August 8, 2010 Ezekiel 45-48 (end)

Wordlisteners was held tonight in the private home of two of our members. 6 people were present. We discussed the last four chapters of Ezekiel. It is normally taught that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, and yet in some books with this one in particular - sacrifices are mentioned taking place in a temple as best as we can tell hasn't been built yet, and may very well be the temple in the millennial reign of our Lord.

We read, and we know that God has it under control. God sees everything at once, we're more chronologically based, so that may help explain. The fact that it survived into the Bible probably means it was meant for us in some way. Also born again believers still give which is an act of sacrifice. All of these things we discussed. Other things we are still not sure about.

We decided as a group to start Daniel next week. Below are the notes I made to finish up Ezekiel.


Ezekiel 45

The dividing of the land, the Lord's portion for Him and those that minister to Him and for Him. Then the prince or leader of Israel. The leader will no longer oppress the people, they will have an inheritance. They are to practice righteousness and justice, having just balances and scales. This seemingly hasn't happened yet, however Jesus will bring this about for sure during the millennial reign.

Now an offering the people give to the prince who then provides the burnt offerings, grain offerings and drink offerings at all appointed feasts. The sacrifices from verse 18 on seem to apply to the rebuilt temple after exile. There is a cleansing of the sanctuary using sin offering, an atonement for the house- for those going astray, a Passover celebration, burnt offerings and sin offerings. Jesus sacrifice makes us right with God, but our offering for our sins may continue, or that this only applied for the time when the temple is initially rebuilt. Why was it saved for us? To point the sacrificial system to Jesus, and remind us of God's great love for us.

Ezekiel 46

The prince's offering, on new moons and Sabbaths, the leader shall worship before the Lord. He shall bring sacrifices and humble himself before the God of the universe, that gave him his position. The leader of the people of Jerusalem is to acknowledge God. His position is controlled by God. Does this establish a state religion? I don't think so, for no where in the Bible does it say to kill those that won't follow Christ, or won't acknowledge God. God wants all to come to Him. Calling for the killing of those that refuse to worship in a certain way is a tell tale sign that God is not being worshiped, but something else. Another god, a doctrine, or creed. Our God is perfectly capable of stopping the hearts of those that have made their final decision, or given their final answer.

This makes Christians easy targets, because we do hold out hope. Anyone that feels compelled to go along with Christian acts of worship may be being led by the Holy Spirit. God looks on the heart – on the intentions, there is nothing to be gained by going along in God's eyes, He wants your heart. If you feel threatened by men for not, then God is giving you an indication that your priorities align with pleasing men rather than God. A feeling guilty may be a personal acknowledgement that you do in fact recognize God. Christians are to do works before men such that God's light can be seen Matt 5:16. Public open acknowledgement of God in worship is a work.

The prince when worshiping goes out the way he comes in, the people worshiping are to pass through, not sure why. The prince has an inheritance to give sons, he no longer has to take from the people. This will keep God's people from being scattered from their possessions.

Then a reference to isolating sacrifices such as to not transmit holiness to the people- I'm not sure why.

Ezekiel 47

Water from the temple- a millennial glance forward. Water from south of the alter flowing east, a trickle of water turning into a flowing river. Flowing to the sea and making the sea fresh, teeming with fish. The only sea east of Jerusalem is the Dead sea Engedi on the west middle side, and Eneglaim on the southeast corner. Trees will grow beside the river, and the fruit will not fail. The fruit will come every month and the leaves for healing (Gen 2:9 and Rev 22:2).

The border described surrounds Lebanon an Israel, it shall be divided by lot between Israel and aliens in the midst. God promised aliens in the midst of Israel an inheritance along with the Israelites. This explains why these people don't want to leave. If they are there when the land is divided by lot then they will be in the inheritance. Is the church part of the aliens amongst Israel?

Ezekiel 48

The land is to be divided from North to South the following way. Dan(1), then Asher(2), then Naphtali(3), then Mannasseh(4), then Ephraim(5), then Reuben(6), then Judah(7), an allotment to the Lord subdivided for the sons of Zadok, the Levites, and common use, the city of the Lord is here, a piece for growing food, and a portion for the leader (prince) with the Sanctuary in the middle of his. Anything not designated is for the prince. South of that will be Benjamin(8) , Simeon (9), Issachar (10), Zebulon (11) and Gad(12).

Now a city description, three gates on each side (one for each tribe), 4500 cubits on each side. There are visuals available on the Internet.

If the Lord tarries what will happen to our beliefs? Our creeds? Our surety of His soon coming? We have to remember that He is God, He is sovereign and He will come at the best time. We would like to put Him in a box, but if we could He wouldn't be God.