“And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures” (Ezekiel 40:32).
TEXT — Ezekiel 40:32-43
Message
There is an interesting poem often attributed to Spirella, an ancient philosopher. It says: “There’s no thrill in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue, there’s no joy in merely doing things which anyone can do. But there is some satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take when you reach a destination that you thought you’d never make.” The idea suggested by these lines applies to many areas of everyday life, including studying God’s word. Some passages in the Bible are not easy sailing but if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can come away with a thrilling experience.
Today’s text is one of such Bible passages that may not make much meaning to a casual reader. It is all about courts, gates, and tables connected to Ezekiel’s envisioned temple. However, as typical of the Scriptures, there are vital lessons to be gleaned from this ideal temple described by the prophet. In a vision, God brought Prophet Ezekiel to a high mountain in the ruined city of Jerusalem during Israel’s captivity in Babylon. There, he was shown this new temple and was required to record its description by an angel who measured the structure. He described the temple’s inner court with its gates, all of which share the same dimension. This reminds us that in Christ, to whom the whole of these emblems point, we are one, sharing the same Spirit and the same grace irrespective of our role and rank in the kingdom of God.
Particularly noticeable are different courts: the outermost, the outer court, then the inner, and then the innermost. Only the priest could enter the innermost court. This arrangement suggests the differing levels of grace, gifts, and offices we have in the body of Christ, which, nonetheless, rather than divide us, make us more efficient in God’s service. The tables at the entrance of the gates were used to prepare the items for sacrifice.
Preparation precedes our spiritual sacrifice. We must also take cues from wisdom regarding the order of the staircases that lead to the courts. Seven steps were involved in climbing to the outer court, whereas the inner court required eight steps. The closer we walk with God, the more consecration is required of us.
Thought for the day
If you have the privilege of being planted in the garden of the Lord, bloom there.
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.
1 comment
MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD STRENTHEN HIS SERVANTS TO ALWAYS FEED HIS FLOCK WITH BOTH THE WRITTEN AND AUDIO VERSIONS OF HIS UNDILUTED LIVING WORD CONSISTENTLY EVERY DAY IN JESUS NAME.
MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD STRENTHEN HIS SERVANTS TO ALWAYS FEED HIS FLOCK WITH BOTH THE WRITTEN AND AUDIO VERSIONS OF HIS UNDILUTED LIVING WORD CONSISTENTLY EVERY DAY IN JESUS NAME.