August 25, 2022
Daily Devotion:
"A Grand Vision… "
Ezekiel 43:10-11
New International Version
10 “Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins. Let them consider its perfection, 11 and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple—its arrangement, its exits and entrances—its whole design and all its regulations[a] and laws. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations.
Why should anyone be moved to repentance by looking at a set of architectural drawings? (Good question for any church contemplating a building program!) But this is no ordinary set of plans. It wasn't even the blueprints for the temple that was to be reconstructed in Jerusalem. It was just a vision. But, oh, what a vision! Languishing in captivity with plenty of time to reflect on why they were in that predicament, the Jews were being forced to contrast their low estate with the former glory of the kingdom, which was before they had turned to idolatry. At that time Israel's holiness was bound up in her laws, her priesthood, her sacrifices, and-most symbolically of all her marvelous temple, which now lay in ruins. So to be given a grand vision of anew and glorious temple was to be reminded of how truly far they had fallen. More than that it was a call to return to a life consistent with that grand vision. To catch the vision. To respond to the vision. To live worthy of the vision. But if it was only a vision, why all the intricate details? Why all the emphasis on entrances and exits? Perhaps to whet their appetites for the ins and outs of a radically different kind of kingdom and the time when that mysterious "Prince" would appear. One cannot help but think of another, similar vision, which we our selves have been given in John's Revelation. Yet to focus on the mysterious details, as we typically do, is to miss the incredible power of such a grand vision to humble us, rebuke us, encourage us, and inspire us.
The captivating question is: Is my vision of heaven truly grand enough to call me higher?
