The altar in the new temple required a week of consecration before the worship sacrifices could begin. Atonement always precedes worship. The cross always precedes worship. Someone had to pay the price for our sins before we could approach the throne of grace.
LORD, thank you for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Ezekiel continues his tour of the new temple that appears to him in a vision. No part of it is excluded from him. He even gets to view the Most Holy Place, a room he has been forbidden to see in real life. Remember, Jerusalem has been overrun and decimated. It is in shambles. This vision pictures a new and more elaborate temple that is to be built upon the ruins of the old. This is God’s promise to us. We all rebel and our old temple is condemned and sees destruction. But God promises restoration and renewal. He intends to display his glory in our newness.
LORD, we surrender our shambles to you. Make us new again, and make us a Most Holy Place where you can dwell.
In a previous vision, Ezekiel had seen the corruption of his people by touring the temple. Now, Ezekiel is given a tour of a new temple, and only sees beauty, order, and magnificence. The restored temple represents a restored people. The presence of God can live there again. The worship of God can take place there again. Access to the LORD is restored.
LORD, restore the beauty, order and magnificence of your temple in us.
The complete and utter destruction of the armies of Magog and the alliance of nations against Israel results in a great feast for the birds of the air, seven months defilement of the borderlands, and seven years free fuel for Israel, because it will take that long to burn all the enemies’ unused weapons. There will no longer be any doubt about the existence of Israel’s God, nor about his ability to overcome their enemies.
LORD, forgive us for looking around at our enemies, instead of up to you in trust.
Long after the battles and judgments described elsewhere in his book, another battle and another judgment will occur. Gog, of the land of Magog will gather an alliance of nations and seek to attack God’s people, as they dwell securely in the land. But God will intervene with a great earthquake, pestilence and bloodshed, torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur. This is the way that the LORD will show his greatness and make himself known in the eyes of many nations. They cannot escape the LORD. Either they will bow to his reign, or they will suffer his wrath.
LORD, help us to reach the nations with your good news, and so keep them from living out the terror of this bad news.
Ezekiel’s message was one of encouragement for Israel and Judah. God will restore them to life, unity, and give them another David, another covenant, and his presence forever.
The good news for believers in Christ is that all these promises are ours in him. Resurrection, unity, the reign of the Son of David, and God’s presence forever – these are all ours in Christ.
A physical and spiritual revival of Israel is predicted here, but it will not happen as a result of a grass roots repentance. NO, the LORD will bring the people back home, then he will change their hearts, then they will be ashamed of their former ways. The restoration will occur in the reverse of what it would be if it were a people movement. It will be a GOD movement.
LORD, move on us. Restore us.
The LORD breaks the news to the Edomites that al the time they were gloating over the fate of Israel, he was listening, and he heard it. Their time is coming. Because they relished the fact that Israel and Judah were falling, they would face violent destruction as well. We should be very careful when we are tempted to gloat over someone else’s misfortune, even if it is an enemy. Our God hears it.
LORD, give us the insight to love, pray for, and respect our enemies. We are mindful of the fact that your sword of vengeance has a double edge.
This prophecy is a corollary to Psalm 23. In the psalm, David reflects his trust in God, his shepherd. In this prophecy, the LORD reveals what he will do for his sheep, and what he will do to the false shepherds, the rulers in the land, who are feeding on the sheep instead of taking care of them. The only things sheep really need are guidance and protection. When the rulers of the land refused to provide this, the LORD steps up. He promises to guide them back from exile, and restore them to peace.
LORD, thank you for your guidance and protection.
Ezekiel was appointed watchman over the people, warning them of the LORD’s coming judgment. But the people listened to his words like they would a song from a professional singer, or a television drama. It was just entertainment for them. His was the responsibility to blow the trumpet to warn them of coming invasion. This intrigued them, but it did not register. They refused to repent.
LORD, give us the courage to warn our generation of your coming judgment, even if they refuse to change.
Ezekiel 43
Ezekiel 41-42
Ezekiel 40
Ezekiel 39
Ezekiel 38
Ezekiel 37
Ezekiel 36
Ezekiel 35
Ezekiel 34
Ezekiel 33
