Ezekiel 48
Distribution of the land: Dan verse 1
Now these are the names of the tribes
From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon
as one goes to Hamath – Hazarenan
the border of Damascus northward
to the coast of Hamath
For these are his sides east and west – a portion for Dan
Distribution of the land: Asher verse 2
And by the border of Dan – from the east side unto the west sidea portion for Asher
Distribution of the land: Naphtali verse 3
And by the border of Asher from the east side
even to the west side a portion of Naphtali
Distribution of the land: Manasseh verse 4
And by the border of Naphtali from the east side
to the west side a portion of Manasseh
Distribution of the land: Ephraim verse 5
And by the border of Manasseh from the east side
to the west side a portion for Ephraim
Distribution of the land: Reuben verse 6
And by the border of Ephraim from the east side
to the west side a portion for Reuben
Distribution of the land: Judah verse 7
And by the border of Reuben from the east side
unto the west side a portion for Judah
Distribution of the land: Temple verse 8- 12
And by the border of Judah – from the east side unto the west side
shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and
twenty thousand reeds in breadth
and in length as one of the other parts
from the east side unto the west side
and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it
The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five
and twenty thousand in length
and of ten thousand in breadth
And for them – even for the priests – shall be this holy oblation
toward the north five and twenty thousand in length
toward the west ten thousand in breadth
toward the east ten thousand in breadth
toward the south five and twenty thousand in length
and the sanctuary of the LORD
shall be in the midst thereof
It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok
which have kept MY charge
which went not astray when the children of Israel
went astray
as the Levites went astray
And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be
to them a thing most holy
by the borders of the Levites
Distribution of the land: Levites verse 13- 14
And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have
five and twenty thousand in length
and ten thousand in breadth
all the length shall be five and twenty thousand
and the breadth ten thousand
And they shall not sell of it – neither exchange
nor alienate the first fruits of the land
for it is holy unto the LORD
Distribution of the land: City of Jerusalem verse 15- 20
And the five thousand that are left in the breadth
over against the five and twenty thousand
shall be a profane place for the city
for dwelling – for suburbs
and the city shall be
in the midst thereof
And these shall be the measures thereof
the north side four thousand and five hundred
the south side four thousand and five hundred
and on the east side four thousand and five hundred
and the west side four thousand and five hundred
And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north
two hundred and fifty toward the south two hundred and fifty
toward the east two hundred and fifty
toward the west two hundred and fifty
And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion
shall be ten thousand eastward – and ten thousand westward
and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion
And the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city
and they that serve the city
shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel
All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand
by five and twenty thousand
you shall offer the holy oblation foursquare
with the possession of the city
Distribution of the land: Prince verse 21- 22
The residue shall be for the prince
on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation
and of the possession of the city
over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation
toward the east border
and westward over against the five and twenty thousand
toward the west border
over against the portions for the prince
and it shall be the holy oblation
and the sanctuary of the house shall be
in the midst thereof
MOREOVER, from the possession of the Levites
and from the possession of the city
being in the midst of that which is the prince’s
between the border of Judah
and the border of Benjamin
shall be for the prince
Distribution of the land: Benjamin verse 23
As for the rest of the tribes – from the east side unto the west side
Benjamin shall have a portion
Distribution of the land: Simeon verse 24
And by the border of Benjamin
from the east side unto the west side
Simeon shall have a portion
Distribution of the land: Issachar verse 25
And by the border of Simeon
from the east side unto the west side
Issachar a portion
Distribution of the land: Zebulun verse 26
And by the border of Issachar
from the east side unto the west side
Zebulon a portion
Distribution of the land: Gad verse 27- 28
And by the border of Zebulun
from the east side unto the west side
Gad a portion – and by the border of Gad
at the south side southward
the border shall be even from Tamar unto the
waters of strife in Kadesh
and to the river toward the great sea
Borders of the land verse 29
This is the land which ye shall divide by lot
to the tribes of Israel for inheritance
and these are their portions
says the Lord GOD
Naming of the gates of the city after the tribe verse 30- 34
And these are the goings out of the city on the north side
four thousand and five hundred measures
And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel
three gates northward – one gate of Reuben – Judah – Levi
And at the east side four thousand and five hundred
and three gates – one gate of Joseph – Benjamin – Dan
and at the south side four thousand
and five hundred measures – and three gates
one gate of Simeon – Issachar – Zebulun
and at the west side four thousand and
five hundred – with their three gates
one gate of Gad – Asher – Naphtali
Name of the City verse 35
It was round about eighteen thousand measures
and the name of the city from that day shall be
The LORD is there
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 8 And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which you shall offer of five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and the length as one of the other parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it. (8432 “midst” [tavek] means middle, center, the location of something surrounded by other things, or among.)
DEVOTION: At all times we should have the LORD in the center of our life. We should not put HIM in a corner. Too often that is what we do. We want to have fun and sometimes it seems that to serve the LORD is no fun.
The problem is our definition of “fun.” If fun means doing things that are displeasing to the LORD then yes HE is no fun. If our definition of fun is doing things that are enjoyable and pleasing to the LORD then we can have fun.
Our world doesn’t like rules. The LORD has rules for us to follow. Each day we have to make a choice regarding what we are going to do. Sometimes evil seems like fun for a while but then it is no fun anymore. It is boring. It has consequences.
The children of Israel had the Temple in the center of their capital city, Jerusalem. They could wake up each morning and look out their window or down the road and see the Temple. It was a reminder that God was supposed to be in the center of their life. Remember our bodies become the Temple of God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.
God wants to dwell in the midst of our life. HE is in our heart the moment we become a follower of HIM. HE is the one who can give us an enjoyable life of service to HIM. We just have to trust HIM.
CHALLENGE: Who or what is at the center of our life each day? Do we try to have the LORD central in our life at all time?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 11 It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levities went astray. (8582 “astray” [ta‘ah] means err, wander, seduced, wandering of the mind, be confused, spread out, staggering, skip a beat or falter.)
DEVOTION: History can be revealing to those who study it. The history of Israel has its ups and downs. They were consistently wandering from the LORD. It started from the top down.
Aaron was the chief priest in the wilderness and he allowed the people to talk him into worshiping a false god of his making. It was in the image of one of the gods of Egypt.
Moses sent ten chosen men into the Promised Land to give a report regarding the people. Ten of them said that there were giants in the land and they were afraid. Two of them gave a good report because they trusted in the LORD. Who did they believe? The ten men is who they believed. Is the majority always right? NO!!
Each time God send a judge to deliver Israel from an enemy they turned back to their sin. It was a cycle of sin-repentance- deliverance – sin. They continually needed a new judge to help them.
They chose a king instead of letting the LORD be their guide. The kings led them away from the LORD on a regular basis. Now they are returning from captivity and they still think their houses are more important than the house of the LORD.
Finally, God never gives up on them HE looks for those who were faithful and puts them in positions of responsibility. Even in the Millennial Kingdom HE looks for faithful men to serve HIM.
We need to be faithful in spite of the fact that there are many who want to cause us to wander from the LORD. We have men in our pulpits who are not faithful to the LORD. HIS word the BIBLE is the final authority and it must be obeyed for anyone to be faithful.
CHALLENGE: Faithfulness is rewarded by the LORD. History has proven this point. Ask the LORD to help you to be faithful to HIM alone. Be not a follower of men who are not faithful in their teaching of the Word of God.)
11 It shall be for the priests of the sons of Zadok, who are sanctified, who have kept My charge, who did not go astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. (NKJV)
Choices are what we have to make when it seems like the whole world is heading in another direction. The sons of Zadok made a choice to follow the LORD when all the other Levites went away from the service of the LORD.
Remember the Levites were the ones who were to help the priests with all the Temple sacrifices and other services. They were chosen by the LORD to be a special people for the Temple.
One of the families of the Levites served as the priests. That was the family of Moses and Aaron. Aaron was not a strong leader in the wilderness when he made the golden calf for the children of Israel because he was afraid. Yet the LORD forgave him and gave him an awesome responsibility. His family was to lead the rest of the tribes of Israel in the worship of the LORD.
Their only inheritance in the Promised Land were a few cities and some of them were for people to run to when they were accused of murder. The priests had to decide if they were guilty or not. If they were not guilty they had to live in the city until the High priest died.
Now we have only one family that stayed true to the LORD as the rest of the leaders led the people away from the LORD. It wasn’t just the political leaders that led them astray, it was also the religious leaders.
The choice is still real today. We can follow false religious leaders or we can stay true to the LORD.
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: 14 And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land for it is holy unto the LORD (5674 “alienate” [‘abar] means to do away with, to get rid of, to pass over, go through, to go on one’s way, or move through)
DEVOTION: This was the Levites land only. It could not be sold or exchanged or alienated. It was most holy. It was solely for the use of the tribe of Levi. It is sacred to the LORD. Simony was not to be practiced with this land.
Just like the land, so with the use of anything that should be dedicated to the LORD should not be used for purposes other than those that honor the LORD.
Too often we find that even some churches will use their building for things that would not please the LORD. The children of Israel would sometimes allow others that were not of the priest’s family to use the land that was only to be used for those who were chosen by the LORD to serve HIM.
This area was to be used for sacred things only just like the church today should be used only for sacred things.
And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the first fruits of the land: for it is holy unto the Lord. (Cowles, H. (1870). Ezekiel and Daniel, with Notes, Critical, Explanatory, and Practical (p. 263). New York: D. Appleton and Company.)
That which is dedicated to the Lord must not be alienated for any cause or used for any other purpose. As the first-fruits belonged to Him so with the oblation for His sanctuary. The holy must not be confounded with the secular, but the title of Jehovah is to be ever acknowledged. (Ironside, H. A. (1949). Expository notes on Ezekiel, the prophet. (p. 333). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
CHALLENGE: Once something was given to the LORD it was not to be used for any other purpose. Our church building should only have things in it that are pleasing to the LORD which includes anything that is done in a worship service.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. (8033 “there” [sham] means thither, here, thence, or whither. Jehovah-Shammah is one of the names for the LORD.)
DEVOTION: The Bible gives many names to the LORD. We have listed many as we study the Word of God in the Old Testament. Each name is important as it helps us understand who the LORD is in HIS relationship to HIS people.
This verse gives us another name for the LORD. It is a name that will be posted on the city of Jerusalem during the Millennium. The LORD is going to be in the city of Jerusalem and in the sanctuary at the time of this future event. HE is going to be present during the future reign of the descendant of David. This descendant is Christ.
We can practice the presence of the LORD by realizing that the LORD is here with us each day. The LORD wants us to share this information with each other. Sometimes the people around us wonder where the LORD is at the moment. They are going through rough times and want the LORD to be close but HE seems far away. HE has never moved.
HE promised to never leave us or forsake us. HE does answer our prayers but sometimes or most of the time it is not in our time frame. We want HIM to act NOW, not an hour from now. If HE doesn’t answer NOW we think HE doesn’t care sometimes. We even think that prayer is worthless but if we are faithful in our prayer life we will realize that HE is faithful to us.
People who doubt the presence of the LORD need our encouragement. When we are with them, we can put our arms around them and remind them that the LORD is there. Don’t miss an opportunity to share this fact with people who are going through tough times. HE uses us to encourage others.
If we do miss the opportunity the LORD will have to send someone else. That someone else will receive the blessing we should have received in helping our fellow believer through a rough time. We need to be busy for the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Make that phone call to someone who you know is going through a rough time. Visit them if they are close. Everyone needs a hug once in a while. God though the Holy Spirit will direct you to the right location if you are listening.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Sanctuary verse 8, 10, 21
Oblation verse 9
Priests – sons of Zadok verse 10, 11, 13
Levites verse 13- 16, 22
25,000 length
10,000 breadth
Can’t sell or exchange
Holy unto the LORD
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 14, 35
Lord – Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 29
GOD – Jehovah verse 29
Lord GOD verse 29
portions given to tribes of Israel
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Damascus verse 1
Coast of Hamath verse 1
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Sanctified verse 11
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Inheritance of Dan verse 1- 2, 32
Inheritance of Asher verse 2- 3, 34
Inheritance of Naphtali verse 3- 4, 34
Inheritance of Manasseh verse 4- 5
Inheritance of Ephraim verse 5- 6
Inheritance of Reuben verse 6- 7, 31
Inheritance of Judah verse 7- 8, 22, 31
Jerusalem verse 8- 22, 35
Sons of Zadok verse 11
Children of Israel verse 11
Levites verse 12, 13, 22, 31
Firstfruits holy to the LORD verse 14
Suburbs fo the city verse 16- 20
Prince verse 21, 22
Inheritance of Benjamin verse 22- 24, 32
Inheritance of Simeon verse 24- 25, 33
Inheritance of Issachar verse 25-26, 33
Inheritance of Zebulun verse 26- 27, 33
Inheritance of Gad verse 27- 28, 34
From Tamar unto the waters of strife
in Kadesh and to the river
toward the great sea
Tribes of Israel verse 29, 31
Gates of city of Jerusalem verse 31- 34
Three gates northword
One gate of Reuben
One gate of Judah
One gate of Leiv
East side
One gate of Joseph
One gate of Benjamin
One gate of Dan
South side
One gate of Simeon
One gate of Issachar
One gate of Zebulun
West side
One gate of Gad
One gate of Asher
One gate of Naphtali
Name of Jerusalem = The LORD is there verse 35
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
The central sacred district will be called “holy to the Lord” (48:14) and will demonstrate the central place of worship in the new kingdom. Located at the geographical center of the land, all life will revolve around this area for worship of God, whose dwelling will be in the midst of his people. No clearer picture may be found in Scripture of the central role worship should have in all human life (48:8–14). (Cooper, L. E. (1994). Ezekiel (Vol. 17, p. 421). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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48:8–22. The central band of land was allotted to the prince (David, v. 21; cf. 34:24), the priests, and the Levites (see comments on 45:1–8). That central portion will also include the city of Jerusalem and its suburbs. The city will be laid out as a square 7,875 feet (4,500 cubits) on each side and will cover approximately 2.2 square miles (48:16). Jerusalem will be surrounded by a band of land 4371½ feet (250 cubits) wide, which will serve as pastureland for flocks and herds belonging to people living in the city (v. 17). On either side of the city proper will be two portions of land 3.3 miles (10,000 cubits) long (v. 18) and 1.65 miles (5,000 cubits) wide (cf. v. 15). This farmland will be cultivated to supply food for the workers of the city. (Dyer, C. H. (1985). Ezekiel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1316). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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The Lord’s portion (Ezek. 45:1–6; 48:8–9). Between the areas assigned to Judah and Benjamin will be a section reserved for the Lord and the prince. The Lord’s section will be 8.3 miles square, which equals about 55 square miles. The area will be divided horizontally into three sections, each section 8.3 miles long. The top section (3.3 miles wide) will be the sacred area for the temple and the priests. The priests will not be permitted to own land but will be allowed to live there near the sanctuary (44:28). Like the Old Testament priests, the Lord will be the portion of their inheritance (Num. 18:20; Deut. 10:9; Josh. 13:14, 33). The center area will be the same size as the top area and will belong to the Levites. During the old dispensation, the Levites were allowed to own land but were scattered throughout Israel so they could minister to the people (Josh. 21). Genesis 49:5–7; 34:25–31 suggests that this scattering was also a form of discipline.
The bottom area (1.75 miles wide) will be assigned to “the city” and the free land around it. The city is first mentioned in Ezekiel 40:2 and is probably Jerusalem with a new name “Jehovah Shammah—the Lord is there” (48:35). The area assigned to the city will belong to the whole house of Israel (45:6) and will be at the center of the lower strip of land. The “common lands” on either side of that section will be available to all the people of Israel (48:15) and will also be used for growing food to feed the inhabitants of the city. The suggestion seems to be that a “staff” of people from the tribes will work this land so that the “staff” in the city can take care of civil affairs and host visitors who come to worship at the temple. (Wiersbe, W. W. (2000). Be reverent (pp. 196–198). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor/Cook Communications.)
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Immediately south of the portion of Judah was the oblation set apart for the priests with the sanctuary in the midst. There the glory of God was seen. It is His delight to dwell amid the praises of His people. As a tender loving Father He would have all His children gathered about Him, enjoying happy fellowship and uninterrupted communion.
It is interesting to note how often this expression in the midst is used in connection with Jehovah’s place among His chosen ones. Of old the tabernacle, God’s dwelling-place, was in the midst of the camp (Num. 2:17; 5:3). God Himself walked in the midst of the camp (Deut. 23:14). He dwelt in the midst of Jerusalem (Ps. 46:5); the Holy One of Israel dwelt in the midst of the nations (Isa. 12:6; Hos. 11:9); Zephaniah who, like Ezekiel, looked forward to future blessing, saw the Lord again in the midst as of old (Zeph. 3:5, 15). It is this that Ezekiel saw in vision: the tribes resting in peace after all their long centuries of distress and wandering among the nations, and Jehovah dwelling in His sanctuary in the midst of His redeemed ones. (Ironside, H. A. (1949). Expository notes on Ezekiel, the prophet. (pp. 332–333). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
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Ver. 8. And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering, &c.] Or the oblation of a holy portion of the land unto the Lord before made mention of, ch. 45:1. this was close by the tribe of Judah, and in the same direction with that and the rest of the tribes, proceeding in length from east to west: this takes in the whole allotted to the sanctuary, the priests, the Levites, the city, and the prince; each of which are taken notice of in the following verses: which they shall offer of five-and-twenty thousand reeds in breadth; from north to south; which makes, as the Jews say, seventy-five miles; some make it seventy-seven, and others more: and in length as one of the other parts, from the east side unto the west side; that is, equal to one of the portions allotted to any one of the tribes, which were alike: what this measure was is not said, but was the same with the breadth; since the whole oblation was five-and-twenty thousand by five-and-twenty thousand, ver. 20: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst thereof; of the holy portion of land; see ch. 45:3. not in the tribe of Judah or Benjamin; nor in the city of Jerusalem, as before; but many miles from thence. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 6, p. 264). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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The offering; the holy portion, of which chap. 45:1, set out for priests, Levites, and city, chap. 45:4–6. Reeds is here supplied by the translators, but I rather think cubits; for the greatness of the portion measured by reeds will eat out the tribes, or leave very little for them, as appears thus: The whole length from north to south was about one hundred and sixty miles, the breadth about sixty. Now twenty-five thousand reeds is at the least seventy-seven miles, at one thousand paces to a mile. These seventy-seven taken out of one hundred and sixty, there will remain but eighty-three for the twelve tribes, which will afford not quite seven miles in breadth for each tribe; whereas seventy-seven miles are allotted to the priests, Levites, and city; so that there will remain but eighty-three miles for the twelve tribes, that is, to each one almost seven miles. Now this to me would seem very much disproportioned; but twenty-five thousand cubits reckoned doth give the holy portion and city twelve miles and half square, and gives near as much in breadth to each tribe, and five times almost as much in length to each tribe; which appears thus: twelve times twelve make one hundred and forty-four, and twelve quarters make three wholes; give then each tribe twelve and a quarter, you divide one hundred and forty-seven by twelve and a quarter: now to this add the prince’s, the holy portion, and the city land, which is twelve miles and a half, and you have one hundred and fifty-nine miles and three quarters, which is the length of the whole land. Thus the breadth of each portion for each tribe; but the length of each exceeded the prince’s by twelve and a half, and the holy portion as much as sixty exceeds twelve and a half. From the east side to the west side; that is, twenty-five thousand in length, which amounts to twelve miles and a half. Now the residue of the land from the sea eastward abutting on the whole breadth of the holy portion by equal proportion, will be twenty-three and a quarter, and as much from the other side, measuring from the eastern bounds of the holy portion to the utmost bounds eastward of the land, which is sixty miles from its utmost western bounds; as appears thus: take an oblong square, whose breadth is twelve and a half, its length sixty; suppose in the very middle twelve and a half square taken up, there will remain at each end the half of forty-seven and a half, which is twenty-three and three quarters. According to this we conceive the prince hath assigned him as much as two tribes very near, and almost four times as much as the holy oblation; so that there is good reason for that chap. 45:9, against oppression, and the command that he be content. The sanctuary; the whole contents of suburbs, courts, and house. In the midst of it; of the land laid out for the holy portion, for God and his priests. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 2, p. 808). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)
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FROM MY READING:
FORSAKING SIN
And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiff-necked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb. Exodus 33:4-6.
We have not repented truly until we have done that. It means that having had this profound realization of our sinfulness, especially in His sight, our one desire now is to do everything we can that is well pleasing in His sight. And that means forsaking sin and doing His commandments: “Put off thy ornaments.” And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments. Yes, it was these ornaments that had led to their downfall. These were like the things out of which the golden calf had been made. And they hated the very thought of the whole thing. God says, “Strip yourselves of them.” And they stripped themselves.
You have only to read Christian biographies and the story of revivals to see exactly what I mean. There is always this stripping. Men and women are aware that they have been doing things they should not do. Not very harmful things perhaps in and of themselves, but they stand between them and God, so they must go. Ornaments vanish. The people strip themselves. And they give themselves to God in a new consecration and in a new dedication.
This, I say again, is the very essence of repentance. But we realize that we must act. We have to take some steps. Every one of us has to be stripped of something. When a man realizes his sinfulness and sees that the state of the church is due to the fact that he and others like him are so sinful, a true repentance will lead each one to such an examination.
A Thought to Ponder: The people give themselves to God in a new consecration and in a new dedication. (From Revival, pp. 159-160, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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When You’ve Been WRONGED by Erwin W. Lutzer
Your reconciliation to your brother is important to God. In fact. He says it is a matter of urgency. Jesus said, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5: 23-24). Jesus is saying whether you are the offender or the offended, your gift means nothing if you have not attempted reconciliation. Whether it is a member of your biological family or the family of God, Christ wants us to restore our relationships. (p 59)
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Though all conflict is rooted in the self-serving nature of sin, God can use such circumstances to glorify Himself. (p. 60)
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Humility is one of the essential ingredients of genuine biblical reconciliation. It is the stuff of healed relationships. (p. 70)
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