August 3, 2025 - Ezekiel 40-48

Most of the remaining chapters of the book of Ezekiel are full of priestly detail about the rebuilding of the temple and the reestablishment of the offerings and the resettling and division of the land when the people will return.  The closing word on all this:  “And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord is There” (48:35), the ultimate meaning being that God is always in the midst of his people.  The prophet Zephaniah said to the people, and it is also true for us:  “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

Though in a foreign land,

We are not far from home;

And nearer to our house above

We ev’ry moment come.

Blest is the man, O God,

That stays himself on thee:

Who wait for thy salvation, Lord,

Shall thy salvation see.    --Augustus Toplady (1772)