1 Kings 13, Philippians 4, Ezekiel 43, Psalms 95–96

Date	Version	Reading Plan
October 10, 2024	ESV (2016)	M’Cheyne Plan 2024

1 Kings 13

A man of God came to Bethel out of Judah and cried against Jeroboam’s pagan altar, prophesying that a son shall be born of the house of David, Josiah, would desecrate this altar centuries later with the corpses of priests. Jeroboam stretched out his hand to command the man to be seized, but his hand dried up so that it could not be drawn back. Jeroboam asked the man to entreat the LORD to restore his hand. The man did so and Jeroboam’s hand was restored. Jeroboam then asked the man to come home with him and refresh himself as a reward for the healing, but the man refused, saying that he was commanded by the LORD not to eat bread, drink water or return by the way he came. “The king’s spiritual shallowness was apparent when he trivialized the miraculous sign into an occasion to beg a personal favor from the prophet. Then Jeroboam offered the prophet a reward and thus treated God like a bargaining partner.” (CSB Notes) The man then went another way and did not return in the same way he came to Bethel.

On the way, the man was intercepted by an old prophet of Bethel who was told of the man by his sons. The prophet of Bethel requested that the man come home with him to eat bread, but the man declined as with Jeroboam. In response, the old prophet said that he too was a prophet and that the LORD told him to bring the man into his house to eat bread and drink water. This was a lie but it succeeded in persuading the man to accept the offer. As they sat at the table, the LORD came to the old prophet who had brought back the man of Judah. The LORD spoke through the old prophet who cried to the man that he had not kept God’s command to eat no bread and drink no water. Once finished eating and drinking, the man left and was killed by a lion as he went away. “This account of the prophet’s death is full of wonders. The lion did not devour the corpse or injure the donkey. The donkey stayed put instead of running away. And the lion did not threaten the old prophet when he came to retrieve the corpse—an act of nobility and bravery in contrast to his earlier deceit.” (CSB Notes)

The old prophet was told of the man’s death, “he immediately realized that it was the Lord’s judgment against disobedience. He went to the scene of the tragedy, brought the body back to Bethel, and buried it in his own tomb. He then instructed his sons that he desired to be buried … beside … the man of God; he realized that the idolatrous system of which he was a part was doomed to destruction by God.” (BBC)

The chapter concludes with a shift of focus to Jeroboam who, even after these events, did not turn from his evil way. “Such sin was the eventual cause of destruction to the dynasty of Jeroboam.” (BBC)

Philippians 4

Paul instructs the brothers whom he loved to stand firm in the Lord. He entreated Euodia and Syntyche specifically, “women in the church at Philippi who were having difficulty getting along together.” (BBC) These women had labored with Paul alongside Clement, an unknown fellow laborer, and their names were written in the book of life. “The book of life, mentioned rarely in the NT (cp. Rv 3:5; 20:15; 21:27), refers to those listed among the saved.” (CSB Notes)

Paul emphatically tells the church to always rejoice in the Lord. They are not to be anxious about anything but make their requests known to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. This posture would result in the all-surpassing peace of God guarding their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Paul told them to keep their minds focused and practice seven qualities that lead to such peace: “True is ethical “truthfulness.” Honorable is “noble,” to be respected. Just is giving people what they deserve. Pure is holy in relation to God. Lovely, mentioned only here in the NT, is attractive. Commendable, also used only here in the NT, is praiseworthy. The God of peace complements “the peace of God” (v. 7) in that life with these characteristics encourages God’s presence.” (CSB Notes)

Paul rejoiced in the Lord greatly that the church at Philippi had revived their concern for him. He did not consider himself to be in need but had learned to be content in all circumstances, having previous experience in how to be brought low as well as how to abound. Paul wanted the Philippians to know that they had done well in sharing in his distress. He had not sought their gift but was more interested in their gain achieved by its being given. Paul spoke to how His God would supply their every need to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. He then praised God in prayer that He would receive all glory forever.

The chapter and letter ends with a call to greet every saint in Christ Jesus. All of Paul’s fellow brothers and saints greet the church, especially those of Caesar’s household. The reference to Caesar’s household may indicate Christians in Rome related to the Roman emperor, believers in Caesar’s family or those who work for the emperor. Paul’s final words were that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ would be with their spirit.

Ezekiel 43

The man led Ezekiel to the gate facing east and the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. Ezekiel describes the sound of His coming as like the sound of many waters and the earth shone with His glory. Ezekiel’s vision of God’s arrival was just like what he had previously seen of the temple and city (Ezek. 9:3). Ezekiel heard someone speaking to him out of the temple who told him that this was the place where God would dwell with His people. He told Ezekield that they would no longer defile His holy name as they did before which resulted in being consumed by His anger.

The chapter ends with the description of the altar; its measurements, ordinances and processes for sacrificial offerings.

Psalms 95

“Come, lets us sing for joy to Yahweh. He is greater than all gods; he made both land and sea. Worship him and obey him, unlike our ancestors who suffered for their disobedience.” (Bible: A Reader’s Guide)

Psalms 96

“Sing an new song to Yahweh. God is grate and worthy of our praise. May the heavens, earth, and all creation rejoice before Yahweh who will judge the world in righteousness.” (Bible: A Reader’s Guide)

Justin Houtz