Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

10 September 2024

Reading From Ezekiel 44-45

“They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. In a dispute, they shall act as judges, and they shall judge it according to my judgments. They shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts, and they shall keep my Sabbaths holy.”

–Ezekiel 44:23-24

     These directives for the Levitical priests give insight into what their practical ministry was.  They taught the people from the Scriptures, give them wisdom and guidance in making decisions, and were keepers of holy culture.  The principles and customs that came from Yahweh to Moses provided stability and great spiritual wealth to the Hebrews and still today the spirit of the Law does the same for us. 

     Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Law.  He is our Great High Priest but He is also the perfect, ultimate sacrifice.  He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  Everyone who accepts His sacrifice becomes born again and is ordained a priest in the Kingdom of God.  This was the desire of the Lord communicated through Moses just before the Law was given at Mount Sinai.  Yahweh said, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”[1]

     It was God’s intention not for truth to be hoarded exclusively with the nation of Israel.  He meant for them to share it with the world and He placed them in the Promised Land, a narrow gate of land between Africa and Eurasia where travelers and traders from all over the ancient world would pass through and learn of the ways of the Most High God.  Spiritual and material abundance is given to be shared. 

     Throughout the Old Testament we find Gentiles gleaning wisdom from the Law and lifestyle prescribed therein.  But unfortunately, for the most part, an ethnocentricity set into Jewish culture and barriers of exclusivity were socially constructed.  Throughout their history, the Jews have been ruthlessly persecuted and so I can understand why they were tempted to close ranks.  However, even in the midst of great pain and anguish, God brings forth testimonies of His strength and victory.  These testimonies are powerful and need to be shared for His glory and our good.

     Every born again believer is called to be a priest.  Every member is a minister.[2]  Each of us has been given a unique personality, background, experience, and story that reveals what can happen when people reach out to God in faith and take hold of His promises in their lives. 

God has made you special for a reason.  That reason is to use your strengths and even your frailties to share the love and message of Jesus Christ.  Just as God uniquely positioned the Israelites in the Promised Land to minister to the world around them, God has placed you where you are, made you who you are, for such a time as this.  As you grow in God and become more and more like Jesus, share those stories with others.  This is part of your role as a priest of the True and Living God.

“Lord, I pray that You will pour out Your Spirit upon us.  Anoint Your sons and daughters to do Your will and Your work on the Earth.  I ask that Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  Bless us with Your compassion and Your eternal perspective we need to minister to people wherever we encounter them in life.  Thank You for meeting us where we are at and leading us forward in faith.  Help us to extend that same grace and mercy to others.  In Your loving Name I pray, Amen.”

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

–Matthew 5:14-16

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[1] Exodus 19:5-6

[2] Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Church