Readings:
Ezekiel 35-36
Ephesians 4

Ezekiel 35-36

Ezekiel is given a prophecy against Mount Seir, this is another name for the Kingdom of Edom. These people were the closest relatives of the Israelites in, since they’re descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. But despite this close blood relation, they’re not very close and are antagonists towards Israel and Judah.

Ezekiel 36:24-26 is a promise of return to the exiles, but like many Old Testament prophecies it has its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. He will gather his people from all nations, cleanse them with water, put his spirit in them, replace their heart of stone with one of flesh and be their God. This is what Paul refers to in his letter to the Corinthians when he says that the law was formerly written in stone but now on the hearts of men.

Ephesians 4

In the first half of his letter, Saint Paul gives a more doctrinal lesson than this second half that focuses on moral living. The make two bookends of the Christian life because right beliefs leads to right living. If someone holds beliefs that are contrary to what Jesus and the apostles taught, it almost always leads at worst to immoral behavior and at best to just unnecessary burdens.

Paul teaches that there is one body, one spirit, one faith, one baptism and one Lord. This echos Jesus and his teachings about his church, not churches, and his high priestly prayer for unity just before his passion as recorded in John 17 (see Four Marks of The Church; One)

He also teaches them that there are many parts and roles in the church, just like there are in the body. Not everyone is called to do every role, and some are called to roles that others are not called to. That’s ok, because we each have a part to play and it’s probably going to be different than some of our friends and fellow Christians, but it’s up to us to discern what our role should be. And rest assured, we all have a role to play, because of all the things listed, spectators and observers aren’t on the list.

Finally, Paul ends by exhorting them to live new lives, unlike their manner of living when they were pagans. He gives several examples, but essentially if we live the golden rule, then we’d easily follow all the examples he sets out here.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
Ezekiel 37
Ephesians 5-6