Ezekiel 42-43
Ezekiel 42
Vs. 1-14 Since there will be active sacrifice in this temple, there are chambers for the priests during the time they are serving.
Vs. 15-20 This is the entire area of the temple. Apparently the area will be big enough for 13 football fields, suggesting of course, as we all knew, that soccer is the sport of heaven.
Ezekiel 43
Vs. 1-5 It is interesting that Ezekiel witnessed the glory of the Lord so often. I wonder how this offset the sadness of his ministry.
Vs. 6-9 In the Millennial Kingdom the Lord will set up His throne here; and unlike the tabernacle and temple, this place will never be desecrated. The Lord will know the hearts and intents of all who approach Him. We are so used to living hidden lives with secret sin. There will be forgiveness during the millennium, but there won't be any lying or hiding before His throne. That will freak out a lot of people.
Vs. 10-12 As Ezekiel described this temple in all its detail to the people, God expected the people to be ashamed. Why do you think that was?
Vs. 13-27 This is the altar and its consecration. If there was ever any doubt that there will be sacrifice during the Millennial Kingdom, this should dispel it.
We don't have much detail as to what life will be like during the thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth. This shows that there will be a constant, visual reminder to the people on earth that Jesus sacrificed Himself for sin. Although Satan will be locked up, the heart of man will still be sinful. In spite of a perfect government and direct access to the Lord, there will still be unbelief and rebellion at the end of the Millennium. True faith and trusting Christ will still be a choice. With the depth of sin we bear, even seeing doesn't mean believing. We are sicker than we think and we don't need the devil in order to dishonor God and find our way to hell.
James 5
Vs. 1-6 Remember that in chapters 1 & 2, James had lots of negative things to say about the rich. According to James 2:6, the rich were also part of the hard times these believers were facing. It fits then that James aims some of his concluding remarks toward these people. He has just mentioned the rich at the end of chapter four in terms of arrogance. Now James targets some of their actions that have weakened the faith of these people.
Vs. 7-11 James calls the believers back to suffering and to waiting for the Lord with patience and humility. His use of Job is very much on target. As Job was suffering, it was his "rich" friends who were aggravating his problem and making it hard for him to endure.
Vs. 12-20 It seems here that James is warning them not to invoke oaths before God or to make promises, you know, "Lord if you do this than I'll do that," but rather to draw close to one another and pray.
V. 14 The word used for sick can also mean weak or heartsick. The anointing is also the same as that used to encourage or welcome a guest. This is an interesting wrinkle. Another way of looking at this would be that if a believer was really discouraged, weak in faith, thinking of defecting from the group, they should call the elders and have the elders encourage them. I’ve anointed people who were sick. In the last case, the physical problem was really a problem of being heartsick.
It seems that the focus here is for the believers who are discouraged to draw together and for the rest of the group to reach out to them and draw them in.
V. 16 This healing is of the soul, a lifting of the heart and for protection from damage. It is the same word as in Hebrews 12:13; and, in fact, the situations of both verses might be very similar, "and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed."
So, what is the example of Elijah for? Notice the result in verse 18. His prayer brought restoration and new life to the land.
It seems clear that the idea in the conclusion of this letter is for the church to bind together to get through the stress and discouragement they were facing.
V. 20 This is a rather abrupt conclusion if compared to Paul's letters. The wandering one in view here is a believer. If you look at 1 Timothy, you'll find Paul telling Timothy about all sorts of believers wandering from the faith. In fact, in chapter 6 Paul talks about believers who went astray after wealth and comfort.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs.
The idea here is for the church to go after its members who have wandered away because of the discouragement and persecution they have faced, who are in danger of wrecking their walk on earth for Christ. In doing so, the forgiveness they receive will help them recover from the guilt of the sins they have committed.
Think of a group of believers reaching out to those among them who have been morally ruined and committed acts that they might not be able to forget or forgive themselves for. The church’s restoration, help and forgiveness can help them cover and recover from that guilt.
Psalm 119:1-16
Like most of the psalms of David, this is the introduction to the psalm. The nitty-gritty is coming. David is discouraged and stressed as he writes this. He has the same problem as the people in Hebrews and in James. What is it that will keep his faith solid and refreshed as he waits on the deliverance of the Lord?
This introduction gives you David's answer, and it is my answer, and it is your answer. Christ doesn't call us to follow Him without suffering. He suffered. He calls us to Himself as we follow Him in the Harvest. And we find Him in His Word. That's why you're reading this stuff, right? To draw close to your shepherd.
Listen to this song as long as it's enjoyable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKcPvzWRXow
Proverbs 28:6-7
Amen.
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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