Wednesday, May 23, 2012

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

1 Corinthians 3:1-23: The apostle Paul was concerned that the Corinthians were not living as those who are led by God’s Spirit because they continued to argue with one another. He reminds them that they are God’s temple and that they are holy because God’s Spirit lives within them.

Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16

Surely you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you!

Today's Reading

¹ As a matter of fact, my friends, I could not talk to you as I talk to people who have the Spirit; I had to talk to you as though you belonged to this world, as children in the Christian faith. ² I had to feed you milk, not solid food, because you were not ready for it. And even now you are not ready for it, ³ because you still live as the people of this world live. When there is jealousy among you and you quarrel with one another, doesn't this prove that you belong to this world, living by its standards? ⁴ When one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos”—aren't you acting like worldly people? ⁵ After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do: ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. ⁷ The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow. ⁸ There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work each has done. ⁹ For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building. ¹⁰ Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build. ¹¹ For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid. ¹² Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building on the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw. ¹³ And the quality of each person's work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. For on that Day fire will reveal everyone's work; the fire will test it and show its real quality. ¹⁴ If what was built on the foundation survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if your work is burnt up, then you will lose it; but you yourself will be saved, as if you had escaped through the fire. ¹⁶ Surely you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you! ¹⁷ God will destroy anyone who destroys God's temple. For God's temple is holy, and you yourselves are his temple. ¹⁸ You should not fool yourself. If any of you think that you are wise by this world's standards, you should become a fool, in order to be really wise. ¹⁹ For what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense in God's sight. As the scripture says, “God traps the wise in their cleverness”; ²⁰ and another scripture says, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless.” ²¹ No one, then, should boast about what human beings can do. Actually everything belongs to you: ²² Paul, Apollos, and Peter; this world, life and death, the present and the future—all these are yours, ²³ and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Reflect

Paul refers to Jesus Christ as “the one and only foundation” (verse 11). In what ways do you build your faith on this foundation? What does being “God’s temple” mean to you? Does such an understanding impact the way you live?

Pray

Lord God, remind me that I am your temple and that your Holy Spirit lives in me. Teach me to live according to your will so that all I say and do gives glory to you. In your holy name I pray. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Church architects

Romans 13:1-14 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 13:1-14: The apostle Paul encourages Christians to obey state authorities, and he reminds believers of their duties toward one another and that the day of salvation is near.

Today's Scripture: Romans 13:10

If you love others, you will never do them wrong; to love, then, is to obey the whole Law.

Today's Reading

¹ Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. ² Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself. ³ For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, ⁴ because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil. ⁵ For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. ⁶ That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties. ⁷ Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all. ⁸ Be under obligation to no one—the only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law. ⁹ The commandments, “Do not commit adultery; do not commit murder; do not steal; do not desire what belongs to someone else”—all these, and any others besides, are summed up in the one command, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ¹⁰ If you love others, you will never do them wrong; to love, then, is to obey the whole Law. ¹¹ You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over, day is almost here. Let us stop doing the things that belong to the dark, and let us take up weapons for fighting in the light. ¹³ Let us conduct ourselves properly, as people who live in the light of day—no orgies or drunkenness, no immorality or indecency, no fighting or jealousy. ¹⁴ But take up the weapons of the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop paying attention to your sinful nature and satisfying its desires.

Reflect

Reread verses 1-7. What are your thoughts concerning these verses? Paul says that God’s people should obey earthly authorities because they are God’s servants. Are there times when civil disobedience is justified? What is your understanding of Paul’s words when he says that, when we love others, we are obeying the whole Law?

Pray

Lord God, your love for me is steadfast and sure. Guide my thoughts, words, and deeds this day so that I reflect your love to others and honor you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Government officials

Romans 12:1-21 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 12:1-21: The apostle Paul says that God’s people no longer need to offer dead animals or make any other sacrifice in order to please God. Rather they are to offer their whole selves in living service to God. Such service involves using the gifts each has received in accordance with God’s grace.

Today's Scripture: Romans 12:2

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.’

Today's Reading

¹ So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. ² Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. ³ And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you. ⁴ We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. ⁵ In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body. ⁶ So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have; ⁷ if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully. ⁹ Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another. ¹¹ Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. ¹² Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. ¹³ Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers. ¹⁴ Ask God to bless those who persecute you—yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise. ¹⁷ If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. ¹⁸ Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. ¹⁹ Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” ²⁰ Instead, as the scripture says: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame.” ²¹ Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.

Reflect

The words in verse 1 are derived from the consecration and killing of animals in temple sacrifice. Paul now says that we are to “offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him.” What is your understanding of these words? In what ways can you offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God? Reread verses 9-21. How does Paul describe life in community for God’s people?

Pray

Lord God, I offer myself as a living sacrifice, dedicated to a life of service that is pleasing to you. Transform me inwardly so that I may know and do your will. Teach me to share the gifts you have given me for the sake of building up your Kingdom and being an instrument of your love. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Community organizers

Romans 8:18-39 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 8:18-39: The apostle Paul says that all creation longs to be set free from slavery and decay and that our current suffering cannot compare to the glory that will one day be revealed. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, and we are assured that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Today's Scripture: Romans 8:39b

There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today's Reading

¹⁸ I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his children. ²⁰ For creation was condemned to lose its purpose, not of its own will, but because God willed it to be so. Yet there was the hope ²¹ that creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God. ²² For we know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth. ²³ But it is not just creation alone which groans; we who have the Spirit as the first of God's gifts also groan within ourselves as we wait for God to make us his children and set our whole being free. ²⁴ For it was by hope that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. For who of us hopes for something we see? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. ²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express. ²⁷ And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of his people and in accordance with his will. ²⁸ We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. ²⁹ Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers. ³⁰ And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them. ³¹ In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son—will he not also freely give us all things? ³³ Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! ³⁴ Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! ³⁵ Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? ³⁶ As the scripture says, “For your sake we are in danger of death at all times; we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered.” ³⁷ No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! ³⁸ For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, ³⁹ neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflect

What is the hope that Paul talks about in verses 18-25? Have you ever found it hard to pray? How does the Holy Spirit help in such times? Reread verses 31-39. What questions does Paul ask? How does he answer them? What verses do you find especially meaningful?

Pray

Lord God, you know my weaknesses and my inmost thoughts. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that pleads on my behalf when I find it hard to pray. With a humble heart I thank you for assuring me that, through Christ Jesus, I can never be separated from your love. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those who find it hard to pray

Romans 8:1-17 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Romans 8:1-17: The apostle Paul says that living according to the Spirit and in union with Christ Jesus sets us free from sin and death. Being controlled by human nature is in opposition to being controlled by what the Spirit wants.

Today's Scripture: Romans 8:1

There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.

Today's Reading

¹ There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death. ³ What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin. ⁴ God did this so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature. ⁵ Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. ⁶ To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. ⁷ And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God's law, and in fact they cannot obey it. ⁸ Those who obey their human nature cannot please God. ⁹ But you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to—if, in fact, God's Spirit lives in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ¹⁰ But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin. ¹¹ If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you. ¹² So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. ¹³ For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. ¹⁴ Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. ¹⁵ For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” ¹⁶ God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. ¹⁷ Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.

Reflect

Describe the conflict Paul writes about with regard to being controlled by human nature vs. being controlled by the Spirit. How and when have you experienced this type of conflict? What words of hope does Paul offer?

Pray

Thank you, God, for calling me to be your child. Lead me by the power of your Spirit so that my thoughts, words, and actions are pleasing to you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those experiencing inner turmoil

Acts 1:1-26 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Acts 1:1-26: Jesus tells his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until God gives them the Holy Spirit, empowering them to share the Gospel everywhere. Then he is taken up to heaven. The apostles keep their eyes on the skies until two angels jolt them into action. The apostles choose a successor to Judas and meet and pray with other believers.

Today's Scripture: Acts 1:8

“But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Today's Reading

¹ Dear Theophilus: In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work ² until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before he was taken up, he gave instructions by the power of the Holy Spirit to the men he had chosen as his apostles. ³ For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. ⁴ And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. ⁵ John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. ” ⁶ When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?” ⁷ Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father's own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. ⁸ But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ” ⁹ After saying this, he was taken up to heaven as they watched him, and a cloud hid him from their sight. ¹⁰ They still had their eyes fixed on the sky as he went away, when two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them ¹¹ and said, “Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven.” ¹² Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is about half a mile away from the city. ¹³ They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying: Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴ They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers. ¹⁵ A few days later there was a meeting of the believers, about a hundred and twenty in all, and Peter stood up to speak. ¹⁶ “My friends,” he said, “the scripture had to come true in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, made a prediction about Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ Judas was a member of our group, for he had been chosen to have a part in our work. ” ( ¹⁸ With the money that Judas got for his evil act he bought a field, where he fell to his death; he burst open and all his insides spilled out. ¹⁹ All the people living in Jerusalem heard about it, and so in their own language they call that field Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”) ²⁰ “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘May his house become empty; may no one live in it.’ It is also written, “May someone else take his place of service.” ^21-22 So then, someone must join us as a witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He must be one of the men who were in our group during the whole time that the Lord Jesus traveled about with us, beginning from the time John preached his message of baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven. ” ²³ So they proposed two men: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas (also known as Justus), and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed, “Lord, you know the thoughts of everyone, so show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to serve as an apostle in the place of Judas, who left to go to the place where he belongs. ” ²⁶ Then they drew lots to choose between the two men, and the one chosen was Matthias, who was added to the group of eleven apostles.

Reflect

What instructions did Jesus give his disciples? Today’s reading reminds us that, even as we lift our eyes to the heavens in prayer, we are called to focus our activity here on earth in order to help bring about God’s peace and justice in our time. In what ways can you be a witness for Jesus and share the good news of God’s love wherever you are today?

Pray

Dear God, keep my eyes focused on what you would have me do today. Empower me to be a witness for you and share the good news of Jesus Christ wherever I am. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Airline pilots and flight attendants

Ezekiel 48:1-35 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Ezekiel 48:1-35: In this final chapter, Ezekiel is told how the land of Israel will be divided among Israel’s tribes. A special section in the center of the land is designated for the location of the Temple. The chapter concludes with a description of the twelve entrance gates to the city of Jerusalem.

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 48:35b

The name of the city from now on will be “The-LORD-Is-Here!”

Today's Reading

^1-7 The northern boundary of the land runs eastward from the Mediterranean Sea to the city of Hethlon, to Hamath Pass, to Enon City, to the boundary between the kingdoms of Damascus and Hamath. Each tribe is to receive one section of land extending from the eastern boundary west to the Mediterranean Sea, in the following order from north to south: DanAsherNaphtaliManassehEphraimReubenJudah ⁸ The next section of the land is to be set apart for special use. It is to be 10 miles wide from north to south, and the same length from east to west as the sections given to the tribes. The Temple will be located within this section. ⁹ In the center of this section, a special area 10 miles by 8 miles is to be dedicated to the LORD. ¹⁰ The priests are to have a portion of this holy area. From east to west their portion is to measure 10 miles, and from north to south, 4 miles. The Temple of the LORD is to be located in the middle of this area. ¹¹ This holy area is to be for the priests who are descendants of Zadok. They served me faithfully and did not join the rest of the Israelites in doing wrong, as the other members of the tribe of Levi did. ¹² So they are to have a special area next to the area belonging to the Levites, and it will be the holiest of all. ¹³ The Levites also are to have a special area, south of that of the priests. It too is to be 10 miles from east to west, by 4 miles from north to south. ¹⁴ The area dedicated to the LORD is the best part of all the land, and none of it may be sold or exchanged or transferred to anyone else. It is holy and belongs to the LORD. ¹⁵ The part of the special area that is left, 10 miles by 2 miles, is not holy, but is for the general use of the people. They may live there and use the land. The city is to be in the center of it, ¹⁶ and it will be a square, 2,520 yards on each side. ¹⁷ All around the city on each side there will be an open space 140 yards across. ¹⁸ The land that is left after the city has been built in the area immediately to the south of the holy area—4 miles by 2 miles on the east and 4 miles by 2 miles on the west—is to be used as farmland by the people who live in the city. ¹⁹ Anyone who lives in the city, no matter which tribe he comes from, may farm that land. ²⁰ And so the total area in the center of the section which was set apart will be a square measuring 10 miles on each side, and it will include the area occupied by the city. ^21-22 To the east and to the west of this area which contains the Temple, the priests' land, the Levites' land, and the city, the remaining land belongs to the ruling prince. It reaches east to the eastern boundary and west to the Mediterranean Sea, and is bounded on the north by the section belonging to Judah and on the south by the one belonging to Benjamin. ^23-27 South of this special section, each of the remaining tribes is to receive one section of land running from the eastern boundary west to the Mediterranean Sea, in the following order from north to south: BenjaminSimeonIssacharZebulunGad ²⁸ On the south side of the portion given to the tribe of Gad, the boundary runs southwest from Tamar to the oasis of Kadesh, and then northwest along the Egyptian border to the Mediterranean Sea. ²⁹ The Sovereign LORD said, “That is the way the land is to be divided into sections for the tribes of Israel to possess.” ^30-34 There are twelve entrances to the city of Jerusalem. Each of the four walls measures 2,520 yards and has three gates in it, each named for one of the tribes. The gates in the north wall are named for Reuben, Judah, and Levi; those in the east wall, for Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan; those in the south wall, for Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun; and those in the west wall are named for Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. ³⁵ The total length of the wall on all four sides of the city is 10,080 yards. The name of the city from now on will be “The- LORD-Is-Here! ”

Reflect

Reread verses 30-35. Twelve was considered a complete number, and the twelve gates, three on each side of Jerusalem’s four walls, were to be named for the twelve tribes of Israel. What is the significance of the city’s new name (verse 35)? Today’s reading is the concluding chapter to the book of Ezekiel. From the excerpts you have read these past eleven days, are there visions or images that are particularly meaningful to you? If so, why?

Pray

Holy God, you are here with me always. Open my eyes to your presence around me and to an awareness of your glory. In your sacred name I pray, Amen.

Prayer Concern

Civil engineers

Ezekiel 47:1-23 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Receive New Life in the Spirit

Introduction

Ezekiel 47:1-23: Ezekiel sees a vision of a life-giving stream flowing from the Temple across the land and emptying into the Dead Sea. Then he is told about the four boundaries for the land that is to be divided among the twelve tribes.

Today's Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1a

The man led me back to the entrance of the Temple. Water was coming out from under the entrance and flowing east, the direction the Temple faced.

Today's Reading

¹ The man led me back to the entrance of the Temple. Water was coming out from under the entrance and flowing east, the direction the Temple faced. It was flowing down from under the south part of the Temple past the south side of the altar. ² The man then took me out of the Temple area by way of the north gate and led me around to the gate that faces east. A small stream of water was flowing out at the south side of the gate. ³ With his measuring rod the man measured 560 yards downstream to the east and told me to wade through the stream there. The water came only to my ankles. ⁴ Then he measured another 560 yards, and the water came up to my knees. Another 560 yards farther down, the water was up to my waist. ⁵ He measured 560 yards more, and there the stream was so deep I could not wade through it. It was too deep to cross except by swimming. ⁶ He said to me, “Mortal man, note all this carefully.” Then the man took me back to the riverbank, ⁷ and when I got there, I saw that there were very many trees on each bank. ⁸ He said to me, “This water flows through the land to the east and down into the Jordan Valley and to the Dead Sea. When it flows into the Dead Sea, it replaces the salt water of that sea with fresh water. ⁹ Wherever the stream flows, there will be all kinds of animals and fish. The stream will make the water of the Dead Sea fresh, and wherever it flows, it will bring life. ¹⁰ From the Springs of Engedi all the way to the Springs of Eneglaim, there will be fishermen on the shore of the sea, and they will spread out their nets there to dry. There will be as many different kinds of fish there as there are in the Mediterranean Sea. ¹¹ But the water in the marshes and ponds along the shore will not be made fresh. They will remain there as a source of salt. ¹² On each bank of the stream all kinds of trees will grow to provide food. Their leaves will never wither, and they will never stop bearing fruit. They will have fresh fruit every month, because they are watered by the stream that flows from the Temple. The trees will provide food, and their leaves will be used for healing people. ” ¹³ The Sovereign LORD said, “These are the boundaries of the land that is to be divided among the twelve tribes, with the tribe of Joseph receiving two sections. ¹⁴ I solemnly promised your ancestors that I would give them possession of this land; now divide it equally among you. ¹⁵ The northern boundary runs eastward from the Mediterranean Sea to the city of Hethlon, to Hamath Pass, to the city of Zedad, ¹⁶ to the cities of Berothah and Sibraim (they are located between the territory of the kingdom of Damascus and that of the kingdom of Hamath), and to the city of Ticon (located by the border of the district of Hauran). ¹⁷ So the northern boundary runs from the Mediterranean eastward to Enon City, with the border regions of Damascus and Hamath to the north of it. ¹⁸ The eastern boundary runs south from a point between the territory of Damascus and that of Hauran, with the Jordan River forming the boundary between the land of Israel on the west and Gilead on the east, as far as Tamar on the Dead Sea. ¹⁹ The southern boundary runs southwest from Tamar to the oasis of Kadesh Meribah and then northwest along the Egyptian border to the Mediterranean Sea. ²⁰ The western boundary is formed by the Mediterranean and runs north to a point west of Hamath Pass. ²¹ Divide this land among your tribes; ²² it is to be your permanent possession. The foreigners who are living among you and who have had children born here are also to receive their share of the land when you divide it. They are to be treated like full Israelite citizens and are to draw lots for shares of the land along with the tribes of Israel. ²³ All foreign residents will receive their share with the people of the tribe among whom they are living. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken. ”

Reflect

The land that had been defiled (see 36:16-21 from the reading on May 11) is now restored and cleansed. The stream that flows from the Temple may be a reference to the LORD as the source of life and fertility. Reread verses 6b-12. How do you envision what is described here? Why is the stream flowing from the Temple a hopeful image? Besides the people who belong to the twelve tribes, who else is to receive a share of the land (verses 21-23)? Does this surprise you? Why or why not?

Pray

Lord God, reading and meditating on your Word is like receiving life-giving water, and I am restored and refreshed. You are my source of life and renewal. Daily will I praise you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Immigrants