Wade out a little bit deeper

While the sentiment of the old gospel song may be uplifting, is that the idea that Ezekiel was to receive from his vision of the river? Again we must ask ourselves what big lessons we should learn from this chapter.

Ezekiel 47

• The river that heals the land begins in the house of God, flows to a depth beyond the understanding of man, and is lined with trees (v. 1-12).
• The land of God, measured and marked, is shared equally by Jews and Gentiles of the true faith (v. 13-23). (Note that in Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile.)

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More about Ezekiel’s temple

Remember that this temple did not exist in Ezekiel’s day. For him it was but a vision–a  God-given vision to be sure, but nonetheless a vision. Imagine for a moment that you were Ezekiel. What are the big ideas that you would take from this wonderful vision?

Ezekiel 46

• At times, the gate to the inner court would be closed. On sabbaths and new moons the gate would be opened so that prince and people might enter to worship. (v. 1-3)
• One should not leave worship the way he entered (v. 4-15).
• It’s not right to steal another’s property in order to “give” it to your family (v. 16-18).
• Proper preparation for sacrifice is work that requires both time and space (v. 19-24).

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Christ died once for all

After all that Christ has done, how can anyone expect this to be literally fulfilled in some future temple?

And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. (Ezekiel 45:17)

Ezekiel 45

• The land divided (v. 1-5).
• The city (v. 6). (Is there only one?)
• The prince (v. 7).
• The law (v. 8-12).
• The sacrifices (v. 13-25).

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Worship

Ezekiel 43

What value has a worship center if God is not present? Having seen the magnificence of the empty temple, Ezekiel now sees its main occupant-God.

• The glory of the Lord filled the place (v. 1-5). This is not the first time that Ezekiel has been in the presence of God.
• God promises to remain there with his people, provided that they maintain standards of holy worship (v. 6-12).
• The altar for sacrifice is described in it’s dimensions and use (v. 13-27).

Ezekiel 44

• The outer sanctuary had an eastern gate to be used by the prince (v 1-3).
• Falling before the glorious God, Ezekiel is reminded of Israel’s failure to maintain purity in its religious leaders (v. 4-9).
• Unfaithful Levites are allowed to live, but in a more servile capacity (v. 10-14).
• Faithful priests, on the contrary, will be elevated (v. 15-16).
• Their clothing (v. 17-19)
• Their hair (v. 20).
• Their abstinence (v. 21).
• Their wives (v. 22).
• Their ministerial duties (v. 23-24).
• Their grief (v. 25-27).
• Their inheritance (v. 28).
• Their provisions (v. 29-31).

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