Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 47-48; John 20
Neither the priests nor the Levites may sell or trade any of this land. No one is to put it to any other use, for this land is holy to the Eternal One.
The exiled Israelites return to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra after the land enjoys the Sabbath years the people failed to observe as God directed. All of those who returned joyously follow His direction and set aside more than 27 square miles of land around the old city as sacred land in the center of which a new temple resides.
The people learned their lesson from the mistakes of their ancestors and determine to follow God and become the blessing to the world God promised Abraham so many centuries before. As one, they pledge their obedience to the law and His guidance. Days of feasting, sacrifices, prayer, worship, and celebration follow as the people gather to remember both the punishment from which they God liberated them and the grace He grants them in their new home.
The priests pull out the scrolls outlining the distribution of territory within the boundaries of their new nation. Tribe leaders gather to represent the descendants of the ancient tribes to learn where they will settle in their new beginning as followers of the Eternal One. No one complains. No one argues. As each family receives their specified parcel of land, great rejoicing fills the air and celebrations across the nation echo through the hills and valleys for days on end.
All who enter those twenty-seven square miles of the sacred city set aside for God recognize the importance of this place. A special feeling comes upon all who pass through the walls of the city and an excitement fills the air just knowing you near the temple housing His name. Only respect and awe accompany this place. You cannot help but be moved by knowing His spirit dwells here. People from around the world, not just Israelites, but from all nations come to give their offerings to the God of all creation because of the blessing Israel’s God continues to provide to those who honor Him.
This was God’s plan. A single problem got in the way. Sin. Those who returned from the exile failed to pull out the plans God gave Ezekiel. Ezra led the first exiles back to Jerusalem, but those early members of the returning party included some who thought themselves more important that others. They thought they deserved more than others and their greed caused them to take portions of the city and country that didn’t belong to them. As is often the case, greed and the lust for self-gratification became more important than following God. Those early returning to Jerusalem grabbed what they wanted instead of what was allotted to them. They didn’t care for the poor, the orphans, widows, or foreigners.
What could have been awaits another time because of the sin of man. God still makes a way and an eternity with Him awaits where those whose selfish desires get in the way of following God will not enter His domain. He will judge us according to our willingness to and desire to follow Him alone. When that day comes, we will enjoy the plan He laid out in the beginning.
Join me next time, won’t you?
Richard
Walk with Me 