Thurs.’s Devo - The Sanctuary

Read: Ezekiel 40:28-41:26; James 4:1-17; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 28:3-5 We are given the description and measurements of the gateway leading to the inner courtyard of the south, east and north sides. Like before, nothing is said of the west side. “East” means “beginning” and “west” means “ending” so he was not shown that far into the future. *** Each of these gateways had side rooms where the animals were sacrificed on huge tables and prepared for the offerings. Inside the inner courtyard to the side were two rooms that faced one another (facing south and facing north). The one on the north was the maintenance room for the Temple. The one toward the south was where the priests changed their clothes to minister to the Lord. The inner courtyard was 175’ x 175’. The altar stood in the courtyard in front of the Temple. *** There were 10 steps that led to the Temple with a square column on each side. Ezekiel was led into the Temple which was 70’ x35’. Beyond the sanctuary was an inner room which measured 35’ x 35’. It was the Most Holy Place. *** A row of rooms were built into the outside wall, 7’ wide each. There were three levels of these rooms with each level being wider than the one below. A stairway was in the middle of the rooms. *** The Temple was built on a terrace 10.5’ tall. This terrace was the foundation for the side rooms. A large building stood on the west facing the Temple. The measurements of it including the thickness of the walls was 175’ x 175’, just like the Temple. Ezekiel was not told what this building is used for at this time. *** He was then taken back to the sanctuary in the Temple. It is described as paneled in wood with carvings of palm trees and cherubim. One of the cherubim. Each cherubim had two faces. One was the face of a man who was looking towards the palm tree on one side. The other face was a lion looking towards the palm tree on the other side. This was depicting the Garden of Eden and their choices. *** The columns to the entrance to the sanctuary and the Most Holy Place were square and made of wood. The altar of incense was made of wood. It stood in the Most Holy Place. The doors leading to both the sanctuary and the Most Holy Place were double swinging doors. Cherubim and palm trees were carved on the doors. The roof was of wood and carvings were on the sides of the doors. Everything was to make you remember the Garden. *** In James, he nails the reason why they quarrel. It is the evil desires for pleasure that was their motive. They wanted what is not theirs and instead of asking God for it, they tried to get it from each other. James calls them adulterers because they wanted to be a friend of God and a friend of the world. *** God hates pride, so the way we get rid of pride is by being humble. The only way we can do that is by getting into the presence of the Lord and repenting and letting the Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts. *** God warns us against judging one another and criticizing one another. God is the judge and we are not. We don’t even know what tomorrow might bring - but God does. *** Lord, may we humble ourselves and remember to do the things you tell us to do. May we guard our hearts against pride and envy. May we be satisfied and thankful for what you have given us.