Monday, 12 February 2024

Ezekiel 43:6-12 – How we approach our holy God matters.

God’s holiness is the main subject of Ezekiel 43:6-12. In these verses, Ezekiel was instructed to make known that the New Temple would be God’s dwelling place among the sons of Israel on earth. It must be a holy undefiled place. His people were told not to profane it like what their ancestors had done to the previous one, where idolatry was practiced, and kings’ corpses were buried. The people were forbidden to desecrate this new Temple.

Here God addressed their past sins where they desecrated His holy name. Essentially God would not all any of those abominable deeds to be practised in His presence. In the establishment of the new covenant of peace, God expected His people to honor and respect His holiness.

He wanted it this way so that He could dwell among them forever. God desires to be amid His people. Unholiness is repulsive to Him and will drive Him away. Thankfully in Christ Jesus, we can now be a holy people, a royal priesthood, and a people of His own acquisition.  

In verses 10-12, Ezekiel’s commission was to describe the Temple to the people to bring an awareness of their iniquities and shame.  When they become aware of their own sins, they should study, examine, and evaluate the design and layout of the Temple. Then they would realize the significance of the Temple and its structure.  The crux of the matter was to demonstrate God’s ultimate holiness.

God’s desire for them, as He is for us, is for all to become aware of His ultimate holiness. This will engender a renewed spiritual fervor in us to enable us to rightly approach, interact, worship, honor, and serve God.  How we approach God matters. We must draw near to Him with holy awe. 

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