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”

Deuteronomy 15:19-23 – Another Way to Honor God

Read Deuteronomy 15:19-23

Can you imagine the tracking system needed to keep track of every animal’s childbearing schedule? Maybe I’m the only one who is a little awed by this. I totally understand how the people were to honor God with their first fruits, and that easily translates into our world today with our salaries as well as the bounty from our land. But to me, a cow is a cow is a cow. Obviously, this Iowa girl didn’t spend much time on a farm. I’m guessing that just like we can tell our pets apart, farmers could tell their flocks apart.

That being said, it must still be quite a feat to remember if Bessie has had a litter before so that her first born can be set aside for the Lord. Did the farmers feel like this was a hardship? What if they made a mistake and missed one, or set aside a second born son? Maybe we sometimes feel like we are facing difficulty in keeping ourselves on track, living a faithful life, resisting temptation so we can live God-honoring lives. I’m pretty sure I’m missing the point Moses is trying to make here. We need to let go of details like this when they distract us.

Continue reading “Deuteronomy 15:19-23 – Another Way to Honor God”
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