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Ezekiel 40:38-43:27<\/strong><\/span> Ezekiel chapters 40 and 41 in today\u2019s readings include verses where we read a lot about measurements and cubits and such!\u00a0 I have to admit that I sometimes zone out a bit when reading these types of details in the Old Testament.\u00a0 However \u2013 something that popped into my mind once when reading through these types of verses that has benefited me greatly in my appreciation of measurements and such is this \u2013 God is a God of precision.\u00a0 God is a God of detail.\u00a0 God is an organized God.\u00a0 Which I think is great news!\u00a0 I mean, look at our own human bodies and all our internal organs.\u00a0 We are wonderfully made by a God who is a God of precision and detail.\u00a0 So, remembering this when I read these types of measurements verses helps.\u00a0 It helps me keep my focus and interest on what I\u2019m reading.\u00a0 \u00a0I hope this helps you in some way as you read through detailed chapters like these in the Bible.\u00a0 If God showed this much organization and care for Ezekiel\u2019s Temple, do you suppose he continues to show his organization and care for our local churches today?<\/span><\/p>\n Ezekiel chapter 41 verse 3 stands out today: \u201cThen he went into the inner room at the end of the Holy Place.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>This is interesting in that the angelic being leading Ezekiel through this vision and the temple enters the Most Holy Place \u2013 Ezekiel does not.\u00a0 Even though it\u2019s a vision.\u00a0 And even though God\u2019s presence is not in the Most Holy Place at this time (we\u2019ll see the Presence coming next chapter).\u00a0 Yet Ezekiel does not enter.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because the law was that only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place.\u00a0 \u00a0This shows great obedience on Ezekiel\u2019s part!\u00a0 Even in a vision, he\u2019s obedient.\u00a0 Are there areas of our life where God is calling us to be obedient?\u00a0 Even if we think our obedience in a specific circumstance or situation won\u2019t matter (e.g. a vision or a dream or even a small circumstance in real life) \u2013 will we still be obedient?\u00a0 Below is one of my all-time favorite images demonstrating obedience that I have to post up a couple of times a year!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n Ezekiel chapter 42 continues the description of the temple in Ezekiel\u2019s vision and the dimensions.\u00a0 In this chapter we learn about the rooms for the priests of the temple.\u00a0 The interesting thing for me, as I was reading this chapter today, is that my mind wandered a bit and wondered if maybe somehow this was \/ is a heavenly temple that Ezekiel was describing?\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure.\u00a0 I have so much more to learn about the temples.\u00a0 But, it\u2019s interesting to think if maybe somehow we might see something like this temple in heaven?\u00a0 An interesting thought at least for me to ponder.\u00a0 \u00a0However \u2013 the tricky thing is that in chapter 43 there are descriptions of sacrifices for the altar in this temple.\u00a0 And of course Christ was the final sacrifice for our sins\u00a0 \u2013 so there is no need for the old covenant sacrifices.\u00a0 So, this could certainly dash my imagination of this being a heavenly temple we\u2019ll see some day.\u00a0 \u00a0Though \u2013 I did read somewhere that if this is a heavenly temple, the sacrifices described in chapter 43 may be \u201cmemorials\u201d or ceremonial \u2013 but not required, as they were in the old covenant.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know\u2026 fascinating stuff to ponder however!\u00a0 Below is an artist\u2019s rendition of \u201cEzekiel\u2019s Temple\u201d:<\/span> Back to how all this might apply to our lives today.\u00a0 Verse 20 in chapter 42 stood out to me: \u201cSo the area was 875 feet on each side with a wall all around it to separate the holy places from the common.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0The last part of that verse stands out \u2013 to separate the holy places from the common.\u00a0 \u00a0I wonder about that in our lives \u2013 do we do anything that separates the holy from the common in our own lives?\u00a0 Do we need to?\u00a0 \u00a0My thought here is that if we don\u2019t allow for some \u201choly places\u201d to appear in our lives, might we just settle for common places throughout our lives?\u00a0 \u00a0A Holy Place for us might be 5 minutes of prayer.\u00a0 Or 15 minutes of reading the Bible.\u00a0 Or going to a church service.\u00a0 Or listening to worship music.\u00a0 Or not scheduling anything one day a week, so we can take a Sabbath day of rest.\u00a0 \u00a0What are you doing to create some Holy Places in your life?<\/span> Chapter 43 is incredible with God\u2019s return to the temple.\u00a0 I love this verse \u2013 \u201cAnd this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Absolute holiness.\u00a0 Okay \u2013 so this is not something we are going to see or \u201cachieve\u201d this side of heaven.\u00a0 It\u2019s impossible for us to be absolutely holy on this earth.\u00a0 Only Jesus was absolutely holy and sinless.\u00a0 However, I think the call for our eternal lives is absolute holiness.\u00a0 So, know that faith in Jesus will ultimately lead you in this direction \u2013 and I do believe we can grow in holiness in this life.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace gives ultimate absolute holiness in heaven.\u00a0 Do you want absolute holiness?\u00a0 Are you moving toward absolute holiness in your life today?\u00a0 Do you also realize you won\u2019t reach absolute holiness this side of heaven?\u00a0 \u00a0But, yet, do you still desire absolute holiness someday?<\/span> Verse 21 in this chapter is a foreshadowing of Jesus\u2019 death on the Cross at Mt. Calvary: \u201cThen take the young bull for the sin offering and burn it at the appointed place outside the Temple area.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0How does this apply to Jesus\u2019 death on a hill outside of Jerusalem\u2019s city gates?\u00a0 This is best explained in Hebrews chapter 13 verses 11-13 as follows: \u201cThe high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.\u201d <\/em>Powerful\u2026\u00a0 Will you walk with Jesus outside the city gates of Jerusalem?\u00a0 Up to Mt. Calvary?\u00a0 Will you follow Jesus all the way up that hill?<\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Today\u2019s readings remind me of Michael W. Smith\u2019s song \u201cDraw Me Close:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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