Fri.’s Devo - The Altar

Read: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27; James 5:1-20; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 28:6-7 Ezekiel was take to a set of rooms on the north and the south each side of the Temple. There was a large structure that spanned the width of the inner courtyard. Half of the rooms faced toward the inner courtyard and half faced the outer courtyard with a walkway between them. The rooms had three layers where the layer above was recessed like a ziggurat. These rooms were holy and where the priests who offered sacrifices would eat the offerings. They also stored the grain, sin, and guilt offerings in these rooms. *** Ezekiel measured the perimeter of the Temple area and it was 875’ x 875’ (12 cubits by 12 cubits) Twelve is the number of government. When he came to the east gateway the glory of God appeared from that direction He could hear it coming like the roar of rushing waters. Everything shone just like what he had seen in a previous vision. God spoke and said that in this Temple he would rest his feet and live forever among the people of Israel. This Temple would not be defiled by idolatry from their kings like before. The law of this Temple would be absolute holiness. *** He described the altar as having a gutter that measured 12 cubits or 21” deep and wide round the altar. The blood would flow through this gutter to the people. Twenty-one is three seven’s or three times the perfection. The altar was 21 feet tall with ledges every 7 feet. There were horns on the corners of the altar which stood for mercy. The priest ascended this altar by steps on the east side. *** God told Ezekiel that when this altar was built the Levitical priests were to offer a perfect bull as a sin offering and smear its blood on the four horns and the upper ledge and its curb. This would cleanse the altar and make atonement. *** On the next or second day, a perfect male goat was to be sacrificed that would cleanse and make atonement again for the altar. Then, offer another perfect bull and a perfect ram that had been sprinkled with salt. *** Then, every day after that they were to offer a male goat, a young bull and a ram from the flock to sacrifice as a sin offering. This was to be done for seven days to set the altar apart for holy use. On the eight day and each day after they could offer burnt offerings and peace offerings and the Lord would accept them. *** James had a hard word for the rich who hoarded their wealth. It would speak against them on the day of judgement. They had spent their wealth on themselves at the expense of others. They had condemned and killed innocent people. *** He encouraged the righteous to hold on because the day of their reception was coming. They would reap a harvest just like Job did in the end. *** James warned them not to take oaths but let their word be enough. He gave solutions for every problem. If you are suffering, then pray. If you are happy, then sing. If you are sick, have the elders annoint you and pray over you in the name of the Lord. If you have sinned, you will be forgiven. *** He encourages us to confess our sins to one another that we may be healed, because it is the prayer of the righteous that gets results. Elijah was an example of this. He was human but God heard his prayer and answered him. *** Lord, may we be reconcilers and bring those back who have wandered away. May they receive forgiveness and life instead of condemnation and death.

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.

Wed.’s Devo - The New Temple

Read: Ezekiel 39:1-40:27; James 2:18-3:18; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 28:2 Ezekiel was told to speak a word against Gog, Meshech and Tubal which are believed to be modern day Russia, Libya and Iran. They would come against Israel, but God would turn their plans on them and defeat them. The people of Israel would pick up their wooden weapons and use them as fuel for their fires for the next seven years. *** There would be a mass graveyard for all the words of Gog in the Valley of Travelers which would now be called the Valley of Gog’s Hordes. *** Seven months later teams of men would go out looking for skeletons to bury in the Valley. *** God told Ezekiel to call the birds and wild animals to come to a great feast where they will eat the flesh of the men lying in the Valley of Gog’s Hordes. This is how they will cleanse the land. *** Then the nations will know that God sent his people into exile because of their sins, but has now come to redeem them. *** Ezekiel was in their 25th year of captivity when the Lord came and took him in the Spirit to Israel on a very high mountain. He could see a city in the south and as he got nearer he could see a man with a face that shone standing beside a gate. The man held a linen measuring cord and a measuring rod in his hand. He told Ezekiel to pay attention to everything he saw, then go back and tell the people. *** He was taken into the city through the gateway and measured everything. He climbed steps and saw where the guards would stand. He was taken into the inner part through a passageway on the east side of the building which was supported by columns. This structure faced the Temple. The entrance way was over 43 feet wide and over 87 feet long, just to give us some perspective of how massive this place was. There was a huge square courtyard which measured 175 x 175 feet with a passageway on the north side and the south side were just like the one on the east side. The gateway on the south side had seven steps leading out of it. *** In James, he explained that faith and works go together and you can’t separate them. Abraham demonstrated this principle. He had faith that God would raise Isaac from the dead so he strapped him to the altar. God counted his faith as righteousness. Rahab showed her faith by hiding the spies and showing them a way of escape. She had faith that they would keep their word and save her and her family. *** James explained why not all of us should be teachers because we teach with our mouths which are hard to tame. One wrong teaching can spread and cause a lot of dissension and problems. *** Keeping your heart pure will help control what you say with your mouth. Keeping your heart from jealousy and selfish ambition will cultivate God’s wisdom in your life. And, being a peacemaker will reap a harvest of righteousness. *** Lord, help us to desire a pure heart and to be a peacemaker. May we think before we speak and listen to your Spirit and obey.

Tues.’s Devo - Can These Bones Live?

Read: Ezekiel 37:1-38:23; James 1:19-2:17; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 28:1 God took Ezekiel in the Spirit to a valley scattered with dried bones. He asked him if the bones could become alive again and Ezekiel told God only he would know the answer to that. The Lord told Ezekiel to prophecy for those dried bones to listen to what God says about them. He said they would live again. He would cover them with muscles and skin. Then He would breath life into them. *** As Ezekiel spoke God’s words, it happened! The bones came together and reattached to their parts. Muscles and flesh covered the bones but they still had no breath. Ezekiel was told to prophesy to the winds to come and breathe into the dead bodies so that they could live again. When he did, they came to life and stood to become a great army. *** God told him that these bones represented the people of Israel. They thought all hope was gone but God said He could bring them life with his Spirit. *** What in our lives have we lost all hope in? Is it a marriage, a family issue or breach, a dying business or an illness? We are to prophecy our destiny into the situation and God’s Spirit to come and bring life. God is true and his Words are life. *** God told Ezekiel to take two pieces of wood and write on one “Judah and its tribes” and on the other hand”Ephram and the northern tribes.” He was to hold the two pieces of wood in one hand and raise it and prophecy its destiny. They would be brought back together and be one nation. They would not pollute themselves again with idols God would cleanse them and they would be his people and he their God. *** David would be their king (speaking of Jesus). He spoke this over generations to come. *** Ezekiel was told to prophecy against Gog and Magog, Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya. God would come against them as their enemy. In the far away future, they would come against Israel while they are enjoying peace after they recovered from war and returned to their land. They will think they can attack them and rob them of their silver and gold. When this happens the whole earth will quake with the presence of the Lord. The enemy will end up killing one another and God will rain down hailstones, fire, and sulfur. This will be the final battle on the earth. *** In James, we are given three commands: be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. These sound easy, until something stirs us to up, then they are not that easy. God’s words have been planted in our hearts which have the power to save our souls, so they can surely keep us from getting angry. *** Not only do we need to listen, but we need to act on God’s commands. If we do this, it will help us to control our tongue. *** James defines pure religion as caring for the orphan and the widows who are in distress and refusing to let the world corrupt us. He defines the poor as being rich in faith. We are all commanded to have mercy and compassion and show it with our works. *** Lord, may we have your heart when it comes to the poor. Help us to know how to best meet their needs. May we prophesy to the impossible things in our lives and see them live again.

Mon.’s Devo - Count it all Joy!

Read: Ezekiel 35:1-36:38; James 1:1-18; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 27:23-27 God told Ezekiel to prophecy against the people of Mt. Seir. They were the descendants of Esau who were bitter towards the descendants of Jacob. They slaughtered them when they were weak and took their land. God said he would utterly destroy them because of their ruthless hatred towards Israel. Their cities would never be rebuilt and the whole earth would rejoice, just like they rejoiced at Israel’s fall. *** God spoke to the mountains of Israel and said that they had been taken by other nations, but Ezekiel was to prophecy that they would prosper once again for the sake of Israel who would soon be coming home. The land would no longer be the reason the people die. God would not let their enemies mock them much longer. *** It was the people who polluted the land with murder and idolatry, not the other way around. Then they went to other nations and brought shame to God’s name. God was bringing them back to their own land for his name’s sake, not because they deserved it. He was doing it to preserve his reputation. *** James identifies himself as a bond slave of Christ. He writes to the believers in the twelve tribes of Israel. He encourages them in their trials speaking of trials as great opportunities for spiritual growth and drawing closer to God. God is wisdom and ready to share it with all who ask. *** He challenges us to have God’s perspective on the rich and the poor. He says it is an honor to be poor and humbling to be rich. We all eventually fade away and are no more on the earth. The way we gain rewards in this life has to do with how we face our trials. Patiently enduring our trials will produce the crown of life that God has for us. God never tempts anyone; our desires can cause us to be dragged away from God’s perfect will in our lives and lead us to sin. *** Lord, thank you that we are your prized possession. You chose to birth us on the earth and give us yourself. May we cling to your Word and live as your children who love you.

Sun.’s Devo - Watchmen

Read: Ezekiel 33:1-34:31; Hebrews 13:1-25; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 27:21-22 Watchmen were people selected to stand in the towers or on hills and watch for the enemy so they could warn the people. God told Ezekiel that this was his job as a prophet. He was to listen to the Lord and tell the people and warn them of what was coming. If he obeyed and warned the people and told them why the enemy was coming, then he would be protected. But, if he didn’t warn them, then what was coming for the people would kill him also and God would hold him responsible. *** There were several scenarios of what might happen. The people might repent and then God would not bring the destruction he had warned them of. This was the case with Nineveh when Jonah warned them. They did repent and the city was saved. But, 200 years later they turned back to their sins and God did bring the destruction that Jonah had warned them of. *** Jerusalem fell two months before Egypt fell. A survivor came to Ezekiel in Babylon and told him the news. God had shut Ezekiel’s mouth so he couldn’t speak, but God opened it so he could speak to this man. Then, God told Ezekiel to tell the people that though they felt entitled to the land of Israel because of Abraham, their sins had caused them to lose their right to ownership of the land. God had destroyed the land because of their sins. *** The people talked about Ezekiel and were entertained by his prophecies. They were only interested in getting rich. He condemned the ones who spent all their wealth on themselves and neglected the poor and needy. They were like shepherds who didn’t care for their flock. These greedy people had now become God’s enemies. *** God will find his sheep scattered all over the will and bring them back hime to their land of Israel and care for them. He will give them peace, comfort, healing and justice. God will separate the sheep from the goats and judge them according to their deeds. God will give them a shepherd like David and give them a covenant of peace. God will shower them with blessings an they will no longer be a prey to other nations. Their land will become famous for God’s abundant blessings. *** Hebrews encourages us to love everyone as if they are our brothers or our sisters. Entertain strangers. Honor our marriage and remain faithful to our spouses. Don’t love money and be happy with what you have. *** This world is not our home. Our lives are to be a continual sacrifice of praise and devotion. We are to share our blessings with others. God will equip us with what we need to carry out our purpose on the earth. *** Lord, may we have clear consciences and live honorable in everything we do. May your grace be with us all.

Sat.’s Devo- Live at Peace

Read: Ezekiel 31:1-32:32; Hebrews 12:14-29; Psalm 113:1-114:8. Proverbs 27:18-20 Eleven years into their captivity, God had a word for the Pharaoh of Egypt. It had once been a beautiful prosperous nation which God compared to a cedar in Lebanon. It was filled with people and known for its opulence and splendor. It became the envy of the world and was filled with pride. *** Because Egypt became proud and wicked God was going to turn it over to a mighty nation to destroy it. Egypt and all its inhabitants would end up in the pit. They would dwell there with all the others who had descended into the pit in the grave. *** Twelve years into Israel’s captivity Ezekiel received a word he was to give to the Pharaoh of Egypt. This word was given on the 1st of Tishri making it the Feast of Trumpets. It said that Pharaoh thought of himself as a great leader among the nations but God saw him as a sea monster. God was sending many nations to catch him in his net. He would leave him stranded on the land to die. The whole land would be darkened when God did this. (These things were done before when God sent the plagues on Egypt - one of them was darkness.) *** God would destroy Egypt with the army of Babylon. The world will look on with terror. *** Fifteen days later, on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles God gave Ezekiel another word. The evil hoard of Egypt were ordered to “tabernacle with others who had gone to the pit.” There they would be met with mighty leaders who had gone before them who had now become the shameful outcasts. Leaders of Elam, Mechech, Tubal, Edom, and Sidon are all down there lying in shame and guilt. Now Egypt would join them. *** In Hebrews, we are told to “work” at living at peace with everyone. That is not an easy task. Work at not becoming poisoned with bitterness. *** We are reminded that we now have access to God’s throne room. We don’t come with fear and trembling like they did in the Old Testament. We come to a joyful gathering of God’s firstborn children and to the king himself. Jesus as our lawyer mediated us a better covenant than they had. This covenant is about forgiveness, not revenge. We need to be careful to listen to what God is saying because this new covenant will not only shake the earth like at Sinai, but this new promise will shake the heavens also. Only what cannot be shaken and is rooted in righteousness will stand. *** Lord, may we fear you with reverence but draw near without fear of retaliation. We are so blessed to be invited into your throne room and to be called your children. May our sacrifice to you be holy and undefiled. Thank you for all you have done and still do for us. May your Kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven.