SWHW Bible Reading Plan: September 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Caren Fehr:

Ezekiel was never a book that first came to my mind when I would think about how I am to work God's way. That is, until now. After studying these last two chapters and reading through this book, I have seen how there is actually much to be said within it about the workplace! 

Ezekiel hits on topics like honesty, a fair return on investment, success and failure, teamwork, finances, debt, and more. For our time together today, I want to unpack the topic of honesty which we see in Ezekiel 45:9-12:

"‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. You are to use accurate scales, an accurate ephah and an accurate bath. The ephah and the bath are to be the same size, the bath containing a tenth of a homer and the ephah a tenth of a homer; the homer is to be the standard measure for both. The shekel is to consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels equal one mina.” 

Honesty at all times is highly valued by God and is an essential part of our integrity and faithfulness to Him. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God commanding His people not to lie or deceive each other (Leviticus 19:11) or give false testimony about another (Exodus 20:16). In Psalm 15:2-5 we also see the psalmist describing who an honest person is in detail!

With that said, honesty isn't just reserved for the Old Testament. We see honesty and truthfulness as one of the marks of a Christian's new life in Colossians 3:9, "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices."

Ephesians 4:24-25 also reveals a commitment to honesty as one of the first manifestations of a believer putting off the old self and putting on the new self in Christ!

As we can see, God's way is marked by honesty and integrity. The challenge I am leaving us with today is to pause and reflect with the Holy Spirit on where we might have compromised honesty in our marriages, relationships, work, and even ourselves.

Let's make the commitment today to be like Jesus in His honesty and integrity while remembering that we cannot be like Him apart from Him; He enables us as we remain available and willing.

Father, there is not one book that is meaningless in Your Word. Every book, chapter, and word has a purpose; Your purpose. Thank You for calling us up today to put off the old self and its practices and put on the new self by Your power with things like honesty. Help us to choose humility so that we may then choose honesty in our work and in everything else. We love You! Amen.