The side rooms

The side rooms

Scripture: Then he measured the wall of the temple; it was six cubits thick, and each side room around the temple was four cubits wide. The side rooms were on three levels, one above another, thirty on each level. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports were not inserted into the wall of the temple. The side rooms all around the temple were wider at each successive level. The structure surrounding the temple was built in ascending stages, so that the rooms widened as one went upward. A stairway went up from the lowest floor to the top floor through the middle floor. Ezekiel 41:5-7

Observation: This Scripture focuses on the side rooms in Ezekiel’s temple. There were about 90 of them, and some theologians speculate that they are to be used as storerooms. It is interesting that God’s instructions made sure that there were ledges all around the wall of the temple so that the supports were not inserted into the wall. Also, it is interesting that the rooms widened as one went upward.

Thinking of our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit, we realize that it is also important for us to have place for Him to store His qualities in us. What are His qualities? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – the fruit of the Spirit. Against such things there is no law. Besides that, the Holy Spirit also stores in our minds wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the things of God, for He is the Spirit of Wisdom. Also, the Holy Spirit stores in us His gifts, of teaching, of healing, of ministering, of encouraging, of helping, of so many different things. He stores in each one as He sees fit.

Considering the ledges and the importance of not inserting the supports into the wall, we are reminded that Scripture is Holy and Perfect. Nothing should be added to it or taken away from it. The Word of God is the foundation, the fabric of our faith, embodied in our Lord Jesus Christ. Beware when people come and tell us of a new teaching. Like the Bereans, we are called to search the Scriptures diligently and know the Word of God so that we will not be easily shaken by false teachings.

Also, the fact that the rooms become wider as they go higher shows that the closer we go to God above, the more He is able to store His goodness, His wisdom, His blessings and purposes in us. He enlarges us as we grow in Him.

Application: Ask of the Holy Spirit who holds the keys to the treasure storehouses in Heaven. Pray that He may cultivate His fruit more and more in our lives, and teach us His wisdom, and give us His gifts that we may serve God more and more. Be alert and be as grounded in the Word as we can, so that we may not be shaken by false teachings which will abound more and more as the end draws nearer. Desire for growth and enlargement in the Lord, for He gives us more and more as we seek Him and advance in Him.

Prayer: Precious Holy Spirit, fill us with Your power, Your fruit, Your wisdom. Give us Your great gifts and give us faithfulness to use it for the extension of God’s kingdom. Protect us from evil, and guard our minds by the Word of God. Enlarge us, and help us grow in You, O Lord, as we seek You and learn from You. In Jesus name, Amen.