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. If we’ve been forgiven, freed from the prison of our sins, saved by God’s grace, and given a glorious future, it’s a new day!
How should we then live? Not only is that the title of a book by Francis Shaeffer; it’s 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. They did this more than all the countries they had 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, Jerusalem was just a place of charred rubble, and their temple was gone.
Grace Brings Responsibility
The survivors were in exile and in despair. In God’s grace, he shared with them a plan for a glorious temple, if they would only do one thing—genuinely repent. That’s amazing grace!
Can they go back to their land and live as they did before? No! God won’t allow it. They need to re-establish godly habits and do them with complete devotion.
A New Day of Sacrifices
In today’s Bible reading, Ezekiel describes the altar in the new temple. It’s a place where their worship begins. As in the days of Moses, once again, animals will be sacrificed. This will be done for the sins of the people, dedication, fulfilling vows, and as thankyou-offerings for God’s particular blessings.
You may question that if this temple will be built before or during the millennial reign of Christ, why do they need to make animal sacrifices? Wasn’t Christ’s sacrifice enough? Isn’t he present with them?
Although only saved Jews and Gentiles will enter the Millennium, children will be born during that time. As in Old Testament days, the sacrifices would give them a picture of Christ’s sacrifice. They could perceive their corrupt nature and the cost of their sin when they see their sin offering slain and burned by the priests.
This object lesson will lead many to faith in the same way the Old Testament saints were led to believe (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 beneficially using that altar?
Instructions for Non-Israelite People
Foreigners with their foreign gods and detestable practices lured Israel and Judah into sin. They may not go into God’s sanctuary unless they 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 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, the 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.
However, a problem exists with this interpretation. 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
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?
1. If you wish to inquire into the meaning of the offerings mentioned in today's Bible reading, go to more...
2. Francis Shaefer was a humble but wise Christian philosopher of the twentieth century.
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.
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: What is The Ideal Retirement Center? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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