Ezekiel_40

Scripture

Ezekiel 40:46b

These are the sons of Zadok, who are the only Levites who may draw near to the Lord to minister before him.”

Observation - What does it say?

Ezekiel is given this elaborate vision of a new temple and new city. He has this heavenly tour guide who guides him through the new temple complex. As he measures everything, he finds it’s much larger and more majestic even than Solomon’s temple. It is all part of this redemptive picture of hope; a picture of God’s presence finally returning to his temple, to dwell with his people.

There are new priests serving in this temple, and consistent with the previous temples in Israel’s history, it is only a select few who have God’s permission to draw near to God and minister to him there.

Understanding - What does it mean?

Under the New Covenant, the priesthood isn’t a select few ‘super-spiritual’ Christians, but every single believer.

1 Peter 2:5 NLT And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.

Because we are all priests, we can all take advantage of Hebrews 4:16- Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Life Application

Take advantage of what Jesus has done for us! People under the Old Covenant could only come so close to God’s manifest presence, no matter how much they longed to come closer. But we have unlimited access to the throne! We can come boldly to God, confident that we will experience His great mercy and abundant grace to meet all our needs.

- Levi Thompson