“The Tangible Promises of God”

 

BIBLE READING: Ezekiel 40-42


                As Ezekiel pens these chapters, Israel has already been defeated and Jerusalem lies in ruins.  However, according to God’s previous promises, He cannot leave them.  To solidify his ever-abiding presence, God shows Ezekiel a new Temple.  This temple reveals to them that this exile will not last forever, offering them hope for the future of God’s people.  The interesting thing about this Temple, is that it is not the same Temple that was rebuilt after the exile.  In fact, this is an entirely new Temple.  In describing this Temple, God is awfully specific with its measurements making it seem like something tangible and measurable.  In fact, even though it may seem that this future Temple might be physical, it in fact is symbolic of God’s kingdom in the future.  Even though its description may seem a bit symbolic, it is and will continue to be very real and tangible.   Often God’s promises can seem very fuzzy and abstract.  That may be because we tend to look at those promises as something that will be in the distant future.  It reminds me of the words of Jesus to Martha in John 11 after Lazarus’ death.  “Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” (John 11.23-24).  Did Martha believe in the promise of Jesus that her brother would live again?  Of course, she did, just not in the same way that Jesus was implying.  She was too busy looking at the future intent of the promise instead of realizing the tangible promise of God right in front of her.   We tend to be the same way, in that we look at God’s promises through a future colored lens, only to overlook the tangible promises of God right in front of us.  Consider the tangible things you currently have, a family, a job, a home, food and health. We cannot allow ourselves to forget some of the “niceties” we enjoy like, hot water, hot coffee, cellphones and fantasy football.  Even in today’s current situation with our pandemic and our social/political unrest, God’s people still have worship, brethren, communion, and the complete Word of God at our fingertips.   Sometimes God’s gifts are abstract and fuzzy, but sometimes they are real and tangible.  Let us make sure we do not overlook those gifts from God.

                                                                                                                                                MH

 

 

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