Main Idea: God desires holy service.
A Look at the Text:
Today’s text opens with God giving Ezekiel further instructions for a future time.
God gave him the right division of the land and also the proper use of the future temple. Of first importance, the temple would be located within a centralized holy district (Ezek. 45:1). Altogether, the holy district would contain the sanctuary at its center, and it would also house the priests who would serve therein (Ezek. 45:2-5).
But now the priesthood would be narrower in scope. Only the Levites who were descendants of Zadok would serve in the holy things (Ezek. 44:15). The rest of the Levitical line would be barred from the handling of the holy (Ezek. 44:13).
Outside of the holy district, there would be an area allocated for the prince (Ezek. 45:7-8), who would possibly be some form of temple administrator. [1]
More significant than his geography was character, though, for the princes of that day would no longer oppress the people of God and would furnish sacrifices on behalf of the people (Ezek. 45:8,16-17).
Their sacrifices would be in accordance with God’s decree, with various regulations for the Sabbath and also for daily sacrifices (Ezek. 46:1-15). Even more, there would be distinct places where sacrifices would be prepared so as not to defile that which is holy (Ezek. 46:19-24).
All in all, what was formerly corrupt, defiled, and dishonoring to God was restored in holiness and perfect order as it was ordained to be.
Bringing it Home:
An exact understanding of this passage is elusive, and interpretations abound.
It’s hard to understand why everything would be so specific if it’s solely meant to be figurative. Yet, this idealized form of worship wasn’t found literally in the Second Temple period, and it’s hard to know why sacrifices would be involved in a future millennial temple.
Not only this, but the prince of this passage cannot be a prediction of Jesus Christ, for the prince had to atone for his own sins. So, the exact function of that role is confusing.
While the details are fuzzy, one thing is abundantly clear: God desires acceptable worship. Let us remember who many of Ezekiel’s exiled contemporaries were. They were priests guilty of idolatry and leaders guilty of injustice who took advantage of their own people.
Ezekiel’s vision looked to a time when this would be no more. God would have no more competition in the hearts of His people and, even more, His people would treat others appropriately, regardless of their positions of prominence.
Formerly the temple was beautiful in its construction, but desolate in its habitation. The living God had moved out. It looked the part outwardly, but it lacked true worship inwardly. Ezekiel’s vision for the future reminds us that God is seeking proper worship and holy service to Him.
Jesus taught that true worship is done in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24), and the apostle Paul exhorted believers to present themselves as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1).
Let us then be diligent, as much as it depends upon us, to give ourselves wholly to God and to His service, striving to serve Him in holiness without any competing loyalties or ulterior motives. Certainly, He is worthy of far more than the very best we can give, so we ought to give Him the best we’ve got.
Challenge:
Do I treat my worship and service to God as the consecrated work that it should be?
[1] Lamar E. Cooper Sr., “Ezekiel,” in CSB Apologetics Study Bible, ed. Ted Cabal (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1034.