Week 46: A New Way to Convey an Old Message

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Ezekiel 23:1-49, Hebrews 10:18-39, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 27:13
• Monday: Ezekiel 24:1-26:21, Hebrews 11:1-16, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 27:14
• Tuesday: Ezekiel 27:1-28:26, Hebrews 11:17-31, Psalm 111:1-10, Proverbs 27:15-16
• Wednesday: Ezekiel 29:1-30:26, Hebrews 11:32-12:13, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 27:17
• Thursday: Ezekiel 31:1-32:32, Hebrews 12:14-29, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 27:18-20
• Friday: Ezekiel 33:1-34:31, Hebrews 13:1-25, Psalm 115:1-18, Proverbs 27:21-22
• Saturday: Ezekiel 35:1-36:38, James 1:1-18, Psalm 116:1-19, Proverbs 27:23-27

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Hebrews:

Scripture: Hebrews 8:10

But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds so they will understand them, and I will write them on their hearts so they will obey them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Observation:
This is one of those amazing verses that is a quotation from the Old Testament. We find it in Jeremiah 31:31-34, but also in this week's reading of Ezekiel 36:26-27:

25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26 And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. ^a 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.

God realized that the old covenant fell short: it was based on obedience of the rules (the law), with the intent to give the people life -- if only they lived by those rules. But God's people in the Old Testament (the people of Israel) did not understand that, nor were they able to obey those rules. So God came up with a new covenant so they would understand: he put his rules (the law) in their mind and in their heart. He did that by pouring out his Holy Spirit, who gives us understanding. (John 14:26)

Application:
What struck me in this passage is that God didn't change his laws. The laws and rules that God gave all boil down to the ultimate law of loving Him and loving others (Matthew 22:37-40). That was the same in the Old Testament as it is in the New Testament! What changed in the New Testament is that God simply found a new way of conveying his laws of love. By pouring out the Holy Spirit, He poured out a little bit of Himself on each one of us. How amazing!!

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for showing mercy on us, by meeting us in our shortcomings. Thank you for giving your Son, and thank you for your Spirit who guides us and teaches us. Thank you for softening our stony hearts, and turning them into hearts of flesh that can show compassion and love to others. Help us never forget that. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great and purposeful week.

In Christ,

Dick