Genesis – Shalom Talk

As if Full of Fire

Published on September 18, 2025September 29, 2025 by DanLeave a comment

It was my observation when working my way through the first chapter of Ezekiel, this passage of interest is our first glimpse of the most high. All of the parts of the vision described in the previous essays on chapter one was no more than an introduction to this portion of the vision. This is the main event. Why? because now we discuss the image that appears above the throne, the figure that was like a man.

Ezekiel 1:26-28 says — Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking [NIV].

In this vision God establishes himself as the Lord of angels and overseer of events in the world, thus it is easy to postulate — whatever God either promises (positive or negative); he is able to accomplish.

Angels are presented as his servants; we mortals are his tools. Knowing he is not silent, we look above the wheels, the angels, and the platform to the throne, to the one true living God. We expect a message. Why? Because he is the one true living God who communicates that plan. He is not silent.

In other throne room visions we get the same message. God is not silent. John in Revelation 1:12-13 hear a voice, and again in Revelation 19:10 John speaks of the testimony of Jesus.

We should also note the Glory of God was above the heads of the angels. His position commands reverence and respect. The angels were under his feet as we have read in 1 Peter 3:22 that angels, principalities, and powers are made subject to him. This brings to light the amazing depth of God’s grace. He lives above the angels in this vision, but in his role as our ransom, he chose to become a little lower than the angels (see Hebrews 2:9).

When Ezekiel saw God, he was shroud in light, the color of amber, covered as with a garment. And so, in this vision, he appears in the likeness of man. Notice his lower section gave the appearance of fire, reinforcing the notion that God is a consuming fire. There were rays coming out of his hand (Habakkuk 3:4) that suggest the shielding of his full power. In Revelation 4:3 we also see a rainbow, most view this rainbow as a display of majesty, a cooling of the heat, God’s mercy and kindness, a display of graciousness (implied in Genesis 9:16, Leviticus 26:42) [NIV].

We should note that Ezekiel does not say this is how God himself appears. Rather we are looking at his glory, a translucent image, lest we see God and die. We see a mere shadow (implied in Hebrews 10:1). When he saw this image, he fell upon his face. Ezekiel was overpowered, He knew the distance between himself and God, distance caused by sin. Ezekiel went prostrate on the floor in humility and respect. He prepared himself to hear the message from God. The plan, expressed by God, was overwhelming.

I have come to know — the more we humble ourselves; the more God will make himself known to us. Everything Ezekiel saw to this point served one purpose. Prepare his heart to hear the message. Prepare his heart to hear the plan. We are taught by words from the Spirit of God and then the message is written on our heart with the blood of Jesus. Review Matthew chapter 5, make no mistake, God delights in teaching the humble to be humbler. We benefit. Prepare your heart. Embrace the fire. I choose Jesus.

According To Your Conduct

Published on September 2, 2025August 13, 2025 by DanLeave a comment

It was my observation while reading Ezekiel (chapter 6) we find a message of firmness interspersed with grace for the Hebrew remnant, now in chapter 7 we find a much different message for those who were continuing to resist the mercy of God and seek solace in the idols of their neighbors. The approaching armies were pressing on Jerusalem, the imagery was strong and persistent. Repent or die. The messaging was very clear. For those who do not repent there will be complete and utter destruction of Jerusalem, they will reach the end of their life. It will not be a gentle death.

Ezekiel 7:1-4 — The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel: The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land! The end is now upon you, and I will unleash my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will surely repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that I am the Lord. [NIV]

In my view this was a fair and substantive warning of the judgement to come. It is unreasonable to assume that some were left unaware of the reason for the attack and siege from the Chaldeans. The prophets of God have been talking about this purging since Isaiah and even before. The message from God has been consistent. Now, the Hebrews can see the armies they have heard about. God kept his word. Yet most of the people are deaf, foolish and uncaring of the message. Jerusalem is in deep trouble, yet the men of the city are not concerned. They are trusting the walls of the city to stop the attack. Ezekiel continues on – the end is near, it has come, he that has ears, let him hear. This is the final event, the end that consummates the foregoing judgements. Now the trouble begins. This is on par with the message of Genesis 6:13 to Noah, which discussed the period of their depraved state, the destruction of the Hebrew nation, the serious deluge that was the end of almost all flesh.

The message was speaking of the end, the end you have been warned about, the end that leaves a scant measure of remnant to build upon after the trouble (see Jeremiah 29:10-14). They were expecting that God would bail them out. But that was not the case (see Deuteronomy 29:28-33). Their pride had obscured the proper impact of God’s wisdom. They were fooling themselves.

This messaging provides us with hints of the things to come down the road, even after Cyrus restores Jerusalem and they wait for the final stretch until the Messiah comes onto the scene. This hint points to the Romans (a replacement for the Chaldeans as a judgement tool). When we read messaging such as the end of things as we know it is at hand, we get the feeling of the thoughts found in Matthew 24:3. It seems that the once the Davidic reign came to close, the Hebrews were always feeling a sense of trouble on the horizon. This day was no different. With one exception. Destruction was going to happen soon, really soon. The veiled warnings were coming to fruit. If it is the last days for Jerusalem, then Daniel 12:13 applies — As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance. [NIV]

Nahum tells us about this kind of evil and trouble that ensues. There is no need to continue day-to-day business. Nahum 1:9 says — What do ye imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time [NIV]. The Babylonian thing is a final event. The Hebrew nation is forever changed. The trouble is without precedent or parallel (implied in Psalms 75:8).

This situation exhibits God’s wrath, yet we do see his mercy protecting the remnant. This font of calamity, river of pain, this is the wormwood we find in the depth of Ezekiel’s message. His fury is poured out on the city. Jeremiah 4:18 says — Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart! [NIV]. As for me? I choose Jesus.

The Steadfast Heart.

Published on July 29, 2025July 8, 2025 by DanLeave a comment

To Jacob, a friend of mine. I am sorry for your troubles. Let me tell you about somebody else who has a story like your story. I heard her story many years ago. Her name was Patty. In her early days, Patty lived a faithful life focused on Jesus. She was active in her church choir, spent hours praying for others. She made meals for neighbors when their children were sick. But then Patty broke her back. She rarely asked why, Patty simply tried to be true to God no matter how bad it got. Patty could have sat on the ground and withered away. She was completely flattened by life. The increased health care insurance premiums caused her boss to let her go. Quickly after the release, her house was repossessed by the bank for lack of payments. Patty had no place to go. Her girlfriend stepped in and invited Patty to shelter in her house until she recovered from the injury and found more work.

Gradually Patty was getting better. Then her friend died from a kidney rupture. Once again, her life was in turmoil, but her girlfriend had told the children that Patty should remain in the house. Then the children of the girl friend reneged on their agreement, took the house, and pushed Patty onto the street. She had no family, money, or place to go. She only had the clothes on her back. Gradually, things got better. She drifted to a new city and started again – she remained in the eye of the Hurricane.

I heard about Patty when she was working at a church thrift store — after all this happened. As I listened to the story, it appeared this woman, who had been faithful to God, had been completely crushed. Patty should have given up on God. She should have quit. She had every human excuse to stomp her foot and curse God. But Patty did not. In time, God restored her life with new friends, a job, a home, and the things she needed to live her remaining life in fullness. Through all of this, she stayed the course.

Abraham should have let go of the dream from God and returned to the land of his parents. He should have quit. Abraham should have told God that this covenant thing was dead, he was too old and completely unable to make a life in this new place. Yet, God had called Abraham several years earlier and Abraham responded. He left his home and traveled to a distant land. He left for this new place because God had promised to bless him with land, children, and prosperity (Genesis 12:1-13,18). However, none of that was forth coming. So far, this new place brought him famine, conflict with other groups, no children, and personal threats upon his life. Abraham had nothing to show except a sad adventure story.

So, he asks for guidance from God and once more God steadies him…be patient (Genesis 15:18). But after that conversation, all Abraham obtained was more silence (Genesis 16:1-6). He should have given up on God. He should have quit. But he did not and we know the rest of the story. Abraham became the father of many nations. We Christians continue to be adapted into his family (read the book of Hebrews).

Paul says — Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

In the face of what could be deemed as God’s failure, neither Patty nor Abraham gave up. They did not quit. They lived within his strength. All during her time of trouble, Patty would take aside young women who were in deep trouble, pray for them, encourage them, take them under her wing, and help them to trust in God despite their troubles. Abraham became the father of many nations. God is sovereign. No questions, no whining, just obedience. He is sovereign. When we are faithful, in the end he is faithful. Even if we waver a bit during the dark days, he is faithful. He loves us.

I choose Jesus.

The Breath of God

Published on July 22, 2025July 8, 2025 by DanLeave a comment

It has been my observation, to understand God is to understand the three persons who comprise God. Getting your head wrapped around the difference between God the Father and Jesus is one thing. But many struggle to grasp who the Holy Spirit is in a way they could explain clearly to someone else. Yet, scripture tells us that knowing the Holy Spirit is the path to God’s wisdom. Understanding the Holy Spirit is vital to your walk with God.

The Bible describes the Spirit as the “breath” of God. John 20:22 says – and he [Jesus] breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit [NIV]. When you start walking with the one true living God, the Holy Spirit transforms you to become more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit has a will (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). His direction is consistent with God’s plan. Paul says — Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)

1 Corinthians 2:9-12 says –What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love Him — these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us [NIV].

Clearly, Paul is encouraging us to explore the deeper relationship with God. But not just an awareness, rather he us telling us that we are to peer deep into the connection between us and the Holy Spirit, we are to give profound attention to his nudge, for he becomes a window to the wisdom and majesty of the one true living God. Where do we learn? At the feet of the one true living God. How do we learn? We learn through the conduit provided by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says – Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies [NIV]. Ephesians 4:30 says – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption [NIV]. John 14:16 says – And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever [NIV]. Romans 5:5 says – and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us [NIV]. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says – Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? [NIV]

The Holy Spirit hovers over believers in Christ and dwells within them at the same time. He is painfully aware of the massive cost (the death of Jesus) to establish this line of communication between us. He has access to and knows the Father’s thoughts – he is permitted to communicate many of those thoughts to us.

What is the impact? When you pray or read the Bible, you may very well sense God speaking to you through scripture; after all, that is one of key roles of the Holy Spirit in our life. God’s plan for us exists, we learn that plan from the Holy Spirit when we are meditating on Scripture. As our advocate (in addition to Jesus), he brings our hopes and dreams to the feet of God the Father. The Holy Spirit works in your life, teaching and giving opportunities for service. In that service, we learn to honor God’s notions and his way. The more you let this sink in, the easier it will be to give the Holy Spirit the proper place of authority He deserves in your life. Furthermore, his plan for your life will become noticeably clear.

Faith, Hope and Love – here are three elements we can grasp that honor God and honor the temple he has given us. Love is the cornerstone, the under girth of faith and hope. Faith and hope are fueled by the nudge and teaching about love from the Holy Spirit. The more we learn about trusting God (faith) and embracing the larger picture of everlasting life (hope), the more effective God’s love is in our life. How do we know this? These things are not tangible, you cannot touch love as a stand-alone object. These things appear through our actions. You cannot touch them, but you can see the impact of faith, hope, and love in your life and others around you.

Why does this matter? When these things are fueled by the Holy Spirit, active in our life, growing us and nurturing us, we are able to reflect these attributes using the Gold Standard for these attributes – we model our behavior in accordance with the one true living God. He displays these attributes; we are created in his image; we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate these attributes. Selah!

The Holy Spirit is an equal among and a true member of the Trinity. Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit interact and exist in a binding community, co-equal, co-eternal, and one in essence with one another. Genesis 1:1-2 says — In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters [NIV]. Mark 1:9-12 says – At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, He saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. A voice came from heaven: ‘You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased’ [NIV].

Acts 15:8 says — God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us [NIV]. 2 Corinthians 13:14 says — May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all [NIV]. Acts 2:33 says – God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, He (Jesus) has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out [upon us] what you now see and hear [NIV].

Can we resist the influence of the Holy Spirit that envelopes us and fills us up to the brim? Can we avoid the message that comes straight from the thoughts of God? Can we run from God’s truth? I suspect not. Read his word, pray, listen to Him, grow in faith, walk with God!

I choose Jesus.

The Breath Of God

Published on June 24, 2025May 30, 2025 by DanLeave a comment

I choose Jesus.

How does it happen? Why does it happen? What is the outcome?

What is the trinity all about? Why does it matter?

How do you touch the fruit of the Spirit? Can you? Can you see the effect of the fruit of the Spirit?

Now that you have a better idea of how the Holy Spirit operates, what changes do you need to make to work with the Spirit of God rather than skirting God’s wisdom and guidance related to you by the Holy Spirit?

We are Remanufactured.

Published on February 13, 2025March 9, 2025 by DanLeave a comment

It has been my observation that Jesus came to restore our original righteousness which was lost through sin. He fulfilled the law of God on our behalf and then offered his own life as a sacrifice to God’s justice for our sins. Romans 3:23-25 explains: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.”

Jesus remedied our standing with God and restored God’s image within us. Thus, the language of Genesis 1:27 is echoed in our New Testament faith in Jesus, “renewed in the spirit of [our] minds … to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24). Paul says that by God’s grace “we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we live in restored relationship with God and we can love others with the love God gives us. We live an abundant life in the presence of Jesus and participate in God’s mission of healing and restoration to the world. Life in relationship with Jesus increasingly becomes marked by joy, love, peace, and light. The body may die, but the soul lives on eternally with Christ. Indeed, God’s goodness and wholeness has the first and the last word.

God loves us and proves that love by sending His Son, Jesus, to show us what He is like (John 14:9). Although God loves us, our sin separates us from God (implied in Romans 3:23; 6:23). Jesus came to earth and offered Himself in our place. He took the punishment our sin deserves (implied in 2 Corinthians 5:21). God raised Him from the dead three days later, proving that Jesus is Lord over everything, including death (implied in Romans 10:9–10). Then God decreed that everyone who places faith in Jesus will be forgiven and enter a relationship with Him (implied in John 3:16–18). So, God’s first desire is that we come to know Him through faith. When we know Him, we can discover who we are.

Paul says — Could this be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to sin and that miserable life—we are no longer captive to sin’s demands! What we believe is this: when we are included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead, it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again, death shall not have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, and then God comes close to us. From now on — Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word from Him. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That is what Jesus did – that is what happens to us (Romans 6:6-11 paraphrased).

This is a game changer. Paul says – do not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Do not give it the time of day. Do not even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly into this new life—remember, you have been raised from the dead! — We are living life God’s way – not our way. Sin cannot tell you how to live. We do not live under that old tyranny any longer. Now and forever more we live in the freedom of God (Romans 6:12-14 paraphrased).

The New Testament reflects on our divine image – we are made for covenant communion with God in righteousness. While the Fall has marred the image of God in us – distorting the righteousness which we were first made to reflect – God sent Jesus to redeem us and restore the image of God “in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24). We are remanufactured. We have permission to walk with God.

I choose Jesus.

The Path Forward

Published on November 21, 2024March 9, 2025 by DanLeave a comment

It was my observation while browsing Psalms, that David and Asaph often spoke of the need to meditate on the truth of God, the works of God, and the nature of God. Psalms 77:10-12 tells us – I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago, I will consider all your works and meditate on your mighty deeds (NIV). This is a clear mandate for meditation. But how do we meditate from a biblical viewpoint? Let me be clear, meditation is not sitting still and emptying your mind of all thoughts. It is not a ship drifting aimlessly in a still ocean, with no anchor or no sail. Rather, meditation is focused, contemplation on a theme from scripture, which includes giving ample space for God’s word to breathe life into you, for the Spirit of the living God to teach you. Psalms 119:15 tells us – I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways (NIV).

So, what do we do? We step away from busyness and noise, internal and external. Get still, find a place that is quiet. Find a time that is quiet. Get alone with God. Just as you moved the dial on a radio to a specific channel, do the same with God – focus your mind on him. This takes time to learn, time to engage in intentional meditation. It is easy to read a few scriptures, it is not so easy to really ponder on the word, and patiently wait in quietness for the message from God to arrive. Psalms 49:3-4 implies — My mouth will speak your words of wisdom; meditation from my heart brings understanding (NIV).

Start simple, focused, with modest objectives. Work at getting 5 minutes of focus on the essence of God. If you drift, do not be too hard on yourself. Keep trying. God will respect the effort and deliver. Find a regular time. Put this time on your calendar if needed. Time is not found, it is scheduled. Make a plan. Stick to it. Select the right time and the right location. In time you can and will meditate anyplace. You will learn to shut out the outside din and inside self-talk to get focused on God. But, at first it is wise to meditate in the same place at a regular time. Psalms 1:2 implies we are to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law — day and night.

Isaac found it helpful to meditate in his field in the evening, someplace where others did not disturb him, where he was surrounded by the splendor of God’s creation (implied in Gen. 24:63). Develop a standard plan of action. This is directed thought, not mindlessness. Build a list of topics, keep them on your phone, build a list of verses you want to ponder on, keep them on your phone (edit the list as needed). Get the topic or verse in your head – get started. This is God’s thing – give him space to work. Let him teach. Work the scripture, over and over. Let the Spirit do his job. Absorb.

If you are struggling with something, this is a good time to ponder on how to leverage God’s word to resolve the issue. This is a time for honesty and ownership of our part in the situation. This is a time to hear God’s plan and then learn from the master. Focus on the word, let God speak through his word. Find a path forward. Finding internal peace is the goal, getting quiet is the method, embracing rest is the outcome (see Psalm 77 for a template). In my view, meditating involves us having an open heart, a slow contemplation of God. We should be much more interested in what God has to say about the passage we are meditating upon than what we think about that passage. Be still and know he is God. Major on listening, minor on talking.

I know this topic is a big ‘ask.’ Give it a little thought. I do not meditate all day, but I do set down and focus my thoughts on God often each week. When I am swimming in the noise of the day, I turn to him.

I choose Jesus.