What Kind of Servant Are We?

O. T. #1941  "What Kind of Servant Are We?"

May 14, 2021

Ezekiel 44-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands. Sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious. (Psalm 66:1,2)

Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me. (verse 20)

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.  (verses 8,9)

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me: He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. (verses 18,19)

A great God deserves great praise. One day the whole earth will worship Him. (verse 4)

Deliverance comes when we do not cling to our sin, but confess it and repent of it, so our prayers are not hindered. Be honest and open before God, after all, He sees all and knows all. Then we can experience the faithful love of God. There should be no bargaining with God, if He does this then we will do that. Our obedience should be one of love, not obligation.

When God answers our prayers, we should share it with others in the congregation.

LET IT GROW

In chapter 44, we continue to learn about the new standards of worship during the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ as King. God's glory will return into the New Temple;a prince, which could be David, will be the Lord's servant as ruler over Jerusalem.

In the New Temple, there would be no more:

• Unbelievers(strangers) shall not enter the Temple (verse 9)
• Unfaithful priests, Levites, ministers, who ministered to idols, will have reduced assignments because they led Israel astray. (verses 10-14)
• There will be no high priest, for Jesus will be the King-High Priest, reigning on the throne and reigning from the Temple.

Zadok's descendants were priests; those remaining faithfully worshiping God would be allowed to continue to serve in the Temple. They were wear linen garments when ministering (change back into regular clothes when not), show no signs of mourning, drink no wine, not marry women who had previously been married. (verse 17-23)

Priests were to serve as judges in Israel, not allowed to own land in Israel. They were to not shave their heads, nor allow their hair to grow too long. Their food would be from the food brought to the Lord. (verse 28-31)

As the priests were expected to obey those regulations, they were teaching people the difference between what was holy and common, ceremonially clean and unclean.

Believers are to be a part of "a holy priesthood" and "priesthood." (1 Peter 2:5,9)

Are we as Christians different from the world? Is our clothing, manners, words, attitudes of being set apart to serve our God?

LET IT GO

Pour Your endless love down upon us, Father.

Make us more like Jesus.

May Your Word be a light unto our path.

Keep us close to You, as a faithful servant.