Young Believers’ Department

Calendar:July 16th to August 15th

DAILY BIBLE READING …….. July 16th, Ezek. 33; July 31st, Ezek. 48; Aug. 15th, Hos. 3.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING …. July 16th, Luke 12; July 31st, John 3; Aug. 15th, John 18.

We may think of Ezekiel as being a kind of link between the prophets of the nation of Israel and the one who is largely devoted to the lives of the Gentiles – Daniel. There is a progress in these four "greater prophets." Isaiah is characteristically and fully Messianic, and the sphere of his prophecy lies within the land, though there are predictions regarding the Gentiles as well. Jeremiah is nearer the end of the monarchy, and Jerusalem falls, and the people are carried into captivity. Ezekiel is outside of Jerusalem, and predicts the same end as viewed from without. But Daniel is largely, we might say almost entirely, engaged with the times of the Gentiles. There is however the counting upon God's unfailing faithfulness, and the restoration of blessing foretold, with Messiah's kingdom established. Indeed, all the prophets look forward to that day when the Lord will magnify His grace and restoring mercy to the remnant of His people, "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom. 11:29). May we be led more and more into God's wondrous thoughts, and our hearts respond to all His ways.

Our monthly portion reaches to the Minor Prophets, and of these we may speak next month.

The supplementary reading in the New Testament takes us-well on through the Gospel of John, where we dwell upon that Eternal Life – the only One who set forth in perfection God's purposes as to man, and who fully revealed God to a lost and ruined world. The poet has written,

"Let knowledge grow from more to more,
But more of reverence in us grow."

Let us pray ever that we may not be indifferent to the wondrous truths of God's Word, but that they may produce in us deeper love, simpler faith and more entire obedience.