May 10-14, 2010

…and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever he wishes. Daniel 4:32

This week we journey with Daniel and Ezekiel. Both of them lived in the land of Babylon, but under very different circumstances. Ezekiel lived amongst the exiles of Israel, while Daniel lived with the exiles of royal and aristocratic linage in the King of Babylon’s service. Both spoke revelations of God. Daniel’s ministry revealed the future events of the King of Babylon, while Ezekiel foretold the future of Israel.

We begin our week’s excursion with Daniel. Besides the uniqueness of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its unusual interpretation, I find a couple other things in this story to be quite intriguing. The fact that the king named Daniel “Belteshazzar” after his own god is quite amazing. Obviously Nebuchadnezzar recognized that Daniel did not operate according to the spirit of man, but a greater spirit was in operation. In the beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s relationship with Daniel, he attributes Daniel’s abilities to his god, but as their relationship grows, Nebuchadnezzar recognizes that YHWH has no equal. Not only does he recognize Daniel’s God, he recognizes Daniel’s Hebrew name. Notice that when Daniel first came in, Nebuchadnezzar addresses him as Belteshazzar.

O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery baffles you, tell me the visions of my dreams which I have seen, along with its interpretation. Daniel 4:9

But when the king is journaling the event, he refers to him as Daniel.

But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is Belteshazzar according to the name of my god… Daniel 4:8

This is of great significance and in the days ahead, we will continue to see Nebuchadnezzar’s heart change.

EZEKIEL’S VISION OF THE TEMPLE

Our time with Ezekiel is filled with mystery and looking far into the future. God’s instructions to Ezekiel were to “see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and to give attention to” all that he was shown. Then go and declare the message to Israel. A quick word study of the words “give attention to” reveals God’s preparation for giving His word. In the NASB the words are translated “give attention,” while the NIV and the NLT render it “pay close attention.” The phrase in Hebrew consists of two words. The first one literally means “to commit something,” and the second is the Hebrew word for “heart.” What was Ezekiel supposed to do with the information he received from God? He was to commit it to his own heart first before declaring it to the people.

God’s word is God’s word, whether we believe it or not, but the messenger of God is expected to appropriate His word to his own heart before he declares it! Does that mean that we as leaders will never fail or have flaws? Of course not! But it does mean that when we do, people should see the same level of remorse and repentance in us as we expect from them. If the word is committed to my heart, it will convict me and cause the same desire for change that is intended in the hearts of those to whom I carry the message.

Some may find the plans of the Temple to be tedious and wonder why it is important to have all the details. Was it merely for building purposes? God’s word to Ezekiel says otherwise.

As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the plan. Ezekiel 43:10

No wonder God told Ezekiel to “see, hear, and commit to heart!” The details of the coming Temple contain far more meaning than the simple physical dimensions, and if we understood their significance, it would cause our hearts to bow to the King of the Universe! This Temple is not the one that was rebuilt when the children of Israel returned from captivity, nor is it found in the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21. It is clearly the Temple from which Messiah will rule during His millennial reign. Although we are not able to do a thorough examination of all the details in our quick visit with Ezekiel, there are some things that stand out to me. Did you notice the difference in the number of steps to each division of the Temple?

7 steps up to the entrance gates

8 steps up to the inner court

10 steps into the entrance of the Temple

These are not random numbers, but a significant code of entry! After you have pondered the plan for a while, do you have any thoughts or insights you want to share? I know I have a boatload of them!!!

I hope you take some time to admire the carvings on the walls and doors. Everywhere you look you see cherubim and palm trees. Each palm tree has the face of a man looking at one side of it and the face of a lion looking at the other. What is so significant about the palm tree? What does it represent and why is it seen all over the Temple wall. Why not the olive tree or the cypress or cedar? And why is it constantly in the gaze of the lion and cherubim?

Another interesting observation is that the priests were never to go among the common people with their priestly garments on. He was to dress in holy attire when he was in the presence of God and common attire in the presence of the people. As a priest, he was never to lose sight that he also was a man and the laws and regulations pertained to him as much as anyone else. Jesus warned about this when he walked this earth. He told His disciples not to follow the ways of the scribes and Pharisees who had seated themselves in the chair of Moses;

And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Matthew 23:6-8

I’ve been in places where everyone was introduced by honorable titles: This is Rev. So-n-so and Apostle Onthego. Oh yes, and then there’s Bishop Toknight and Evangelist Wintheworld. There are pastors who would not know how to pastor without the title before their name. To think of themselves as one of the sheep is far beneath their calling. In God’s plan, the priests are continually reminded that they wear the same garments as the people they serve, but are called to stand before God in His holiness.

We also discover that the sacrificial system is part of the Messianic Reign. Clear directions are given for both the Prince and the people. I have my belief as to why this is, but what are some of your thoughts?

And in this Messianic time each tribe is given an equal portion of inheritance. The allotments are a very different setup from their apportionment during the time of Joshua. Take notice that there are seven tribes that are north of the Princely and priestly portion and five to the south. It may interest you to write them down in their given order and see if you can discern anything from it.

You may ask yourself, “Why doesn’t she just tell us what she sees or knows?” My answer is found in Ezekiel 43:11:

And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the house, its structure, its exits, its entrances, all its designs, all its statutes, and all its laws. And write it in their sight, so that they may observe its whole design and all its statutes, and do them.

The deeper meanings of the Temple were withheld for those who took more than a curious glance! If the initial description of God’s abode on earth caused them to search their own soul and desire more, then God told Ezekiel to unveil the rest, but not until. And so for now, we will take a quick overview of this heavenly mystery and pray that it strikes a spiritual nerve in us, bringing about a desire for revelation and change. And may the law of the house – ABSOLUTE HOLINESS – become our only pursuit!