Ezekiel 46:1-15

content/bible_journal/ezekiel_46:1-15.md

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+title = "Ezekiel 46:1–15"
+date = "2023-07-17"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel46.1-15)
+
+Previously the Lord had given instructions for worship on the great feast days,
+and now He continues with instructions for the rest of the calendar year, the
+Sabbaths, and the new moons. In the Hebrew calendar, the new moon marks the
+first day of the month, and is marked with sacrifices even when it does not
+fall on a Sabbath. The prince in particular is given instructions on how many
+animals he is to bring for sacrifice, which is a greater number than what Moses
+had instructed Israel to bring. Along with the six lambs and a ram for the
+burnt offering on the new moons and the Sabbaths, the prince is also to bring a
+grain offering to go with them. An ephah for the ram, a bit more than a
+5-gallon bucket (close to 22 liters), but for the lambs, just "as much as he is
+able". I'm not sure how one even figures out how much that would be. You have
+to plan for the fact that you will be doing this at least 5 times a month, and
+grain harvests only happen in certain times of the year.
+
+Because the eastern gate to the outer court has been sealed, the worshippers
+must enter from the north or south gates. Here they are given the restriction
+to not exit the outer court by the same gate they entered in. This is
+speculation, but I can see a couple of reasons for this. First, we are told
+that the east gate to the inner court is opened during Sabbaths and new moons,
+which allows the congregation to observe the sacrifices being offered on the
+altar. By being required to go in the north gate and out the south or _vice
+versa_, everyone will have a chance to look towards the temple and see the
+place God dwells. This also calls for more commitment. No one can just pop in
+and out of the temple really quickly just to merely say they were there. They
+will have to go all the way through and then around again to get back to where
+they were.
+
+There is also a daily burnt offering, but the amounts offered are again
+different than what was prescribed by Moses. One lamb in the morning instead of
+two each day, but more grain and oil to go with it. Because these verses
+address "you", I had at first taken this to mean everyone in Israel was to do
+this. That would have been excessive even in Moses's day, and really that "you"
+is a collective "you", referring to the whole house of Israel.
+
+* * *
+
+Even when we don't understand, we can trust You to have good reasons for all
+You have done and told us to do.