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
45v1-8 records how a section of the land is to be kept as a sacred space. It is stressed that the leaders will no longer be taking the people’s land to themselves. It seems the outline of the temple and land for the new order is expected to be a motivation for the rebellious princes to make a new start of their practices and responsibilities (45v9-12). Knowing we are destined to be glorified should be its own motivation to us, to live accordingly in the present. Whatever God has allotted as an inheritance for the princes or the people should be maintained, reminding us that the land - indeed, the earth, is the LORD’s. It reassures us too, that he will ensure we receive our inheritance. Throughout we see an emphasis on order in worship, but also God’s concern to keep the holy and common apart, lest by coming into contact with the holy, God’s wrath breaks out against the people (46v20). Yet, what is most striking is God’s grace in welcoming people to his table to eat with him – something pictured in the Lord’s Supper, and that looks to the heavenly banquet. In chapter 47 Ezekiel is returned to the entrance to the temple, where he sees a small stream of water coming out of the south side of the threshold and heading east. It flows towards the place of exile, perhaps symbolic of God’s blessing being accessible to those in Babylon, and paradigmatic of it being accessible to all exiled from his presence because of sin. The water has two results: It causes trees to grow on its banks that will never wither, and with leaves that bring healing; and it makes the salt water of the Dead Sea fresh, enabling swarms of living creatures to live along it and in it. The picture is of God bringing not both biological and spiritual life to that which is barren. First and foremost it would have been understood to promise the returning exiles that God is well able to renew them so that they lovingly worship and obey him, centred on their temple, and experience the covenant blessing on the land promised in Deuteronomy 28-30. It therefore also looks to that renewal of Israel (and others) by his Holy Spirit through Christ (as 36v24-27), and looks further ahead to the new creation, in which they will live forever in a world of abundance, and free from all sickness and death (Rev 22v1-5). We should remember too, that Jesus stood up in the temple and called all to come to him and drink, promising that streams of living water would then flow from them. John tells us this was a reference to the Holy Spirit (Jn 7v37-39). So Ezekiel’s vision is fulfilled in Jesus as the true temple-dwelling of God, from whom the blessing of God’s Spirit comes to those of all nations, who then themselves become a temple-dwelling of God, from which that blessing flows to others as they share the gospel. As you read note what would have encouraged God's people.
Ezekiel 45:1-47:12
Ezekiel 45:1-47:12
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.