Everything in Its Place
Ezekiel 46:19–24
19 Then the man brought me through the entrance at the side of the gate to the sacred rooms facing north, which belonged to the priests, and showed me a place at the western end.
20 He said to me, “This is the place where the priests are to cook the guilt offering and the sin offering[a] and bake the grain offering, to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating the people.”
21 He then brought me to the outer court and led me around to its four corners, and I saw in each corner another court.
22 In the four corners of the outer court were enclosed[b] courts, forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide;[c] each of the courts in the four corners was the same size.
23 Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around under the ledge.
24 He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple are to cook the sacrifices of the people.”
Ezekiel 46:20 Or purification offering
Ezekiel 46:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
Ezekiel 46:22 That is, about 70 feet long and 53 feet wide or about 21 meters long and 16 meters wide
Everything in Its Place
Ezekiel 46:19-24
God has given specific rules and although the reasons are not always obvious why things have to be done in the specific ways. In this passage the man brings Ezekiel into the temple.
Ezekiel 46:19 ESV
[19] Then he brought me through the entrance, which was at the side of the gate, to the north row of the holy chambers for the priests, and behold, a place was there at the extreme western end of them.
Later the man explains to Ezekiel how this room is used and why.
Ezekiel 46:20 ESV
[20] And he said to me, “This is the place where the priests shall boil the guilt offering and the sin offering, and where they shall bake the grain offering, in order not to bring them out into the outer court and so transmit holiness to the people.”
It seems benign to go over such details, but God is interested in the small details and the small parts. It is not just the big issues which h concern God. God is interested in all things.
There is a proper place for the priest. a proper place for people. a proper place for cooking food. a proper place for money., Everything can be exploited and used in the wrong way when things are taken out of their proper place. Much the same, in God's kingdom, there is a proper place and way to do things.
Christians should take our responsibilities seriously. Through work, we should expand God's Kingdom. Yes, our work can be an idol, yet, on the proper path of God, work can be used for good. We work and do our best to please God.
Much the same as parents, we are responsible for our children. This takes effort and our resources. Simply dedicating children to God is not enough if it becomes an excuse to neglect them. We need to be with our children and instruct them. We are called to comfort, guide and instruct them and not say they are now God's responsibility and walk away.
Attending church, joining small groups, fasting, praying, and giving offerings are all good. But they should not be confined to just in church settings. Our devotion must extend into everyday life.
Ezekiel was shown the temple and told where the proper places for the priests and people. Where things should be done and what has been dedicated as holy. God will do the same in our lives if we let Him.
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