Daily Devotional For Saturday, September 19, 2026
Good morning Southside! I am following the One Year Chronological Bible reading suggestion and any Bible verses you see highlighted in bold (ex. John 3:16), means it is a link to that verse. All you have to do is click on the reference and it will take you to the verse online. Our daily devotional reading for today comes from Ezekiel 14:12-23. This passage centers on the fall of the house of Judah. This passage lists 3 biblical faith warriors: Noah, Job, and Daniel. We know how in such stressful and even life-threatening situations these 3 men never wavered in their faith. God’s point is that even if these 3 men were in Jerusalem the famine would still be sent by God.
Nothing was going to stop God’s wrath and anger against His people. God’s punishment was four-fold (Lev. 26:14-39; Deut. 28:15-68; Deut. 32:15-27). The Hebrew text leads us to believe that the whole nation of Judah would be punished by God for breaking their covenant with the Lord. This reminds us of Exodus 19:1-8.
- The first punishment here is famine (Ezek. 14:13), which was the first plague God brought against Egypt that took both human and animal life. This famine would be so severe that even if these 3 righteous men were present, God would still send the famine. These 3 men are listed as models of righteousness (Gen. 6:9, 22; Job 1:1-2:10). Noah was the only righteous man of his day, but he could not avert the judgment of the flood upon the rest of humanity. Job was righteous but could not avert the test of faith that cost him his family and possessions. Daniel was in a high position in Babylon and one of the most trusted advisers to King Nebuchadnezzar but that did not avert him from being thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel was one of the wisest men in Babylon, but he was also the most righteous man in Babylon (Dan. 1:17-21; Dan. 2:14, 48; Dan. 5:12).
- The second judgment would be the visitation of the wild beast (Ezek. 14:15-16). These wild beasts would leave the country childless so that there would be no future hope of a new beginning. This reminds us of God’s warning to the Hebrews if they broke His covenant (see Lev. 26:22; Deut. 32:24). How Job lost all of his children, so would all the parents in Judah lose their children.
- The third judgment would be a sword (Ezek. 14:17). Though there were righteous people living in Judah, they would experience this also. God assured them with an oath, “as surely as the Lord lives” and “God lives” (this is used 41 times in the Old Testament). This is intentional that Yahweh is eternal and never dies. In biblical days cultures believed their gods lived and they died, especially if they were defeated or conquered or experienced a national natural catastrophe. Our God is always watching and working on behalf of His people and His word (Ps. 121:3-5; Josh. 3:10; 1 Sam. 17:26; Jer. 1:12; Jer. 10:3-16; & Dan. 6:20-26). When God gives us His word, we can “take it to the bank.”
- The fourth judgment would be a plague, diseases or an epidemic (Ezek. 14:19-20). This was a common punishment by God. God brought a plague or epidemic against the Philistines (1 Sam. 5:6-7) and against the Assyrians (Isa. 36:36). What is so sad is that all four punishments could have been averted had Judah, God’s people, heeded God’s warning through His prophets. They should have known better – especially if they had looked at their past disobedience and how God disciplined them.
Reflection Assignment: What do you think this passage reveals about God’s character? What does it reveal about your character? When did God warn you and you still chose to sin? God then disciplined you. How did God discipline you? Did you repent? If so, how? What did you learn from this experience?
Scripture To Meditate On: Deuteronomy 5:9, “You must not bow down to idols or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject Me” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, thank You that You love me enough to discipline me (Heb. 12:6). You are a loving God, but You are also a jealous God who will tolerate me going after any other idols. I want to seek You and Your righteousness first. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly