Reading: Ezekiel 40-42
Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about. He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about. He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed. He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed. He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place (Ezek. 42:15-20).
Twice before in His Word, God has given detailed instructions for the building of His earthly house. First to Moses regarding the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 25-27,30-31), and later to David and Solomon for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem (I Chr. 28; I Kings 5-7). Both times, He provided architectural blueprints as well as designating who should build it, how, when, and where. Ezekiel’s vision was different in that God included no directive for the actual construction. While perfect in scale and function, the Temple design God gave Ezekiel has not yet been given form outside the pages of God’s Word, and Biblical scholars are deeply divided over whether or not God intends for it ever to be.
One of the truly wonderful things about God’s Word is that we do not have to wait until all has been made clear before benefiting from the lessons it contains. The literal or figurative nature of Ezekiel’s Temple will be revealed in God’s perfect time; for now, we can be content that God has it under control and turn our attention to the knowledge we can glean from what He has already shared.
This world was created by God, and all that is in it is His (I Cor. 10:26), but it has been greatly corrupted by mankind. In His permissive will, God has allowed those who choose to live Godless, secular lives. For those of us who have entered the body of Christ, such a life is no longer possible, yet we are under near-constant pressure to conform to worldly societal norms. So what can we do?
We can take inspiration from the design God shared with Ezekiel and build a wall to protect the holiness inside us that has been imparted from God. By doing so, we create a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place, that we can draw around us, creating a bubble of Godliness everywhere we go. Wherever we are or whatever we are doing—home, work, on social media, or just out and about with friends—we can stay in that bubble, set apart from the worldly influence that seeks to destroy us (I Pet. 5:8). In this way we can fearlessly interact with others, sharing our God and inviting them to experience the peace and certainty that comes from standing in His presence.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (I Cor. 6:19-20).
Thought for Today: Faith in God insulates our souls from forces that would do them harm.
Christ Revealed: Through the sacrifice (Ezek. 40:42). Jesus made the final once for all. . . . sacrifice for sins for ever (Heb. 10:10-12). Thus He became our only Mediator with God by dying for our sins. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation (9:23-28).
Word Studies:40:17 thirty chambers were upon the pavement = 30 rooms faced this pavement terrace; 40:23 over against = opposite; 41:24 turning leaves = hinged panels; 42:20 profane = unholy, common.
Pray For Staff: Judy McCrary• Government Officials: Rep. Jeff Jackson (NC) • Country: British Virgin Islands (32,680) Caribbean • Major Language: English • Religious Freedom • 84% Protestant; 10% Roman Catholic; 2% Jehovah Witness; 2% Other; 2% None • Prayer Suggestion: Pray to be sensitive to give God the praise for everything you do (Ps. 40:16).
Optional Readings: Revelation 17