Dearest e-votees-
Day sixty-two of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:
Peace,
Karl
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Day 62 Readings: Ezekiel 36:1-47:12
Probably the most familiar part of today's readings is the section on Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones. It is one of the twelve appointed texts for the Easter vigil. It has the vivid image of dry bones forming into skeletons. Flesh and sinew comes on the skeletons as well. But life isn't there until it is breathed with the spirit. I can't help but have Ray Harryhausen's work come to mind as Jason does fierce sword battle with skeletons. We may have the bones and the flesh but without the spirit we are as good as dead. That is what resonates from this text from Ezekiel.
Most of our text, though, is about a new temple. This temple is different than the one laid out so meticulously in other parts of scripture. The priests are different too (not all Levites, only the Levites descended from Zadok). The worship of the people had become defiled. They had broken God's expectations for how and who to worship. They had become, if you will, like the dry bones and the spiritless flesh and sinew. They had chosen differently than God and God withdrew the holy life breath.
Where are we in our worship lives? Where are we in knowing and abiding by God's plan for our life? Are we fresh and alive or dry and spiritless? God desires us to have life. The image of the brackish waters being made fresh and supporting life is a good one for us as well. Do we need to return to our baptism? Do we need to let that life giving water do its work again? Luther said we ought to return to our baptism daily. May we find life and hope in that life-giving devotion.
God, renew us. Breathe your life into us. Help us not rest until we rest in you. Amen.
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