Ezekiel

Ezekiel 42: God distinguishes holy from common

Begin in prayer

Before hearing why the rooms and garments are holy, let us ask God for reverent hearts. Ask the Lord to subdue our distractions, be present with our family and reveal Christ to us as we read Ezekiel 42.

In that day there will be on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO YAHWEH”; and the pots in Yahweh’s house will be like the bowls before the altar.

Zechariah 14:20

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand Your holiness and see Jesus, whose offering cleanses those who come to Him in faith. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The guide brings Ezekiel to rooms near the outer and inner courts, showing their galleries, passages and corresponding arrangements. He explains that north and south rooms are holy places where priests eat and store the most holy offerings. Priests must leave their holy service garments there and change before approaching the people. The guide then leads Ezekiel out through the east gate and measures the surrounding area. Each side measures five hundred reeds, and the surrounding wall separates what is holy from what is common.

As you read Ezekiel 42, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God marks the holiness of His sanctuary through appointed rooms, garments and a separating wall.

The guide explains the purpose of rooms that might otherwise seem to be another collection of measurements. Priests who draw near to the LORD eat the most holy things there, and the offerings are kept in that holy place. Meal, sin and trespass offerings therefore have a place appointed for their sacred use. The rooms also hold the priests' service garments when they go out to the people. Changing clothing keeps garments called holy within the place of ministry, marking the distinction in daily movement. The outer measurement then gives the reason for the surrounding wall, separating holy from common. The building's holiness governs its rooms, food and clothing as well as its outer boundary. The tour teaches the captives that service near God has distinctions He requires them to honor.

How does Ezekiel 42 show us that God marks the holiness of His sanctuary through appointed rooms, garments and a separating wall?

God provides rooms for holy service.

The guide shows rooms with galleries, passages and appointed dimensions (verses 1 to 12). North and south rooms share a corresponding arrangement. Their purpose becomes plain when he explains the priests' service.

God marks the holiness of offerings and garments.

Priests eat and store the most holy offerings in the holy rooms (verses 13 and 14). They leave their service garments there before approaching the people. Those garments are holy, so they put on other clothing.

God separates holy things from common things.

The guide measures the four sides of the outer area (verses 15 to 20). A wall surrounds it. Its stated purpose is to separate the holy from the common.

Memorize

to make a separation between that which was holy and that which was common.

Ezekiel 42:20

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I treat holy things as common? Have I asked Jesus to cleanse me?

The guide explains the offerings' appointed place with these words, “for the place is holy”. Priests must also leave their holy garments before going to the people. The outer wall gives the same lesson through its separation of holy from common. Nearness to God calls for reverence toward what He has set apart.

Jesus sanctifies His people through the offering of His body once for all (Hebrews 10 verse 10). He took their sins upon Himself and died in their place under the judgment their guilt deserved. His one offering accomplished their cleansing and is enough to bring them into God's favor. He rose from the dead and lives as their holy Savior.

Please turn from your sin and believe in Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is promised to everyone who comes to Him. Ask Him to cleanse your guilt and teach you reverence for His Word. Those who trust Him belong to the people He has set apart to declare God's saving goodness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus died and rose to cleanse sinners and set His people apart for God. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His holiness and the cleansing Jesus has accomplished, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

1 Thessalonians 4:7

Lord, thank You for holiness that governs worship and for the cleansing Jesus accomplished through His death. Forgive our disregard for Your commands, and help each one turn from sin and trust Him. Please give us reverent hearts that honor what You have set apart and welcome Your Word. Amen.