Ezekiel 43
COMMENTARY:
: 5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house. (4390 “filled” [male’] means be full, fullness, abundance, to consecrate, or be accomplished.)
DEVOTION: In Ezekiel 10 and 11 Ezekiel witnessed the glory of the LORD leaving Jerusalem. Now twenty-five years later he witnesses the return of the glory of the LORD to the Millennial Temple. This is a message of hope to the children of Israel. They have been in captivity and probably discouraged. Ezekiel is told to show them this vision. He is also told to write down the vision for future generations. The LORD knew that they needed to know that they were in HIS plans for the future.
The verse has Ezekiel being carried by the Holy Spirit to the inner court of the future temple. In the inner court Ezekiel sees the glory of the LORD. This glory of the LORD is so abundant that it makes the whole Temple shine with the glory of the LORD. Even the earth was shining as the glory of the LORD entered the Temple. It had to be quite a sight for Ezekiel. It had to encourage his spirit.
When we choose to follow the LORD we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and our bodies become the temple of God. We should shine with the glory of God on our face.
This happens when we are in fellowship with the LORD. This comes when we are practicing the disciplines of the faith. Each morning as we read HIS word, the Holy Spirit can fill us with fresh oil to serve the LORD with gladness.
We are supposed to be filled with the Holy Spirit each day. Sin takes the filling away. It took the glory of the LORD away from the children of Israel. It is going to return in the future but we can have it NOW. It should be our daily prayer to be full of the Holy Spirit.
This only happens with confession of sin. When we do this the LORD restores our fellowship with HIM. It is a time of blessing.
CHALLENGE: Jesus promised those who were HIS followers an abundant life. This doesn’t mean only financial but it means blessings that we can count on to make our life one that is pleasing in HIS sight. Each new morning HE gives us new mercies
: 18 And HE said to me, Son of man, thus says the Lord God; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon. (2708 “ordinances” [chuqqah] means statute, custom, an authoritative rule, due, that which is established, defined, or something prescribed.)
DEVOTION: The LORD doesn’t leave a lot to chance regarding worship. HE gives special instructions in both the Old Testament and New Testament as to what HE expects HIS people who claim to want to worship HIM must do.
Too often we find that when we go into a church today the service seems to be more to give glory to the pastor or the people than to the LORD. The singing seems to be staged. The sermons seem to be shorter and the Word of God is not even being carried into the church by the people.
Genuine worship is something that involves the whole person. It is not just singing. It is not just preaching. It is not just fellowship. It is a combination of all of the above.
The LORD wanted HIS people in both the Old Testament and the New Testament to be wholly involved in worship. HE wanted to receive all the glory.
It was not the priests receiving the glory. It was not the singers receiving the glory. It was only HIM that was to receive the glory in the time of worship.
All eyes needed to be on the LORD then and it should be even now. Too often we are praising the singers or the preacher instead of just looking to the LORD and giving HIM the glory.
CHALLENGE: When we enter the church, we should be looking to give God all the glory and praise we can. Our worship should contain our whole person in the giving of glory to the LORD alone!
: 26 Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves. (4390 “consecrate” [ mala’] means replenish, fill, satisfy, accomplish, complete, confirm, to fill one’s hand to Jehovah, or do something with an attitude or feeling of great and earnest dedication.)
DEVOTION: The LORD wants to have the people living in the Millennium to worship HIM at an altar that is holy. Every one of the details that have been given throughout the last few chapters have dwelt with the Temple that was going to be built during the Millennial reign of Christ.
Today we are living in what is called the “Age of Grace” or “Church Age” when the LORD is dealing with all those who are followers of Jesus Christ. HE was the sacrifice needed to atone for the sins of all those who have become and will become followers of HIM.
God is holy and cannot look on sin. HE has to judge sin but because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross HE can look at us through the blood of HIS only begotten Son.
So when God looks at us now HE sees HIS Son and then sees us. Jesus is our defender before the Father. HE speaks for us. HE loves us. HE wants to work in our life each day.
We are here as followers of Jesus Christ to be set apart for holy use. Each of our acts should be done with this in mind. If we think of our life as holy, then it should cause us to act accordingly.
Each day is a new day with the LORD. We have to start each day with the idea that we are holy in the eyes of the LORD. HE wants us to go into our world as living sacrifices to HIM.
CHALLENGE: So everything you say and do is a sacrifice to the LORD each day.
: 27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, says the LORD God. (7521 “accept” [ratsah] means please, pleasure, delight, enjoy, favorable, or satisfied.)
DEVOTION: Obedience is the key to having favor with the LORD. HE wants us to know that HE is holy and only those who are holy can truly worship HIM. We are declared holy when we make a commitment to the LORD through Jesus Christ.
The children of Israel were given hope that they had a future with the LORD. One of the great attributes of the LORD is HIS long-suffering with HIS people. The children of Israel continued to sin even after they were warned multitude of times to stop sinning. They were asked by the prophets to return to the LORD. They were sent into captivity so that they would realize that the LORD meant business but HE always gave them a hope in the future. HE didn’t give up on HIS people. That is what long-suffering is all about.
Today the LORD is long-suffering with us. HE continues to give us direction through HIS Word the Bible and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our prayer life keeps us close to HIM. HE enjoys our fellowship. We can enjoy HIS presence through fellowship with other believers. HE states in HIS Word that where two or three are gathered in HIS name, HE is right there with them. In the book of Hebrews the author warns that we shouldn’t forsake the assembling together of the church. We need fellowship. HE delights in our gatherings when we honor HIM.
CHALLENGE: Our goal should be to give the LORD delight when HE see us. Our goal should be to help others to enjoy that delight. Invite someone to church with you this week.)
….and I will accept you,’ says the Lord God.”
Once we enter high school we want to be accepted by our fellow students. This desire follows us even into college and then into our adult life. If we don’t find this acceptance we think there is something wrong with us.
One reason why some people will not accept us is that we are a TRUE believer in Jesus Christ. We will meet many people who claim to be believers but their actions are not acceptable to HIM but they are acceptable to their fellow students.
We are not here on this earth to please others if we are a believer we are here to please the LORD. If we please the LORD other true believers will accept us. They will be supportive. They will pray for you. They will help you through the rough years of high school, college and the work place.
The LORD accepts you because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. You can never lose that acceptance. Remember that HE will chasten you if you sin. Also remember even when you are faithful in your service to HIM, HE will prune you. HE wants you to grow closer to HIM.
Just hearing the words: “I will accept you” are great if we keep them in mind each moment of every day. HE loves us.
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