Ezekiel 44:5, 9

December 2, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“And the Lord said to me, ‘Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes, and hear with your ears all that I shall tell you concerning all the statutes of the temple of the Lord and all its laws. And mark well the entrance to the temple and all the exits from the sanctuary.'” (44:5)

“Thus says the Lord God: No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the people of Israel, shall enter my sanctuary.” (44:9)

Two things stick out in this chapter. First, the Lord tells Ezekiel to pay close attention: “mark well, see with your eyes, and hear with your ears all that I shall tell you …” I can surely say that I have not always paid close attention to what the Lord said. Sometimes I have had the spirit of “let’s get it done.” At other times, my mind and heart have been distracted. I wish it were different, but this reminder of how God feels about his words allows me to do better going forward.

Second, I can not disregard the mention of foreigners. Notice that foreigners can come into the presence of the Lord. That’s a big deal, particularly for a foreigner like me.

Father, help me to be more focused and committed to hearing your word. And please help me to seek closeness with you. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, obedience, Old Testament, Prophecy

Ezekiel 43:4-7

December 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever. And the house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies of their kings at their high places.” (Ezekiel 43:4-7)

This feels like the punchline of all these measurements. Ultimately, God was revealing to Ezekiel the details of the place he would once again dwell among Israel.

The first thing that stood out to me was that the glory of the Lord will enter from the east. When the glory of the Lord departed the temple, He left toward the east (Ezekiel 10). Similarly, when Jesus ascended to heaven, He took off from the Mt of Olives, the mountain to the east of the Temple. (Acts 1)

The second thing that stands out is that this is the place where God will dwell with Israel FOREVER! Things have come full circle. God dwelt among His people, but they rebelled against Him. He sent them away as punishment. Then, He promised to regather them in their land. Now, He says He will dwell with them forever. That means Israel will be redeemed and restored. This is the group into which we will be grafted in (Romans 9-11)!

Father, thank you for the promise of redemption. Help me live today like I believe I will dwell with you forever. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Old Testament, Prophecy, Restoring Israel

Ezekiel 41:5

November 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Then he measured the wall of the temple, six cubits thick, and the breadth of the side chambers, four cubits, all around the temple.” (Ezekiel 41:5)

Like chapter 40 – but only more – this chapter is filled with specific details of a Jewish temple. It can be easy to lose interest because … who really cares how thick a wall is? Or, how wide is a room?

Since God showed Ezekiel these blueprints and told him to declare this information to the house of Israel (40:4), we need to guard our hearts so that we do not dismiss this information as irrelevant to us.

This vision occurred while the Jews were in Babylon, and Jerusalem had been destroyed. We know the vision wasn’t of the then currently destroyed temple. Apparently, it was of a future temple. When the Jews returned to Israel, they restored Solomon’s temple, which differed from Ezekiel’s vision. In about 20 BC, Herod began a significant remodeling and expansion of the Temple Mount. The outcome of his project also differed from Ezekiel’s vision. So, we can conclude that there remains yet another temple to be built.

Since this temple has yet to be built, we should watch its construction. I’m not certain whether it is earthly or heavenly, though. Let’s keep watching.

Father, help me to anticipate the future with excitement. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Faith, Israel, Jerusalem, Old Testament, Prophecy, Restoring Israel, Temple Mount

Ezekiel 40:4

November 28, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“And the man said to me, ‘Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.’” (Ezekiel 40:4)

This is interesting. Although this was a vision, Ezekiel was told to see with his physical eyes and hear with his real ears. The details will be clear to Ezekiel.

Second, Ezekiel was told to declare the content of the vision to the house of Israel. Since this appears in the Bible, it seems that Ezekiel obeyed. Question: How many in the house of Israel have any idea of this vision? Very few.

Similarly, many who identify as Christians have little to no idea what the Bible says. Me included. So rather than throw stones at the Jews, I need to look in the mirror and get busy knowing and obeying what my own book says.

Father, help me to live in a way that says I really believe in you and that I know and understand your book. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Israel, Old Testament, Prophecy

Ezekiel 39:1-3

November 27, 2025 by Leave a Comment

““And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand.” (Ezekiel 39:1-3)

The first thing mentioned here is that God is against Gog. That is obvious. What may be less obvious is that God will drive Gog toward Israel. And what may be less obvious is the self-deception of Gog to think he is destined to defeat Israel, only to find out that he will be divinely disarmed and defeated.

How many folks live in the deceived mindset today? They think they are living their best life now in opposition to God. They appear to be winning, but will one day be disarmed, defeated, and judged.

Father, please help me to have a greater heart for the lost. Help me be more faithful in sharing Christ. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Ezekiel, Old Testament, Prophecy, Thinkers
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