Ezekiel 43–45
Common Theme
God returns to dwell with His people in the new temple, calling them to holiness and proper worship. These chapters emphasize God’s desire for order, justice, and reverence in the administration of worship and the responsibilities of priests and princes.
Questions
- How does the vision of God’s glory returning to the temple challenge our understanding of His presence today?
- In what ways might our worship reflect or distort God’s holiness?
God Shot
God is the Holy One who returns to dwell among His people, not because they are worthy, but because He is faithful to His covenant. He jealously guards His glory and establishes righteous boundaries for His house, showing His passion for purity, justice, and presence among His people.
Deeper✝
Ezekiel 43
The passage describes a vision of the glory of the Lord entering the temple from the east, accompanied by a powerful sound and radiant light. The speaker, overwhelmed, falls on his face as the glory fills the temple. A voice from within the temple identifies it as the place of God’s throne, emphasizing that He will dwell among the people of Israel forever, provided they cease their defilement and idolatry. The speaker is instructed to describe the temple to the house of Israel, encouraging them to reflect on their iniquities and adhere to the temple’s design and laws.
The text then details the measurements and specifications for the altar, including its height, breadth, and the arrangement of its components. The Lord provides ordinances for the altar’s consecration, including offerings and purification rituals involving specific animals. The priests from the family of Zadok are designated to perform these rituals, which include sin offerings and burnt offerings over a period of seven days. After this period, the priests will continue to offer sacrifices, and God promises to accept them, signifying His presence and favor among His people.
Ezekiel 44
In this passage, the Lord instructs the prophet regarding the temple’s gates and the conduct of the priests. The eastern gate of the sanctuary is to remain shut, as it was through this gate that the Lord entered. Only the prince may enter to eat bread before the Lord. The prophet is then shown the glory of the Lord filling the temple, prompting him to listen carefully to the Lord’s instructions about the temple’s statutes and laws. The Lord condemns the house of Israel for allowing uncircumcised foreigners to enter the sanctuary, profaning it with their abominations. The Levites who strayed after idols will bear their punishment but will still serve in the temple, though they cannot approach the Lord as priests. In contrast, the sons of Zadok, who remained faithful, will minister directly to the Lord and maintain strict regulations regarding their attire, conduct, and personal lives. They are to teach the people about holiness and serve as judges. Their inheritance is the Lord Himself, and they will receive offerings from the people, but they must not consume anything that has died of itself or been torn by wild animals.
Ezekiel 45
The text outlines the allocation of land as an inheritance, specifically designating a holy district for the LORD, measuring 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits broad. Within this area, a square plot of 500 by 500 cubits is reserved for the sanctuary, with an additional open space surrounding it. The holy portion is intended for the priests and Levites who serve in the sanctuary, providing them with living space and a sacred area. Adjacent to this holy district, a section of land is assigned for the city, which belongs to the entire house of Israel.
Furthermore, the prince is granted land on both sides of the holy district, ensuring that he does not oppress the people but allows them to possess their tribal lands. The text emphasizes the need for justice and righteousness, instructing the princes to cease violence and evictions. It also details the required offerings, including specific measures for grain, oil, and livestock, which the prince must provide during various feasts and for atonement purposes. The text concludes with instructions for the celebration of the Passover and other festivals, highlighting the importance of these rituals in the community.
✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.