There SHOULD be a SEPARATION for God’s HOLY PEOPLE!

 

September 8 Bible Reading: Ezekiel Chapters 40-42

There SHOULD be a SEPARATION for God’s HOLY PEOPLE!

Then he said to me, "The north chambers and the south chambers, which are opposite the separating courtyard, are the holy chambers where the priests who approach the Lord shall eat the most holy offerings. There they shall lay the most holy offerings--the grain offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering--for the place is holy. When the priests enter them, they shall not go out of the holy chamber into the outer court; but there they shall leave their garments in which they minister, for they are holy. They shall put on other garments; then they may approach that which is for the people." (Ezek. 42:13-14)

In Ezekiel chapters 40–46 we can see the detailed plans for a new temple complex and worship rituals in Jerusalem. This may be the blueprint of a physical temple that will be constructed in or near Jerusalem during a future millennial period. Overall, this vision by Ezekiel stresses the purity and spiritual vitality of the ideal place of worship and of those who will worship there. Ezekiel 42 contains three key descriptions, including the details regarding the chambers of the priests (vs. 12–14), the use of these chambers by the priests (vs. 13–14), and the dimensions of the temple area (vs. 15–20).

The priests will have chambers located both north and south of the temple, and in these chambers the priests will eat the most holy offerings, and keep their sacred garments for ministering in the temple. In other words, these chambers were for priests who minister unto the Lord in the Holy Place. Therefore they are called holy chambers, because they were used to minister to a most holy God. It should not surprise us that God commanded a separation between these chambers that contained holy worship instruments from the outside courtyard meant for common people. The lesson learned here is that what is holy is not to be put to any common or profane use!

When we apply this principle in our lives, we can understand that God has called and separated us to be a holy people who are set apart for God Himself. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:9-10).

We are God’s special, holy and chosen people who are part of the royal priesthood. Just like the priests in Ezekiel’s vision kept themselves separated from the common courtyard (signifying the world), we need to keep ourselves separated from the world and the things of the world that include the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (see 1 John 2:15-17). The reason for this is due to the fact that the world and its influences are against us following the plan of God daily in our lives. Let us always be alert that we maintain a lifestyle of healthy separation from all unclean things, places and people as we wholly dedicate ourselves to God and His purposes for us.

As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore "come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Cor. 6:16-18)