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Audible TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 33–35; Revelation 18 One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided...
Key Takeaways
- Walking through Babylon means recognizing the modern systems of domination, consumption, and self-preservation that surround us.
- In Ezekiel 33-35, God condemns self-serving leaders while promising to personally shepherd, rescue, and care for His flock.
- Revelation 18 reveals that Babylon's impressive systems of wealth and power are ultimately temporary and destined to fall.
- While Babylon measures human worth by production and extraction, the Good Shepherd lays down His life and gives generously to His sheep.
- Believers are invited to live as citizens of Jesus' kingdom, listening for the voice of the Shepherd rather than conforming to the world.
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- TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 33–35; Revelation 18
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One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved.
TODAY'S EPISODE:
Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible. Today is September 13th, and together we continue our journey through the Scriptures with Ezekiel 33–35 and Revelation 18.
In Ezekiel, we encounter the prophet as a watchman, called to speak truth and invite God's people to turn toward life. We also hear a sharp word for Israel's shepherds, leaders who have cared for themselves rather than the people entrusted to them.
But God does not abandon the sheep.
God says he himself will search for them. He will rescue them, gather them, feed them, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak. Ultimately, God promises a shepherd from the line of David who will care for his people.
Then Revelation 18 takes us back into John's vision of Babylon.
Babylon appears powerful, wealthy, and secure. Yet John announces that Babylon has fallen.
The systems of domination, exploitation, violence, and greed that appear so permanent are not permanent at all.
Today's readings offer us a striking contrast between two ways of being in the world.
Babylon consumes. The Shepherd gives himself for the sheep.
Babylon accumulates. The Shepherd provides.
Babylon uses people. The Shepherd searches for the lost, binds up the wounded, and carries them home.
And we are invited again to decide which kingdom will shape our lives.
TODAY'S DEVOTION:
The Shepherd in Babylon
Babylon always looks impressive.
That's part of its power.
Revelation describes merchants, wealth, luxury, commerce, ships, kings, and people who have become rich from everything Babylon has to offer.
And then suddenly John says:
“Babylon is fallen.”
It turns out that what looked permanent wasn't permanent at all.
And I think that's important for us to remember because Babylon isn't only an ancient city.
Babylon is a way of organizing the world.
It is a way of seeing people.
It measures human beings by what they can produce, what they possess, what they can contribute, and what can be extracted from them.
And Ezekiel tells us that even God's shepherds can begin behaving like Babylon.
Instead of feeding the sheep, they feed themselves.
Instead of strengthening the weak, caring for the sick, binding up the injured, and searching for the lost, they use the flock for themselves.
And God says, “Enough.”
Then comes this beautiful promise:
“I myself will search and find my sheep.”
I love that.
God doesn't simply send better instructions.
He comes looking for us.
And when we finally see Jesus, we discover what this Shepherd looks like.
Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.”
The Shepherd doesn't exploit the sheep.
He lays down his life for them.
That's the difference between Babylon and Jesus.
Babylon asks, “What can I take?”
Jesus asks, “What can I give?”
Babylon climbs upward.
Jesus descends.
Babylon protects itself through power.
Jesus gives himself away in love.
And perhaps that's one of the invitations in today's reading.
We live in Babylon, too.
We're surrounded by systems that constantly tell us what matters, what success looks like, who is valuable, and what we should pursue.
But we belong to another kingdom.
And we follow another King.
A Shepherd King.
One who searches for the lost.
One who binds up the wounded.
One who strengthens the weak.
One who lays down his life for the sheep.
So don't be afraid when Babylon shakes.
Don't be surprised when things that looked permanent turn out not to be.
Listen instead for the voice of the Shepherd.
He knows your name.
He has come looking for you.
And he is leading us home.
That's the prayer I have for my own soul.
That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son.
And that's the prayer I have for you.
May it be so.
TODAY'S PRAYERS:
Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.
Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen
And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray...
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Bible passages are covered in this episode?
This episode covers Ezekiel chapters 33 through 35 and Revelation chapter 18 as part of the one-year Bible reading plan.
What does Babylon represent in this devotional teaching?
Babylon represents both an ancient city and a pervasive way of organizing the world that measures people by their productivity, possessions, and what can be extracted from them.
How does the Good Shepherd contrast with the systems of Babylon?
While Babylon seeks to take, climb upward, and protect itself through power, the Good Shepherd gives of Himself, descends in humility, and lays down His life for the sheep.
