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Daily devotional · Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Ezek 23 · Matt 23

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Wednesday, May 24, 2023 2023年5月24日

Ezek 23 · Matt 23Ezek 23 · Matt 23

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Devotion 1 of 2: Ezek 23

This chapter was a shock. The language was very strong and sometimes even crude. I think the purpose was to show the very serious condition Israel and Judah were in. It eventually led to their destruction as nations (v.46-47), to the killing of thousands of their people and to many other thousands being deported as captives. Let us be quick to repent of our sins and be faithful to God!

この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。

English

Devotion 2 of 2: Matt 23

1) I think it’s okay because the point Jesus was making was that leaders should not be proud but should be humble and be servants of the people they lead (v.11-12). Also, if we follow v.8 literally, we must follow v.9 literally also, but that would be absurd because calling our father ‘father’ is the right and common sense thing to do! So I suggest paraphrasing v.8 & 9 this way to get the proper meaning: v.9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father, unless he is your real father and not a religious figure trying to assert authority over you.” v.8 “Do not call a leader ‘Sensei’ unless he/she is a humble, servant leader not working for self, but for the good of his/her followers.”
2) They wanted the people to feel obliged to give the gold and the gift that they swore by, and they didn’t care if the people neglected the temple and altar, which were more important! In other words, they wanted the money from the people and didn’t care if the people obeyed God or not!


— Pastor Elmer Inafuku