Questions

Scriptural Reflection
Ezekiel 42:1–20

This week, we shall continue the study of the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament. 

Please continue to follow the chart of Ezekiel 40:1-27 (Year 5 Week 40 Day 278) as we read the description and measurement of the “priestly sacristies” (Item F), as the angelic messenger leads Ezekiel out of the inner court (the sanctuary) back into the north side of the outer court:

42:1-14—The Priestly Sacristies

(1) What is the length and the combined width of the three-storey chambers in view? (v. 2)

(2) As “Virtually every detail concerning the design and appearance of the chambers is open to debate and any reconstruction is tentative” (NICOT, 564), do not get frustrated if you cannot fully comprehend their description (vv. 3-9). Can you identify the following from the chart?

a. The inner passageway in front of the chambers which is 100 cubits long and 10 cubits wide (v. 4)

b. The outer wall that shields the passage way which is 50 cubits long (v. 7)

c. Are there any other features of note to you?

(3) The chambers placed symmetrically to the south are essentially of the same design and size (vv. 10-12).

a. For whom are these chambers meant? (v. 13)

b. Instead of serving as living quarters for the priests (40:44-46, item G), what two specific purposes are these chambers to be used for by the priests? (v. 13b)

c. One more important function is mentioned in v. 14: What is it and why?

(4) The entire temple compound is a square (vv. 15-19)

a. What is its size?

b. You might want to compare it to the Solomon temple to get a sense of how massive this new temple is (see the diagram and charts of 1 Ki. 6:1-38, Year 4, Week 19, Day 127).

(5) What is the function of its massive wall? (v. 20)

(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Ezekiel 43:1–12

At the end of the tour of this new temple, Ezekiel now witnesses the return of the glory of the Lord to the temple:

(1) Ezekiel refers to the last time he saw the glory of the Lord in the temple (8:1ff)

a. What was the purpose of the last vision in chapter 8? (43:3)

b. What then does this reappearance of the glory of the Lord mean? (vv. 4-5)

(2) How different will this presence of the Lord in the temple be from before? (vv. 6-7)

(3) What had Israel done that led to the departure of the glory of the Lord from His temple? (v. 8)

(4) Is v. 9 a condition for this new promise? How might Israel be able to do so?

(5) What function does this revelation of the plan of the temple serve in this respect? (vv.10-11)

(6) In addition to passing the vision to the people verbally, what else does Ezekiel need to do and why? (v. 11b)

(7) How does v.12 sum up “the law of the temple”?How does v.12 sum up “the law of the temple”?

(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Ezekiel 43:13–27

Upon revealing the return of His glory to the new temple, it appears that it is the Lord who continues to speak to the prophet. So far, rarely did any furnishings receive any attention, let alone detailed description, but the altar of this new temple is given a detailed description:

43:13-18—The Altar

(1) It is helpful for us to look at the command to Moses concerning the construction of the altar for the tabernacle in Exodus 27:1-8; read also Exodus 20:26.

(2) Can you discern the difference in emphasis between the Exodus instructions and those to the prophet?

(3) As some of the terms in Ezekiel’s passage lend themselves to different interpretations, allow me simply to sum up the dimensions of the altar as follow:

a. The exterior dimensions: 20cubits x 20cubits (about 34ft x 34ft)

b. The altar proper: 14cubits x 14cubits (about 24ft x 24ft)

c. Its height: 6 cubits (about 10 ft.)

d. The gutter for the draining of the blood of sacrificed animals: 17 (L) x 1.5 (D) x 1 (W) cubits [Using Block's estimate of 20.5 inches to 1 cubit, the volume is about 951 US gallons (3600 L); but according to another calculation, it is equivalent to 3,804 U.S. gallons (14400 L) (see NICOT, 601)]

(4) While this new altar dwarfs the one built for the tabernacle, it is basically the same size as the one in Solomon's temple (2 Chr. 4:1 which uses the old, smaller cubit as a standard of measurement):

a. How significant is the altar to the worship of the Lord in the OT? (v. 18)

b. Why does the Lord reveal to Ezekiel only the measurements and not the materials to be used for its construction? Does it mean that the Lord has not meant for men to build this altar, but that it is to be provided by Him?

c. Why does this altar have steps (v. 17), which were expressly prohibited by Exodus 20:26? How does this point to the very different nature of Ezekiel’s altar?

43:19-27—The Offerings to be Presented on the New Altar

(5) The consecration of the altar (vv. 19-21)—In this vision, the Lord tells Ezekiel, the prophet, to give a young bull to the Levitical priests to consecrate the altar before its use.

a. Since this temple is of the future, what might the command to the prophet to give the bull to the Levitical priests signify in this vision?

b. How is this altar to be purified before its use?

c. What kind of offering is it? (v. 19)

d. Where is this sacrificial animal to be burnt? (v. 21; see Heb. 13:11-12)

e. How is the altar to be purified on the second day? (vv. 22-24)

f. It appears that for seven days, a young bull, a male goat and a ram—all without defect—are to be sacrificed in order that atonement can be made for the altar (vv. 25-26):

1. What might be the significance of the “seven days”?
2. Why does the altar need to be atoned for before it can be used?

g. On the proper atonement (and purification) of the altar (v. 27)

1. What will it be used for?
2. Why then will the Lord accept them?

(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Ezekiel 44:1–14

In the vision of the new temple, the Lord has shown the return of His glory through the east gate (43:4), and has commanded Ezekiel to sanctify the new altar. Now, regulations are given to restore holiness to temple-worship:

44:1-3—The Shutting of the East Gate

(1) Ezekiel began his tour of the temple through the east gate (40:6-7). Why is it now shut to all traffic? (v. 2)

(2) The reason given is that, “the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it”:

a. Why is it the reason?

b. What does this signify (i.e. the Lord has entered (not exited) through it?)

(3) A new character is introduced in the temple—the prince (v. 3)

a. By being the only one allowed to sit and eat inside the east gate in the presence of the Lord, what role does the prince have besides being the king of the people?

b. Since the gateway just mentioned is the east gate (v. 3a), which gate does he use to enter into the portico to sit and eat? (see Note below)

c. More will be known about this prince in chapters 45-46, but what do we know about him at this point?

44:4-9—Foreigners Forbidden

(4) Since Ezekiel cannot enter through the east gate anymore, which gate is he led through  to go back into the temple? (v. 4)

(5) What did he see?

(6) What does it mean? (Note that the glory of the Lord has entered into the temple in 43:4.)

(7) Now, with the reassurance of the permanent presence of the Lord in the temple, the oracle now turns to the entrance and exits of the temple (i.e. who might enter into the temple).

a. What one sinful act of the Israelites is being singled out concerning the temple? (v. 7)

b. Why does the Lord emphasize not only physical circumcision, but circumcision of the heart (which is mentioned first)? (see also Rom. 2:25-29)

c. To safeguard the holiness of this new temple, what command does the Lord give in this respect? (v. 9, but see also 47:22-23)

d. See Acts 21:28-29 to get a sense of how the people of Israel even in Paul’s time look upon this prohibition.

e. In this past sin, who were primarily responsible for allowing uncircumcised foreigners to enter into the temple?

44:10-14—The Restricted Role of the Levites

(8) What role had the Levites played in the sins of the people? (vv. 10, 12)

(9) In order to bear the consequences of their sins:

a. What are they prohibited from doing within the temple? (v. 13)

b. What are the things they are permitted to do? (vv. 11, 14)

(10) Given that “they must bear the consequences of their sin”, why does the Lord not completely do away with their duties in the temple?

(11) What is the message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Note:

Commentators vary in their opinion about which gate is meant for the prince to enter and exit. Since the context is the sitting and eating by the prince at the gate which has just been mentioned as the east gate, the logical implication is that the gateway mentioned in the same verse is the same gateway. If he is not even allowed to use the east gate, v. 3b should have read, “He is to enter by way of the portico of one of the other gateways…” which is not the case here. The fact that the prince now assumes both the kingship (as the prince) and the High-priesthood (as the only one who may sit and eat inside in the presence of the Lord) points to him being the Messiah.

Scriptural Reflection
Ezekiel 44:15–31

In the maintenance of the holiness of the new temple, the shame of the reduced role of the Levites is now contrasted to the honor of the exclusive role of a certain clan of Levites as priests in the new temple:

44:15-16—The Honored Descendants of Zadok

(1) Of the three sons of Levi—Gershon, Kohath and Merari (Gen. 46:11), only the descendants of Kohath (the Kohathites) are given the priestly functions (Num. 3:38; 18:1-32) and now in the new temple, which clan within the Kohathites can serve as priests alone? (vv. 15-16)

(2) What is the reason for such an honor? (see Note below)

(3) By implication, what will happen to the other Kohathites who are not descendants of Zadok?

44:17-26—The Sanctity of the Priests

(4) Rules concerning clothing (vv. 17-19)

a. What kind of clothing can they wear? (v. 17; see Exod. 28:39-43)

b. What kind of clothing can they not wear and why? (v. 18—while perspiration is not specifically mentioned, it appears that it constitutes the same principle of defilement as other forms of bodily excretion; see Deut. 23:11-13)

c. What are they to do with their official clothing as they leave the inner court? (v. 19a; see 42:14; item F of the chart of the Temple Compound)

d. What reason is given for this rule? (v. 19)

(5) Rule concerning hair (v. 20)

a. What is the rule reiterated for the Zadok-priests? (Lev. 21: 5-6)

b. What is the possible reason for this rule? (see Lev. 19:27-28)

(6) Rule concerning drinking (v. 21)

a. When is drinking prohibited for them? (see Lev. 10:9)

b. Why?

(7) Rules concerning marriage (vv. 22-23)

a. Whom can the priests not marry? (see Lev. 21:7, 14a)

b. Whom can they marry? ( see Lev. 21:14b)

c. What is the basic rationale behind this (and the other rules from v. 17 onwards)? (v. 23; see Lev. 10:10)

(8) Rules concerning public leadership (v. 24)

a. How should they act as judges? (see also Deut. 17:8-9)

b. How should they exercise their spiritual leadership?

(9) Rules concerning defilement (vv. 25-27)

a. What rules are being reiterated concerning defilement? (vv. 25-27; see Lev. 21:1-3)

b. Together with all of the above rules:

1. What is the message conveyed to the immediate hearers of Ezekiel?
2. What might be the messages for us today who are NT priests (1 Pet. 2:5) ?

44:28-31—Privileges of the Priests

(10) Is v. 28 a privilege or disadvantage? Why?

(11) While they have no possession, how will God provide for them? (vv. 29-30)

(12) Can you personally identify in your life with these blessings of the priests?

(13) What is the message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Note:

We cannot pinpoint passages about the commendation given by the Lord to the descendants of Zadok during the time immediately preceding the fall of Jerusalem, but we know the following:

“Zadok was the son of Ahitub, the line of Eleazar (1 Chr. 6:8, 12; 24:3), who remained faithful to King David at the rebellion of Absalom (2 Sam. 15:24ff.), and also anointed Solomon as king in opposition to Adonijah the pretender (1 Ki. 1:32ff.).” (K&D, 414)

Scriptural Reflection
Ezekiel 45:1–12

With the holy priesthood reinstated, the Lord now gives the instruction concerning land allotment:

(1) To the exiles, how important is it to know that the land of Israel will be allotted to them once again?

(2) How was the previous allotment made? (Num. 26:52)

(3) How is this allotment made?

(4) To whom does the first allotment go? (v. 1)

(5) What is the size of this “sacred district”? (v. 1b; see items S+Z+L on the chart below. It is helpful to jot down the size for reference.)

(6) What this sacred lot is comprised of (vv. 2-5)

a. The sanctuary (vv. 2-3)

1. What is its size? (v. 2; see item S on chart)
2. What is the size of its surrounding open land? (v. 2b)
3. What might it be used for?

b. Land for the priests (v. 4)

1. What is its size? (v. 4a; see item Z on chart)
2. Although it is their land, why is it considered a part of the Lord’s portion? (v. 1; 44:28)

c. Land for the Levites (v. 5)

1. What is its size? (v. 5a; see item L on chart)
2. Since the Levites have to bear their shame in the Millennium temple (44:10), why would they still inherit part of the Lord’s portion as theirs?

(7) The city’s portion (v. 6)

a. What is its size?

b. Where is it located? (see item C on chart)

c. Since each tribe will also have its allotment (see chapter 48), and this land belongs to all Israel, what might it be used for given its proximity to the temple?

(8) The prince’s portion (vv. 7-8)

a. Where will it be located? (v. 7; see item P on chart)

b. Historically kings in Israel did not have their own allotted land. They seized land and built their palaces wherever they chose to:

1. What does this allotment do to the prince? (v. 8a)
2. What wickedness is thus being prevented from happening? (v. 8b)

(9) A rebuke of the princes in the past (vv. 9-12)

a. What sins does the Lord call upon the princes of Israel (in the past) to give up? (v. 9)

b. Why does the Lord see the need to specify the standards of accurate scales? (vv. 10-12). Note that “ephah” is used to measure dry goods like grain; an ephah = 22 liters = 5.8 US gallons; “bath” is a liquid measurement = 22 liters also; “gerah” is the smallest unit of weight = 0.57 grams etc.)

c. What might be Ezekiel's message to the immediate audience?

d. What is the message for us today?

(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Ezekiel 45:13–25

The allotment of land is interrupted by the rebuke of the princes of Israel (45:9-12) and this interruption continues with instructions to the (Millennial) prince regarding the observance of religious festivals:

45:13-17—The Heave Offerings of the People—The Mosaic Law makes no mention of any obligatory offerings by the people except those related to the first born, the first fruits and their tithes. So these instructions appear to be new:

(1) The levy (or tax) in this respect comprises of three parts:

a. Grain (wheat and barley): What is the applicable ratio? (v. 13)

b. Olive oil: What is the applicable ratio? (v. 14)

c. Sheep: What is the applicable rate of levy? (v. 15a)

(2) What are they to be used for? (v. 15b)

(3) Why is what used to be a voluntary free-will gift now turned into a regular and established duty?

(4) What is the duty of the prince concerning these offerings by the people? (vv. 16-17)

(5) What is the common purpose of these offerings? (v. 17b)

45:18-25—National Festivals

(6) Sin offerings (vv. 18-20):

a. Which two dates are specified for the sin offerings? (vv. 18, 20)

b. What are the respective purposes of these offerings? (vv. 18b, 20b)

c. In the purification of the sanctuary on the 1^st day of the New Year (v. 18)

1. What is to be used as sacrifice?
2. Where should the blood be put on? (v. 19)

d. In the atonement for the temple on the 7^th day of the New Year (v. 20)

1. What is to be done for this purpose and why?
2. Both New Year’s rituals are absent from the Mosaic Law:

1. How special, as a result, are they?

2. What new purposes might they serve in the Millennium?

(7) Celebration of two annual feasts (vv. 21-25)

a. The Passover (vv. 21-24)

1. When is it to be celebrated? (v. 21; see Num. 28:16)
2. What is to be sacrificed as a sin offering on that day and by whom? (v. 22; see Exod. 12:3)
3. How long will it last? (v. 21; see Num. 28:17)
4. What are to be provided during the seven days for:

1. The burnt offering? (v. 23a)

2. The sin offering? (v. 23b)

3. The grain offering? (v. 24)

5. How do the above requirements differ from the Mosaic Law? (see Num. 28:19-22)
6. What might these differences signify?

b. The Feast of Tabernacles (v. 25)

1. What provisions and offerings are to be made by the prince?
2. The date coincides with the traditional Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:39-44; Deut. 16:13, 16):

1. Why doesn’t the Lord call it by the same name?

2. What might the differences in the requirements signify?

(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?