Nov. 24, 2021
To Those Who Are Exiles
Overview: Ezekiel 33-34, 1 Peter 1
After Ezekiel prophesies against the nations, he returns to address the house of Israel after the fall of Jerusalem. In the midst of destruction, he offers hope through a renewed relationship with God. To move toward restoration, the Lord reminds Ezekiel and his audience of their responsibilities in the community. God Himself will be his people’s shepherd, disciplining and providing for them no matter what.
The first letter of Peter calls for perseverance in faith while suffering. The theme of the letter is that Christians should be full of hope in God’s eternal salvation because they experience it here and now through Jesus. Peter writes to persecuted Christians that he calls "exiles," linking the New Testament church with exiled Israel. He charges these exiles to trust in Christ and praise God for their salvation, both now and in the future.
How can we strive to live holy lives in the face of adversity?
Check out this video from BibleProject for a visual overview of 1 Peter.