Tuesday, October 6
Read Ezekiel 42
Think About It:
In a vision, Ezekiel visited the land of Israel, but unlike his previous “visits”, he didn’t see simple people, devastated land, or a defied temple. This time he saw a new land and a glorious New Temple. The prophet saw a man colored light bronze, which suggests he was an Angelic visitor, standing just outside the eastern gate of the temple. He had a linen cord and a rod, both of which are used for taking measurements. The line for long distances, and the rod for shorter measurements. The rod was probably a little over 10 feet long. To measure property is symbolic for claiming it for yourself.
The man would give Ezekiel a guided tour of the temple precincts, starting from the eastern gate and then returning there at the end of the tour. Ezekiel described a temple to be used during the millennial reign of Christ. This interpretation takes the prophetic scriptures at face value and tries not to spiritualize them. Ezekiel described the design of a temple that will be the center for worship during the kingdom of Christ, a worship based on Levitical order in the Mosaic Law. According to Ezekiel, the Lord gave all details in order to focus the Jews attention on God’s Holiness and thus bring them to repentance. The Lord wanted them to treat His temple with respect and not like any other building in the neighborhood, and He especially wanted them to abandon their idolatry. The Jewish people had defiled their temple and the Glory of the Lord had departed. Israel needed to return to Holy Worship and understand what God’s divine plan will be on His Holy Mountain (that currently is not physically there, but will be built when He comes to reign as King)!
Family Time:
- What in particular is described mostly in this chapter? (verses 1-13)
