Ezekiel

Ezekiel 45: God provides land and requires justice

Begin in prayer

Before reading the land portions and offerings, let us thank God for provision governed by His justice. Ask God to quiet our thoughts, meet with this household and open our eyes to Christ in Ezekiel 45.

Please restore to them, even today, their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you are charging them.”

Nehemiah 5:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand Your just provision and see Jesus, whose sacrifice brings guilty people peace with You. 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 appoints a holy portion of land for the sanctuary, with provision for priests, Levites, the city and the prince. Princes must stop oppression, violence and plunder, and the people must use just balances and measures. Measured gifts of grain, oil and lambs support the offerings. The prince must provide sacrifices at the appointed feasts, new moons and Sabbaths. Blood from a sin offering cleanses the sanctuary, including provision for those who err. At Passover he prepares a sin offering for himself and the people, with further sacrifices at the appointed feasts.

As you read Ezekiel 45, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God appoints land and offerings for His people, requiring their rulers to practice justice and provide for worship.

The land division begins with a holy portion for the sanctuary and those serving there, placing worship within the people's common life. Priests and Levites have provision, the city belongs to all Israel, and the prince receives land beside these portions. His possession accompanies God's declaration that princes must no longer oppress His people or seize their land. Just balances and matching measures carry that justice into trade, protecting people from dishonest dealing. An ephah measures grain, while a bath measures liquids, so both kinds of exchange must be honest. The prince must supply sacrifices at the appointed times, using his position to provide for worship while honoring the command against oppression. Cleansing the sanctuary involves blood from a sin offering, including provision for those who err. At Passover the prince prepares a sin offering for himself and the people, showing his own place among those needing atonement. The appointed feasts join ordered provision, justice and the people's approach to God through sacrifice.

How does Ezekiel 45 show us that God appoints land and offerings for His people, requiring their rulers to practice justice and provide for worship?

God appoints provision without permitting oppression.

Holy land, priestly provision, the city and the prince's portion are assigned (verses 1 to 9). Princes must stop violence and plunder. Their land accompanies the command to act justly toward God's people.

God requires honest measures and shared provision.

God commands just balances and agreed measures (verses 10 to 17). Grain, oil and lambs provide the people's offerings. The prince must supply sacrifices at the feasts, new moons and Sabbaths.

God provides cleansing and appointed worship.

Blood from a sin offering cleanses the sanctuary (verses 18 to 25). Provision includes those who err and the simple. The prince offers for himself and the people, and the feasts require sacrifices without defect.

Memorize

and my princes shall no more oppress my people; but they shall give the land to the house of Israel according to their tribes.

Ezekiel 45:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I gain at others' expense? Have I asked Jesus to forgive and change me?

God declares, “my princes shall no more oppress my people”. The land He assigns comes with justice He requires. Honest measures protect ordinary dealings, while shared gifts supply the appointed worship. Even the prince brings a sin offering for himself and the people.

Jesus gave Himself to redeem His people from their sins. He died in their place, bearing their guilt and suffering God's wrath against their wrongs. His sacrifice paid their debt in full, completing the salvation that brings them peace with God. He rose from the grave, and His saving work is enough for all who trust Him.

Turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus. He forgives every sinner who comes to Him, including those guilty of oppression and dishonest gain. Please confess the wrong you have done to others. Those who come to Christ find mercy through His finished sacrifice, and His grace teaches His people to practice justice.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus died and rose to save sinners, including those guilty of dishonest gain. 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 just provision and the redemption Jesus completed, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:13

Father, thank You for providing what Your people need and requiring justice from those who rule. Forgive our dishonest gain and harm toward others, and help each one repent and trust Jesus. Please change our hearts to receive His mercy and act honestly with the things You have entrusted to us. Amen.