Teaching the difference

“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” - Ezekiel 44v23

There are several chapters in Ezekiel where he is given a task of measuring the temple for its instruction. In the middle of this there are some instructions for the priests as they minister in the temple. One of these particularly catches the attention.

“Teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to know the difference between the unclean and the clean.”
It is obvious from this that people are not going to automatically know the difference between what is good and what is bad, between the holy and the unholy, or the clean and unclean. The wonderful thing is that God gives us His word to teach us the difference in these things. We can’t ever trust our own hearts or emotions to teach us what is right and what is wrong, for our flesh is strong and will always interfere. We have a standard, God’s word. It is up to us to learn all we can and then pass it on to others. May we willingly learn the difference between the holy and the profane, between the unclean and the clean.