November 21- Dwelling With Israel Again

November 21, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Ezekiel 42:1-43:27; James 5:1-20;
Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 28:6-7

Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. 
 I will remain here forever, living among the people of Israel. 
~Ezekiel 43:7

Ezekiel 42:1-43:27

Do you find reading about the details of the Temple tedious?  God doesn't. He loves the details and the symbolism. Today, we learn that the glory of God is going to fill this Temple and God intends to dwell with the people of Israel on earth in fulfillment of His promise to this remnant on the earth that He chose so long ago. We saw God's shekinah glory in the Old Testament. It would descend upon the Tabernacle and occasionally be present before one of God's prophets. Now, God intends to have His shekinah glory dwell on earth in the Temple. This is His good pleasure to reveal Himself to the people of the earth and particularly the people He chose to bring the Redeemer of the earth through. 

Ezekiel is told to record the details and let Israel know about this future with their God. He is a God that fulfills His promises. Sacrifices will be reinstituted as a teaching tool. Israel will finally have a new heart to fully obey God's regulations. Israel will be fully transformed through the New Covenant and as new creatures in Christ they will completely obey God's Law. This is their chance to get it right. God is a God of second chances. The whole earth will witness Israel getting it right this time. Yay, God!

Has God given you a second chance in life?  How have you given Him a daily sacrifice of praise for all that He has accomplished in you?

James 5:1-20

In our world the wealthy are envied and favored. Who hasn't turned on the t.v. to see what the rich and famous are up to? James gives us God's perspective on the rich and the famous. God feels that the rich should weep as they realize that worshipping money can cause you to rot in hell. Riches that have been relied upon as a god will stand as a witness against you in the judgment. Do not make money and things your idol/god.  If you spend all of your years on earth meeting every desire of your heart and pursuing every whim, God is not pleased. Examine yourself.  Be honest. Change, if you need to.

Remember, the Lord is going to return to earth. We are to wait for him as a farmer waits for rain.  As we wait, we are not to grumble against each other. This is easy to do, no? No. Rely on God's Holy Spirit to help you.

James encourages us to be patient in suffering. The prophets did this. Job did this. We learn that God has a good purpose, even in our suffering. If you are suffering, you are encouraged to keep praying.

The elders of the church are there to pray over the sick. We should admit our sins to one another and forgive each other. A righteous person's prayers are powerful and effective. This is one of our tools/weapons as Christians. Elijah's prayers are given as an example of this. That man's prayers stopped the rain for three and half years! When he prayed for rain, it rained. Lesson: We are to pray.

We are also to help those who have wandered away from the faith.  We may be saving someone from hell.

This ends James' practical teaching for today.

Psalm 119:1-16

This psalm is the longest psalm in Scripture.  It extols the blessings of God's Law and right conduct.  James' epistle follows nicely with these concepts.

Proverbs 28:6-7

This proverbs confirms what James was saying.

What are you noticing?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton