Year in the Bible Week 36

Ezekiel’s Vision of the New Temple at the Doppelkirche in Schwarzrheindorf, Germany (c. 1150, artist unknown),

This week we pour over the genealogies all the way back in 1 Chronicles, and its chronological placement here suggests that this part may have been written in Babylon, but it is widely agreed that Chronicles was compiled post-exile, after God’s people were released. The people needed a legal record of heirs to the land, because God wanted them to reclaim it properly, without strife. The important part is that Chronicles facilitated the orderly repatriation of the people back to the Promised Land . God is specific about the distribution of the land, and the location of the temple, in a city named “The Lord is There.” The vision of the healing stream is one of my favorites in the Bible. God’s healing and cleansing power grows as it flows, and everything that it touches flourishes. What great hope this brings!

This week Ezekiel’s eschatological vision has accompanying art from a 12th century frescoed church in Germany, Like so many wondrous art works from that era, the artist is simply an uncredited artisan, doing his best for the Lord. The church where these amazing frescoes were done is a small one, but magnificent.

In the coming week Nebuchadnezzar will no longer be king, and just like God promised, his kingdom will be torn apart. First, however God gives Babylon’s armies victory over Egypt as a reward for destroying Tyre and its boastful people. as God continues to move mightily this week. In just three short weeks the Old Testament will be done, and the New Testament begins. Keep reading!