Ezekiel 43:13-44:31
Dear RTB’ers,
Today’s first chapter has the description of the temple altar and its dimensions, along with guidelines for animal sacrifices. It’s all reminiscent of Leviticus – the original altar in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness.
Then today’s second chapter focuses on the Levites and the Levitical priests. God speaks harshly to the Levites, but almost lovingly to the priests. Here is His statement to the Levites: Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore … they shall bear their punishment. They shall not come near to Me, to serve Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things and the things that are most holy, but they shall bear their shame … Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of the temple… (v. 44:12-14). In spite of their wrongdoings, He leaves the Levites with temple responsibilities.
By contrast God’s word to the Levitical priests honors them: But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of My sanctuary when the people of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to minister to Me. And they shall stand before Me … (v. 44:15a). He then lists their responsibilities, both within the temple and in the larger context of all of Israel.
Today’s lesson… Again, simply, no idol worship…!!
Blessings.
Fred