“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8 ESV). Isaiah wrote these words to Judah when foreign nations like Assyria seemed unstoppable and God’s people felt fragile and forgotten. The prophet reminded them that nations and rulers, like grass and flowers, quickly fade away. Human power
Chapter: 40
EZEKIEL’S VISION OF A NEW TEMPLE
“In a vision from God he took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. From there I could see toward the south what appeared to be a city” (Ezekiel 40:2 NLT). God gave Ezekiel a vision of a new temple in Jerusalem. The description is very detailed,
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO RENEW YOUR STRENGTH?
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT). There is a kind of fatigue that afflicts both young and old. Days off and vacations seem to have no
“In visions of God He took me to the land of Israel and set me down on a very high mountain. On its southern slope was a structure resembling a city” (Ezekiel 40:2 HCSB).
EZEKIEL’S VISION OF A NEW TEMPLE God gave Ezekiel a vision of a new temple in Jerusalem. The description is very detailed, so much so, that it is clear that it doesn’t describe Solomon’s temple from previous days, nor Zerubbabel’s or Herod’s in days after. Ezekiel’s temple has yet to be built. Those who
“But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 HCSB).
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO RENEW YOUR STRENGTH? Do you feel weak and worn out? The Lord gave an answer through the prophet Isaiah saying, “Wait on the Lord.” There is a fatigue that afflicts both young and old. Days off and vacations seem to have no effect on this deep fatigue. Recreation and entertainment
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV).
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO RENEW YOUR STRENGTH? Do you feel weak and worn out? The Lord gave an answer through the prophet Isaiah saying, “Wait on the Lord.” There is a fatigue that afflicts both young and old. Days off and vacations seem to have no effect on this deep fatigue. Recreation and entertainment
“In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city” (Ezekiel 40:2 NKJV).
God gave Ezekiel a vision of a new temple in Jerusalem. The description is very detailed, so much so, that it is clear that it doesn’t describe Solomon’s temple from previous days, nor Zerubbabel/Herod’s in days after. Ezekiel’s temple has yet to be built. Those who read this vision metaphorically see a spiritual picture of the Church. Those who see the description as too specific and connected to the geography of Israel, see it as the temple that will be built during the millennial reign of Christ.
Ezekiel’s temple vision is a mystery and difficult to understand, yet it is filled with beauty and hope for the future. This hope is not in a temple made with human hands, but in the God who gives such visions and fulfills all of His promises. “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!'” (2 Cor. 1:20). One day we will understand Ezekiel’s temple vision as the Lord Jesus will give us full understanding.
“I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly” (Psalm 40:10 NKJV).
David wrote this psalm to the Lord, writing of his own record of “declaring” the “righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth” of God before all Israel and to the surrounding peoples. His motivation for writing of his own public witness seems to be that he wanted the Lord to remember it as He considered David’s prayer requests. Surely David was not making a false claim, for the Bible often records his public declarations of God’s great character. Yet, this passage is truly fulfilled in the prophetic office of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Can you make the same claim as David? Do you “declare” the things of God before the people? Or have you “hidden” the gospel within?
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
Are you weary and heavy laden? The Lord gave an answer through the prophet Isaiah saying, “Wait on the Lord.” There is a fatigue that afflicts both young and old. Days off and vacations seem to have no effect on this deep fatigue. Recreation and entertainment work for the moment, but when the distraction ends, the weariness returns. This is a spiritual problem and only spiritual help will do. Jesus said, “Come unto Me and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). We need the rest that only Christ can give.
“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8 NLT)
Through the centuries the Bible has been burned and banned by dictators seeking to stamp it out. It has been accused of being corrupted by copyists and filled with inconsistencies by unbelieving skeptics. Yet, while the dictators and skeptics pass away, the Word still stands. God has preserved His Word, so that we might receive the revelation of His Son. We can trust the everlasting Word of God. It stands forever.