Readings like today's really bring out the fact that the Bible, on top of everything else, is great reading. And The Daily Bible editor, by putting the Bible in this chronological arrangement, deserves praise for really bringing out the story of the Bible. There has been this build up, ever since Israel began, of increasing rebelliousness. The prophets have provided a steady drumbeat of God's warnings (as well as his promises of restoration). Just after one of the most explicit chapters of the Bible regarding Israel's rebelliousness we hear the news, "The siege has begun." The parable of the cooking pot turns the people's boasting on its head (read 24:3-14 and then my previous note on 11:2-11). The severity of the devastation is emphasized with the death of Ezekiel's wife. And like flipping through news channels to watch a breaking news story, we are able to see different perspective of the events in Judah through Ezekiel and Jeremiah.
Imagine if you had never heard the stories of the Bible before and had just read this far. You'd be on the edge of your seat, unable to put the book down. You'd wonder how on earth God could pull through with his promises when Israel had fallen apart this badly. But we know the (true) story only gets better! What a privilege for us to have the Bible. Hopefully, even knowing what comes next, you are still on the edge of your seat with each daily reading. May God continue to bless our daily meditation on his Word.
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