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 Spirit takes Ezekiel to the inner court where he sees the temple filled with God’s glory. The people are reassured that God will return to the city and worship will begin again in a temple there, patterned in some way on this vision. The LORD states he will live amongst the Israelites forever, and that they and their kings will never again defile his name with their idolatry. And he then tells Ezekiel to write down the vision for two reasons: First, to make the people ashamed of their sins. Second, so that they will be faithful to its design and regulations (43v9-11). To be “faithful” to the temple’s design and regulations then, may have meant that the returning Israelites should have established temple worship according to Ezekiel’s blueprint as they prepared for God to establish his everlasting kingdom. In which case, the failure to institute these things was yet another sign of their sin, and so of the fact that that kingdom was some time off, and that God would have to do what they could not do for themselves. However, being “faithful” to what Ezekiel saw could equally mean their (and our) worship should be faithful to this vision's symbolism. For the Israelites in Ezekiel’s day, it speaks of how they cannot expect God’s presence to remain with them and fulfil his promises, unless they conduct the worship of any future temple in purity, as instructed. For us, it speaks of how, when Israel failed to do exactly that, God enabled his presence to be permanently present and ensured true worship in and through Christ. We are therefore reminded that we cannot serve God in the church or draw close to him in heaven, unless we are fully cleansed and set-apart as a holy priesthood through Christ’s blood (Heb 9v11-10v25). In what follows it is stressed that order will be re-established in the temple, with only those qualified able to draw close. Everything brings home that God is so holy that those who serve him up close must be fit to do so, ensuring nothing merely normal (common) or imperfect and so unacceptable (unclean) is allowed in his near presence. This highlights just what Christ has achieved in making us holy and clean. As you read note how God's holiness is emphasized.
Ezekiel 43-44
Ezekiel 43-44
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.