Ezekiel

Ezekiel 45:1-5

The area around the temple was just as important to the Lord.  When the land was divided into inheritance, there was to be this sacred district of land set apart.  This was measured in chapter 42:16.  It was 875' x 875' or about 17.5 acres.  The temple would be in the midst of this as well as a place for priests to live.  This wasn't an inheritance, but land that was the Lord's. 

Ezekiel 45:6-8

An area of land adjacent to the holy district would be property of the city.  This would be about 1.5 miles x 8.3 miles (about 12.5 square miles).  We'll find out more what this land will be used for in chapter 48. 

The prince will have a district on two sides, the east and the west of holy district.  This land will be the possession of Israel.  The princes of the past had oppressed the people by stealing their land.  The Lord will prevent this from happening ever again. 

Ezekiel 45:9-12

One of the primary roles of the prince is to protect the people.  The problem with sinful man being in charge of deciding what is fair always creates a situation where the man deciding will make it more fair for some than others.  Those who keep him in power and authority, those who vote for him, etc.  The Lord will set a prince to ensure that these things are maintained by justice and righteousness as defined by the Lord.

The Lord provides the standard measures to be used.

• Ephah – 3/5 bushel
• Bath – 6 gallons
• Homer – 6 bushels
• Shekel – 11 grams
• Mina – 1.25 lbs.

Ezekiel 45:13-17

The prince manages these offerings.  The word used for offering means a voluntary gift.  People will give these willingly.  These are for the grain offerings, burnt offerings and peace offerings.  The Prince will then provide these at the appropriate times during the year for the feasts, festivals and offerings. 

Ezekiel 45:18-25

Three of the primary feasts are laid out for the Prince.  The first was the cleansing of the temple.  An offering would be made soon after for those that unintentionally or unknowingly sinned.    The Passover was joined with the feast of unleavened bread.  The feast in the seventh month is unnamed although it is consistent with the Feast of Tabernacles.  Maybe it will have a new name.  Instead of celebrating the deliverance from Egypt, maybe it will be a celebration of the rapture and our deliverance from this world. 

©2020 Doug Ford