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dawn of a new day Day 245 Chronological Bible Study

Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ezekiel 43:18–46:24

A New Day

A new day is often a sign of hope. When we have been forgiven, freed from the prison of our sins, saved by God’s grace, and given a glorious future, it is a new day!

How should we then live? That is not only the title of a book by the notable Christian philosopher, Francis Shaeffer; it is the question God answers for the exiles in today’s Bible reading. The answer is similar to what God expects of us today—he wants us to live differently. How?

When the nations of Israel and Judah were in their land, they became evil and worshipped idols, more so than all the countries they displaced to claim their inheritance. God gave them hundreds of years to turn from their sins and change, but they kept getting worse and worse. Finally, God used Assyria and Babylon to remove them from their land. Now, it was just a place of charred rubble, and their temple was gone.

The survivors were in exile and in despair. The LORD wants to comfort them. He gives Ezekiel a plan for a glorious temple, which he can share with the Isaelites if they do one thing— express genuine sorrow over their sins and seek the LORD. This is amazing grace!

Can they go back to their land and live as they did before? No! God will not allow it. They need to re-establish some good godly habits and do them with complete devotion.

Sacrifices

One of the things God designed for construction in Ezekiel’s temple is an altar. It is a place where their worship will begin. As in the days of Moses, once again, animals will be sacrificed for the sins of the people, for dedication, for the fulfillment of vows, and as thankyou-offerings for God’s particular blessings.

What need is there for sacrifices? During the Millenium, won't Christ be present? Wasn’t Christ’s sacrifice enough?

Here is the most likely reason: the offerings will serve as a picture of Christ's redemption on the cross through the use of animal sacrifices. Although only saved Jews and Gentiles will enter the Millennium, children will be born during that time. When they see the priests slay their sin offering and burn it, they can perceive their corrupt nature and the cost to provide their forgiveness.

This object lesson will serve to lead many to faith in the same way the Old Testament saints were led to belief (Galatians 3:24). Salvation has always been by God's grace through faith, but salvation came at a high cost, and that cost needs to be understood. If you are looking for more insights, you can find it here.

Today, we can get forgiveness for sins, make requests, dedicate our lives or property, or give thanks at the figurative altar of prayer. We have direct access to God through his Son, Jesus Christ. Are we making beneficial use of that altar?

Instructions for non-Israelite people

Foreigners with their foreign gods and detestable practices lured Israel and Judah into sin. They would not be not allowed to go into God’s sanctuary unless they would become spiritually and physically circumcised. Spiritual circumcision is the cutting away of the sins of our hearts (being spiritually converted). Physical circumcision is a sign of their identification with God’s people, the Jews.

Instructions for the Levite tribe

“The Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray and who wandered from me after their idols must bear the consequences of their sin. They may serve in my sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and serving in it; they may slaughter the burnt offerings and sacrifices for the people and stand before the people and serve them.

But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the house of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin,” declares the Sovereign LORD.

“They are not to come near to serve me as priests or come near any of my holy things or my most holy offerings; they must bear the shame of their detestable practices. Yet I will put them in charge of the duties of the temple and all the work that is to be done in it.”

“But the priests, who are Levites and descendants of Zadok and who faithfully carried out the duties of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood,” declares the Sovereign LORD (Ezekiel 44:10-15, NIV).

Instruction for the Jewish leaders

The leaders of the people, who had stolen land from their rightful owners for their own profits, must cease this evil practice. They must behave with honesty and justice (Ezekiel 45:9-10).

Instructions for the prince

A mystery person in the new city and temple is the prince. He will offer sacrifices for himself and the people as a priest, and worship God. He will occupy a unique position and have special access through the same eastern gate that the presence of God will enter. The prince will also father children, and God will issue land for his inheritance.

Who is this prince?

Ezekiel 37:24-25 identifies him as David, former renowned king of Israel, a man after God’s own heart. If this Scripture is taken literally, then David will be resurrected from the dead to once again live a human life, capable of sinning and fathering children.

A problem exists with this interpretation, however, because like Moses and Elijah, David is in his glorified state. Why would he leave that to become human again? A literal interpretation is possible because God is in control. However, he may be a prince like David in the same way that John the Baptist is likened to Elijah (Matthew 11:10-14).

Perhaps the mystery prince will even be a human descendant of David.

Priestly duties of the prince

It will be the duty of the prince to provide the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings at the festivals, the New Moons and the Sabbaths—at all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He will provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to make atonement for the house of Israel (Ezekiel 45:17, NIV). Israel will no longer offend God by bringing blemished or maimed animals for sacrifices to the LORD. The offerings will be just as God requires, and he will accept them. We know this is true for the millennial reign of Christ. However, the Jews in the post-exile period will offer unacceptable sacrifices (see Malachi 1:6-14).

What kind of offerings do we give to God— our best, or something less?

Discussion

Now that God has saved us and set us free by his grace, how does he want us to live?

What does spiritual circumcision mean? How is it shown?

End Note: If you wish to inquire into the meaning of the offerings mentioned in today's Bible reading, go to more...

Focus Verse

Romans 6:13 (NIV)

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

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Looking Ahead: What is The Ideal Retirement Center? Find out in our Next Lesson.

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page re-edited 9-2-2021

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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