Ezekiel

Ezekiel 44: God orders service near Him

Begin in prayer

Before hearing who may minister near God, let us ask Him for reverence and faithful hearts. Pray that the Lord would settle our hearts, draw near to our family and show us Christ in Ezekiel 44.

For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies.

Malachi 2:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand Your holy service and see Jesus, the faithful Priest whose offering saves guilty people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God keeps the east gate shut because He entered it, while the prince may eat before Him in its porch. Israel must stop profaning His sanctuary through foreigners uncircumcised in heart and flesh. Levites who served idols bear shame and lose priestly access, though they remain servants of the house. Zadok's sons kept the sanctuary's charge and may come near to God's table. Clothing, grooming, wine, marriage, teaching, judgment, holy days and contact with the dead are governed by His commands. God is the priests' inheritance, offerings provide their food, and they must not eat animals that died of themselves or were torn.

As you read Ezekiel 44, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God guards His holy sanctuary, judges unfaithful service and appoints faithful priests to minister near Him.

The shut east gate honors God's entry, while the prince's permitted meal remains before the Lord whose presence has marked it. Uncircumcised hearts as well as flesh name the disloyalty of those Israel brought into His sanctuary. The Levites' idol service made them a stumbling block, so losing priestly access answers the harm they caused. Zadok's sons kept the sanctuary's charge during that rebellion, and their nearness carries responsibility for its holy service. Linen without wool must prevent sweating, and changing garments before approaching the people preserves the distinction of clothing called holy. God names the purpose, that the priests do not sanctify the people by those garments. They must trim their hair, with neither shaved heads nor uncut locks, and drink no wine when entering the inner court. Teaching holy distinctions and judging disputes by His ordinances bring that responsibility into the people's understanding and conduct. God Himself is their inheritance, so their support comes through His appointed offerings while they serve near Him.

How does Ezekiel 44 show us that God guards His holy sanctuary, judges unfaithful service and appoints faithful priests to minister near Him?

God guards the holiness of His sanctuary.

The east gate stays shut because the LORD entered it (verses 1 to 9). Israel had profaned His house through forbidden entrants. God forbids foreigners uncircumcised in heart and flesh from entering His sanctuary.

God distinguishes faithful from unfaithful service.

Levites who served idols bear shame and lose priestly access to holy things (verses 10 to 16). They remain servants in the house. Zadok's sons kept its charge and may come near to minister to God.

God governs His priests' lives and provision.

Priests marry an Israelite virgin or a priest's widow, excluding divorced women (verse 22). Corpse contact is allowed for a parent, child, brother or sister who has never married (verse 25). After cleansing, they wait seven days (verse 26). They offer a sin offering when returning to inner court service (verse 27). God is their inheritance, and offerings supply their food (verses 28 to 30).

Memorize

They shall have an inheritance: I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.

Ezekiel 44:28

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I serve God to please myself? Do I need Jesus, the faithful Priest?

The priests hear God say, “I am their inheritance”. Their service takes place near Him, under His commands and through His provision. Unfaithful Levites bear shame for leading Israel into sin. Those appointed to minister must teach the people to distinguish holy from common.

Jesus is the holy and faithful Priest who offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 7 verses 26 and 27). He died for His people, carrying their sins and bearing the judgment their rebellion deserved. His offering completed their redemption and is enough to reconcile them to God. He rose from the dead and lives to bring those He saves near to His Father.

Please repent and believe in the Lord Jesus. All who come to Him receive forgiveness, whatever shame their unfaithfulness has brought. Ask Him to give you a heart that honors His commands. The risen Priest supplies the salvation on which every repentant sinner may rely.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus is the faithful Priest who died and rose to save sinners. 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 holy rule and the faithful Priest He has given, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.

Hebrews 8:1

Lord, thank You for Your holy rule and for Jesus, the faithful Priest who gave Himself for His people. Forgive our unfaithfulness, and help each one turn from sin and trust Him. Please teach us to honor Your commands and carry our responsibilities with reverence for the God we serve. Amen.