Reading for December 30th

EZEKEIL'S VISION OF JERUSALEM'S DESTRUCTION Chs. 8-11: Ezekiel portrays the destruction of Jerusalem as a priestly sacrifice that cleanses the city from impurity. Read Ezekiel 8.1-13. In 8.1-18: The impurity of the Temple. In verses 1-4: The sixth year: 592 BCE. Ezekiel returns to the imagery of his inaugural vision to describe a human-like being. The imagery if fire and brightness like gleaming amber describes a being that cannot be defined in earthly terms. The entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north places the prophet at the entry of the most sacred areas of the Temple. The glory of the God of Israel; The throne chariot of ch 1 is present. In verses 5-6: The image of jealousy: North of the altar was a pagan idol placed in the Temple precincts. In verses 7-13: Mention of the seventy elders of the house of Israel and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan indicates that the highest leadership of the nation is involved in pagan worship inside the Temple. Shapan playes a major role in Josiah's reform (2 Kings 22); his sons Ahikam, Elasah, and Gemariah, and grandson Micaiah supported Jeemiah (Jer 26; 29; 36). The claim that the Lord has forshaken the land idicates the belief that God could not protect Jerusalem from Bbabylon. Comments or Qyestions..