Monday

18-November

Ezekiel 42-45; Luke 13

Ezekiel 42: What purpose did the chambers serve?

Ezekiel 43: What did Ezekiel witness and when had he witnessed something similar? What had to be done before the priests could offer sacrifices upon the altar for the people?  What words are repeated in Ezekiel 43:7?

Ezekiel 44: What were the ‘lesser’ responsibilites of the Levites? Who was chosen to make sacrifices at the altar and why? What were the requirements of the priests?

Ezekiel 45: Who do you suppose the ‘princes’ were?

Journal Prompt: Chapters 42-45 of Ezekiel go into great detail about the Temple measurements, the use of the rooms, the roles of the priests, etc. Why do you suppose so much detail is included? What can you glean from these chapters? Do you think this is a literal Temple that will be built or do you think it is more figurative?

Answers

Ezekiel 42: The chambers served as a holy place where the priests were to eat the burnt offerings and the grain offerings.

Ezekiel 43: Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord enter the Temple and it was just like what he had seen in the vision when the Lord came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal.  For seven days the priests had to purify the altar and make atonement for it prior to it being used for the sacrifices of the people.  We read in verse 7 that in the new Temple and with a new indwelling Spirit, the people would no longer profane God’s holy name.

Ezekiel 44: The Levites were responsible for being gate keepers and for slaughtering the animals to be offered to the Lord, but they were not able to participate in offering the sacrifices to the Lord, because they had strayed from the Lord and sought other gods. The sons of Zadok, who had continually offered sacrifices to the Lord while the rest of Israel had falled away – they would have the privilege of serving the Lord at the altar. The priests were to a)wear holy garments (so they wouldn’t sweat), b) keep their hair trimmed (not long nor shaven), c) not drink wine in the inner courts d)marry a virgin of Israeli descent or the widow of a priest, e) teach f) judge g)keep the Sabbath h) keep themselves pure.