Have you seen the Glory of the Lord?

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Ezek 43 Ezekiel, more than any other OT prophet, gives us a front-row seat to see the action of God amongst his people in regards to the Temple. He begins in chapter one with the vision of God’s glory and His voice telling him to “go and tell.” In chapter 10 we encounter it again but this time the glory of the Lord is leaving the Temple. Now in chapter 43 Ezekiel again sees the glory of the Lord, but this time he is seeing the Lord returning to the Temple.

What must it have been like to encounter the glory of the Lord? When the Shekinah glory overshadowed the Temple all the people prostrated themselves. Then, Isaiah, like Ezekiel, saw it and like him, he fell on his face. The three disciples, James, John, and Peter saw it when Christ was transfigured and they fell prostrate. John saw it again on the Isle of Patmos and he prostrated himself as well. So, you ask, what is the point? The point is that when we come face to face with God and see His glory something should happen. For each of us, that may be different but in humble adoration, we are to reverence His presence.

If you ever find yourself saying I wish I could be like those who have seen, stop and consider God’s creation, a newborn babe, a new born again believer and more. God’s glory is all about us if we just look.

Earthly Stones vs Living Stones

1Kings 5  David had laid the foundation of friendship with Hiram of Tyre and Solomon reaped the reward.

Eccl 4:9 “Two people are better than one because they can reap more benefit from their labor”

In Exodus, we saw how the people gave willingly to build the Tabernacle. David willingly had accumulated wealth but it took Solomon to complete the dream. Hiram willingly shared from his wealth to assist Solomon all because David had laid the foundation of a lasting companionship.

Solomon built the Temple for not just the Israelites but for the nations of the world. In Exodus, it was only the Israelites that built but the Temple was built along with the Gentiles. And both were to be places of worship to the glory of God.

God desired that the Temple be built but also that the construction itself be recorded that we might honor and glorify Him. This speaks of our lives under His leadership. He continuously records our lives and one day we will stand before him to hear of our deeds. Will they be of wood, hay and stubble or gold, silver and precious stones?

The Temple was built from stones from under the earth; we are the living stones building the church. “you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” [1Pet 2]

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