From c6f6d0925daba3be036dcc7e7470154fa1ca2c0f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lyle Mantooth Date: Sat, 15 Jul 2023 00:39:50 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Ezekiel 45:1-25 --- content/bible_journal/ezekiel_45:1-25.md | 53 ++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 53 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/bible_journal/ezekiel_45:1-25.md diff --git a/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_45:1-25.md b/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_45:1-25.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..32b2719 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_45:1-25.md @@ -0,0 +1,53 @@ ++++ +title = "Ezekiel 45:1–25" +date = "2023-07-14" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel45.1-25) + +With the entire temple area measured, described, and instructions for its use +given, the Lord gives instructions for the surrounding land and city. The holy +district, set apart for the Lord, is a plot of land some seven miles long +(11.2km) and (if we take the Hebrew value of 10,000 instead of the Septuagint's +20,000) nearly three miles wide (4.5km). I take the value from the Hebrew text +because verse 3 states the district with the sanctuary is 10,000 cubits broad, +and I believe the extra 10,000 found in the Greek text is because of the plot +of land next to it for the Levites. In total, there is a large squareof land +with three sections: one for the priests and the temple, one for the Levites, +and a half-sized section for the rest of the house of Israel. They get a +smaller piece of the city because they will be getting the rest of the country +as their inheritance. + +That is, besides the large strip of land allotted to the prince. Extending east +and west from the city all the way to the borders of Israel are the lands of +the crown. Somehow, this allotment of land is connected to an admonishment to +the prince not to oppress the people as the princes of old did. The prince will +be given his land and must not be greedy and try to take any more from the rest +of the children of Israel. Weights and measures must be fair, having proper +definitions that aren't changed from person to person. + +The rest of the chapter concerns the various sacrifices and offerings that the +prince of Israel is expected to make on behalf of the people. That's something +new and interesting. The details of the offerings could be analyzed, but I want +to take a step back and notice that Scriptures don't talk about sacrifices and +offerings on others' behalf very much. Job sacrificed animals for his children, +in case they sinned during their constant parties. The high priesst offered a +sacrifice on the Day of Atomenment and put the sins of the whole camp on the +scapegoat before sending it out into the wilderness. There may be more +examples, but I dont' think there would be many more. + +Now might also be a good time to clarify that these prophecies are not about +the Messiah. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Lord's promise to David +that the throne would never leave his house, but I think there are a couple of +big reasons to believe He is not the prince desribed in these last few chapters +of Ezekiel. In the first place, there is no need to tell Jesus to put away +violence and oppresion and execute justice and righteousness. He's perfectly +good and will do those things because of who He is. Secondly, when He returns +in glory to rule on earth again for a thousand years, there will be no need for +sacrifices then. He already offered up Himself as the once-for-all atonement +for sins; He wouldn't offer up mere animals for the sins of His people now or +ever. + +* * * + +The lengths to which You have gone to save sinners defy comprehension.