June 15, 2022

Passage Read: Ezekiel 44-47
Meditation Verse: 47:22

Thought

Uncircumcised aliens are not welcome in the Temple, but aliens who live among the Israelites are to be granted land as an inheritance just like a native Israelite. But they will be subject to all the laws and rules that the Israelites are subject to. They are to be treated as native-born Israelites. So God does not reject anyone who is willing to come and join themselves to the Lord and His people, but they are required to join and be treated and behave just as He requires His own people to live. They are not free to do whatever they wish, but must submit to all the rules and regulations of the native-born. There are not two classes of people with different rules to live by, but one class, the Israelite, and all must abide by the rules given to Israel.

Application

Anyone is welcome by the Lord to join His people, but whoever comes does not have freedom to live however he wishes. There is one law for the native and for the alien who dwells in Israel. If an alien doesn't want to be treated as a native, then he should only visit and pass through. If I want to be counted among the people of God, I need to accept God as ruler and receive any and all rules He makes for His people. I don't have special status to ignore the laws of the land that I don't like. Which is the same as any nation today on earth, if I choose to become one of their citizens. In order to enjoy the privileges of a native-born, I must also accept all the laws.