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NOVEMBER 7
“Here am I and the children whom God
has given Me.”
Inasmuch then as the children have par-
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taken of flesh and blood, He Himself like- 2:17 propitiation. The word means “to concili-
ate” or “satisfy.” Christ’s work of propitiation is
wise shared in the same, that through death related to His High Priestly ministry. By His par-
He might destroy him who had the power of taking of a human nature,Christ demonstrated
death, that is, the devil, and release those His mercy to mankind and His faithfulness to
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who through fear of death were all their life- God by satisfying God’s requirement for sin and
time subject to bondage. For indeed He thus obtaining for His people full forgiveness.
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does not give aid to angels, but He does give
aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in
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all things He had to be made like His
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brethren, that He might be a merciful and people. For in that He Himself has suffered,
faithful High Priest in things pertaining to being tempted, He is able to aid those who
God, to make propitiation for the sins of the are tempted.
DAY 6: How can we know whether Ezekiel’s language is descriptive of a literal event
or symbolic of an idea or principle?

Ezekiel’s life offered his audience a sequence of experiences and actions that became teach-
able moments.Some of these were scenes in visions that held special significance.For example,the
first three chapters of the book report extended visions in which the prophet saw a whirlwind,
heavenly creatures, and an edible scroll. He also received his call to the prophetic ministry.
In addition, Ezekiel carried out certain unusual or highly symbolic actions that were intended
to picture a message or convey a warning. In 4:1–3, the prophet was directed to carve on a clay
tablet and then use an iron plate as a sign about the danger facing Jerusalem.Other acted-out ser-
mons followed: symbolic sleeping postures (4:4–8), siege bread making and baking (4:9–17), and
haircutting and burning (5:1–4). God instructed Ezekiel to respond even to the tragedies in his life
in such a way that a message was communicated to the people.The prophet learned of his wife’s
impending death but was told by God that his loss would provide an important lesson the people
needed to hear. Just as Ezekiel was not allowed to mourn, the people would not be allowed to
mourn when they finally faced the “death”of Jerusalem.“‘Thus Ezekiel is a sign to you; according to
all that he has done you shall do; and when this comes, you shall know that I am the Lord GOD’”
(Ezek. 24:24).
The unique nature of Ezekiel’s approach creates a striking contrast between the clarity of his
message and the willful rejection of that message by the people. His ministry removed every
excuse.

midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire.
November 7 From there a fire will go out into all the house
of Israel.
5 “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘This is Jerusa-
lem; I have set her in the midst of the nations
Ezekiel 5:1–6:14
and the countries all around her. She has
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“And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, rebelled against My judgments by doing
5 take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over wickedness more than the nations, and
your head and your beard; then take scales to against My statutes more than the countries
weigh and divide the hair. You shall burn with that are all around her; for they have refused
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fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the My judgments, and they have not walked in
days of the siege are finished; then you shall My statutes.’ Therefore thus says the Lord
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take one-third and strike around it with the GOD: ‘Because you have multiplied disobedi-
sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the ence more than the nations that are all around
wind: I will draw out a sword after them. You you, have not walked in My statutes nor kept
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shall also take a small number of them and bind My judgments, nor even done according to
them in the edge of your garment. Then take the judgments of the nations that are all
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some of them again and throw them into the around you’— therefore thus says the Lord
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