Sanctified Offerings: A Call to Holiness
"Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people." - Ezekiel 46:20
In the midst of the visions presented to Ezekiel, God reveals the sacred space and procedures of worship, a theme richly woven into the fabric of the book. The verse Ezekiel 46:20 states, "Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people." At first glance, this may appear as a mere instruction on ritualistic practices; however, within this verse lies a deeper message concerning the nature of offerings, the sanctity of worship, and the essential calling of believers — to be set apart for God's purposes.
To understand Ezekiel 46:20 fully, we must first appreciate the significance of the priesthood and the offerings presented to God in the Old Testament. The priests were mediators between God and His people, performing sacrificial rituals designed to atone for sins and maintain communal holiness. Each type of offering mentioned — the trespass offering, sin offering, and meat offering — serves a specific purpose within this framework of relationship with God:
1. **The Trespass Offering**: This offering was made to atone for unintentional wrongs against God or others, symbolizing the call to righteousness and the forgiveness that comes through acknowledgment of sin. In our lives, how often do we walk through life unaware of the ways we may trespass against God's commands or the needs of those around us? Like the priests, we are also called to recognize and bring forth our shortcomings before God, acknowledging our need for His atonement and mercy.
2. **The Sin Offering**: This was specifically for dealing with known sin — a reminder of the seriousness of sin and our responsibility to confess and repent. In a world where sin can be normalized, we must remain vigilant, constantly examining our hearts and behaviors through the lens of Scripture. The call to not carry our sin out into the outer court underscores the importance of dealing with our sins internally first before professing holiness externally. It reminds us that genuine transformation must happen within us before we can impact those around us positively.
3. **The Meat Offering**: This offering was a symbol of dedication and thankfulness to God for His provision. It represents our response to God’s blessings, encouraging us to give back a portion of what has been graciously provided. How often do we live in a state of gratitude? This offering illustrates the principle of thankfulness in our daily lives, pointing toward the abundance of God's provisions. Living generously and gratefully complies with His instruction to share freely, avoiding a self-centered approach to life.
The instruction to not take offerings into the outer court signifies an important aspect of sanctification. It shows that when we bring our offerings to God, whether they be of repentance (for trespasses and sin) or of thanksgiving (for blessings), we are engaging in an act of sanctification. This act is not merely for our benefit but also for the collective holiness of the people. A sanctified people reflect the character of Christ, embodying grace, truth, and love in a world that desperately needs these attributes.
Every act of worship, every offering presented to God, brings a dual purpose — to sanctify ourselves and to influence the community around us positively. As modern-day believers, we may not offer physical sacrifices as the Israelites did, but we are still called to offer our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). In doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to holiness not just for ourselves but on behalf of those around us, creating a ripple effect of impact.
As we ponder Ezekiel 46:20, let's ask ourselves:
- Are there areas in our lives where we need to bring our trespass or sin offerings to God in repentance?
- How can we cultivate a heart of gratitude and service as we offer our meat offerings to God?
- What does living a sanctified life look like in our day-to-day interactions, so that we might reflect Christ and sanctify our communities?
In conclusion, the offerings prescribed in Ezekiel serve as a powerful reminder of how our lives can and should express our devotion to God. Let us engage in the profound act of worship that sanctifies us and, through us, sanctifies the world.
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Ezekiel 46:20 Artwork
Ezekiel 46:20 - "Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people."
"Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people." - Ezekiel 46:20
Ezekiel 20:46 - "Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;"
"Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;" - Ezekiel 20:46
Jeremiah 46:20 - "Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north."
Ezekiel 46:24 - "Then said he unto me, These are the places of them that boil, where the ministers of the house shall boil the sacrifice of the people."
Ezekiel 23:46 - "For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled."
Ezekiel 46:15 - "Thus shall they prepare the lamb, and the meat offering, and the oil, every morning for a continual burnt offering."
Ezekiel 46:3 - "Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the sabbaths and in the new moons."
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Ezekiel 46:22 - "In the four corners of the court there were courts joined of forty cubits long and thirty broad: these four corners were of one measure."
Ezekiel 46:23 - "And there was a row of building round about in them, round about them four, and it was made with boiling places under the rows round about."
Ezekiel 46:10 - "And the prince in the midst of them, when they go in, shall go in; and when they go forth, shall go forth."
Ezekiel 46:6 - "And in the day of the new moon it shall be a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish."
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Ezekiel 46:13 - "Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning."
Ezekiel 46:5 - "And the meat offering shall be an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah."
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Luke 20:46 - "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;"
Ezekiel 46:16 - "¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance."
Ezekiel 46:7 - "And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah."
Ezekiel 46:11 - "And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah."
Ezekiel 46:8 - "And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of that gate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof."
Genesis 46:20 - "¶ And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him."
Ezekiel 46:21 - "Then he brought me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and, behold, in every corner of the court there was a court."
Ezekiel 46:4 - "And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish."
Ezekiel 20:41
Ezekiel 20:41