Ezekiel

Ezekiel 46:1-8

The gateway of the inner court that faced east was to remain shut for the 6 working days.  It would only be opened on the Sabbath day and on the New Moon festival.  We see from this the sanctity of the temple gates.  The outer court gate that faced the east was shut in chapter 44 and was to remain shut because it was the gate used by the Lord.

When the east gate of the inner court was opened on Sabbath day, the prince would enter the vestibule from the outer court.  From there he would see the priests prepare his burnt offering and peace offering.  There was direct access with the gate open.  The altar was visible, the priests at work and inner court and the sanctuary door, however, he was not to enter.  From the gate (might we say 'the way') he would worship.

We see the 'likewise' of verse three.  The people of the  land would worship the same way.  As they entered the gate, they would leave the same way, not entering in. 

Ezekiel 46:9-11

The east gate is closed so the people have to come in the north or south gate.  They were to exit the opposite gate they came in.  Perhaps this was symbolic of not returning the same way you came once you approached the Lord.  Once we come to the Lord and once we know Him, there is no turning back.  The Prince would also be in their midst on these days.  He walked among the people, on the same level of sanctity and in their midst.  He was not a priest and could not enter in the inner court. 

Ezekiel 46:12-15

There were compulsory offerings for worship on certain days.  But there was also allowance for voluntary worship; the offering of a burnt sacrifice or peace offering.  The gate would be opened for the prince to make this offering and it would be shut when complete. 

The morning sacrifices were first called for in Exodus 29:38 and Numbers 29:3-5. 

Ezekiel 46:16-18

The Lord provided boundaries for the prince to keep him from unjustly acquiring land.  Land given from his inheritance to his son, is inheritance.  A gift of his inheritance to servant would only be retained till Jubilee – the 50^th year.  This kept the inherited tribal land from leaving the tribe.  In addition, the prince was restricted from taking the inheritance of other tribes by eviction.  The inheritance he provides for his sons will come from the family inheritance only   The kept the Lord's children from being scattered. 

How these tribal lands work in the millennial kingdom is a mystery. 

Ezekiel 46:19-20

There was an entrance at the side of the gate.  This led to the priests chambers that face north.  At the far end of that area was a kitchen that was for the priests.  This was where the priests boiled the trespass and sin offerings as well as baked the grain offering.  The offerings to holy to leave the inner court and be brought out among the people.

Ezekiel 46:21-24

Ezekiel was then taken to the outer court to all four corners and shown the kitchen for the people.  These were 70' x 52.5' at each corner.  There were rows of stones all around the perimeter and built into them were cooking hearths.  This is where the sacrifices of the people were boiled. 

The alter was where the offerings were made to the Lord.  The parts of the sacrifice for the priests were taken to the holy kitchen for preparation.  The parts of sacrifices for the people were taken to the corner kitchens for the people. 

©2020 Doug Ford