“And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him” (Ezekiel 40:46).
TEXT — Ezekiel 40:44-49
Message
In Christ’s body, as in other meaningful communities, there is a place for everyone, and there is something for everyone to do; as Barbara Bush, America’s former First Lady, once said: “Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life’s blood… but everyone has something to give.”
This thought holds even in the context of today’s text, bordering on Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of a new temple for Israel. As a result of their backsliding, Israel was allowed by God to go into captivity in Babylon. Twenty-five years into the exile, Ezekiel received a comforting vision of God’s plan for Israel’s restoration and cleansing. His vision showed the new temple, which is part of the features found in the text. The temple had segmented courts, gates, tables, and steps, all of which have significance. Aspects of Ezekiel’s vision concerning Israel have been fulfilled, while others will follow in the future. The temple and its accompanying features, such as the altar and sacrifice, prefigure Jesus Christ and the new order ushered in by His coming.
The chambers indicated in the text are in focus today. There were chambers for the singers, the priests in charge of cleaning and maintaining the house, and the priests in charge of keeping the altar and ministering to the Lord. This is a reflection of the nature of the body of Christ “from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).
If you are a Christian, you must be conscious that there is a place for you in the body of Christ. You must discover and play your role according to the gift and grace the Lord has given you. If, on the other hand, you are yet without Christ, being an alien “from the commonwealth of Israel, and (stranger) from the covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2:12), you can repent and turn to Him today. He will receive, pardon and cleanse you. You will have a place in Him.
Thought for the day
In the body of Christ, God reserves no seat for benchwarmers.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
