And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. 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. Ezekiel 43:3-5 ESV
Between many other prophecies and visions that fill the book of Ezekiel, I also read about his personal interactions with the living God. Many of these passages include images and similes that are hard to understand because they describe things that very few have seen and are very hard to describe. God decided to use Ezekiel to show me a vision of Himself, however, these passages do not scratch the surface of the entirety of God’s glory. When faced with the glory of the LORD, Ezekiel, like many others in the Old and New Testaments, falls on his face in fear and awe. Passages like this remind me of the awesomeness of our God and how powerful and unsearchable His ways truly are.
“This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession. Ezekiel 44:28 ESV
While God stated this to the Levitical priests through Ezekiel, it is true for me and all those who follow Jesus. We are now the royal priesthood, the ones whose inheritance is the LORD. I can take nothing with me from this world and everyone’s sole inheritance is dependent if they believe Jesus is their Savior. It is important for me to live a life that pleases God because in the end, he is my only inheritance and the only one who deserves all my time, attention, and devotion.
“Thus says the Lord GOD: Enough, O princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord GOD. You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath. Ezekiel 45:9-10 ESV
God’s command to the princes of Israel through Ezekiel also has application for me today. God is eternal and unchanging. His command for justice in the time of Ezekiel is still His command for justice today. Treating others with the respect and loving them as myself is essential to living a life devoted to justice and righteousness as God commands. Every person I meet has a living soul and is made in the image of God. I am called to love those who do not love me back and to care for others even when I don’t feel like it. Ultimately, the call of Christ is not one of my own comfort, but instead for my own good. Even when faced with hard challenges and struggles, I can always remember: the LORD is my inheritance and I gain my strength from Him.
Dear God, Thank You for saving me and becoming my inheritance. Please give me the strength to follow you and to love others as I have been called. Please help me shine as a light for You in this world and give me Your strength and Your peace. In Your Holy Name, Amen.
Nathanael (nborger2017)
Sixty-six books in a year 