SWHW Bible Reading Plan: September 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Malinda Fuller:

These chapters may seem tedious with the details for the temple--size specifications, offerings, and observances of holy days. But to the prophet Ezekiel living in Babylon, far from Jerusalem, this vision is hope for the future.

For several chapters, God gives Ezekiel the plans for the new temple (after the Jews have returned from their captivity to Jerusalem). And then, we arrive at chapter 44, where God addresses the Levites and priests. It can read a bit legalistic at first glance: no wool garments, no extremes regarding hair length, and no sweating allowed: 

"'When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple. They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire" Ezekiel 44:17-18. 

Why does God care about what type of fabric they used for their clothing? And why no sweating? Did it have to do with body odor solely--being seen as clean, respectable, and an example of good hygiene? 

Or perhaps God was, in a gentle way, reminding His people that the heavy burden the priests (leaders) were to carry--teaching, being an example, caring for the people--was meant to be shared, not shouldered alone. The priests weren't to strain underneath their responsibilities, nor were they to grow anxious because of them, both of which cause perspiration.

Jesus gave a similar reminder when He said, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). If the burden the priests were carrying was light, it wouldn't cause them to strain and sweat.

In the following verses, Ezekiel gives more directives about their work attire, drinking before coming to the temple, and whom they could marry. And then he says, "they are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean" Ezekiel 44:23.

The priests were responsible for teaching, but more for helping the people discern between holy and common. It required them to be close enough to tell and show the people how to live a clean life. God intended for them to be holy enough to say (as Paul later did), "follow me as I follow [Him]" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Living this way was not an easy task. The priests often got it wrong (as we repeatedly see in Scripture), but God still intended for this to be the way it worked--those who knew the right way to lead others in it.

This is the work God wants us to do--to teach the world the difference between the popular way to live and His way. And most of us like being the teacher. We are good at telling during "show and tell," but the showing is a different story. Showing means that we allow others access to our lives. It also requires us to live in such a way that others notice a difference.

If it feels heavy, that's because it is. And perhaps that's why there is a precursor in verses 17-18 and the mandate to literally "not sweat."

Our service and work for God should feel easy because we are yoked to Jesus, not striving or stressing.

Are you under the easy yoke?

Are you showing others the difference between the holy and the common or just telling?

Father, thank You for bringing us under Your easy yoke. Thank You for reminding us that we don't need to strive and sweat in anxiety or performance, that You are the one doing the heavy lifting. Please help us show the world what it means to live set apart; we want to be comfortable with being not common, but holy. We want others to look at our lives and see something different and be attracted to it, to You. May we live authentic, humble lives that bring people in close and teach them the ways of Jesus. Amen.