From 98bfcd73642bb30a6947aad3bcd87fe70a7dd2de Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lyle Mantooth Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2023 12:40:29 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Ezekiel 43:13-27 --- content/bible_journal/ezekiel_43:13-27.md | 44 +++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 44 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/bible_journal/ezekiel_43:13-27.md diff --git a/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_43:13-27.md b/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_43:13-27.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f63f9be --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_43:13-27.md @@ -0,0 +1,44 @@ ++++ +title = "Ezekiel 43:13–27" +date = "2023-07-09" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel43.13-27) + +The laws of the temple that Ezekiel is to give to the people include not only +the holy precinct of the temple, but also the instructions of the altar and how +it is to be consecrated for use in worship. Because the measurements for the +altar specify that they are the long cubit, roughly equivalent to 21 inches or +a bit more than half a meter, the whole construction is really large. It is set +up as a series of ledges like a ziggurat with the base being 14 long cubits on +a side. Since the ledges are two and four cubits tall, there are steps on the +eastern side of the altar for the priests to climb. + +But the priests aren't supposed to climb steps to any altar for the Lord, +according to [Exodus 20:26](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Exodus20.26). That +said, the reason given for this prohibition never really applied, because the +priests were given undergarments as part of their vestements anyway, +specifically to prevent their nakedness from being exposed during worship. In +addition to the theological implications of nudity and clothing present +throughout the Bible, this was a cultural distinctive for the Israelites in the +ancient Near East. This is only speculation, but perhaps when this altar is +constructed the steps will serve a new purpose because religious nudity is and +will be far less prevalent than it was in the time of Moses. + +The Lord gives instructions for the dedication and consecration of the altar. +Again the family of Zadok is singled out for the purpose of offering the +sacrifices on it. I promise the reason for this is coming soon. The first +sacrifice is a bull, it's blood put on the horns, ledge, and rim of the altar, +but the rest of it are burned outside the sacred area. This was the common +practice for the sin offering, which was for atoning for unintentional sins. +The author of Hebrews compares the Crucifixion to a sin offering because Christ +died outside of the city as well. After this initial sin offering, a goat is +offered as a sin offering, and a bull and a ram are offered each day as a burnt +offering with salt for a whole week. Once these are completed, the altar is +consecrated and the people may again offer sacrifices to the Lord as they once +had. + +* * * + +The cost of our sin is greater by far than all the animals we could ever +sacrifice. Your mercy to us is greater than we can recognize.