Sun.’s Devo - Cleansing the Altar

Read: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27; James 5:1-20; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 28:6-7 Chapter 42 described the rooms off the Temple towards the north, south and east that were for the priests who offered the sacrifices and at the most holy offerings. They also used these rooms to store the grain, sin and guilt offerings. Before entering these rooms they had to take off their clothes and put on priestly clothes made of linen. We read in previous chapters about the Spirit of the Lord leaving the Temple and in Chapter 43 we read about its return. When God came it was to the sound of rushing waters just like at Pentecost when he came to reside in the bodily temples of the disciples. The Spirit of God came in the eastern gateway and Ezekiel was taken inside to see it. God’s glory filled the Temple. God told Ezekiel that this was the place of his throne and the place where He would rest his feet. He told them that he wanted man to stop polluting his altar with other gods. He wanted to live among them forever. He gave Ezekiel the measurements of His altar. It stood 7 feet high and was 21 feet square. That is a huge altar! This is where the burnt offerings and the sprinkling of blood would occur. At the four corners of the altar there were four horns. The priests were to sanctify the horns, the corners and the upper ledge of the altar with the blood of the bull. Then the bull which was the sin offering was to be taken outside the Temple area. This bull represented Jesus who was crucified on the cross (the altar) then buried in a tomb outside of the Temple area. The next day, the priest were to take a goat what was spotless and cleanse the altar, then do the same with a bull and a ram. Every day for seven days after that they were to sacrifice a male goat, a young bull and a ram from the flock. They had to be perfect without spot. This would make the altar clean and ready for use. When this was done, God would accept them as his people. James spoke to the rich people who put their trust in their riches. They would find that what they put their trust in was not eternal and would eat away at their flesh like fire. The things they hoarded would testify against them on the day of judgment. James reminds us of Job who patiently endured suffering that he didn’t deserve and didn’t understand. God was kind to Job and rewarded him for his patience. He will do the same for us as we patiently await Jesus’ return. James gives us some practical things to do while we are waiting. If we are suffering hardships we should pray. If we are happy we should sing praises. If we are sick we should call for the elders to pray and anoint us with oil. If we have committed sins, we will be forgiven. If we confess our sins to one another, we will be healed and if we earnestly pray then our pryers have great power and will produce wonderful results. James gives us the story of Elijah as an example. When we help a brother return to the Lord, we have saved him from death. Lord, may we joyfully and patiently live our lives in great expectation of your return.