Ezekiel
45 reminds me of how over time, we turn holy days into holidays.
Most people know when they have a three-day weekend coming up.
Usually the origin of the day is less important than knowing “We
have Monday off”. Many of these once solemn days are used to
travel, or barbeque, or drink eggnog. Very seldom do we even look
into the reason behind the celebration. In today’s chapter,
Ezekiel is given the layout of the land around the Temple that he had
been shown in a vision. Two things are clear; everything
belongs to God, and the
sacred things are set apart.
The chapter begins, “When you
allot the
land as an inheritance… present to the Lord a portion of the land“.
This is the key to understanding our relationship with God;
everything we have is a gift from God and anything we give to Him is
a reminder of that. We do not tip God; we give Him the first and
best to remind ourselves the source of our possessions. He describes
the size of the Temple area, and notes “The
entire area will be holy… the sanctuary… the sacred district…
the Most Holy Place… It will be the sacred portion of the land for
the priests“. At the center
of the land is a place that is unique and set apart exclusively to
honor God. Is there a part of your life set apart as holy?
The
squared off border of the Temple grounds are next given to “the
Levites, who serve in the temple, as their possession for towns to
live in“. Then there is a
public area “adjoining the
sacred portion; it
will belong to all Israel“.
These public parks are places to be close to God, not places where
religious symbols are hidden. Next He says, “The
prince will have the land bordering each side of the area formed by
the sacred district“. Who is
the Prince mentioned throughout this book? He is not identified, but
I believe he is a man that honors God with his whole heart.
The rest of the chapter provides insights
into the role of the prince and the substance behind the symbols.
“And My princes will no longer
oppress My people but will allow the people of Israel to possess the
land according to their tribes“.
Of the leaders that came before He says, “You
have gone far enough… Give up your violence and oppression and do
what is just and right. Stop dispossessing My people…
use accurate scales“.
The chapter gives accurate weights and measures because these are
used in the sacrifice of giving. The offerings and sacrifices are to
be the first fruits, the most valuable and important things. The
offerings for atonement, and forgiveness and fellowship are detailed
in previous chapters, but here we read, “All
the people of the land will be required to give this special offering
to the prince in Israel… the
duty of the prince to provide the
burnt offerings, grain offerings and drink offerings at the
festivals“. This pot-luck is
not dogs and burgers, but reminders of the blood that covers sin.
The holy days are given along with the required offerings. Passover
is remembered with reverent joy. 2 Corinthians chapter 9 tells
followers of Christ, “Each of
you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver“.
The same chapter continues, “Others
will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of
the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity“.
We can make every holiday a holy-day when we first remember “Thanks
be to God for His indescribable gift!”
Thankfulness is a great way to celebrate every day!