Listen to Me, My people; hear Me, My nation: Instruction will go out from Me; My justice will become a light to the nations. My righteousness draws near speedily, My salvation is on the way, and My arm will bring justice to the nations. Isaiah 51:4-5.

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 NKJV.

As I read our chapter, Ezekiel 46, I couldn’t help but think that Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, is starting over out of need. He needed to teach them anew that there is a difference between how they had worshiped Him in His temple, and what difference was needed going forward. On the Sabbaths and New Moons the people of the land are to worship in the presence of the Lord at the entrance of that gateway…When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate. The prince is to be among them, going in when they go in and going out when they go out. V. 3, 9, 10. It describes the offerings to be given each day and this warning…Then the man brought me through the entrance at the side of the gate to the sacred rooms facing north, which belonged to the priests, and showed me a place at the western end. He said to me, “This is the place where the priests are to cook the guilt offering and the sin offering and bake the grain offering, to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating the people.” v. 19-20. The people listening to the instructions for the new temple and for their coming to the new temple to worship God would remember what was done in the temple before that led to their captivity in a foreign land. It was to be different going forward. What about us? Is there a difference in us? We who live in this time after Jesus, the Son, came to offer His life for us, can we see the difference? Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

The amazing thing about Scripture is that we can learn. Even verses we have read many times before take on new and deeper understanding as God leads us forward. We can’t yet see perfectly but we can rejoice as new understanding enlightens our hearts and minds. Understanding that brings us closer to Creator God and His love for us. With Him, we see a difference. A way forward to healing and hope. In Ezekiel’s vision from God there were in the physical temple to be rebuilt doors and gates to be opened or closed at very specific times. When Jesus was living among us, and can you imagine watching His face as He taught and looked at you, He said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8. And after He had ascended from death to the Father, He tells us this: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.” Revelation 3:19-20. See a difference!