Corona Devo 1997

Have you met my family?  I come from a good one, and I love my family very much.  But...after reading Ezekiel Chapter 44, I decided that I would (also) love to be in the family of Zadok. 

Zadok was a good and Godly man.  He was a loyal priest to King David, and Zadok was a levitical priest, which means that he followed in the spiritual-service footsteps dating back to Aaron (Moses' brother), who was God's first priest (and from the tribe of Levi,), hence: Levitical priest. 

So--what's so good about the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok?  

Well--in a time, and actually, in a vision that the Lord gave to the prophet Ezekiel about a coming time, when God's Temple will be rebuilt... when that occurs: God told Ezekiel about some good guys that will be faithful in honoring God all-the-way as they serve Him.  

That's the family that we want to be in!

The reason that I say that the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok served God "all-the-way", is because there were other people and priests who did not serve God whole-heartedly or with an undivided heart.  Their devotion was diluted, and as a result, God's eye was still upon them, but His full blessing was not.  

We don't want to be in that family.  

And give these rebels, the people of Israel, this message from the Sovereign Lord: O people of Israel, enough of your detestable sins! (7) You have brought uncircumcised foreigners into my sanctuary—people who have no heart for God. In this way, you defiled my Temple even as you offered me my food, the fat and blood of sacrifices. In addition to all your other detestable sins, you have broken my covenant. (8) Instead of safeguarding my sacred rituals, you have hired foreigners to take charge of my sanctuary.  

(9) “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigners, including those who live among the people of Israel, will enter my sanctuary if they have not been circumcised and have not surrendered themselves to the Lord. 

(10) And the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me when Israel strayed away from me to worship idols must bear the consequences of their unfaithfulness. (11) They may still be Temple guards and gatekeepers, and they may slaughter the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people. (12) But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord. 

(13) They may not approach me to minister as priests. They may not touch any of my holy things or the holy offerings, for they must bear the shame of all the detestable sins they have committed. (14) They are to serve as the Temple caretakers, taking charge of the maintenance work and performing general duties.  ~Ezekiel 44:6-14

Lord, we confess that far-too-often our hearts are distracted from fully worshiping You. Forgive us for the times when we have no heart for You (verse 7).  We repent of the times and efforts when we bring You a sacrifice, but only half-heartedly and without our full devotion to You and without the honor that you are due.  Forgive our rebellion and restore our hearts for You through the reading of Your Word today.  Amen. 

Nope--we do not want to be in the family of active-sinners.  We do not want to defile God's Temple with half-hearted and distracted (physical and spiritual) offerings.  And we do not EVER want to encourage God's people to worship idols, causing (them) to fall into deep sin.

No, that is not the family tree that we want to be a branch in.  And even if we have roots in a fallen (sinful) family tree (which we all do)--we can make a decision today to be a (proverbial) priest who serves God "all-the-way", just like the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok.

God is in the business of making all things new, and that means us...today.  

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  ~Revelation 21:5

No--we do not want to be in a family that compromises on their allegiance to the Lord/their service to the Lord/their sacrifices to the Lord...and we do not have to be.  

God's vision to Ezekiel is about a Temple that will be built (it hasn't been yet) and we can make the choice today to live-for and to serve-God like the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok. 

And then when the time comes to minister faithfully to the Lord, we will be prepared and our hearts will be ready.  

Yes--we can be like the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok:

“However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. 

These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord. (16) They alone will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They will fulfill all my requirements.  ~Ezekiel 44:15-16

~~~

Times have changed since Ezekiel the prophet had his vision from God about who God said was worthy of serving Him and ministering in His name, but God's call to holiness and reverence will never change. And hence, while we might have great families, today our prayer is that we might be like the family line of the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok: These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the...sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord. (16) They alone will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They will fulfill all my requirements (Ezekiel 44:15-16). 

Lord, we praise You for opening the door for us to serve as ministers in your family of faith.  Help us to fulfill all our requirements in honoring You and ministering faithfully in your Name today.  Amen.

~~~

Whose family do we want to be in today?  I think we know...

While we love our hereditary-families, we want to be (spiritually) related to the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok.

They stayed true and dedicated and honoring of the Lord when others strayed, and because of their reverence, loyalty, and submission to God, they alone were/will-be permitted to serve Him as His ministers and they alone will enter God's sanctuary.  

Whose family do we want to be in today?  I think we know...

Blessings, 

Sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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