Under the Old Law, some people were not allowed to enter the Temple. Anyone with certain physical deformities could not enter. Eunuchs were not allowed in the Temple. Those who had not physically converted to Judaism and were of a foreign nation could not enter the Temple. Anyone who had become unclean by touching something dead was not allowed in the Temple. These people were allowed to worship God privately, but they could not join the congregation in the Temple. They were considered outcasts.

    In Isaiah 56:8, we read, “The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.” Earlier in the chapter, God had said that the son of the stranger and the eunuch would be included in the new covenant He would bring.

   When the New Covenant was instituted, any former outcast was immediately included if he obeyed God. Anyone who obeys God today can join in congregational worship. The key is that one must obey God. One must do what is necessary to enter the kingdom. Today, the only outcasts are those who refuse to obey.

    I am glad that God is willing to allow anyone to worship him. It does not matter what nationality, sex, physical condition or former life one has. If a person will obey God, he can join in worship.

    Study your Bible. Learn what is necessary to obey God. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

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Go in the Gap

   Ezekiel prophesied against the wickedness of the people of Judah. He condemned the false prophets. These prophets told the people anything they wanted to hear. They did not preach against the immorality of the people. They did not preach against the worship of false gods. They even joined the people in all the sins.

    God said in Ezekiel 13:5, “Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.” During a real battle, the enemy might break through a portion of the city wall. Good and brave soldiers would rush to that place and fight to keep the enemy out of the city. They would also work hard to rebuild a defensive wall around the city.

    God was talking here about a spiritual battle. The prophets of God were supposed to preach the truth. They were supposed to call the people to repentance. They were to lead the people in the battle against Satan. The prophets were to rush into the hole made in the spiritual wall of Israel. They were supposed to help rebuild the spiritual wall.

   However, these prophets failed in their mission. God condemned them. They would die because of their sins.

    Do not be like the false prophets of Israel. Stand for the Truth. Tell others the Truth. Be brave in the spiritual battle. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.