Bible Pathway - September 12
Read Ezekiel 40 – 42
Highlights:
We're the Temple of God - He dwells in us (1 Cor. 3:16); we will be replaced with awesome future Temple. Spectacular and outlined here!
And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed (Ezek. 40:5).
The Lord, as He had many times before, carried Ezekiel in a vision to a certain place. Ezekiel saw a man in the vision who told him to record everything that he would see in the vision. Ezekiel was being shown the construction plans for the new Temple of the Lord.
Often times, we read chapters such as this one and ones that will follow it thinking it is just a bunch of measurements. There are many who might even skim over these verses believing they really have nothing to say about our lives today. This is a mistake that could deprive us of instruction and encouragement from the Word of God.
If we read the Word of God prayerfully, we will find that many times the Lord will speak to us through Scriptures that we felt had no life applications. Sometimes we might refer to these “hidden treasures” as golden nuggets of the Word. If the truth is told, none of the Scripture is hidden, though at times the Lord might reveal it in different ways. The entire Bible is a treasure worth more than gold, silver or precious jewels.
An interesting thing that is found here in this Scripture is the fact that the man is equipped with a measuring rod. In the coming verses, he will use this rod to ensure everything is of a proper measurement. He does this in a way similar to what we would do today. We might use a tape measure to ensure the proper length, or a level to make sure things line up properly.
There are many times in the Word of God when something may look purely physical, but it will have spiritual connotations as well. This can be reversed in that the seemingly spiritual can be applied physically too. The Word of God moves broadly in our lives. It affects us in all ways if we will let it. For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
This verse from Hebrews is used often to define the operation of God's Word. Two thoughts that come from this verse are that the Word divides and discerns. It brings to mind the measuring stick from the verse in Ezekiel.
The Word of God is the most valuable tool we will ever have. If studied and applied to our lives, it can fill the place of any measuring device that might be needed to ensure we are following His directions properly. The Lord does the building in our lives if we allow it.
Through reading and studying His Word, we learn what the Lord expects from us day by day. The Bible helps us to “discern” the things He is not pleased with in our lives and to “divide” those things from us. A prayerful reading reveals if we are allowing Him to work properly through us or not.
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe (1 Thess. 2:13).
Thought for Today:
The world, Satan and our flesh all are contrary to a godly life.
Christ Revealed:
Through the sacrifice (Ezek. 40:42). Jesus made the final once for all. . . sacrifice for sins for ever (Heb. 10:10-12). Thus He became our only Mediator with God by dying for our sins. The patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. . . . And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation (Heb. 9:23-28).
Word Study:
40:17 thirty chambers were upon the pavement, 30 rooms faced this pavement terrace; 40:23 over against, opposite; 41:24 turning leaves, hinged panels; 42:20 profane, unholy, common.
Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord when you are oppressed (Ps. 102:8-13).
Optional Reading: Revelation 17
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 145:3
