12/19/2020 – Day 216 – The wrap up of Ezekiel – Wow!, didn’t I just say last night?: “Like a panting deer taking a drink of water from a fire hose!” // 1 of ?
Like: ” I know I should be sipping on this slowly after coming near death from lack of water, but can’t I just take it ALL in at once Lord!” See my take below of when I think that occurs…. (Praise be to God!) Click on “The Sons of Zadok” link below.
I can’t explain it right now except through using an analogy connection between mathematics and Scripture. It is not about how often I have read through the bible in a year. But, a guesstimate: The first time was at a group class at 1st Presbyterian in Houston back in the early 90s. How often? I would guess the middle of the centerpoint of the inverted parabola to be at four years interval with two standard deviations ranging between three and five years. Math , lol. Actually I don’t have enough data for that and won’t have before I leave this earth. (E.T. -“Home!”)
I know some evangelicals cringe when they hear this but here goes: I can’t remember the point in time I was saved; I’ve been a christian as far back as my memory can take me. But from birth, if you took me 35+ years back to the point where I had read through the bible the very first time, and presented this link to me, I would have not even probably read through the entire article, even though we are talking under fifteen minutes, very slowly! Now? Now, I am like the little kid at the tree on Christmas morning!
What’s up? Well, if I take it back to the math analogy:
My brother-in-law noted about 25 years ago: Your Dad is a genetic engineer!” He quickly no doubt noticed my face of bafflement and followed up with: “No, I’m speaking as in “an engineer from the womb!” Well, I think I was blessed with the math gene , but I had difficulty extending it through to engineering. My baby brother , the electrical engineer shared with me that if he got layed off, he would work for free. (He got the gift in full! ) He explained to me once that going through college math, you were always one class behind in understanding what was the purpose and what was it really about. He added that he was really stumped in a Calculus III class once, so he called Dad, and our 70 year old+ Dad immediately delivered an answer without missing a beat. It was a gift, but Dad, devout Christian that he was, never really realized it. He would tell us: “You just have to work through it a little bit.” Our two older children share chuckles how Grandpa would get exasperated in helping them with their math homework ending in a curt: “You need a break!” Yea, as they convey it, fact was, he needed a break! lol
So, back to the faith walk, through God’s grace, I have gone from linear math to a rudimentary understanding of calculus : “Why did Newton even bother?” For example: What speed was the car going when it ran into the brick wall? If you are stuck in linear mathematics, you are always left with the answer “-0-!” So, praise God for calculus. Btw: Newton actually wrote more about “God’s Truth” than about mathematics per se. (If I exaggerate, I don’t think it is by much.)
Well now, I have been given through the attached link, with slight exaggeration for analogy effect,a quick amazing teasor that in short fashion, summarily shows me the branch paths and why bother. Those branches include but are not limited to: Quantum physics, string theory, geometric topology, Sensor calculus, steady state theory….. So, yes, Wow! But we haven’t even scratched the surface of integrating Einstein’s theory of relativity with Quantum Physics , the age old physicist’s nemesis. Quite frankly, that could be crossing over into God’s territory, if we are speaking of a full and comprehensive answer.
So, in summary fashion, last night I broke discipline to post an Alistair Begg sermon in 2nd Samuel that was month’s back in our reading. I saw something that appeared to be an amazing connection. (or more accurately, being shown!) If you are talking history we are connecting up 3000 years of God’s revelation to us from David / Samuel (2nd Samuel series – Alistair) to Ezekiel to Christ’s walk on this earth to us today and we are facing the same issues in our walk.
So, if you actually read yesterday’s reading in Ezekiel 44 and said to yourself, “What’s the point of all this useless stuff!; That’s old testament!”: 3rd temple dimension detail (and the 3rd temple is where on the timeline again ?), laws governing priests, God’s distinction between the priests of Zadok from the Levites , the feasts, the healing waters and trees, how the offerings were prepared, borders of the land, division of the Land, and last but not least: The Gates of the City and Its Name. From there, I go back to what I said roughly a week or two ago: I am convinced that it is a good thing we have eternity to really know our Lord, because that is how long it is going to take before we can say that. But you might ask: “But Jimmy, isn’t that in conflict with heaven is perfect?” My short answer: “No, I am convinced not so..” (another gut feel from the Holy Spirit even though it is like explaining basic calculus to your dog, yours truly in the position of my dog of course.)
Ok , I will pray over this, that you take a drink of water from this fire hose. I have made my best case as a mere messenger, with a huge assist from “The King”. Four gospel writers (messengers from the hand of God) wrote of their personal experience in God’s kingdom: Isaiah, Ezekiel, Paul and John in Revelation. Do you think they were confronted with the limitations of human language in describing what they actually experienced? Our mission is to just obey! (the doulos’ blessed privilege) ; our amazing God is the source and the power of deliverance!
And it is getting close to the time for the live streaming service. I hope to be back physically amongst the body of Christ, along with my bride for Christmas. We have been separated of late by 75 or so miles. Always connected by His grace and prayer!
Soli Deo Gloria!
p.s.- I am very much convinced that God still wants us to read, reflect, pray and apply the book of Ezekiel……