Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
The measurements are significant numbers – multiples of 10 (symbolising many), multiples of 7 (symbolising perfection or completeness), 12 (symbolising Israel) and 3 (another number of completeness). The decreasing size of entrances towards the inner sanctuary stresses its holiness and exclusivity. Only the man enters it, as it is forbidden for any human but the High Priest. The man must therefore be either a representation of God himself or an angel. The length of the temple, of the yard and building to its west, and the breadth of that building and the inner court were all 100 cubits. Such detail seems strange to us, but it all symbolised the perfection of the temple itself. And the desire to describe and meditate on it should be likened to our desire to eagerly show pictures of a tour we had around Buckingham Palace, evoke wonder that God himself would actually return and live amongst his people. Throughout, there is more allusion to Eden, and to God's holiness. The priests must leave their garments before they go from the inner to outer court, because they are holy in having been so close to God. The sense is that they would otherwise spread holiness to the people, which could prove problematic if the people were not consecrated to God, as his wrath might then break out at their sin - as when Uzzah was struck down for coming into contact with the holy ark (see 2 Sam 6v7). 42v20 highlights the purpose of the wall. It is to separate the holy from the common. In other words, not only does this temple symbolise God’s presence with his people, but true and untainted worship being offered him, in which his regulations are kept, he is revered by bringing nothing unseemly close to him, and in which his dwelling place is not defiled by sin (contrast 22v26). We might consider the beauty of its design speaking of the final beauty of the church as the temple of the Holy Spirit, or the new creation that God’s glory will one day fill. Both are holy and set-apart, and in both, worship that is true, obedient, reverent and undefiled is to be offered. As you read consider the perfection that we should seek as this temple of God.Ezekiel 41-42
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.