The LORD is there
Ezekiel 44
31 verses≈ 7 minBSB
Images are artistic interpretations.
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Where we are
- 1–3Visions of gloryBy the Kebar, about 593 BC: the throne, the scroll, the watchman
- 4–7Signs of the siegeA brick, a ration, a razor: the end has come
- 8–11The glory departsAbout 592 BC: the temple’s abominations, the mark, the glory goes east
- 12–15False hopesExile acted out, false prophets, a useless vine
- 16–19Parables and lamentsAn unfaithful bride, two eagles, the one who sins
- 20–24The sword drawnRebellion retold; the siege begins, about 588 BC
- 25–32The nations judgedAmmon to Egypt: the LORD is Judge of all the earth
- 33–36A new heartThe city falls; the Good Shepherd; cleansed and made new
- 37–39Dry bones liveOne people raised up, and Gog of Magog defeated
- 40–48The LORD is thereAbout 573 BC: the new temple, the river, the landChapter 44
The East Gate Assigned to the Prince
The man then brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary that faced east, but it was shut.
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And the LORD said to me, “This gate is to remain shut. It shall not be opened, and no man shall enter through it, because the LORD, the God of Israel, has entered through it. Therefore it will remain shut. Only the prince himself may sit inside the gateway to eat in the presence of the LORD. He must enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way.”
Then the man brought me to the front of the temple by way of the north gate. I looked and saw the glory of the LORD filling His temple, and I fell facedown.
The LORD said to me: “Son of man, pay attention; look carefully with your eyes and listen closely with your ears to everything I tell you concerning all the statutes and laws of the house of the LORD. Take careful note of the entrance to the temple, along with all the exits of the sanctuary.
Question
Quick question
Look again at the gate facing east.
Why was the outer east gate to stay shut?
Reproof of the Levites
Tell the rebellious house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I have had enough of all your abominations, O house of Israel. In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant. And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’
This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.
God
Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, having charge of the gates of the temple and ministering there. They shall slaughter the burnt offerings and other sacrifices for the people and stand before them to minister to them.
Because they ministered before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I swore with an uplifted hand concerning them that they would bear the consequences of their iniquity, declares the Lord GOD. They must not approach Me to serve Me as priests or come near any of My holy things or the most holy things. They will bear the shame of the abominations they have committed. Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of all the work for the temple and everything to be done in it.
Who comes near
Whiteboard
Everyone has a place around God’s house, and every place is given by God.
The Duties of the Priests
God
When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen garments; they must not wear anything made of wool when they minister at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple. They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.
When they go out to the outer court, to the people, they are to take off the garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and dress in other clothes so that they do not transmit holiness to the people with their garments.
They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair. No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court. And they shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but must marry a virgin of the descendants of the house of Israel, or a widow of a priest. They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.
A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so, and after he is cleansed, he must count off seven days for himself. And on the day he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he must present his sin offering, declares the Lord GOD.
In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
Ezekiel 44:28
Pray
Pray
LORD, You are my inheritance and my possession. Keep me faithful in Your charge, teach me the difference between the holy and the common, and let Your blessing rest on my home. Amen.
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Ezekiel 44
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A verse to carry with you
In regard to their inheritance, I am their inheritance. You are to give them no possession in Israel, for I am their possession.
Ezekiel 44:28
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