September 7-13, 2025

Heart Preparation

This week, there are going to be moments in the reading that may seem “boring”. There may be areas that don’t entirely make sense to us. Try to stay focused through this. Remember that you are entering into the presence of God, and that this time is going to be rewarded as we intentionally seek Him out. 


Reading Plan

• Sunday, September 7: Ezekiel 35-37
• Monday, September 8: Ezekiel 38-39
• Tuesday, September 9: Ezekiel 40-41
• Wednesday, September 10: Ezekiel 42-43
• Thursday, September 11: Ezekiel 44-45
• Friday, September 12: Ezekiel 46-48
• Saturday, September 13: Joel 1-3

What To Expect

This week, we will be finishing off the book of Ezekiel and then reading all of the prophet Joel. God is judging enemies but restoring His people for His name's sake in Ezekiel. I want to view this part of Ezekiel as judgment –>renewal–>ultimate victory--> God’s presence forever. This ends with a hope that God’s presence brings life, peace, and restoration. What to expect from Joel is that we unfortunately don’t really know anything for certain about the background or historical things that happened in his ministry. Although this does not change the message of what Joel is saying. Joel wants his people to come back to God because he knows that there will be danger on its way. Joel calls for a fast, weeping, and mourning, but unfortunately, Israel’s history was full of this, and they were not serious in their actions.


What To Look For

• Ezekiel 37- As you read through this, note that this is a vision of dead and dry bones coming to life by God’s Spirit. It’s a symbol for Israel’s restoration from exile.
• Ezekiel 38-39- Gog from Magog invades God’s people, but God has a different plan. God is providing protection of his people from Gog from invading His people. This ends with God’s Spirit poured out on Israel (39:29)
• Ezekiel 40-42- Ezekiel is taken into a vision into the future of what the New Temple would look like. Look for the specific details that this part points out to us. This shows us the importance of detail God has to the details of this New Temple. In chapter 40 it lays out the specifics of each room, gate, and many others.
• Ezekiel 43- The glory of the Lord returns to the Temple that had previously been left, in chapter 10. This shows us the fellowship that will be restored with God.
• Ezekiel 45- In Chapter 45 it is interesting to note that they mention the Passover again as mentioned in past texts like Exodus 12, and Leviticus 4 
• Ezekiel 47- Look for the symbol of God’s life-giving presence that is later mentioned in Revelation 22 as well.
• Joel 1-3- A locust plague has destroyed the land and all of the agriculture of Judah. Joel promises that if the people repent of their sin, God will restore the land in the near future.

Personal Insight
This week’s reading was one that I didn’t think I would be able to give much insight on. But as I started reading, I saw many of these symbols that kept popping off the page to me! The visions, The Day of the Lord, and many others that stood out as a challenge to me, even personally. God protecting His people from Gog in chapter 39 really stood out because of God’s ultimate protection over them! There are times I want to take control and protect the things in my life so closely, and yet, God is the ultimate protector. We have our God who is the ultimate protector! Even reading into the details of what the Temple looks like in the vision shows me that God cares about the small details in life, including mine. Going into Joel, I notice Joel’s passion and care for the people to turn back to God so that God will not continue to punish the people. When I see people in my own life who I have prayed for that have not turned to God, I tend to want to
be impatient with them. Joel shows us a desire for the people to turn back to God because he doesn’t want these people to continue to go through His wrath. Joel finishes it off with one last challenge that the promised day of YHWH is a day of terror or hope, depending on the person’s status before God. But in the end, God will relieve his people of suffering by destroying the wicked. Culture will try to convince us that the wicked things of this world may be good, but here’s the thing: it will be destroyed. 

Ultimately, we will all fall short of the glory of God, but because Jesus has died on the cross for us, we can stand justified because His blood has washed us clean! Jesus cared for us so much that He willingly went to the cross for you and me so that we don’t have to face eternal destruction!


Prayer

God, thank you for giving us your Word to be able to be challenged and knowing that all your Scripture is God breathed. Thank you for sending us Jesus, who has justified us so that we no longer have to face eternal destruction if we turn to you. God give us the willingness to turn back to you in times of our rebellion and turn back to you. Let our hearts be open to what you have next for us. Prepare our hearts for this week so that we can live this life not for myself, but for your glory only.