Justin Houtz

1 Kings 17, Colossians 4, Ezekiel 47, Psalm 103

DateVersionReading Plan
October 14, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

1 Kings 17

Elijah the Tishbite told Ahab, king of Israel, that there would be neither dew nor rain except by the word of God. He told Ahab to hide himself in the brook Cherith where he would be “sustained by water from the brook and by food which was miraculously brought to him morning and evening by ravens.” (BBC) However, after some time, the brook dried up due to the drought.

The word of the LORD then came to Elijah to go to Zerephath, on the Mediterranean coast between Tyre and Sidon, where the LORD had commanded a widow to feed him there. When they met, Elijah asked the woman for some water and a morsel of bread. The woman told Elijah that she had nothing baked, only a little flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug in order for her and her son to eat and die, expressing her expectation that she would starve to death with her son. Elijah told the woman not to fear and to do as she was told. She did so and both her and her household ate for many days. Her jar of flour was not spent nor her jug of oil, helping her to see that “those who put God first never lack the necessities of life.” (BBC)

Later, the son of the woman became ill and died. The woman accused Elijah of her son’s death, citing the remembrance of her sin as the cause. Elijah told her to give her son to him. She did so and Elijah took her son to an upper chamber, laid on him three times and cried to the LORD to let the child’s life come into him again. The boy revived and Elijah delivered him to his mother. The healing convinced the mother that Elijah was indeed a man of God “and that the Lord’s word was the truth. As a Gentile, she showed faith in the God of Israel.” (BBC)

Colossians 4

Paul concludes his letter to the church in Colossae with some final instructions and greeting. He calls masters to treat their bondservants fairly, realizing that they too were servants of the Master in heaven. The church was to continue steadfastly in prayer in a general sense but also for Paul specifically, along with his fellow servants in Rome, that God would open a door to declare the mystery of Christ. The speech of the church was always to be gracious and seasoned with salt in order that they may know how to answer each person. As the church of the modern day, our speech should be the same: “courteous, humble, and Christlike. It should be free from gossip, frivolity, uncleanness, and bitterness.” (BBC)

Paul tells the church that Tychichus, a faithful minister and fellow servant, would speak of his activities. Paul sent Tychichus for them to know how Paul was and that he may encourage their hearts. Onesimus, another faithful and beloved brother, joined Tychichus in this endeavor. This is the same Onesimus from Paul’s Letter to Philemon.

Paul then lists others who send their greetings and that it was he that wrote the greetings. He told the church to remember his chains and closed the letter with “Grace be with you.” A. T. Robertson writes: “There is no richer word than the word ‘grace,’ for it carries in it all of God’s love as seen in the gift of His Son for us.”

Ezekiel 47

Ezekiel was brought back to the door of the temple where there was water issuing below the threshold. He was led around on the outside to the outer gate that faced the east. The water was trickling out on the south side but increased in depth as they went eastward. The BBC provides a helpful quote from Yates’ Preaching on the water:

The water of life is a favorite figure in the Old Testament. Desert areas need water that life may be possible. This stream which Ezekiel sees flowing from the Temple makes its way toward the arid regions of the Arabah. In an ever deepening stream it goes on its way to bring life and health and abundant fruit wherever it goes. It is the one remedy that is needed. Jesus took that figure as a basis for his sermon to the woman at the well. (Cf. also Ps. 1:3; 46:4; Joel 3:18; Zech. 14:8; John 4:7–15; 7:38; Rev. 22:1, 2.)

Ezekiel is then instructed on the future borders and divisions of the land. It was to be divided according to the tribes of Israel and allotted as an inheritance for both themselves and the sojourners that lived among them. The NAC (quoting Taylor, Ezekiel) provides some context:

The resident aliens were those who had adopted the religion and law of the Hebrews. They were proselytes who were entitled to the same rights and privileges of native born Israelites (see Isa 56:3-8). Thus the new boundaries suggest that the new kingdom will preserve the laws of equity that eliminated discrimination against those residents who were proselytes or Jews by choice, making the new land a model for justice and righteousness. (NAC)

Psalm 103

In this thanksgiving psalm, the psalmist reflects on Yahweh’s compassion and the good things He does for those who trust Him. The psalmist fuses statements about Yahweh’s actions and character to portray Yahweh’s love and loyalty. He responds to who Yahweh is with worship and trust. (FSB)

Praise Yahweh, who forgives sin, revealed himself to Moses, is compassionate like a father, and understands that we are weak, ephemeral mortals. But, God is forever. (Bible: A Reader’s Guide)

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