Scripture Passage
“They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.” (Ezekiel 44:23 NLT)
Observation
Ezekiel 40-48 is perhaps best understood as a visionary portrait of the future that’s really somewhat apocalyptic in nature, not unlike the Book of Revelation. While Ezekiel describes the temple grounds and temple worship very specifically, interpreting and applying what he is describing still remains debatable—enough like Revelation that many differing interpretations have been offered. On the whole, these chapters speak of the future culmination of God’s promises but for all its specificity, the passage is more ambiguous than clear and more descriptive than definitive. (If that’s not true for you—if what Ezekiel describes and how it fits into God’s eternal plans overall is as plain as the nose on your face—by all means, my friend, start writing your bestseller, ‘cause stacks of scholars and Bible students would love to know!)
There are, however, a few points that seem remarkably clear to me. They serve as handles, of sorts—anchor points to latch onto—as I read. Yesterday’s anchor was the return of the glory of the God of Israel to the temple. Today’s has to do with one thing, at least, God will someday accomplish through the priesthood Ezekiel describes:
“They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.” (Ezekiel 44:23 NLT)
I think that’s a more difficult task than we generally understand it to be. We often frame holiness in terms that are very specific but ultimately legalistic, i.e., holiness tends to be living by the rules we obey that others don’t. (Ever heard an overweight preacher speak about “the lust of the eyes” in only sexual terms? I say, “Put down your fork, buddy, back away from the cinnamon rolls, and then talk to me about holy living.”) Lists of rules to obey end up being an inadequate understanding of “what is holy.”
And yet it’s clear from this passage that some things are holy and some things are not—they’re described here as “common.” At the least, that means my life can’t be one where anything and everything goes—that my life is an opportunity to reflect the holiness of God…and that I need all the understanding along those lines that I can possibly garner.
So my prayer is that I’d get a sneak preview today of what Ezekiel describes as future…some advance understanding regarding how my life can reflect God…not only His love, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness, but—yes—even His holiness.
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