42 lines
2.1 KiB
Markdown
42 lines
2.1 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Ezekiel 44:15–31"
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date = "2023-07-12"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel44.15-31)
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It suddenly strikes me that the Lord is emphasizing to Ezekiel that the priests
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that serve in the temple are Levitical priests. Israel wasn't supposed to have
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any other kind of priest, and it is very rare for the Bible to describe any
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other kind. (Melchizedek in Genesis 14 is a very interesting exception; all
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other priests either server false gods or falsely serve the Lord in disobedient
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ways like the Levites in Judges 17–19.) Let's not forget all the reasons the
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Lord has given for Israel's punishment and exile. The priests that had been
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serving were letting the people go astray into idolatry and immorality. If
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foreigners had been serving in the temple, maybe they were serving as priests,
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too, which would be against the laws for the priesthood that Moses had been
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given.
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We are told that Zadok's line is the one family of priests that will be allowed
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to continue serving as priests in the new temple, for they were faithful to the
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Lord. Zadok served as high priest during David's and Solomon's reign. Abiathar
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was also high priest during David's reign, but was dismissed from service when
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he supported Adonijah to be the next king instead of Solomon whom the Lord had
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chosen.
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What follows is mostly a summary of the regulations regarding the priesthood:
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how they should dress, whom they may marry, and what duties they have to the
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community outside of worship services. These appear to be a reiteration of what
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is found in the book of Leviticus, though I don't remember if there used to be
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restrictions on the priests' hair styles before.
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Finally, there are instructions for the duties of the people towards the
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priests. They are to support them financially through the sacrifices offered
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because the priesthood is not given an inheritance of land among the other
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tribes. The Lord Himself is their portion, and He provides for them out of the
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offerings of the rest of the people.
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* * *
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Because of Your holiness, we cannot approach You on our own terms, but must
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submit to Your decrees.
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