DAY 246 Read Ezekiel 40 and 41.
Today's reading: Chapters 40 through 48 give a detailed description of the temple that was never built and a plan for the division of the land that was never carried out. Much speculation has been done in attempting to explain these chapters, but we suggest that a careful reading in search of a blessing is all that concerns us here.
Memory gem: "We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God in the midst of thy temple" (Psalm 48:9).
Thought for today:
The Bible tells us of three places of worship where God met His people Israel: the tabernacle of Moses, Solomon's temple, and the temple built under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
A fourth temple is described in great detail in the prophecy of Ezekiel, chapters 40 to 48. The prophet was told to show the plans for it to the Israelites if they would repent and turn to God.
This great temple was never built. Of course it would be out of place now, because in it were to be offered sacrifices pointing forward to the death of Jesus.
We may all learn a lesson from the temples of God. He desires our loving worship. He sent His own Son to die for us, as represented by the sacrifices offered in the temples of old. Jesus spoke of the temple of His body. The church is a temple, and each individual member of the church is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Saviour is now finishing His work in the great sanctuary-temple in heaven, and someday God Himself will dwell with us. The Holy City itself will be a temple of refuge, and holy place forever for the people of God. May we all share that land, that day, and that glory.
NOTE: The words "beginning of the year" (Ezekiel 40:1) come from the Hebrew ro'sh hashshannah, meaning "head of the year." This is the only occurrence of this expression in Scripture.
Today's reading: Chapters 40 through 48 give a detailed description of the temple that was never built and a plan for the division of the land that was never carried out. Much speculation has been done in attempting to explain these chapters, but we suggest that a careful reading in search of a blessing is all that concerns us here.
Memory gem: "We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God in the midst of thy temple" (Psalm 48:9).
Thought for today:
The Bible tells us of three places of worship where God met His people Israel: the tabernacle of Moses, Solomon's temple, and the temple built under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
A fourth temple is described in great detail in the prophecy of Ezekiel, chapters 40 to 48. The prophet was told to show the plans for it to the Israelites if they would repent and turn to God.
This great temple was never built. Of course it would be out of place now, because in it were to be offered sacrifices pointing forward to the death of Jesus.
We may all learn a lesson from the temples of God. He desires our loving worship. He sent His own Son to die for us, as represented by the sacrifices offered in the temples of old. Jesus spoke of the temple of His body. The church is a temple, and each individual member of the church is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Saviour is now finishing His work in the great sanctuary-temple in heaven, and someday God Himself will dwell with us. The Holy City itself will be a temple of refuge, and holy place forever for the people of God. May we all share that land, that day, and that glory.
NOTE: The words "beginning of the year" (Ezekiel 40:1) come from the Hebrew ro'sh hashshannah, meaning "head of the year." This is the only occurrence of this expression in Scripture.
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