November 5

Ezekiel 12:1-14:11, Hebrews 7:1-17, Psalm 105:37-45, Proverbs 27:3

Pray: There were so many people who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the Lord, but were simply telling people what they wanted to hear to gain popularity. In the time of exile, in this way, it is much like our day filled with social and 24-hour news media. Discern through prayer the voices that you are giving the most weight in your life and whether they are pleasing to God.

Read: Within the chaos, chatter, confusion and turmoil in the time of Ezekiel and the exile; take note of the mention all the way back to Abraham in both the New Testament and Psalm reading. What does this communicate about God’s ultimate plan that is bigger than the exile?

Edify: The author of Hebrews elevates the mystery and esteem of the King of Salem, Melchizedek, who also serves the role of a priest to Abraham. This means that Melchizedek is superior to Abraham, as Abraham tithed and received blessing from him. The mystery is that he was superior to Abraham from which the lineage would begin the priestly order through Aaron. Further, Melchizedek has no lineage, meaning he is eternal and superior to the lineage of Aaron. Melchizedek is an important, although mysterious, figure because he is a sign and symbol of the coming king and high priest prophesied in Psalm 110. This high priest and king is Jesus who has ended the old system of sacrifice with His own sacrifice on behalf of all humanity. As William Barclay says, Jesus inaugurates a priesthood of peace, righteousness, royalty, on His own merit (without lineage), and eternal with no beginning or end. Jesus has ended the ritual and sat down at the right hand of the Father. It is finished!

Practice: Fear is gone and sin is conquered through Christ. Your priest, and now you, have direct access to God. How does that change the way you live? Are you depending upon ritual? Are you living like a victim?  Depend on your eternal and superior high priest who has made a way of forgiveness and communion with God forever!