Thurs.’s Devo - Cleansing the Altar for Service

ead: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27; James 5:1-20; Psalm 119:1-26; Proverbs 28:6-7 The man took Ezekiel’s out of the Temple courtyard through the north gateway and they entered the outer courtyard where they came to a group of rooms against the north wall. The rooms were three levels high and there were similar rooms on the south side of the Temple. He was told that these rooms were holy and were where the priests would eat the most holy offerings offered to the Lord. The rooms would also be used to store the sacred offerings - the grain, sin and guilt offerings. Before the priests left these rooms they had to change their clothes and put on clothes that weren’t holy before going out to the public. *** When the man finished measuring all these areas, he took Ezekiel out through the east gateway to measure the entire perimeter which was 875’ x 875’. There was a wall all around it to separate what was holy and what was common. *** Then Ezekiel was brought back to the east gateway and suddenly the glory of the Lord appeared from the east and came with the sound of a roaring rushing waters. Everything shone with God’s glory and Ezekiel fell to the ground. The Spirit took him up into the inner courtyard and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple. The Lord spoke to Ezekiel from the Temple and told him that this was the place of his throne where he would rest his feet and live among his people forever. There kings would not defile his holy name and there would be no more adulterous worship of other gods by honoring the relics of their kings who were dead. They had defiled his name by putting a wall between their idolatry and his altar. This would no longer happen. The law of the Temple would be God’s holiness. *** The altar was measured 21’ x 21’ which is huge! It had gutters around it and a lip at the top. Four horns were at the corners and it stood 7’ with the hearth another 7’. Steps went up the east side of the altar. *** The altar was to be cleansed by the Levitical priests of Zadok and the blood of sacrifices smeared on the four horns of the altar. Sin offerings were to be burned outside the Temple area. On the second day, a young male goat that is spotless was to be sacrifice to make atone meant for the altar again. When the cleansing ceremony was finished another young bull was to be presented to the Lord and the priest were to sprinkle the offering with salt and offer it as a burnt offering to the Lord. Every day for seven days a male goat, young bull and a ram from the flock would be sacrificed as a sin offering. On the eighth day the altar would be ready for use, and after that, the priest could sacrifice the burnt offerings and peace offerings of the people and the Lord would accept them. *** In James, he gives a rebuke to the rich people who oppressed the people to gain what wasn’t theirs. They would stand in judgment and their riches would condemn them. God encouraged his people to be patient as they waited for the Lord’s return (not the rapture). *** While we are waiting for his return, we are to be patient and honor the Lord whether we are suffering or abounding. God has an answer to all we need and has given us each other to pray for us, confess our sins to so that we may be healed and forgiven. We are to welcome back the sinner how has strayed from the truth but turned back to honor the Lord. *** Father, help us navigate the times we are living in. Thank you for a new president who will honor you. Guide our leaders to know your will and give them wisdom and great discernment. Give us wisdom in our lives. May we be joyful in obeying your laws.