“But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer Me the fat and the blood,” declares the Lord God. “They shall enter My sanctuary; they shall come near to My table to minister to Me and keep My charge." (vv.15-16)
Back in chapter 43 Ezekiel witnessed the glory of the Lord filling the new temple and he fell facedown in worship. Now with the new temple comes new instructions for the Levites and the priests concerning a new order of service which will emphasize the necessity of pure hearts when coming into God’s presence. The sons of Zadok will kept charge of the sanctuary, for their hearts stayed near the LORD when others went astray (v.15).
This would fulfill an ancient promise that, “The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (Deut. 30:6). Thus all who have trusted Christ for salvation are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may be declared the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Each of us has a responsibility to cultivate righteousness and purity in every dimension of our lives. And like the sons of Zadok, may the LORD guide and direct our steps that when in the midst of temptation we may remain faithful with our lives as a witness to His lordship of our hearts.
The Truth: "Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." (Hebrews 3:6)
Back in chapter 43 Ezekiel witnessed the glory of the Lord filling the new temple and he fell facedown in worship. Now with the new temple comes new instructions for the Levites and the priests concerning a new order of service which will emphasize the necessity of pure hearts when coming into God’s presence. The sons of Zadok will kept charge of the sanctuary, for their hearts stayed near the LORD when others went astray (v.15).
This would fulfill an ancient promise that, “The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (Deut. 30:6). Thus all who have trusted Christ for salvation are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may be declared the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Each of us has a responsibility to cultivate righteousness and purity in every dimension of our lives. And like the sons of Zadok, may the LORD guide and direct our steps that when in the midst of temptation we may remain faithful with our lives as a witness to His lordship of our hearts.
The Truth: "Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." (Hebrews 3:6)
