Ezekiel 40:28-41:26
Ezekiel 40:28-49
If you're like me, you don't have as many observations as you do questions from all of this detail.
First, if the temple was already built, why did the angel measure everything with Ezekiel? There is some importance in Ezekiel seeing him measure everything firsthand. I'm sure the angel was "on line" with God and could have just said how long, tall and thick everything was. The audience of Ezekiel's prophesy was to have been impressed.
Second, in the measurements there is repetition. Verse 28 says the south gate was the same size as the other gates, but even here, the angel measured it first. You find eight steps a lot. There is apparently an order and symmetry about everything.
Third, why all the mention of sacrifices? If you use the link I gave you yesterday, you will not only see more diagrams, but on page 1305, there is a discussion of why there could be sacrifices.
The sacrifices of Israel were never for the forgiveness of sins (only Christ's sacrifice could do that) but for a faith-inspired obedience looking for the future fulfillment of forgiven sin. For the church today, we have the Lord's Supper as a remembrance of what Jesus did. We are not Israel and so the Levitical sacrifices were not for us. Jesus did say that the celebration of the Lord's Supper was just until His return. Apparently in the Millennium, which will have a very Jewish focus to it, and in which, Israel will fulfill its service before the Lord, sacrifices will be a memorial remembrance of what Christ did on the cross. The sacrifices belong to the Jews and this will be a way for them to celebrate and remember His sacrifice.
Now we are on the steps leading into the temple proper.
Ezekiel 41
V. 12 This huge room is mentioned, but it is never said what goes on in there. Is it a spare room or will someone live in it?
In the temple, in the room before the Holy of Holies, there was a lot of carving of palm trees and cherubim. The only piece of furniture is an altar, or really, a table. In the tabernacle and temple in the Holy Place before the Holy of Holies there was a lampstand, the table of the bread of the presence and the altar of incense. Some might suggest that this is the altar of incense, but that isn't said to be its purpose. It is simply the table that is before the Lord.
Nothing is described inside the Holy Place where the ark of the covenant stood. The ark has been missing since the days of Hezekiah or Manasseh. Thanks to Indiana Jones, we know the ark is safely hidden in some undisclosed government warehouse, probably in Ohio.
We are not yet done with all of the descriptions, but it is safe to assume that when the people and leaders got all of this information, they began asking their own questions and trying to understand the shapes and dimensions of everything. And to think, this will stand for 1000 years, and then come the new heavens and new earth.
James 4
Vs. 1-4 I'm not sure what was happening here, but we have seen the idea of adultery used. Being faithful means that our devotion should be wholly for the Lord. If something else takes the place in our hearts that only God should own, He calls that adultery. We normally face these temptations, but in stress and hard times, the temptation only grows deeper. In the apocalyptic landscape of the film "The Book of Eli," it was funny to see that a little hand wipe packet from KFC was a valuable, sought after thing. Notice too that in Hebrews 10:34 it mentions that at one time, in those early days of faith, the believers were willing to allow their property to be taken. That was no longer the case with the Hebrews and I'm guessing it was not the situation here either. Hard times, without a fresh love for Christ ruling our hearts, can make us grasp things and draw them to our hearts.
Vs. 5-10 This sounds very much like what Jesus said to His disciples about allowing an enemy to take their goods and yet to be humble before God. When we fight against our circumstances and against people, we are really fighting against a choice God has made for us. We forget who our Father is and where we live.
Vs. 11-12 In those same lessons to His disciples Jesus warned His disciples about condemning and judging others. When our hearts hold on to stuff, and when we cannot accept that God brings circumstances into our lives to show His love through us, we become angry, bitter and complaining toward others.
Vs. 13-17 This fits well with what has been said. When you feel your life is random or if you are threatened by circumstances, you want order and security. That order and security is found in God. But what if following God looks like you have little order and security? You find that order and security in Him, not in circumstances. We try to take the reins of life in our hands, but we know, and we do know, that we need to follow, not lead, when it comes to the ultimate questions before us.
In this case here, it appears that these are rich people who are living above the circumstances because of their money and, therefore, don't have to be dependent on God for how they live or for what they want.
Psalm 118:19-29
You have to admit it is a little coincidental that we're reading so much about the temple structure, and here we have gates and a stone and an entrance of a king. The joy and thanksgiving is because of this king.
Notice that verses 21-23 must have applied to David. Saul and his men wanted to get rid of David, but as often as they tried to reject him, kill him and drive him off, God kept bringing David back and saving him. Isn't it amazing then that Jesus and Peter quoted these verses regarding the Jews casting away their Messiah?
V. 26 This is what Jesus said the people would cry out during the tribulation, showing their humility in needing Him. Their shouting of this prayer will begin the process of His return to Jerusalem.
What a great psalm! He'll return and we have the joy of letting people know they need to be ready.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYDEziRutP8&feature=related
Proverbs 28:3-5
These verses continue the theme of a land full of transgression.
V. 3 In this land, the poor have no compassion for other poor.
V. 4 The heroes of this land are like the people praising them, wicked. But there are still people who keep the laws and work against this lawlessness.
V. 5 Seeking the Lord is what keeps the disciples on target, knowing right from wrong when everyone else has no clue.
In all of this, it shows the importance of those who know the Lord to be active, reaching out and making disciples who make disciples.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
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