This week we finish up our journey through the second major prophetic book this week. And then move on to read all five chapters of the third book (Lamentations) and dive into the fourth book (Ezekiel).The book of Lamentations is a poetic book that is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. It mourns the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in the 6th century BC. In Judaism, this book is traditionally recited on the fast day of "Tisha B'Av" the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, mourning the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem. It is said that Jeremiah retired to a cavern outside the Damascus gate, where he wrote this book. Today, that cavern is still pointed out by tour guides.
The next book is Ezekiel, written by the prophet of the same name. The name "Ezekiel" means "God will strengthen." His story is interesting. He describes his calling by God to be a prophet by going into a lot of detail about God riding a chariot of four wheels guided by cherubs. For the next several years, he preached alongside Jeremiah about the coming destruction of Jerusalem which he lived to witness. He was in his mid-twenties when he was exiled along with approximately 3,000 upper class Jews to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. There he and his wife lived in their own home as other exiles came to see his prophetic insights. Later he began to have visions of a new Temple. All total, his career as a prophet lasted for around 25 years.
Here is the schedule:
18, Sunday - Jeremiah 37-40
19, Monday - Jeremiah 41-44
20, Tuesday - Jeremiah 45-48
21, Wednesday - Jeremiah 49-52
22, Thursday - Lamentations 1-4
23, Friday - Lamentations 5 - Ezekiel 3
24, Saturday - Ezekiel 4-7
May God bless the reading, the hearing and most importantly the living out of His Holy Word. Amen!
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