Separated Unto God
Ezekiel 42:20, "He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place."
The measurements given in the above verse are far bigger than the size of the previous temples built during the rule of Solomon and then under the work of Ezra and Nehemiah. Some, therefore, say the wall is around a city, and yet the context speaks of a wall that separates two areas from one another. It says it was "...to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place."
There is no doubt that God has always established a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place. The word sanctuary means "apartness" and as we think of it in light of the LORD it is always that which is "separated or apart" in relation to God. We view our church building as being separated unto God. The word profane speaks of that which is "common." The Jewish historian Josephus wrote concerning the temple of his day, "there was a wall built before the entrance three cubits high, on which there were posts fixed at certain distances, with inscriptions on them in Latin and Greek, containing the laws which enjoined purity on those that entered; and forbidding all strangers to enter, on pain of death."
See, God is the One who separates the holy from the profane. Just as God separated the sanctuary from the profane in relation to the temple, Paul speaks of this truth concerning you and me in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore (the application) come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Paul is saying we need to build a wall of separation in our lives.
Don't allow the common things of this world to rob you of the standing God wants you to enjoy in your daily life. Be a person who lives a godly Christian life so you can have a godly influence in the lives of the people God has surrounded you with. You can only be salt and light by living a life separated from the actions and attitudes of the world.
Have a great day as you serve the Lord!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Are there any common things you have allowed into your life that negatively impacts your living for the Lord? What are they and how can you change this for the better?
2. List things that you could identify as sanctuaries in your life? How valuable are they and why?
3. How are you going to live the application found in 2 Corinthians 6:17? What is the result of living out this application?