Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
41:4 And he measured the length of the inner sanctuary; it was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits across the end of the main hall. He said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.”
This new temple also has a most holy place. God will always be “other” to us. He has a place of reverence that is unique. Nevertheless, through Jesus, he invites us into his space. We are indeed a privileged people.
41:4 And he measured the length of the inner sanctuary; it was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits across the end of the main hall. He said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.”
This new temple also has a most holy place. God will always be “other” to us. He has a place of reverence that is unique. Nevertheless, through Jesus, he invites us into his space. We are indeed a privileged people.
42:20 So he measured the area on all four sides. It had a wall around it, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common.
Again God separates the holy from the common. May we never forget what it cost God to allow us access to the holy.
42:20 So he measured the area on all four sides. It had a wall around it, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common.
Again God separates the holy from the common. May we never forget what it cost God to allow us access to the holy.
43:12 This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy. Such is the law of the temple.
One of the things the Israelites had been guilty of was not allowing enough space between the graves of the kings and the temple. They did not create “sacred space” (v. 9).
Do we create “sacred space” in our lives? A space just for God?
43:12 This is the law of the temple: All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be most holy. Such is the law of the temple.
One of the things the Israelites had been guilty of was not allowing enough space between the graves of the kings and the temple. They did not create “sacred space” (v. 9).
Do we create “sacred space” in our lives? A space just for God?
44:28, 30 “I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession . . . The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.”
Likewise, we are now God’s priests and he is to be our inheritance. And God blesses us in order to be a blessing to others.
44:28, 30 “I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession . . . The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household.”
Likewise, we are now God’s priests and he is to be our inheritance. And God blesses us in order to be a blessing to others.
45:9 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord.
Amazing that God has to tell his leaders to give up violence, oppression and dispossessing people. There is a general lack of compassion when people stop worshiping God.
45:9 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord.
Amazing that God has to tell his leaders to give up violence, oppression and dispossessing people. There is a general lack of compassion when people stop worshiping God.