Ezekiel 44:1-31

Ezekiel continues his vision of the temple.  He is called to describe the entrances as well as the duties of those who serve in the temple.  Once again great detail is given in this text as to the wishes of God in this facility.  There seem to be many similarities with the Mosaic Law and practices that are not a part of our worship in the New Testament.  This may indicate that in the coming kingdom there will be a return to some of the rituals and practices of Judaism however with a realized Messianic presence.  I am really not sure how this will be but when it is fulfilled I am sure that all of these things will make much more sense.  We must be careful about claiming to have a full understanding of all of the plans of God for the future.  Some things are for His understanding alone and these things will become motives for worship upon their fulfillments.

THE SEPARATION OF MINISTRIES: There are specific duties assigned to specific people in their ministries within the temple.  The price has his own special entrance and duties to perform.  The Levites had their jobs to do and the jobs the priesthood were separated for the descendants of Zadok who was a faithful priest in the times of Solomon.  The other men from the descendants of Levi had defiled themselves and allowed for the desecration of the temple.  The consequences of this rebellion continue however all of these men perform their tasks with great dedication.  The result of this obedience in performance of their various ministries is that the glory of the Lord fills the temple.  God is pleased by the way that these ministries are performed and the worship of His saints is acceptable to Him.


THE SANCTIFICATION OF MINISTERS: These ministers of the temple were to follow strict guidelines concerning their conduct.  They were to be circumcised in the heart and only those who had experienced the heart transformation through faith in Christ were to be admitted to the temple.  The leaders were to be examples of this commitment to holiness and sanctification.  They were to wear the right clothing, be mindful of their haircuts, they were restricted in who they could marry and were to be selective in their being in the presence of dead people.  They were to maintain a holy life before the Lord because they were ministers of the Lord.  This is a truth of today’s ministers as well.  We cannot expect God’s blessings on our ministries if we are not sanctified as ministers.

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