The *temple had 6 gates: * The outer north and south gates led into the outer area. Everyone who *worshipped at the *temple used those gates. * The inner north and south gates led into the inner area, which was only for the priests. * The outer east gate was always closed, but the prince coul... [ Continue Reading ]
EZEKIEL’S LAST *VISION EZEKIEL CHAPTER S 40 TO 48 _COMMENTARY: KEITH SIMONS; TRANSLATION: IAN MACKERVOY._ CHAPTER 46 THE RULES FOR GIFTS AND *SACRIFICES – EZEKIEL 46:1-15 V1 ‘This is what the *LORD your King says. You will keep the east gate to the inner area closed for 6 days each week. But... [ Continue Reading ]
The inner east gate had a royal function. It was the place where the prince handed his *sacrifices to the priests. He was offering these *sacrifices for himself. But he also offered them on behalf of all the *Israelites. There were careful instructions about what the prince should do. He was not a... [ Continue Reading ]
These were *holy days. There was one day in each week. And there was another day in each month. On these days, the inner east gate remained open. This was the gate in front of the *temple building. The *altar stood between the gate and the *temple. The people would not go through the gate. They woul... [ Continue Reading ]
The prince offered 7 animals. Perhaps this is one animal for each day in the week. But the number ‘7’ is often a word picture for something that is perfect or complete. Like all *sacrifices, the priests had to examine the animals first. We give the best things that we own to God. A weak or ill anim... [ Continue Reading ]
There must be a grain *sacrifice with the *sacrifice by fire. People gave a *sacrifice by fire to show that they gave themselves completely to God. They gave a grain *sacrifice to show that they gave their work and their possessions to God. A person who gives himself to God cannot keep anything for... [ Continue Reading ]
At the start of the month, the prince gave the usual *Sabbath *sacrifices. But he also gave a *bull. He made these *sacrifices. And he asked God to show kindness to *Israel during the month. It was as if the prince was offering the month to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
This rule is similar to the one in 44:3. We have explained both these rules there.... [ Continue Reading ]
The outer north and south gates were the only gates that people could use to enter the *temple area. Everyone had to enter and to leave by these gates. And everyone had to pass through the entire width of the *temple. So their *worship could not be brief. They had to spend time in the *temple: *... [ Continue Reading ]
The prince had the special right to use the outer east gate. But he could not enter or leave by that gate. There was no special entrance for him to use. When he entered the *temple, he entered through the same gates as everyone else. And he left by the same gates too. Everyone must be humble in fron... [ Continue Reading ]
These *sacrifices were for the other sacred holidays. On those days, the prince had to give the same *sacrifices as he gave at the start of each month.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sometimes, the prince gave a special gift to God. The prince did not have to give this gift. He gave it because of his love for God. The prince could choose the *sacrifice that he wanted to give. He could give a *sacrifice by fire. That would show that the prince gave himself completely to God. Or h... [ Continue Reading ]
There had to be a *sacrifice every day. *Worship of God was not just for the *Sabbaths. And it was not just for the sacred holidays. It had to continue every day. This was a *sacrifice by fire. That *sacrifice usually showed that a person gave himself completely to God. People should not neglect th... [ Continue Reading ]
God intended that every family in *Israel should have its own land. Of course, a family might become poor. It might be necessary to sell the land. But that family would not lose its land permanently. Every 50th year would be a ‘year of freedom’. And then the family would receive its property back (L... [ Continue Reading ]
Some of the meat from the *sacrifices was for the priests. It was their food. This meat was *holy. So there were special *holy rooms where they had to eat it (42:13). And near these rooms, there were kitchens where they could cook the meat. The priests had to keep this meat separate from the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
There were 4 more kitchens. These kitchens were in the public outer area of the *temple. The people could eat some of the *sacrifices for peace that they offered. These *sacrifices showed friendship with God. So this was a meal that the people shared with God. God is our master, but he is also our f... [ Continue Reading ]