Read Ezekiel 43
Highlights:
God is back! His glory fills the Temple once again (Ezek. 43:5)! The Holy Altar. Pay attention to the rules of God (chap 44). God expects us to support His ministry (chap 45). Note especially the keeping of the Passover pointing to Christ's death on the cross (45:21-24).
Only the Spirit of God could lead Ezekiel to the Temple of Christ's future 1000-year reign, where he could see the glory of the God of Israel. . . . Behold, the glory of the Lord. . . . And He said unto me, Son of man, the place of My throne, and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and My Holy Name, shall the House of Israel no more defile (Ezek. 43:2,5,7).
The glory of the God of Israel had abode in Solomon's Temple in fulfillment of the Lord's promise (Ex. 25:22; Lev. 16:2). But because the Israelites had defiled the Temple and the Holy Name of God, His glory had departed (Ezek. 10:18). The glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub . . . to the threshold of the House. And . . . went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city (9:3; 11:23).
This route was followed by the resurrected Christ from Jerusalem to the mountain on the east, from which He ascended to heaven (Luke 24:33,50-51; Acts 1:9; see also Mark 11:1).
One of the serious errors of Ezekiel's day was much planning without praying — a dependence upon the head more than the heart. How can we expect Him to listen to us when we do not allow Him to speak to us? We speak to God in prayer; He speaks to us through His Word. None of the religious heads of authority in Jerusalem could discern the presence of the Lord nor hear Him speak. God could use Ezekiel because he had a desire to please God. It is the one whose heart is filled with His Word of love that can say: I heard Him speaking unto me (Ezek. 43:6). In fact, it is only obedience to His Word that makes it possible to serve our Lord acceptably. Jesus said: Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you (John 15:14). God has something to teach us in every chapter of the Bible. It's an insult to Christ to neglect parts and choose to read only portions of the Bible. Our spiritual power is in direct relationship to how much time we spend in His Word with a desire to obey Him.
It was a heart of love that drew the Son of God from heaven to die for our sins and provide a Guide on how we are to live. The wise disciple will: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Tim. 2:15).
Thought for Today:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (II Pet. 1:4).
Christ Revealed:
As the glory of the Lord (Ezek. 43:4). Jesus is the brightness of His glory (the glory of God), and the express image of His Person (Heb. 1:3).
Word Studies:
43:4 whose prospect is which faces; 43:12 whole limit whole border, territory; 43:13 higher place of weight of; 43:14 settle ledge on which the priests stood; 43:17 squares sides; 44:18 bonnets turbans, headdresses; 44:22 put away divorced; 45:24 meat grain/cereal/meal.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Henry Rogers • Staff: Mary Kay Wagner • Government Officials: Rep. Cedric Richmond (LA) and Rep. Peter Roskam (IL) • Country: Vanuatu (189,000) a group of 12 large islands southwest of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific • Major languages: English and French • Religious freedom • 78% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your hands in surrender and praise as you pray (Ps. 63:4).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
John 1:11
