Mon.’s Devo - God’s Spirit Leaves the Temple

Read: Ezekiel 10:1-11:25; Hebrews 6:1-20; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 27:1-2 God spoke to the man in linen who had marked the people of righteousness. He told him to take of handful of burning coals from the living creature and scatter them over the city. Ezekiel watched him do this. *** The man in linen entered the south entrance of the Temple and the inner courtyard filled with a cloud of glory. The sound of God’s glory could be heard in the outer courtyard. *** God told the man in linen to get more coals from between the wheels of the living creature and the man took them out of the Temple. When it describes the four cherubim this time there was no rainbow and the cherubim and the wheels were covered with eyes, including there hands, and the faces had changed in order. The ox was in the front this time. They flew out the east gate of the Lord’s Temple, taking the glory of God with them. *** The Spirit of God took Ezekiel to the east gateway of the Temple where he saw 25 prominent men of the city. Among them were Jaazaniah and Pelatiah who were princes of the people. These men were planning evil and telling the people to build houses because the city was as safe as an iron pot. Ezekiel was to prophesy against them. He told them that they had murdered many in the city. This city was an iron pot but not for safety; it was full of the victims of their injustice. They would be judged for lying to the people and for their sins. The sword they so greatly feared will come against them. While Ezekiel was prophesying this, Pelatiah fell down dead. Pelatiah means “Jehovah’s way of escape.” Death, for them, would be their only way of escape. Ezekiel immediately fell down praying for mercy. God told Ezekiel what the people left in Jerusalem were saying about them. They were saying that since these people had been taken away, they could now own their land. God says that he would protect those taken into captivity and bring them back to their land. When they return, they will remove all the vile detestable idols and God will put a new spirit within them. He will give them a heart to serve the Lord. Then they will truly be the Lord’s people. *** The cherubim that took the glory of the Lord from the Temple rose into the air and left the city. It stopped above the mountain to the east. Then, God took Ezekiel back to Babylon where he told the exiles all he had seen. *** In Hebrews, the teacher was ready to go on to more mature matters than the foundations of our faith. He explains that once a person has known the goodness of the Lord and experienced his power and then turned away from him, it is impossible to bring him back. He gives us the example of a field that bears a good crop and a field that bears only thorns and thistles. The farmer will soon burn the field of thorns because it is unproductive. That is the same of people. *** He then commends the ones who have worked hard in God’s field and loved their fellow believers. He encourages them to keep their hope alive and endure through the hard times putting their faith in God who is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. God has given us his promise and his oath so we must with confidence believe him. *** Lord, we believe your promises because you have proven to us over and over again that you are faithful and true.