Ezekiel – Page 3 – Be Still…

Ezekiel 41:1-26 – Even Palm Trees

Read Ezekiel 41:1-26

I have always loved palm trees. Growing up in Iowa I didn’t see many unless I was on a trip to a tropical paradise. I must admit I was a bit surprised to see that palm trees were specifically part of this vision of God’s new temple. He must like them, too! God loves all of his creation, but not all trees are singled out to adorn the walls and inner sanctuary.

More and more details are revealed in this reading, but it was the palm trees that spoke to me. What would be the significance? Again, we can marvel at how God thought of everything to help his people succeed at worshipping him, all the way down to the palm tree decorations. Continue reading “Ezekiel 41:1-26 – Even Palm Trees”

Ezekiel 40:38-49 – God’s Temple Vision Part 2

Read Ezekiel 40:38-49

We’re given more dimensions for God’s vision of the new temple. These measurements are accompanied by descriptions of what will take place within each space. I’m reminded of a building project my husband and I were part of in one of our churches. Sometimes a space would be designed with an exact purpose in mind, like the worship center, for example. While my area of children’s ministry was a huge room with lots of storage, a stage, and an open space for the imagination to fill.

God was giving us his purposes for some of the areas in the temple, like the rooms for sacrifices and the priests. But what about the huge inner courtyard? It was a little over half a football field square. What sorts of things would happen there do you think? Continue reading “Ezekiel 40:38-49 – God’s Temple Vision Part 2”

Ezekiel 40:1-37 – What Do You See?

Read Ezekiel 40:1-37

First and foremost, we need to remember this is a vision God gave to Ezekiel for a purpose. These are God’s designs for a temple that has not yet been built! The first thing I notice other than this is another vision where Ezekiel is transported to a new location, was that it was twenty-five years into his captivity. That is a long time. Ezekiel’s ministry is apparently alive and well.

God was clear that this message was meant for the people of Israel. Yet, we know that the temple rebuilt by the Israelites returning to Jerusalem led by Ezra years later did not match these criteria. I find that a bit curious. But God’s plans are always perfect, so the second temple was apparently not meant to be constructed from this temple’s design. Continue reading “Ezekiel 40:1-37 – What Do You See?”

Ezekiel 39:25-29 – What Mercy Looks Like

Read Ezekiel 39:25-29

We’ve heard about the doom and devastation, and now we see how God displays his mercy. The time of exile will most certainly end. God’s people will return to their homeland where God will watch over them. What a peace provoking prophecy this is as it summarizes God’s merciful plans with no more mention of Gog!

Deuteronomy 7:9 says this about God’s mercy. “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” God’s mercy is extended to those who stay faithful. Many in Ezekiel’s audience had forgotten what it meant to stay faithful. Continue reading “Ezekiel 39:25-29 – What Mercy Looks Like”

Ezekiel 39:1-24 – Good vs. Evil

Read Ezekiel 39:1-24

The episode of oracles involving Gog concludes here with God’s victory. However, Gog and Magog are mentioned again in Revelation 20. I find it curious that such a mystery exists around who Gog and Magog actually are. I think that’s because they are not real people but symbolic representations of something much bigger than two individuals or one individual and it’s land.

The mind can be boggled when you let yourself explore the vastness of God and his plans for his people. Ezekiel and his audience would have been confused, too, since scholars and teachers cannot concur on Gog’s identity. Continue reading “Ezekiel 39:1-24 – Good vs. Evil”