustration of that.” No single nation has exemplified or shown this  more than Israel.  However, amid all this they also have shown God’s faithfulness and grace.   

God Drawing a Straight Line with Crooked Pencils 

The book of Zechariah is a book of great hope to those who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.  His is a book of great prophecies that display the truth of Jesus Christ—the Messiah of God known here as “the Angel of the Lord.”  It was a message to encourage the people.  When Cyrus had given the order to return to Jerusalem only 50,000 of the more than a million exiles.  These went with Zerubbabel.  They became very discouraged and stopped rebuilding the temple.  Life was difficult and they met with a lot of opposition by those nations living nearby.   

The temple reconstruction began in 536 BC and then construction was abandoned.  Haggai wrote to encourage the people in      Then Zechariah wrote in     The temple was finally completed in 515 BC.  There remained many problems and issues.   Esther’s acts to help reserve the Jews living in exile was 483-473 BC.   Ezra went with another group of Jews in 458 BC.  Nehemiah then returns to Jerusalem and guides the Jews to rebuild the city walls.  He addressed both the political and spiritual breakdown among the people in addition to the construction of the wall to restore the people to God.    

God Uses the Least of These

The remnant remained broken; sin filled humanity; but that is what is so amazing.  God still drew straight lines with crooked pencils, always showing His faithfulness, His grace, and His fulfillment of all He foretold of.  He is the same today as He was then. 

A Call to the People to Follow 

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying, 2 “The Lord was very angry with your fathers.”  Zechariah 1 (NASB) 

This was a reminder to the people of why they had been exiled; although, with this reminder comes this hope filled command.  

 3 Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of armies, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of armies.   

With this also comes a warning. 

 4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: “Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.”’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me,” declares the Lord.   Zechariah 1 (NASB) 

“Therefore, remember. I did exactly as I declared.” 

5 “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 But did My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, not overtake your fathers? Then they repented and said, ‘Just as the Lord of armies planned to do to us in accordance with our ways and our deeds, so He has dealt with us.’” Zechariah 1 (NASB) 

Visions of the night to bring hope-Straight Lines from Crooked Pencils 

The first 8 chapters of Zechariah are 8 visions all presented in one night.  Each vision is built upon the previous vision.  Uniquely each vision came with an interpreter angel to explain the vision to guide Zechariah to understand.  

 8 “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. 9 Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.’  Zechariah 1 (ESV) 

The one on the red horse will later be identified as the Lord who is leading God’s army.  That would be a the preincarnate Christ.  He is the one who will enact full judgement one day for all the evil, but here he stands among the myrtle trees.  They are symbolic of messianic restoration and blessing. He is there to protect and provide.  In the vision: 

  So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘These are they whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.’  Zechariah 1:10 (ESV) 

The Lord is our Intercessor Always 

Their report was that all the other nations being at peace. History confirms this was the case under King Darius.  Yet the Jews in Jerusalem were not at peace.  So the mediator interceded with the Father. 

Then the angel of the Lord said, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?’ 13 And the Lord answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.  Zechariah 1:12-13 (ESV) 

God was going to use these imperfect people to continue to keep His promises and covenants.  He declared Himself zealous for their cause. 

thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it,” declares the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.  Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’”  Zechariah 1: 16-17 (ESV) 

The Remainder of the Visions

The remainder of the visions were encouraging proof that God was accomplishing all that He planned for the good of His Chosen People even though they had not been the ones we would have chosen.  His love never left them.  He longed for them with a burning love to do them good, if only they would return to Him.   

Then the last books of Zechariah (9-14) are about the first and second coming of Jesus to earth.   

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! 
    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! 
Behold, your king is coming to you; 
    righteous and having salvation is he, 
humble and mounted on a donkey, 
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.   Zechariah 9 (ESV) 

And in the end:  Victory 

20 In that day “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts.  Zechariah 14 (NKJV) 

Another Perfect Example of God Drawing Straight Lines with Crooked Pencils is Esther 

So often we speak of the bravery and beauty of Esther with her full love story.  But consider this.  She and her uncle Mordecai had chosen to remain in Persia after the edict allowing them to return had long passed.  Perhaps they felt the journey was too long and arduous.  Or perhaps they were too content with their life in Persia.  The name Esther is her Persian name meaning star.  Her Hebrew name was Hadassah meaning myrtle.   Her uncle Mordecai means bitter oppressed or crushed and in Persian meant servant of Marduk (one of the Persian gods).  All of this to say that theirs was not particularly the most spiritually upright. Yet, God used them to save the Jews from extinction.    

Note along the historical line of things, the temple was rebuilt.  There was a new king in Persia.  This was Xerxes I (also known as Ahasuerus).  He had no ties to the Jewish people.  His first in command Haman hated the Jews as part of a heritage going back to the days of Samuel and a disobedience of King Saul to destroy the conquered people.  Thus, if Haman had his way the entire Jewish race would have been annihilated stopping God’s plan of salvation for the world.   

So, enters a Jewish girl who hiding her heritage is even willing to be placed in the Persian beauty contest, sleep with an uncircumcised King, and risk being placed as merely part of his haram.  No mention once of even prayer, yet a gracious God chooses to draw a very straight line with a crooked pencil.   

Esther Must Choose 

She is chosen to be queen by the providence of God Almighty.  Mordechai by chance saves the Kings life being in the right place at the right time.  When Mordechai hears of the new edict to kill all the Jews, he goes to speak to Queen Esther.  There is a rule that no one, not even the Queen, can go before the King without being summoned. 

At first, Esther reminded her uncle that this would be impossible because of the laws.  However, 

13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”  Esther 4 (NASB)   

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants also will fast in the same way. And then I will go in to the king, which is not in accordance with the law; and if I perish, I perish.”  Esther 4 (NASB) 

The Providence of God Draws a Straight Line with a Crooked Pencil 

She did go before the King then and God guided her wisdom to present this in a very carefully designed manner of gentleness, dinners and waiting for the perfect timing.  Suddenly, she had learned to listen to God’s guiding spirit to lead her.  Or was it suddenly, we are not told of her spiritual growth but it may have been sprouting before this.  Then, the king had a restless night of sleeplessness that led to his becoming aware of Mordecai saving his life.  All this orchestrated by a perfect divine God willing to use broken vessels to accomplish His Plan.   

This is what the Lord says: 

“When juice is discovered in a cluster of grapes, 

someone says, ‘Don’t destroy it, for it contains juice.’ 

So I will do for the sake of my servants— 

I will not destroy everyone. 

I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, 

and from Judah people to take possession of my mountains. 

My chosen ones will take possession of the land; my servants will live there.  Isaiah 65: 8-9 (NET)  

How amazing is our God!  So, the question is: are you willing to surrender all and trust in God.  You may just be the crooked pencil He needs to write the next line in His Story.   

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

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Two Babylonian King Display Both the Grace and Justice of God Almighty 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com

God is perfect righteousness and perfect love.  Therefore, the grace and justice of God almighty is perfect as well.  So many people want to separate God’s justice from His love; yet both exist together in perfect harmony.  There can be no true love if justice is ignored.  His grace and mercy are extensions of His Love without any compromise to His just righteousness.   

²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.   Romans 3 (KJV) 

Two Babylonian King Display Both the Grace and Justice of God 

The final eight chapters of Ezekiel detail the millennial reign of Christ, which I encourage you to read with a good study bible.  We now turn to the book of Daniel.  There is much of Daniel we could look at; but I wanted to focus on two kings.  That is King Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar in chapters 4 and 5.  But before jumping in let me give some background here. 

Daniel and the King

Daniel and his friends were taken to Babylon to be prepped for the King’s court.  They were made eunuchs but also placed into rigorous schooling of languages, arts, history, and many other things.  Groomed to be a part of the wise men of the day.  Daniel and his three closest friends remained faithful to God throughout.  As such, they also remained as humble servants of the King God had placed them under.  For they understood, Judah fell due to her disobedience to God.  They also remembered that God is Sovereign over the affairs of men.  If King Nebuchadnezzar had rule over them, so be it God had ordained this thing.  

Also, by allowing Daniel to see and interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel understood the significance of the King’s role in history.  He was given a prominent place in King Nebuchadnezzar’s life. And I dare say, Daniel was very fond of the King. Admiring all the good qualities and intelligence, he would pray for the King daily.  King Nebuchadnezzar had seen the hand of God work on behalf of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  He had developed a knowledge of God, but was yet not willing to surrender until… 

One King Meets the Grace and Justice of God 

King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! ² It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. ³ How great are his signs, 
    how mighty his wonders! 
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
    and his dominion endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4 (ESV) 

Notice that this is a chapter narrated by the King himself, tucked into the book of Daniel.  This is significant, because it is his own words telling of his conversion.  How much humility did it require for him to tell this story to all the people of all nations and languages.  But that in itself demonstrates it veracity.   

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace.  I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.  So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.  Daniel 4:4-7 (ESV). 

A Dream of the Grace and Justice of God 

Finally, he called for Daniel to interpret the dream.  Daniel was greatly grieved by the dream as he knew that justice of God would demand the King be brought low to deal with his pride, unless he humbly repent of his pride and acknowledge God as the one true King over all.   

O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king,  that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.  Daniel 4:24-25 ESV 

Note God told King Nebuchadnezzar that He was going to judge him if the King did not lay aside his pride and bow to God. This was a chance; but, God also told the King that God himself would protect his monarchy until this is past. What magnitude of Grace amid the Justice. God already knew that King Nebuchadnezzar would turn and bow. It is like the words of Jesus to Peter, “I have prayed for you that when you turn (not if) your faith will be restored.” Well for the King it would be a new faith, not one to be restored; but it would be a new surrender to God Almighty. Such grace and justice from God Almighty to King Nebuchadnezzar.

But Alas  

29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”  

33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.    Daniel 4 (ESV) 

Yet, God then Displays both Grace and Justice Toward this King 

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, 

for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, 
    and His kingdom endures from generation to generation; 
35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, 
 He does according to His will among the host of heaven 
    and among the inhabitants of the earth; 
and none can stay His hand 
    or say to Him, “What have you done?”  Daniel 4 (ESV) 

That changed everything.  

Grace and Justice through faith. 

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.  Daniel 4(ESV) 

Then this great King declared to all: 

37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.  Daniel 4 (ESV) 

The Kingdom is Transferred to Another Generation

Yet, King Nebuchadnezzar would die.  His heirs did not worship God. 

• Amel-Marduk (“Evil-Merodach” of 2 Kgs 25:27; Jer 52:31), ruled but
  two years and was replaced in 560 B. C. after an army coup by the
  commander in chief, Neriglissar (Nergal-Sharezer of Jer39:3), son-in-
  law of Nebuchadnezzar.
• After frequent absences from active service, Neriglissar (559-555 B.C.)
  was, in turn, ousted, and his weak son Labashi-Marduk lasted only a few
  months before another coup d’etat brought Nabonidus to the throne.
• Soon after his election, Nabonidus (553-536 B. C.) led the army to
  Palestine and Northern Arabia, leaving his son Belshazzar as co-regent
  in Babylon. Nabonidus’ decision to stay in Arabia resulted from his
  unpopularity at home as much as from his desire to found a settlement
  there with exiles from Palestine Chuck Missler from http://www.wpo-gregor.org/files/bible-college-masters-notes-missler/Daniel-Missler.pdf page 41

This leads us to Chapter 5 of Daniel

A story of Grace and Justice from God toward King Belshazzar. Grace in that he allowed him to be co-regent and given a chance to rule. Also grace, because he had demonstrated His Majesty in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar which all were aware. Justice, because despite all this King Belshazzar failed to honor God for all this.

King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.  Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father[a] had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.  They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.  Daniel 5: 1-44 (ESV) 

God would not stand by and watch this mockery.

 Even before this, God had prepared a way for Cyrus as He had foretold of in the writings of Isaiah.  Justice would be enacted.   

While they are inflamed I will prepare them a feast 
    and make them drunk, that they may become merry, 
then sleep a perpetual sleep 
    and not wake, declares the Lord. 
 I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, 
    like rams and male goats.  Jeremiah 51: 39-40 (ESV) 

Meanwhile, during this great feasting and drunkenness, they did not notice the invasion being arranged and set up against them.  Remember God is Sovereign as well as omniscient.  He knows before what men will do. The Medo-Persian army had damned the river up higher, creating a way in.  Babylon had dual walls and the only way in was through the waterways which were normally too high for anyone to enter.  However, this way they walked right in.  They became the sea of army entering beneath their walls 

41 “How Babylon is taken, 
    the praise of the whole earth seized! 
How Babylon has become 
    a horror among the nations! 
42 The sea has come up on Babylon; 
    she is covered with its tumultuous waves. Jeremiah 51 (ESV)

During their drunkenness, God wrote of Grace and Justice 

 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.   Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.  Daniel 5:5-6 (KJV) 

In other words, he lost his bowels into his pants.  Oddly enough God had said this would be the case back in Isaiah in Isaiah prophecy of Cyrus.

Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; Isaiah 45: 1 (KJV) 

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting 

He reminds Belshazzar of the history of King Nebuchanezzar’s humbling conversion and how God had given the King so much in both grace and justice.  But you, 

Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. ..  This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting;  Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians” 

29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 

30 That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.  Daniel 5:27-30 (ESV) 

And so, justice was carried out when grace was denied and discarded.

What is the final of this?

The grace and justice of God Almighty is always and forever.   

Jesus, the perfect righteous one, chose to enter the womb of a woman and be born into this world of sinful humankind that He might pay the penalty we deserved so that all who might by faith accept this gift of love could be transformed into His righteousness step by step, one glory by glory, until one day we would look like Him.   But for those who choose to not receive, He will allow them to obtain as they have chosen. But that does mean justice will come for their pride in believing it had to be their way; when He gave all so they might choose Him and be saved.

For all those who acknowledge their own inability to obtain perfect righteousness, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept His gracious gift of salvation–they will one day know.

When the oppressor is no more, 
    and destruction has ceased, 
and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land, 
⁵ then a throne will be established in steadfast love, 
    and on it will sit in faithfulness 
    in the tent of David 
one who judges and seeks justice 
    and is swift to do righteousness.”  Isaiah 16:4-5 ESV 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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7 Proofs God Has Spoken and He Will Accomplish It All 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com

Perhaps the question we as Christians are asked the most, “Is how do you know the Bible is true?”  After all it was written by so many different people and translated so many times?  It cannot be the word of God.  Yet, it is.  This is certain, the more I read.  Amazing prophecies that already came true certainly point to the validity of what is yet to come.  All the sections intersect perfectly with each other.  God has spoken and He will Accomplish it all.  I want to look at 7 Proofs found in Ezekiel and Daniel for the moment.  The true number of fulfilled prophecies would take an eternity to unfold.     Some of the ones we will look at refer to the near time fulfillment and some are of the distant future.   

Proof #1 God Has Spoken and He will Accomplish 

 “You also, son of man, take a clay tablet and lay it before you, and portray on it a city, Jerusalem. ² Lay siege against it, build a siege wall against it, and heap up a mound against it; set camps against it also, and place battering rams against it all around. ³ Moreover take for yourself an iron plate, and set it as an iron wall between you and the city. Set your face against it, and it shall be besieged, and you shall lay siege against it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel.  Ezekiel 4 NKJV 

Jerusalem was destroyed as was the temple after King Zedekiah broke his promise to King Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C.  Now Zedekiah had been installed by Nebuchadnezzar.  Before God and with an act of Sacrifice Zedekiah took an oath upon God’s name not to rebel.  Meanwhile King Nebuchadnezzar was good to the vassal state until against the advice of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Zedekiah listened to the false prophets.  They said, regardless of their sin, God would protect them.  So, Zedekiah made an alliance with Egypt, breaking the covenant, trashing God’s name and Jerusalem fell. King Nebuchanezzar had proven himself more honorable than Zedekiah.   More than all this, the priests, the people all were performing idolatrous acts within and around the temple.   

Proof #2  God has spoken and He will Accomplish 

“Lie also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it. According to the number of the days that you lie on it, you shall bear their iniquity. ⁵ For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. ⁶ And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year.  Ezekiel 4 NKJV 

They were placed in exile.  Although they would later be allowed to return to their home, they did not possess it.  They remained under the rule of others until truly scattered throughout the nations.  Then began the years of their exile as foretold.  This was not considered complete until returning to their own land.  Below was a calculation I found in the writings of Dr. Chuck Missler.   

430 Years? 430 (years) of judgment (Ezekiel 4:1-8): 430 – 70 [Babylon] = 360 years unaccounted for  

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. Leviticus 26: 18, 21, 24, 28  

360 x 7 = 2520 years?  

Calendar Reconciliation 2520360 = 2483365 + 9 mos + 21 days :  

Julian year = 11m 10.46 sec > mean solar year Gregorian Reform: 11 days removed Leap Years: 2483/4 = 621 (3 excess ea. 4 centuries: 18 excess)  

621 – (18-11) 2483 x 365 9 months 21 days  

2520360 = 614 days = 905,295 = = = 270 21 907,200 days 70 years360 = 25,200 days = 69 years365 (less 2 days) 606 b.c. + 69 years = 537 b.c.  

If July 23, 537 b.c. was their release… b [Source: Cyrus conquers Babylon, Oct 539 b.c.; Cyrus Cylinder: 538 b.c.; Return, 537 .c.;  

Returnees 1st altar: 536 b.c. Josephus The Antiquities of the Jews 11. 1. 1.]-537y 7m 23d +1 2483y 9m 21d 1948 5 14 (no “year 0”)  

On May 14, 1948, the nation of Israel was restored.  

(That is exactly the 9^th month 21^st day of the Jewish calendar in 1948 using the Hebrew Date Converter.) 

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Luke 21:24^1 1 Ezekiel-Missler.pdf (wpo-gregor.org)  page 45 

Proof #3  Concerning Egypt:  God has spoken and He will accomplish 

² “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt. ³ Speak, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God:.. 

8 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will bring a sword upon you and cut off from you man and beast. 9 And the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste; then they will know that I am the Lord, because he said, ‘The River is mine, and I have made it.’ 10 Indeed, therefore, I am against you and against your rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Ethiopia.

11 Neither foot of man shall pass through it nor foot of beast pass through it, and it shall be uninhabited forty years. 12 I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate; and among the cities that are laid waste, her cities shall be desolate forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries.” Ezekiel 29  NKJV 

This was initially fulfilled in 565 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar overtook Egypt.  Then consider now. They were so proud of their river, worshiping their gods of the river as their power source.  

Yet, Now in 2020 We See the Fulfillment of It Becoming a Desert Land as Foretold by Ezekiel

MINYA, Egypt — The Egyptian farmer stood in his dust-blown field, lamenting his fortune. A few years ago, wheat and tomato-filled greenhouses carpeted the land. Now the desert was creeping in. 

“Look,” he said, gesturing at the sandy soil and abandoned greenhouses. “Barren.” 

The farmer, Hamed Jarallah, attributed his woes to dwindling irrigation from the overtaxed Nile, the fabled river at the heart of Egypt’s very identity. Already, the Nile is under assault from pollution, climate change and Egypt’s growing population, which officially hits 100 million people this month. 

And now, Mr. Jarallah added, a fresh calamity loomed. 

A colossal hydroelectric dam being built on the Nile 2,000 miles upriver, in the lowlands of Ethiopia, threatens to further constrict Egypt’s water supply — and is scheduled to start filling this summer. 

“We’re worried,” he said. “Egypt wouldn’t exist without the Nile. Our livelihood is being destroyed, God help us.”2 ² For Thousands of Years, Egypt Controlled the Nile. A New Dam Threatens That. – The New York Times (nytimes.com) 

Proof #4:  God has spoken, and He will Accomplish All 

Daniel 11 outlines future events with astounding detail all the way to marriage alliances and many already came true.  Let me tease you with a few so you will go to search them out yourself.  In Daniel 11, there are outlined many battles that occur over the time and history of the nation of Israel. These are so detailed as to suggest the alliances, marriages, divorces, and even murderous acts that would occur. All of these came true. Therefore, why would we not believe what is yet to come? 

Many years before he became King we read of King Xerexes I (also known as King Ahasuerus).  

“Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all, and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece.” Daniel 11:1-2 KJV 

He stirred up enmity against the Greeks 

150 years later Alexander the Great lead an army to overtake Persia. The Greeks never forgot the Persian attempt to overthrow them. So they overthrew Persia. Also foretold by Daniel 11:3-4.  

Proof #5 God has spoken and Will Accomplish All 

And a mighty king shall stand up that shall rule with great dominion and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken. It’ll be divided toward the four winds of heaven. And it will not go to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled.  Daniel 11: 3-4 KJV 

This also happened. His half-brother was mentally retarded. He had an illegitimate son and one born after he died. All three were murdered and he had no posterity left. A great battle ensued for who was going to rule. The battle was won by four generals, and the kingdom was divided into four parts: Cassander took Macedonia, Lysimachus took Thrace and Asia Minor, Ptolemy took Egypt, and Seleucus took Syria North, South, East, and West. 

North Versus South Battles Ensue–Daniel 11: 5-35 

There are then battles between the Seleucid dynasty (Syria) and the Ptolemaic dynasty (Egypt). These battles crisscrossed over Israel. In detail it describes treaties and marriages to gain power. Verse 6 describes the murder of one kings daughter by a jealous ex-wife of the king who married her as part of a peace treaty. 

Proof #6 God Has Spoken and He will Accomplish all 

Then we are given a glimpse of Antiochus the Great, who is a picture of the Anti-Christ. He becomes very powerful, making treaties with Israel and then desecrating the temple. Now he decided to get Egypt on his side and gain power over them by marrying his daughter to the King of Egypt. He wanted a spy inside the court, but Cleopatra chose her husband over her father as foretold of 

 in Daniel 11:17. “he will set his mind on coming with the power of his entire kingdom, bringing with him a proposal of peace which he will put into effect; he will also give him the daughter of women to ruin it. But she will not take a stand for him or be on his side. KJV 

Proof # 7:  God Speaks and Will Accomplish All He Plans 

After the Persian Empire came to power, Daniel began praying earnestly for his people to humbly bow before God. He knew it was time for their return to Jerusalem, albeit under the rule of other kingdoms. Yet, as he prayed, he was told of the future of his people.  

²⁴“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the wrongdoing, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. ²⁵So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress. Daniel 9 (NASB)  

Now we are ready to do some math to determine if Gabriel did in fact predict Jesus’s arrival. We will start by determining how many days are in 483 lunar years: 360 x 483 = 173,880 days. Next, we will convert those days back into solar years: 173,880 ÷ 365.2422 = 476.068 years. After converting the decimal part (0.068) to days (0.068 x 365.2422 = 24.8 days), the time prophesized for the Messiah to arrive comes out to be 476 years and 25 days. Adding this number to March 5, 444 BC—the date on which the decree to rebuild Jerusalem was issued—brings us to March 30, AD 33, the very day of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Is this match not remarkable? The remarkable accuracy of the predictions in the prophecy in Daniel ³  (Joshua Mark, Nov 2018)

https://reasons.org/explore/publications/articles/was-jesus-s-arrival-accurately-predicted-in-the-bible

A What About the Cross

 Even the cross was predicted throughout the Old Testament from the prophets and even every symbol laid forth.  I want to leave you with this thought as to inter-connectedness of the entire Bible.   

When marching in the wilderness, God had the tribes march in a very specific pattern—3 tribes to the north, 3 tribes to the south, 3 tribes to the east, and three to the west.  None were to be say northeast nor southwest.  If you took the numbers of the tribes, you would find.   

A perfect cross.  Note also that they had banners with different figures.  One was a Lion, another an Eagle, one a Man, and one an Ox. 

Then look at the description of the cherubim around God’s Throne.   

¹⁰ As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. ¹¹ Thus were their faces.    Ezekiel 1 (NKJV) 

Now consider the 4 Gospels. 

Each one presenting a different aspect of Jesus Christ.   

Matthew –Messiah-the King (the Lion) 

Mark—the Servant (the Oxen) 

Luke—Son of Man (Man) 

John—Son of God (Eagle) 

Every step of the way, Satan has attempted to thwart God’s plan, but he has failed. Jesus is coming again, hallelujah Amen.   

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Restoring Hope: A Labor of Love for Our Nation’s Future How?

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com

Last week we looked at 7 steps to Restore Hope in a World Where Desolation Surrounds Us.  Those 7 steps were in many ways a preparation for action.  It is the training ground to prepare us for the true labor of love in this world.  If we are to labor for our nation’s future and the true mission of spreading the gospel message to the world, we must not lose sight of the Glory of God.  Particularly as we see that this nation and the entire world are under siege of the evilest of forces in the heavenlies. 

Our battle is not one of flesh and blood but rather a spiritual battle which requires us to wear the armor of God. Yet, we are also to labor.  To labor in this manner, one must be willing to give it all—that requires it to be a true labor of love.  That we are not able to do without being first filled with Holy Spirits power to truly love others and then to allow that power to flame forth without quelching it. 

Ezekiel was called to such a task.  No one listened.  Ezekiel was called to a ministry of action more than words.  The first captives from Jerusalem were taken to Babylon in 605 B.C., including Daniel and his friends.    This after the messages of Jeremiah and Isaiah had been ignored.  The people continued in their folly, idol worship, and sinful living with no regard for God or His commands.  Then, March of 597 BC, Jerusalem was under siege by King Nebuchadnezzar because King Jehoiachin broke his word to King Nebuchadnezzar.  At this time, King Jehoiachin surrendered in hopelessness. He and 10000 leaders and captives were taken to Babylon to place in service.  Ezekiel was among this group. 

Called to a Labor of Love

Ezekiel was 30 years of age when he was called by God to prophesy to the people.  Having been born into the priesthood, he had completed all his training only to never be able to perform the rituals in Jerusalem.  One’s priesthood did not begin until age 30.  Hence why also Jesus did not start his ministry until age 30.  But then Ezekiel was called to be a prophet. 

Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. ² (On the fifth of the month in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s exile, ³ the word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and there the hand of the Lord came upon him.)  Ezekiel 1: 1-3 (NASB)

Suddenly he was given an amazing glimpse into heaven.  There he saw a vision of God’s Glory surrounded by 4 cherubim that were around God’s throne.  He also saw large wheels with “eyes”.  The wheels reached between heaven and earth.  These symbolizing God’s working on earth which never stops.

Filled with the Spirit:  A Labor of Love

Ezekiel’s ministry was different than others.  It was more than words.  He at times had to lay on his side in front of the people doing a simulation of battle and destruction with miniature houses and temples.  He also had to play the scape goat, lie on his right daily for 390 days (about 1 year) for Israel and 40 days (about 1 and a half months) for Judah.  During this time, he had to eat bread made from the poorest grains, cooked over dried dung instead of wood signifying the depth to which the people had fallen.  Another act to illustrate the depth of what was coming is recorded in Chapter 5. 

5 “And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair. ² You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them. ³ You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment. ⁴ Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel.  Ezekiel 5: (NKJV). 

Was it not a Labor of Love?

So, Ezekiel was commissioned to play out all these scenes trying to help the nation understand.  Would they turn around and change their ways?  No, but that wasn’t the point.  The point was he was to do his part, remain faithful to the task at hand.  Understanding only a remnant would repent and be save, he did exactly as he was told to.  All this for the remnant who would believe.

⁵ “Thus says the Lord God: ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. ⁶ She has rebelled against My judgments by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against My statutes more than the countries that are all around her; for they have refused My judgments, and they have not walked in My statutes.’   Ezekiel 5

How easy it would have been to seeth with anger toward the people for allowing this.  Or to think, how unfair this is I am swept away in their destruction.  Most of us would be angry toward God. He was captive in Babylon while his wife was left behind.  And even after Jerusalem fell and his wife died in the siege, Ezekiel remained faithful to his mission.  A true labor of love to God and the nation. 

How could he do that?  Continue with a labor of love for God and the people. He like Jeremiah and Daniel, understood they could not on their own strength.  But with God they could. 

God’s Purpose and His Own Labor of Love 

¹¹ ‘Therefore, as I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will also diminish you; My eye will not spare, nor will I have any pity. ¹² One-third of you shall die of the pestilence and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter another third to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.  Ezekiel 5 (NKJV).

All this because it was necessary to cleanse the nation of evil, because evil if left unchecked will destroy everything good or right.  Yet, as Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Daniel all knew, the cleansing would come from God.  Their mission was to spread the message.  They were to be the light allowing God’s Glory to shine forth.  They were not called to do the cleansing themselves.  Instead, they were to spread the warning that God would judge them himself. 

The Ray of Hope—God’s own labor of Love is to restore

⁸ “Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. ⁹ Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. ¹⁰ And they shall know that I am the Lord; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.”  Ezekiel 6 (NKJV)

So, they shall know that I am Lord.  Perhaps that is the key to our own labor of love.  The reminder of who He is.  Our key point is to know He is Lord.  And part of the key to our knowledge of who God is, is not thinking too much of ourselves. 

A Vision of Great Sorrow that Drove Ezekiel’s Labor of Love

As I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there. ² Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire—from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber.

³ He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. ⁴ And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.  Ezekiel 8 (NKJV) 

A Vision of the Truth in Jerusalem

Transported to a place where he could see all the things happening around the temple, Ezekiel was able to see the people inside and outside the temple worshipping and sacrificing to other Gods.  Steady, ever so patiently, God would warn the people.  He sent prophets and even Godly kings, but their hearts were dark.  He let them see the results of their folly what with the overtaking of Israel and the captives being removed.  All to no avail.  The depth of this sorrow drove the labor of love for Ezekiel.  Because of their rebellion, Ezekiel watched as the Glory of God with His Chariot of cherubim departed the temple and moved to Babylon.  God’s Glory went to be with the exiles.

Yet, the miraculous thing was he recognized that God was with him even in Babylon.  He was not confined only to Jerusalem and his temple there.  He was Sovereign over everything.  God was present with Daniel, with Jeremiah, and himself.  That was the hope that drove his own labor of love.

Psalm 139 (NKJV)

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

Jerusalem Fails—where is the hope restored?

God promises that there is coming a Messiah who will restore

¹¹ ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. ¹² As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. ¹³ And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.   Ezekiel 34 (NKJV)

God will restore the people and will provide for them. His labor of love.

 ¹⁴ I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵ I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. ¹⁶ “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.” Ezekiel 34 (NKJV)

And what is the end point to know? 

³⁰ Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’³¹ “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 34 (NKJV)

They shall know that I, the Lord their God am with them. 

Restoring Hope as Only God Can Do

37 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. ² Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. ³ And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Ezekiel 37 (NKJV)

Yes, only God knows who will respond and who will not, but we are to proclaim His name to all of whom we meet. 

⁴ Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ⁵ Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. ⁶ I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ” Ezekiel 37 (NKJV)

Even when no seems to hear, we preach on.

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Ezekiel 37 (NKJV)

So, they looked like they were living, but without the breath of the Spirit they were not truly alive.  They remained spiritually dead like many we meet each day. 

⁹ Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Ezekiel 37 (NKJV)

The Vision explained

¹¹ Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. ¹⁴ I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ” Ezekiel 37 (NKJV)

We must be awakened from our own graves of sin.  To be born again by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

How Do We Ever Achieve a Labor of Love that Restores Hope?

Well. let us look again at the 7 steps we discussed last week.

1. Do Not Be Afraid—Remember the Lord is our strength
2.  Seek God every day desiring to be in His presence
3.  Remember that it is God who Protects You
4.  Always Sing Out in Rejoicing and Praise for What He has done
5. Be Quick to Cry Out for Repentance and Mercy for Sins, Knowing He Forgives
6. Ask for God to guide you so you remain a light shining bright even in presence of enemies who want to take you down.
7.  Trust God, Wait Patiently on Him because you know of His Goodness

Now, as we recognized last week.  We cannot do any of this in our own strength.  Unless the Lord changes our hearts and takes control, we are helpless to do any of this.  That is the hard thing for us to recognize.  We want to be able to say, we had a hand in this.  That is the problem.  But in the end, if we in humility surrender all to Him, knowing we are not able to do this without Him.  Only he can do this in us and through us.  However, one day, one glorious day, we will be with Him eternally in the new heaven and earth.  In that city which is named “the Lord is there” (Ezekiel 48:35) NKJV

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

How To Restore Hope in A World Where Desolation Surrounds You

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com