Day 252 – Ezekiel 40-42

Talking Points

• Beginning in Ezekiel 40 and continuing through the end of the book, we find, arguably, the toughest verses in all the Bible to interpret and apply. Did you read that? In all the Bible!
• The account describes a new temple. In the 25th year of the exile, Ezekiel receives a vision from God, exacting a detailed description of this new temple. In these chapters, precise measurements and particulars are given for the walls, gates, guardrooms, porches, courtyards, and furnishings.
• While these chapters and the ones to follow are going to be difficult, we should be sure to glean out what is quickly discernible. As the Israelites are suffering as captives in a foreign land, God is gracious to encourage them by revealing these truths: He has not forgotten or forsaken His people, He has a plan and future for His people, and He has a deep desire to dwell with His people.

Thoughts

If God has given us His Word to reveal Himself to us, shouldn’t it be easily understandable for us? What if it’s not? Should we just shrug it off as unknowable, just something else to chalk up to faith? Or should we worry about it, stressing over the idea of not knowing?

Maybe this is a good time to take a deep breath and think honestly. It’s okay! In fact, God will be honored in the endeavor.

Some things to remember as we read:

• God is marvelously infinite in all His ways, and we are not! He even tells us His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). We shouldn’t be surprised. What a great thing to consider Him in all His glory, stretching our finite minds with the consideration of the limitless!
• It is an effort. It truly is. We have to strain and dig and consider and think, deeply think. However, it is an effort that pays the most amazing dividend — a greater knowledge of God. Oh what joy to see Him a little more as He is — worthy of worship!
• It will require a deep knowledge of all of Scripture. Each piece will be built upon every other piece. It will require us to know God’s Word, to really know it. And, that is a good thing!
• It is an act of worship. Motivated by what we already love about our God, we want to know Him even more! And, in that, He is pleased. So, as we take on such a task, may our hearts beat, “O, Come, let us worship!” (Psalm 95:6).