Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.

“I have loved you,” says the LORD.  But you say, “How have You loved us?”  “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD.  “Yet I have loved Jacob;  but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”  Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”;  thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down;  and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.”  Your eyes will see this and you will say, “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”

…

“For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure;  for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts.”  Malachi 1:1-5 and 11.

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The LORD declares His sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” as summarized in Romans 9:13:  “Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

But, instead of a call only to Israel, the LORD’s chosen people, to embrace the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election”, we read:  “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”  Verse 5.

And, instead of proper worship by Israel, we read:  “‘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 hosts to you, O 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.’  But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil?  And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil?  Why not offer it to your governor?  Would he be pleased with you?  Or would he receive you kindly?” says the LORD of hosts.”  Verses 6-8.

And, also instead of proper worship by Israel, we read:  “For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure;  for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts.” Verse 11.

So, instead of preaching and teaching the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” quietly in a corner to only the perceived chosen, we should preach and teach the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” loudly and “promiscuously” to all people, everywhere.

Article 5.  Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of his good pleasure sends the gospel.  SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

“25 As He says also in Hosea,

“I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, ‘MY PEOPLE,’
AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, ‘BELOVED.’”
26 “AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ‘YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,’
THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.”

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;  28 FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY.”  29 And just as Isaiah foretold,

“UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY,
WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH.”  Romans 9:25-29.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 14.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+14&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO THE LORD.”  And the cooking pots in the LORD’s house will be like the bowls before the altar.  Every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of hosts;  and all who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in them.  And there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts in that day.”  Zechariah 14:20-21.

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“And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within;  and day and night they do not cease to say,

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”  Revelation 4:8.

“In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.  2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings:  with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  3 And one called out to another and said,

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.  5 Then I said,

“Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”  Isaiah 6:1-5.

“4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do iniquity.
6 You destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.”  Psalm 5:4-6.

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:19-21.

“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:8.

But, there is hope!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.  He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips;  and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”  Isaiah 6:6-7.

“But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,
At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.”  Psalm 5:7.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”  1 Peter 2:9.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 12.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+12&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced;  and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.”  Zechariah 12:10.

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“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.  And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true;  and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.  For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.”  And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.”  John 19:34-37.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.”  Isaiah 53:5.

“This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ;  not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.  It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.  For there are three that testify:  the Spirit and the water and the blood;  and the three are in agreement.  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater;  for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.  The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself;  the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.  And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:6-12.

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him;  and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.  So it is to be.  Amen.”  Revelation 1:7.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 11.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+11&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages;  but if not, never mind!”  So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages.  Then the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.”  So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”  Zechariah 11:12-13.

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There is both prophecy and sarcasm in today’s Scripture which primarily points to the thirty shekels price for Jesus (agreed between Judas and the chief priests and elders that Judas would betray Jesus for thirty shekels of silver).

“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”  But they said, “What is that to us?  See to that yourself!”  And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed;  and he went away and hanged himself.  The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.”  And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.  For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.  Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:  “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET BY THE SONS OF ISRAEL;  AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.”  Matthew 27:3-9.

Thus, we see that the sons of Israel placed little value on the life of Jesus.

We may all rush in condemnation of the sons of Israel without realizing that we too may place too little value on the life of Jesus.

Some may think of Jesus as only one who was a good example and taught good lessons by which we should live.

But even those who think of Jesus as a Savior may think that the blood of Jesus is only effective to save those who first do good works or choose Him, rather than recognizing the full value of Jesus’ blood as fully effectual to save all those elect of God the Father for whom it was shed.  There is warning in Scripture:  “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”  Hebrews 10:29.  It is not that those people are being hateful to the blood of Jesus, but in a sense they are putting too little value on it and trampling it by treating the blood as ineffective to save by itself, like the description in Matthew 5: 13:  “…if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?  It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”

Thus, other doctrine does place too little value on the life of Jesus.

But, here is what Reformed Doctrine states:

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.  SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

“in whom (Christ) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  …

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  …  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”  Colossians 2:3 and 9-10 and 13-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah 10:6-12.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+10&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah,
And I will save the house of Joseph,
And I will bring them back,
Because I have had compassion on them;
And they will be as though I had not rejected them,
For I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.
7 “Ephraim will be like a mighty man,
And their heart will be glad as if from wine;
Indeed, their children will see it and be glad,
Their heart will rejoice in the LORD.
8 “I will whistle for them to gather them together,
For I have redeemed them;
And they will be as numerous as they were before.
9 “When I scatter them among the peoples,
They will remember Me in far countries,
And they with their children will live and come back.
10 “I will bring them back from the land of Egypt
And gather them from Assyria;
And I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon
Until no room can be found for them.
11 “And they will pass through the sea of distress
And He will strike the waves in the sea,
So that all the depths of the Nile will dry up;
And the pride of Assyria will be brought down
And the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12 “And I will strengthen them in the LORD,
And in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.”  Zechariah 10:6-12.

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“7 “For a brief moment I forsook you,
But with great compassion I will gather you.
8 “In an outburst of anger
I hid My face from you for a moment,
But with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you,”
Says the LORD your Redeemer.”  Isaiah 54:7-8.

We can hope that we will do something to strengthen ourselves and save ourselves or at least make us worthy of the LORD’s compassion.

It makes sense, and other doctrine based on man’s sense teaches that is our only hope and that is what we need to do.

But, what does Scripture state?

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

“And I will strengthen them in the LORD,
And in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.”  Verse 12.

Accordingly, Reformed Doctrine teaches the LORD’s “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Article 9.  … election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him …”  Ephesians 1:4.  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.

“19 “I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice,
In lovingkindness and in compassion,
20 And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness.
Then you will know the LORD.”  Hosea 2:19-20.

“… I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion,
And I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people!’
And they will say, ‘You are my God!’”  Hosea 2:23.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 9.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+9&version=NASB

I quote only the following chapter –

“9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
And the horse from Jerusalem;
And the bow of war will be cut off.
And He will speak peace to the nations;
And His dominion will be from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you,
I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
12 Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope;
This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.
13 For I will bend Judah as My bow,
I will fill the bow with Ephraim.
And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece;
And I will make you like a warrior’s sword.
14 Then the Lord will appear over them,
And His arrow will go forth like lightning;
And the Lord God will blow the trumpet,
And will march in the storm winds of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts will defend them.
And they will devour and trample on the sling stones;
And they will drink and be boisterous as with wine;
And they will be filled like a sacrificial basin,
Drenched like the corners of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God will save them in that day
As the flock of His people;
For they are as the stones of a crown,
Sparkling in His land.
17 For what comeliness and beauty will be theirs!
Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.”  Zechariah 9:9-17.

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Other doctrine presents their god who urges its disciples to save themselves whether it be by a lot (works) or by a little (will to be saved).

But, Reformed Doctrine presents the God of Scripture Who is “endowed with salvation” (verse 9) and Who, by the blood of His covenant, sets prisoners of sin free from hopelessness symbolized by the waterless pit (verse 11).

“For the LORD has ransomed Jacob
And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.”  Jeremiah 31:11.

At worst, other doctrine presents their disciples who are always anxious, never sure of doing enough, and always fearful of losing their salvation.

At best, other doctrine presents their disciples who are satisfied with their own goodness.

But, Reformed Doctrine presents its disciples who are satisfied with the goodness of God and who are beautiful even “radiant”, “Sparkling”, and “boisterous”.  They “shout for joy” even “Shout in triumph”, because the LORD of hosts has done all that is needed for their salvation.

“16 And the LORD their God will save them in that day
As the flock of His people;
For they are as the stones of a crown,
Sparkling in His land.
17 For what comeliness and beauty will be theirs!
Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.”  Verses 16-17.

“10 Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
And declare in the coastlands afar off,
And say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him
And keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.”
11 For the LORD has ransomed Jacob
And redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.
12 “They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion,
And they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—
Over the grain and the new wine and the oil,
And over the young of the flock and the herd;
And their life will be like a watered garden,
And they will never languish again.
13 “Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance,
And the young men and the old, together,
For I will turn their mourning into joy
And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
14 “I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance,
And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 31:10-14.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 8.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+8&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Just as I purposed to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and I have not relented, so I have again purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.  Do not fear!  These are the things which you should do:  speak the truth to one another;  judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates.  Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury;  for all these are what I hate,’ declares the LORD.”  Zechariah 8:14-17.

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Today’s Scripture talk about the purposes of the LORD of hosts summarized by doctrine as the sovereignty of the LORD.

Other doctrine rebel against the sovereignty of the LORD.

“3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.”  Psalm 2:3-4.

But, Reformed Doctrine rejoices in the sovereignty of the LORD.

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-13.

“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”  Psalm 84:11-12.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:28-32.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 7.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+7&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah saying, “Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;  and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor;  and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’  But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing.  They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets;  therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.  And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts;  “but I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they have not known.  Thus the land is desolated behind them so that no one went back and forth, for they made the pleasant land desolate.”  Zechariah 7:8-14.

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How many want and expect God to be at their “beck and call”!

But, they will not read His Word.  They will not attend church.  They will not trust Him nor obey Him.  Yet, they expect that they can summon God and He will come running to them and will answer their prayer requests.

Today’s Scriptures make it clear that God will not do so.  Instead, God will punish those who will not listen to Him.

“24 “Because I called and you refused,
I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
25 And you neglected all my counsel
And did not want my reproof;
26 I will also laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your dread comes,
27 When your dread comes like a storm
And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
30 “They would not accept my counsel,
They spurned all my reproof.
31 “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices.
32 “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.”  Proverbs 1:24-32.

“The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord drives you.  There you will serve gods, the work of man’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell.”  Deuteronomy 4:27-28.

But, there is hope!

“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.  When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.  For the LORD your God is a compassionate God;  He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.”  Deuteronomy 4:29-31.

“But he who listens to me shall live securely
And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”  Proverbs 1:33.

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:  the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today;  and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.”  Deuteronomy 11:26-28.

“17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,

“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you in the way you should go.
18 “If only you had paid attention to My commandments!
Then your well-being would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 “Your descendants would have been like the sand,
And your offspring like its grains;
Their name would never be cut off or destroyed from My presence.”  Isaiah 48:17-19.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 6.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+6&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.  Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is;  and He will build the temple of the LORD.  Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.  Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”’  Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the LORD to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah.  Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD.”  Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.  And it will take place if you completely obey the LORD your God.”  Zechariah 6:11-15.

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There is Joshua who was a priest.  A silver and gold ornate crown was placed on his head symbolizing the royalty of the priesthood of God’s elect.  “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession …”  1 Peter 2:9.

Joshua worked on the house of the LORD.  “So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people;  and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,”  Haggai 1:14.

“Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD.”  Verse 15.

And, there is Branch, Whom we know from Scripture to be God’s Son Jesus Christ Who is also a priest.  For example, see Isaiah 11:1-10.  In today’s Scripture, we read:  “He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.  Thus, He will be a priest on His throne”.  Verse 13.

Although Joshua and Jesus are both priests who both worked on the house of the LORD, Jesus is a different and superior priest as shown by the following Scripture.

“15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.  17 For it is attested of Him,

“YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OFMELCHIZEDEK.”

18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.  20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

“THE LORD HAS SWORN
AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
‘YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”);

22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.  25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;  27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Hebrews 7:17-26.

We are reminded of Jesus’ words:  “… I will build My church;  and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”  Matthew 16:18.

What is the meaning of “the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”?  Verse 13.  There is peace between the office of the elect, “a royal priesthood” (symbolized by Joshua) and the office of the Branch (Jesus), “A PRIEST FOREVER” as shown by the following Scriptures.

“But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work;  for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of hosts.  ‘As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst;  do not fear!’”  Haggai 2:4-5.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;  and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20.

“Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27.