{"id":75518,"date":"2020-06-03T13:03:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T10:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=75518"},"modified":"2020-06-03T13:03:00","modified_gmt":"2020-06-03T10:03:00","slug":"the-path-to-improvement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/the-path-to-improvement\/","title":{"rendered":"The Path To Improvement"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[281],"tags":[],"acf":{"old_id":"75518","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":66417,"related_cahpter":"495","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content":{"description":"A three-step process of change\r\n\r\n","content":"

In Chapter 43 God commands Ezekiel on how to instruct the people of Israel to rebuild the Temple. Verse 10 states, \u201c[Now] you, O mortal, describe the Temple to the house of Israel, and let them measure its design. But let them be ashamed of their iniquities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There will be three main steps in Ezekiel\u2019s instruction to the people: 1) Ezekiel will <\/span>describe<\/span><\/em> (the future Temple); 2) The people will <\/span>measure its design<\/span><\/em>; and 3) They will <\/span>be ashamed<\/span><\/em> (of their iniquities). This seems relatively straightforward.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, in the biblical quotation above, NJPS has actually changed the order of the final two steps, assuming that <\/span>measuring its design<\/span><\/em> should follow <\/span>describing<\/span><\/em> directly. The Hebrew text and most other English translations have a different order: 1) <\/span>describe<\/span><\/em>, 2) <\/span>be ashamed<\/span><\/em>, and 3) <\/span>measure its design<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Verse 11 seems to support this more straightforward reading of the text, beginning \u201cWhen they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the plan of the Temple\u2026\u201d including all aspects of \u201cthe entire plan.\u201d Here <\/span>being ashamed<\/span><\/em> seems to come before <\/span>measuring its design<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does the order matter here exactly? It matters because God is instructing Ezekiel to inspire Israel to change for the better. God knows how we human beings change and how we usually follow these three specific steps in this specific order.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, we have a vision of what could be. We often describe it in particular detail and daydream about how awesome life would be if this vision became reality. We are usually not concerned at this point with the logistics of realizing this vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, we become aware that our actions are not congruent with this vision. At this point, we may feel ashamed, guilty, or embarrassed. However, we have to acknowledge that there is a gap between who we are and who we want to be. Only by fully acknowledging this gap can we begin to address it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Third, we develop a detailed plan for changing our behavior. We already have a clear vision of where we want to go and what we want to build. Now we must measure out every aspect of our plan and its execution so that we can maximize our chances of success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps there are areas in your life where you would like to improve \u2013 there certainly are in mine! God lays out for Ezekiel and us an excellent process for positive change. We must describe an ideal vision of our future, be honest with ourselves about how and why we have failed to achieve it in the past, and make a detailed plan for success starting today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","image":{"ID":75519,"id":75519,"title":"ez43-steps","filename":"ez43-steps.jpg","filesize":0,"url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ez43-steps.jpg","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/the-path-to-improvement\/ez43-steps\/","alt":"","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"ez43-steps","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":75518,"date":"2020-06-03 10:02:03","modified":"2020-06-03 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