Ezekiel 41 (résumé): Measurements of the Temple

Ezekiel 41 continues the vision of the restored temple, and Ezekiel sees the inner sanctuary which is carefully measured emphasizing God's perfection and holiness. Ezekiel's guide measures the Most Holy Place, then he sees 3 levels of side rooms surrounding the temple. Then further measurements of the temple are taken emphasizing that the Lord is a God of holy meticulous order. The walls were decorated with "carved cherubim and palm trees" and each cherubim had 2 faces of a man and of a lion. There was also a wooden altar "before the Lord".

Administrative work

Liz finished a massive job of administrative work late last night linked to the mission. She has been dealing with this for many days. These mundane things have to be done.

Yesterday was our wonderful deaconess Sister Beatriz's 91st birthday. She is a blessed woman of prayer who always prays for me and encourages me. She is faithful in coming to church and is 100% lucid and cheerful. She has 14 children, 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Her husband Pedro went to be with the Lord 5 years ago.

I have now completed my synopses of 36 chapters of Ezekiel which is three-quarters of the book. Once completed the only major prophet left will be the 12 chapters of Daniel, prior to the 12 minor prophets, so the end of the Old Testament is in sight! 🙌

Ezekiel 40 (résumé): The new temple area

Ezekiel 40 begins, in year 25 of the 70-year exile, the prophet's vision of a future rebuilding of the temple. God transports Ezekiel back to Israel in a vision and there a man "whose appearance was like bronze" told the prophet to take note of everything and transmit it to the Jews. Ezekiel in the visions sees the temple wall, the eastern gate, the outer court, the north and south gates, the gates to the inner court, the rooms for preparing sacrifices, the rooms for the priests and the temple porch. Every meticulous detail of the temple speaks of God's holiness with clear order and perfection. Here would be again the place of true worship.

Ezekiel 39 (résumé): Son of man - prophesy!

 Ezekiel 39 continues the prophesy against Gog saying "on the mountains of Israel you will fall... all your troops and alliance... and vultures and wild beasts will scavenge the corpses". Then the Israelites gather the weapons of the defeated armies which gives them 7-years worth of firewood! Then God decides to give the valley of Hamon Gog as a burial ground for the defeated armies and it took the Israelites 7 months to bury them all. Then God also summons vultures and wild beasts to feast on Gog's corpses! There were an awful lot of dead bodies! Then God again reminds everyone that the exile was the result of Israel's sin, but the Lord promises to restore Israel. "When I have brought them back... I will show myself holy through them before the nations... and I will pour out my spirit on the house of Israel".

Ezekiel 38 (résumé): A prophecy against Gog

 Ezekiel 38 starts a prophecy against Gog, of the land of Magog, who leads a big alliance including Persia, Cush, Put, Gomes and Beth Togarmah. God declares that he will draw Gog's alliance to do battle with Israel. Gog schemes an invasion of Israel without realizing that this is what God wants. Then when Gog attacks he falls into God's ambush and God reacts with earthquake, confusion of the enemy bringing about friendly fire, pestilence, bloodshed, torrential rain, hailstone, burning sulphur and fire engulf the enemy. The result of the Lord's multifaceted attacks is a total trouncing of Gog and his massive alliance. The power of God was thus revealed to all.

Ezekiel 37 (résumé): The valley of dry bones

Ezekiel 37 is one of the most positive hopeful chapters of the book pointing to spiritual and national renewal of the Jews through 2 prophetic visions. First of all comes the vision of the valley of dry bones which clearly represents the desperate situation of Israel in exile. God tells Ezekiel to prophesy life to the dry bones and "the bones came together... then tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them... but they just lacked breath... so Ezekiel prophesied again... and they came to life and stood up". These bones restored represent Israel restored, revived and with new life. For God says: "I will put my spirit in you and you will live". Then comes the second vision of the chapter with the vision of 2 sticks representing Judah and Israel united in one kingdom. "I will make them one nation... there will be one king over all... they will no longer defile themselves with idols... I will save them from their sinful backsliding... David will be king over them... and they will have one shepherd.. and follow my law... David will be their prince forever... and I will make an everlasting covenant with them... and my sanctuary is among them forever".

Ezekiel 36 (résumé): A prophecy to the mountains of Israel

This chapter is one of hope and restoration as God promises to bless his people and renew them spiritually. First of all God promises to restore the Land: "O mountains of Israel you will produce branches and fruit for my people and they will soon come home... I will look on you with favour... and men and animals will be fruitful and numerous... and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples". God then goes on to remind Israel that they were exiled because of their sin as "they defiled the land by their conduct and actions... I judged them according to this... because they profaned my holy name". But God will restore Israel for his name's sake... "I am going to do these things for the sake of my holy name... and I will take you out of the nations... and give you a new heart and a new spirit... and you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers... crops, grain and fruit will be abundant... and the land will flourish again like the Garden of Eden... the Lord will rebuild that which was destroyed and replant that which was desolate... and Israel will become as numerous as sheep!"