2025 Daily Devotional
July 1-7

2. The Temple, the Laws for the Levitical Priests, and Worship at the Temple (Ezekiel 44-46)

Chapter 44 mentions a future prince whose identity is not named. He will offer a sin offering (Ezekiel 45:22) and eat bread before the LORD in the temple (Ezekiel 44:3). It appears the prince is either King David reigning over Israel in the future (Ezekiel 34:23-25, 37:25; Isaiah 55:3-4, Jeremiah 30:8-9, or Hosea 3:5) or an unknown priest.  

Chapter 45 discusses the land for the priest and the offerings made in the temple.

Chapter 46 discusses how worship would be handled by the priests and what their duties are.

3. The River of Life, the Land Given to Israel's Twelve Tribes, and the Holy City

A river flows from the temple. It became deep and powerful. It heals the Dead Sea which is right by En Gedi. (47:9-10)

All the borders of the land given to the twelve tribes of Israel are described in 47:13 through 48:8. 

There is a district set apart for the LORD (Ezekiel 48:9-12), for the Levites (48:13-14), for general use of the city (15-20), for the prince (21-22), and for the five southern tribes (23-29). 

The name of the city shall be, The LORD is there. (48:35) 

As the book of Ezekiel concludes, it is important to remember that while there will be trials, tribulations, and difficulties, the Word of the LORD is unmoved and eternal. This means all of God’s promises, comforts, and love remain. He goes with us through trials, is there during hard times, and lets us know that He never leaves us nor forsakes us. 

No matter what you’re going through or what stage of life you’re in, God loves you, is for you, and will be with you. Seek Him today. 

1. What is the Book of Lamentations?

Written by the prophet Jeremiah, it is his lament or mourning over the loss of Jerusalem and the desolation of the nation of Judah at the hands of Babylon. It was a devastatingly terrible time when there was starvation and death all around. Despite everything, he found hope in the LORD. 

2. Chapter 1

Jeremiah presented Jerusalem as a widow mourning the destruction around her.  Jerusalem was once great but had now fallen. Verse 5 states that the LORD afflicted Jerusalem because of sin. Verse 18 says, “The LORD is righteous for I have rebelled against His commandment.”

“The story of her desolation is mingled with confessions of her sin. She asks boldly if any sorrow could be compared to her sorrow, and then confesses that not one pang or stroke had been in excess of her sin.” (Meyer)

3. Chapter 2

God described His anger toward His people. The people mourned. The prophet questioned God, asking for mercy on Jerusalem. 

4. Chapter 3

Despite all that Jeremiah witnessed, he still spoke of God's mercy, which was new every morning, and God's faithfulness. This chapter speaks of hope in God’s salvation, His compassion, and the need to humbly turn back to God.

5. Chapter 4

This chapter returns to the siege of Jerusalem and discusses the punishment against God’s people due to their sins. 

6. Chapter 5

Jeremiah prayed for God’s people through their misery. He prayed for restoration and was confident that God would not forsake them. 

Lamentations describes Jerusalem's desolation and the people's difficulties. Despite knowing that judgment was due to Israel’s sins, there is hope for God’s compassion and mercy. Let us never lose faith; no matter how dark the situation gets, God’s mercies are new every morning. If we return to Him, He can bring restoration to our lives.

We know nothing about Obadiah other than what was written in this book. His name means “servant (or worshiper) of the LORD.” Obadiah is the shortest book in the Bible. It was written as a dirge, which is a song or hymn of grief or lamentation.

Chronologically, Obadiah takes place before Daniel, but after Jeremiah and Lamentations.

This book was written for the Edomites and the southern kingdom of Judah. The Edomites were descendants of Jacob’s twin brother, Esau, which means they were blood relatives of the Judeans. The struggle between these two brothers began in the womb, and as recorded in the Bible, the discord between their descendants often resulted in war. 

We don’t know with certainty when this book was written. The only historical marker is the description of the Edomites participating in plundering Judah after it was invaded. Unfortunately, we don’t know which invasion was described in Obadiah since there were five invasions of significance during the time covered by the Old Testament. These range from 926 to 586 B.C. Most biblical scholars believe the invasion described in Obadiah was either the Philistine-Arab attack in 848-841 B.C. or the Babylonian invasion in 605-586 B.C.  Because Obadiah described the pillaging of Jerusalem, some believe this book was likely written approximately 840 B.C., which would be prior to the time that Edom was conquered.

This was a prophecy against Edom, which was given to Obadiah in a vision. Jeremiah and Ezekiel also prophesied against Edom. In this prophecy, God said he had made Edom “small among the heathen” and that they were despised. Their pride had deceived them. They lived in a rocky, seemingly impregnable area and believed they were unconquerable. The LORD then made it clear that He Himself would bring about their downfall.

Verse 5 speaks of thieves taking only what they want. This is because thieves usually steal only valuables and items that can be easily carried; the rest is left behind. This verse also mentions grape pickers leaving behind a few grapes, which was actually a command from God. Leviticus 19:10 commanded the Israelites not to pick every grape but to leave some behind for the poor and stranger. However, when Edom was attacked, everything would be taken. And just like Edom betrayed Judah, so Edom’s friends would betray Edom. Lastly, verse 9 states that the attack would be a slaughter. Not only would Edom be plundered, but its people would be slaughtered.

Verse 10 provides the reason for this judgment, which was the Edomites’ betrayal of their own relatives, Jacob’s descendants. Edom had watched while an invading nation plundered Judah. And Edom, who should have assisted Judah, instead rejoiced over their misfortune and then plundered what was left after the invading nation was finished. Verse 14 also states that Edom killed the fugitives and handed over the survivors. 

“Obadiah, like other prophets, announces a coming judgment day, ‘the day of the LORD,’ when Israel’s enemies will be judged and Israel herself will be restored . . .The basis for judgment will be the deeds of the nations: ‘As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.’ Specifically, because Edom betrayed Judah, Edom itself will be destroyed. Verse 16 speaks of the Israelites having ‘drunk’ on the holy mountain, and then of the nations ‘drinking.’ This verse is best understood in light of Jeremiah 25:15-29, where God gives Jeremiah the ‘cup of the wine of wrath’ and makes all the nations drink from it. Judah has already drunk from the cup of wrath, as evidenced by the Babylonian exile. Now the cup will pass to the other nations.” (enterthebible.org)

Obadiah prophesied that Jacob (Israel) would be delivered and restored, but Esau (Edom) would be destroyed with no survivors. Obadiah 1:18 was fulfilled when the Nabatean Arabs conquered Edom in approximately the fifth century B.C., and the Edomites were eventually lost to history. Finally, Israel and Judah would not only be restored, but their territory would expand.

In the book of Obadiah, the Edomites had no mercy on Judah. Instead of assisting the Judeans in their time of need, the Edomites plundered their belongings and even betrayed and killed survivors. James 2:13 tells us, “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” The fulfillment of the prophesied destruction of Edom should serve as a warning to us. If we do not show mercy, God will not show us mercy.

1. The Setting

The book of Daniel takes place during Babylon’s first siege of Jerusalem in 605 B.C. during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah (Daniel 1:1).

The Babylonian army carried back many people of Israel who were royalty, skillful, full of knowledge, and who understood science. 

2. Who is Daniel?

Daniel, whose name means “God is my judge,” was among the many who were chosen to go to Babylon and be trained to serve Babylon in whatever way they saw fit. He understood science and could also interpret dreams. He served God all of his days and wrote prophecy in the book known as the book of Daniel. 

3. Daniel and His Three Friends

Daniel and his three friends–Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah–were taken to Babylon and trained for three years. Their names were changed:

They did not want to defile themselves with the king’s meat or wine. They requested a diet of vegetables and water for ten days. After ten days, they looked better than all of the people who ate the king’s food. This got the king’s attention. The king found these four to be wiser than his magicians and astrologers due to the skill God had given them. 

Daniel, like Joseph in Genesis, thrived in a bad situation and was given abilities from the LORD. We will go through trials, but we can trust that the LORD will be with us just as he was with them. 

1. The Setting

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream but forgot it. He demanded that his magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers not only tell him what his original dream was but also interpret it. This was an impossible request, but to make matters worse, the king said they would die if they didn’t comply. 

The Dream and the Interpretation

Daniel and his friends faced the same fate as the king’s other wise men, despite not being present at the time. Daniel asked the king for some time, and in return, he would give the interpretation. 

God revealed the dream to Daniel. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that he saw a great image. This image had:

2:37-38: Daniel stated that the image represented kingdoms and that Babylon was the head of gold. 

2. Prophecy of Future Kingdoms

Daniel interpreted Babylon as the head of gold and that an inferior kingdom of silver would take it. Then, another inferior kingdom of brass would take it. After that, a fourth kingdom as strong as iron would take it. 

In history, the Medo-Persian empire conquered Babylon. Next, the Greek empire, led by Alexander the Great, would conquer the Medo-Persian empire. Finally, the Roman Empire would conquer the Greek Empire. Daniel was giving prophecy of world history, but there was one kingdom remaining that hadn't occurred yet.

The feet, which are part iron and part clay, will represent the short kingdom during the Great Tribulation. The stone that smote the image is Jesus, who will set up His Kingdom on earth. 

3. King Nebuchadnezzar’s Reaction

Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face before Daniel and exalted Daniel’s God. Daniel was promoted in the kingdom and given many gifts, and his friends were also promoted. 

Daniel trusted in the LORD, and the LORD revealed the interpretation. Daniel was not afraid to speak what the LORD had given him, and when the time was right, Daniel was promoted in the kingdom of his affliction. 

God sees all that we do. When we are faithful to God and follow His ways, He will make us prosper. Trust that God can do the same for you. Be faithful to God and share what He has given you everywhere you go. 

1. The Setting

King Nebuchadnezzar set up an image of gold that was 60 cubits high, which is estimated to be about 90 feet tall and 9 feet at its base. A decree was made that whoever did not bow and worship at the dedication service would be cast into the fiery furnace. 

2. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego Refused to Worship the Image

Daniel’s three friends were accused of not worshiping the image and were brought before the king. The king asked them if the accusations were true, to which they replied, “Yes.” Not only did they declare that they would never worship the image, but they told the king that their God was able to deliver them from the fiery furnace. 

3. The Three Hebrews were Thrown into the Fiery Furnace

The king was furious and ordered that the furnace be made seven times hotter. The three men were bound and cast into the fiery furnace. It was so hot that it consumed the soldiers who threw them in. 

The king looked in and was shocked to not only see them alive, but unbound and walking with a fourth man in the fire, whom he described as like “the Son of God.”

4. King Nebuchadnezzar Summoned Them Out of the Fire 

The king had the men come out of the fire. They were unburned with no hair singed and no smell of fire. The king blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and made a decree that no man was to speak anything against them. They were also promoted in the kingdom. 

The three Hebrew men stood in the face of great adversity and risked their lives in order to not violate the commandments of God. The fourth man in the fire shows us that God is with us in our trials, whether we realize it or not. We can trust God will be with us, and we must never allow the authorities in this world to violate our conscience or God’s commandments. 

1. The Setting

King Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a great tree and told many in Babylon about what the LORD did to change the king’s heart.  

2. The King’s Dream

Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a large tree, and no one could interpret the dream except Daniel. This is a different dream than the one from chapter 2. The tree was large and tall. In it was food for all. There was a watcher, a holy one, who came down from heaven and declared that the tree should be cut down. The watcher also said the king should have his heart changed from a man to a beast for a time (possibly seven years).

3. Daniel Interprets the Dream

Daniel told the king that he was the tree and would be humbled before God. He would be driven away from men and dwell with the beasts of the field. He would eat grass like an ox until he knew that the Most High rules the earth. Daniel seemed to be troubled by this and seemed to care for the king. 

4. The Dream Comes to Pass 

Daniel told the king to repent in 4:27, but he did not. After one year, a voice spoke from heaven and said the kingdom had departed from him. Within an hour, the king was driven away; and he ate grass like an ox. His hair and nails grew long as a significant period of time passed. 

His understanding eventually returned, and he blessed God and praised the Most High.

God restored Nebuchadnezzar after he humbled himself and exalted God. The best thing any Christian can do is to acknowledge God in every area of their life and be humble towards Him. The things of this world will not last; only our relationship with God will last.

If we live as if we don’t need God, He has a way of getting our attention. Live according to Proverbs 3:3-5: “In all your ways, acknowledge Him.”