DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 10 October 2025: Of Courts, Gates and Tables
Text: Ezekiel 40:32–43 (KJV)
32 And he brought me into the inner court facing east; he measured the gateway according to these same measurements. 33 Also its gate chambers, its gateposts, and its archways were according to these same measurements; and there were windows in it and in its archways all around; it was fifty cubits long and twenty-five cubits wide. 34 Its archways faced the outer court, and palm trees were on its gateposts on this side and on that side; and going up to it were eight steps.
35 Then he brought me to the north gateway and measured it according to these same measurements— 36 also its gate chambers, its gateposts, and its archways. It had windows all around; its length was fifty cubits and its width twenty-five cubits. 37 Its gateposts faced the outer court, palm trees were on its gateposts on this side and on that side, and going up to it were eight steps.
38 There was a chamber and its entrance by the gateposts of the gateway, where they washed the burnt offering. 39 In the vestibule of the gateway were two tables on this side and two tables on that side, on which to slay the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering. 40 At the outer side of the vestibule, as one goes up to the entrance of the northern gateway, were two tables; and on the other side of the vestibule of the gateway were two tables. 41 Four tables were on this side and four tables on that side, by the side of the gateway, eight tables on which they slaughtered the sacrifices. 42 There were also four tables of hewn stone for the burnt offering, one cubit and a half long, one cubit and a half wide, and one cubit high; on these they laid the instruments with which they slaughtered the burnt offering and the sacrifice. 43 Inside were hooks, a handbreadth wide, fastened all around; and the flesh of the sacrifices was on the tables.
KEY VERSE: “And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.” — (Ezekiel 40:32)
There is an interesting poem often attributed to Spirella, an ancient philosopher. It says: “There’s no thrill in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue, there’s no joy in merely doing things which anyone can do. But there is some satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take when you reach a destination that you thought you’d never make.” The idea suggested by these lines applies to many areas of everyday life, including studying God’s word. Some passages in the Bible are not easy sailing, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can come away with a thrilling experience.
Today’s text is one of such Bible passages that may not make much meaning to a casual reader. It is all about courts, gates, and tables connected to Ezekiel’s envisioned temple. However, as typical of the Scriptures, there are vital lessons to be gleaned from this ideal temple described by the prophet. In a vision, God brought Prophet Ezekiel to a high mountain in the ruined city of Jerusalem during Israel’s captivity in Babylon.
There, he was shown this new temple and was required to record its description by an angel who measured the structure. He described the temple’s inner court with its gates, all of which share the same dimension. This reminds us that in Christ, to whom the whole of these emblems point, we are one, sharing the same Spirit and the same grace irrespective of our role and rank in the kingdom of God.
Particularly noticeable are different courts: the outermost, the outer court, then the inner, and then the innermost. Only the priest could enter the innermost court. This arrangement suggests the differing levels of grace, gifts, and offices we have in the body of Christ, which, nonetheless, rather than divide us, make us more efficient in God’s service. The tables at the entrance of the gates were used to prepare the items for sacrifice. Preparation precedes our spiritual sacrifice.
We must also take cues from wisdom regarding the order of the staircases that lead to the courts. Seven steps were involved in climbing to the outer court, whereas the inner court required eight steps. The closer we walk with God, the more consecration is required of us.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
If you have the privilege of being planted in the garden of the Lord, bloom there.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 18–21
Daily Manna 10 October 2025
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