Daily Bible Study

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Read Ezekiel 43-46 How exact are you? Do you do things the same today as you did when you were younger? Do you cook and clean the same as your parents did? Or has everything changed as you grew older? God never changes. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. God gave Ezekiel the same instructions for the sacrifice as he gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. As the priests prepared themselves to minister before God in the tabernacle, so they were to prepare themselves to minister before God in the temple. No changes were made to the measurements of the offerings, or the duties of the priests. As Christians, we like to change things up. God sent Jesus to be our sacrifice, doing away with the sacrificial offerings of the priests. However, did God make any change in what or how we are to approach him? God always intended the sacrifice to be the symbol of what Jesus would do for the people, a one-time sacrifice for sin, instead of going yearly to have our sins atoned for. Our sacrifice for what God did for us is now seen in the Lord’s Supper, which Jesus implemented the night he died for the sins of the world. Does that mean God changed? No. It was his plan all along to bring his people back to him, and not just the children of Israel, but everyone who accepts his Son, Jesus, as Savior and Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he break it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. God intended the sacrificial offerings of the priests only until he sent his Son, Jesus, as the final fulfilling sacrifice for sin. Jesus is our atonement. He took our sins on himself, so we no longer need to bring a sacrificial offering every year. The yearly sacrifice looked forward to Jesus. The Lord’s Supper looks forward to Jesus’ return. In both cases, they look forward. One to redemption, the other to his return for all those who call on his name. No change. As the priests approached God in special garments, Jesus’ blood gives us special robes of righteousness, God sees, as we approach him in praise and worship. Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Our robes of righteousness, declares us not guilty before God, and he accepts us in his presence, before his throne. Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. God’s whole purpose for us is salvation, to bring us into right standing before him, to bring him praise, honor, and glory, because he alone is worthy. God’s purpose for the children of Israel and their sacrifices was their salvation. The sacrifices they wrought and the praise they offered looked to the salvation he would bring them. With Ezekiel, God confirmed his purpose for his people, showing them, he had not forgotten them, and he would bring them back into right standing with him once again, when he brought them back to their homeland. God has not forgotten you either. He loves you and sent his Son, Jesus, to be your sacrifice, your Savior. God’s purpose has never changed. Let’s pray: Father, you fulfilled your purpose through the death, burial, and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me see that your purpose for mankind has never changed. Your love for me has never changed. Help me look forward to the day you return for your bride, as I stand ready in robes of righteousness, provided for me through the sacrifice of your Son. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 1 February 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay