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Book of Ezekiel
Chapter 45

Chapter 45 further demonstrates the vision to prophet: (1).The division of the holy land, so much for the Temple, and the priests that attended the service of it (45:1-4), so much for the Levites (45:5), so much for the city (45:6), so much for the prince, and the residue to the people (45:7-8). (2). Ordinances of justice that were given both to prince and people (45:9-12). (3). The sacrifices they were to offer, and the prince's part in those oblations (45:13-17). Particularly in the beginning of the year (45:18-20) and in the Passover, and the feast of tabernacles (45:21-25). All this seems to point at the new Israeli church-state that would be set up under the Gospel, which, both for extent and for purity, and would far exceed that of the Old Testament.

Directions are here given for the dividing of the land after the Jews return to it; with GOD allowing them to do it. It would be an act of faith, and not folly, thus to divide it before they had it. It would be welcome news to the captives to hear that they would not only return to their own land, but that even though they were now but few in number, they would increase and multiply, so as to replenish it. Dear one, this has never been fulfilled in Israel after the return from captivity, but shall be fulfilled in the latter days. This division of the land shall be quite different from that in Joshua's time, and much enlarged by the agreement of the Gentiles; and it shall be perfected in the Millennial Kingdom of CHRIST.

Chapter 45 tells us that the Feast of the Passover will be kept.

Setting aside a holy allotment of land (45:1-4)

Ezekiel 45:1 Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about. (KJV)

Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land, for inheritance . . . when ye shall divide by lot (48:29) where there is the division of the land, assigned to each tribe. When they repossess their land, every family shall settle according to the allotment which they formerly had. The portion described here was merely for the service of the Temple, the use of the priests, and the civil prince or governor of the people. A division of the whole land is not intended.
Ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD, an holy portion of the land . . .  which would be lifted up as the heave offering was, and dedicated to the LORD: this means such persons who are separated from the world (2 Cor.6:17; Rev.18:4), and sanctified by the SPIRIT of GOD, who shall be brought by the ministers of the Word to the LORD. These shall present themselves, body and soul, a holy, living, acceptable sacrifice to Him (Isa.66:20; Rom.12:1-2).
The length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand . . . what kind of measure is not stated here, so it is a question whether reeds or cubits are meant; some think cubits because mention is made of them in verse 2, and it is added,
And of this measure shall thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand . . . which, if it is cubits, will greatly reduce the length and breadth of this holy portion of the land; wherefore it is best to take the larger measure, since that seems better to answer the design of the HOLY GHOST in this Passage; and since this measure is more proper to measure land, and is that which the Measurer is said to have in His Hand (40:5), and too, the measure of the Sanctuary, is said to be five hundred square (45:2) was measured with the measuring reed, and not the cubit (42:16), and which therefore must be supplied here . . . a measuring reed being six cubits, by a cubit and a hand's breath (40:5), makes this portion of land to be more than six times larger than if it was to be measured by the cubit.
This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about . . . meaning that this portion of land measured out, is set apart from the rest. Holiness of heart and life shall be in all the subjects of CHRIST'S Kingdom, and members of His TRUE people, which becomes His House forever.

Ezekiel 45:2 Of this there shall be for the sanctuary five hundred in length, with five hundred in breadth, square round about; and fifty cubits round about for the suburbs thereof. (KJV)

Of this there shall be for the sanctuary . . . or Temple, the House before described in the preceding chapters.
Five hundred in length, and five hundred in breadth, square round about . . . meaning five hundred reeds square (42:16), meaning its largeness, perfection and stability of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, which the Temple is a type of.
And fifty cubits round about for the suburbs thereof; . . . this was a void space of fifty cubits around the Sanctuary, measuring from the wall. This was done in reverence to the Holy Place, and to show that no one should rush hurriedly into the House of GOD. Cubits being mentioned here, show that reeds are to be understood where the cubits is not stated.

Ezekiel 45:3 And of this measure shalt thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand: and in it shall be the sanctuary and the most holy place. (KJV)

And of this measure shalt thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand . . . the length of five and twenty thousand, here the same is repeated (45:1), and further is shown how this holy portion of ground was to be used by the priests.Measure, is to start from the center of the Temple; so that the size given must be doubled (45:5; 48:10). Five and twenty thousand = about sixty or seventy miles, according to the length of the cubit.
And in it shall be the sanctuary, and the most holy place . . . most holy place is the Holy of Holies, in the middle portion of land, to be made up of the above measures.

Ezekiel 45:4 The holy portion of the land shall be for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, which shall come near to minister unto the LORD: and it shall be a place for their houses, and an holy place for the sanctuary. (KJV)

The holy portion of the land shall be for the priests, the ministers of the sanctuary . . . meaning the rest of it, which is not for the sanctuary, shall be for the use of the priests that minister in holy things in the Sanctuary; either the ministers of the Gospel (Rev.7), who shall have a sufficient maintenance from the Jews, as the priests had under the law: or it may mean all the saints, who are priests unto GOD (1 Pet.2:5, 9), and serve and worship Him in His Temple.  All shall be satisfied with the goodness and fatness of His House, the Word and ordinances and the blessings of grace conveyed by them.
Which shall come near to minister unto the LORD . . . the sons of Zadok, are the faithful ones, in the worst of times (44:15),
And it shall be a place for their houses . . . in this large spot shall be many houses where GOD’S priests and people dwell, and will be serving and praising Him.  
And an holy place for the sanctuary . . . and an holy place, how much GOD reserved to Himself for His dwelling is expressly mentioned. The Lord GOD makes Himself and what is His . . . the inheritance and possession of the priests His servants, as He told them, (44:28).

Setting aside land for the Levites (45:5)

Ezekiel 45:5 And the five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth, shall also the Levites, the ministers of the house, have for themselves, for a possession for twenty chambers. (KJV)

And the five and twenty thousand, of length, and ten thousand of breadth . . . this seems to be another portion of the land, different from the one above, although it is of the same measure (48:13). The other Levites would occupy another portion 25,000 by 10,000 cubits (83miles by 33miles) area beside the one just described (48:13). It would seem to be directly to the north. Under the Mosaic system the priests and Levites lived scattered throughout Israel, not all in very close proximity to the Temple, as it will be here.
Shall also the Levites, the ministers of the house, have for themselves . . . this parcel would be separate from that of the priests, to whom they ministered, and were possibly more numerous than the priests.
For a possession for twenty chambers . . . the Levites will have for a possession, twenty chambers where they are to live.  Literally, for a possession twenty chambers, possibly twenty out of the thirty chambers in the outer court (40:17), and assigned for their use during residence in the Temple.  

Land set aside for the city (45:6)

Ezekiel 45:6 And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy portion: it shall be for the whole house of Israel. (KJV)

And ye shall appoint the possession of the city . . . appoint, order and measure out, the possession, this land to be a possession to the citizens of Jerusalem, and to be the contents of the city, which is something different or separate from the Temple, which was as the frame of a city, being so large, and consisting of so many parts (40:2) and also seems different from the city in (48:30), for the sizes of the one and of the other do not agree. Some think that this city anticipates the schools that would be among converted Jews, in which the priests or ministers of the Word would teach those that came out of all parts unto them, while others think that the civil state of the GOD’S people is meant, since it will be in the Millennial reign of CHRIST; when all civil power and authority will not as yet be put down.  
Five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy portion . . . 5000 wide, and 25,000 long is about 2 ½  miles wide, and 12 ½ miles long, if it is measured by the cubit, as verse 3 directs. As the capital city, to which the tribe's resort, it must be large enough to entertain them.
It shall be for the whole house of Israel . . . they all shall be under one and the same form of government. For the whole house of Israel, as the chief and capital city, to which the tribes resort, it must be large enough to entertain them too; and shall be enclosed with twelve gates for the twelve tribes (48:31-34).  

*****This portion is to belong to the whole people, not to be subject to the violations made by the later kings of Judah (Jer.22:13). The Levites’ portion 10,000 reeds, the priests’ portion 10,000 reeds, and the city portion 5,000 reeds, making in all 25,000 reeds from north to south. The measure of each of these portions from east to west has been defined to be 25,000 reeds (45:1), and so there is a square of 25,000 in all.

The land for the Prince (45:7-8)

Ezekiel 45:7 And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length shall be over against one of the portions, from the west border unto the east border. (KJV)

And a portion shall be for the prince . . . not meaning the civil magistrate; although he should  be supported in his authority, and in such manner that he may be under no temptation to oppress his subjects; and who would be, and at this time will be, the protector of the LORD'S people, both in their civil and church state . . . but I think this means the Prince MESSIAH (44:3), to whom GOD will divide a portion with the great (Isa.53:12). Jacob shall be His portion, the heathen His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth His possession (Ps.2:8).  
On the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city . . . on each side, both of the holy portion, in which are the sanctuary, the houses of the priests, and the chambers of the Levites, and also of the city for the Temple of Israel; so that His portion will lie, or He be placed, on each side both of the church state and civil state of the LORD'S people, and so He shall be the protector of both.
Before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the city . . . or over against  (41:15) so, as the possession of the city was over against the holy portion, the portion of the prince was to be over against them both.
From the west side westward, and from the east side eastward . . . which explains on which sides of them it lay.
And the length shall be over against one of the portions . . . meaning over against every one of the portions of land.  
From the west border unto the east border . . . since there is no measure given to the portion of land to the Prince, but the whole space eastward and westward is left for it, it reveals the large extent of CHRIST'S Kingdom; and that His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the Earth. His Gospel shall be preached EVERYWHERE; and the SPIRIT shall be poured upon all flesh (Joel 2:28), making it successful. Multitudes everywhere shall be converted, and the kingdoms of the world will become CHRIST'S . . . all the Pagan, Catholic and Muslim nations. JESUS CHRIST shall be KING over the entire Earth, and His Holy Name shall be one that demands respect. There will be but ONE religion everywhere (Ps.72:7-11).

Ezekiel 45:8 In the land shall be his possession in Israel: and my princes shall no more oppress my people; and the rest of the land shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes. (KJV)

In the land shall be his possession in Israel . . . as for the land, it shall be His for a possession in Israel; the people of the land shall be a people for possession (1 Pet.2:9) or a peculiar people (Deut.14:2; 26:18; Tit.2:14) of His throughout all spiritual Israel; whether Jew or Gentile (Gal.3:26-29), shall be CHRIST'S possession and inheritance.
And my princes shall no more oppress my people . . . neither religious princes, as the Scribes and Pharisees (Mat.23), nor civil officials; nor the heretics with false doctrines, carnal rites and ceremonies; nor those others with heavy taxes and rigorous exactions as the Catholics.
And the rest of the land shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes . . . the remainder of the land shall be given to spiritual Israel, Jews and Gentiles, who shall now inherit the Earth, and possess all temporal good things, as well as spiritual ones.

The Princes charged with Righteousness (45:9-12)

Ezekiel 45:9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)

Thus saith the Lord GOD, Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel . . . let it suffice you, means be content, do not aim for more . . . for He who gave no more (gave His life), can make this enough, and He will curse and discharge what you indirectly, and by sinful, oppressive crafts, take from others. This is a lesson for greedy preachers in today’s world!
http://www.worldlychaos.org/w_c_cults_rich_preachers.1.htm
Remove violence and spoil . . . they are not to use violence, and exercise rapine (violent seizure of property), robbery . . . let these be far from you; do not seize the properties or possessions of your subjects, neither lay on them heavy taxes and burdens, or by difficult lawsuits, and unjust sentences take their things. This too clearly goes on in today’s world. BEWARE!
And execute judgment and justice . . . between men, allow everyone to enjoy his own property; and when any matter of controversy arises, hear the case carefully and fairly.  
Take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD . . . such as had been exacted of them in former times by tyrannical and unjust princes, such as driving them from their houses, estates, fields and vineyards . . . either by taking them away from them, and annexing them to their own, as Ahab did (1 Ki.21); or by levying such taxes upon them they could not pay, and so were forced to leave their inheritances and possessions. This and some following verses, contain rules for regulating the civil state of the people of GOD in the latter days; which did not take place upon the Jews' return from Babylon (Neh.5:15), but shall be strictly observed by Christian princes in the latter day glory (Isa.40:17).  

Ezekiel 45:10 Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath. (KJV)

Ye shall have just balances . . . they must take care that true weights and just measures be used in trade and commerce, so that one man may not impose upon and cheat another; which is the business of the civil magistrate to look after. The Bible has much to say about true weights and just measures (Lev.19:35; Deut.25:13-15; Pro.11:1; 16:11; 20:10, 23).
And a just ephah, and a just bath . . . they shall not make the ephah small, and the shekel great, nor falsify the balances by deceit (Am.8:5). The ephah was a measure for dry things, such as wheat and barley, and the bath was for liquid things, such as oil and wine oil (Lev. 19:35).

Ezekiel 45:11 The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer. (KJV)

The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure . . . the one held as much of dry things as the other did of liquid, which according some, were seven wine gallons, four pints and a little more.
that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer . . . this homer must be carefully set apart from another measure, called an omer, which was only  a tenth part of an ephah or a bath (Ex.16:36).  
The measure thereof shall be after the homer . . . as the homer was, so should the ephah and bath be, just a tenth part of it.

Ezekiel 45:12 And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh. (KJV)

And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs . . . this is a rule for money or coins; the shekel was a silver coin, and is generally counted about the value of two shillings and six pence, and a gerah was about three half pennies. Some count the shekel more exactly at two shillings and four pence farthing, and a little more, and the gerah at eleven grains of silver (Lev.27:25). Some calculate the Hebrew silver shekel to have been worth about fifty-five cents. It has been proven from many examples of Babylonian weights, of Ezekiel’s day and earlier, dug up in recent years, that there were several systems in use: the light maneh, weighing only about half as much as the heavy maneh, so there was great need of a corrected scale. Theshekel (Ex.30:13; Lev.27:25; Num.3:47).
Twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh . . .  these were several pieces of money; one was a twenty shekel piece, which according to the common account was fifty shillings, another was a five and twenty shekel piece, which was three pounds, two shillings, and sixpence; and a third was a fifteen shekel piece, which was one pound thirteen and sixpence; and together made a maneh or pound, which consisted of sixty shekels, or seven pounds, ten shillings; by which the other pieces should be tried, whether they were of just weight: the sense of the whole is, that no adulteration of coin should be made, which is very prejudicial in civil affairs. This is very confusing to me.

Offerings to be offered (45:13-17)

Ezekiel 45:13 This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley: (KJV)

This is the oblation that ye shall offer . . . not at the dedication of the Temple, to be built in time to come, as some think; nor for the daily sacrifices, as others think; but for the maintenance of the priests, the ministers of the Gospel (Rev.7); for here begin the rules for the correct ordering of religious affairs of those times.
The sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley . . . this confirms that an ephah was for dry measure of wheat and barley; and as it was the tenth part of an homer, a sixtieth part of an homer of wheat and barley was to be given for this service . . . so if a man had an homer of wheat or of barley, he was to give a sixtieth part of it for the use of the ministers of the LORD. The meaning is, that the people should give freely and liberally, according to their substance, for their support and maintenance.

*****I do not believe in tithing, for the simple reason that NO where in the Bible does JESUS tell the Gospel Church to tithe. It is NOT in there! Tithing was a law given exclusively for the nation Israel. It was a law given by God, to the eleven tribes of Israel. The tribe of Levi (Levites) were the ONLY ones ever given authority by GOD, to accept tithes from people. If you want to give 10%, that is your option, BUT there is NO law saying you have to do so. Giving is between you and GOD. The law of tithing was ONLY for Israel!
Did the poor widow tithe? (Mk.12:41-44) NO! She gave out of the abundance of her heart! I think that wealthy people use the tithe as a way out of paying what they should easily pay, for they are very well able to give much more than a tenth of their earnings, whereas others, on a limited income, have great difficulty giving a tenth. The decision lies between the person and GOD. Pray about it. Let GOD lead you in this decision, as well as every other decision you ever make. Faith has a big part in all your decisions in life. If you trust GOD in all things, He will see you through. www.hisservants.org/tithing_h_s.htm

Ezekiel 45:14 Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil, ye shall offer the tenth part of a bath out of the cor, which is an homer of ten baths; for ten baths are an homer: (KJV)

Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil . . . this shows that the bath measure was for liquids; and as oil was a part of food with the Jews, as well as used in their offerings, a rule is given for the distribution of that to the LORD'S ministers, that they may have everything convenient for them.
Ye shall offer the tenth part of a bath out of the cor . . . which was the same measure with the homer, only another name for it, as follows,
Which is an homer of ten baths, for ten baths are an homer . . . so that if a man had an homer or ten baths of oil, he was to give a hundredth part of it for the use of the priests and Levites, or ministers of the Word; a greater portion of wheat or barley is given than of oil, because there is a greater need in families of the one than of the other.

Ezekiel 45:15 And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)

And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred . . . as provision is before made for bread and oil, so here for meat for the servants of the LORD. If a man had 200 lambs in his flock, one of them was to be given to the priests. It may be understood that this clearly refers to times when the Mosaic dispensation would be repealed. So, NOT tithes of all things are to be given to the priests, only a sixtieth part of wheat and barley, a hundredth part of oil, and just one lamb out of 200; which means the moderate maintenance of Gospel ministers (Rev.7), with which they should be content, and the people should not grudgingly give; but willingly, for nothing excessive was being required of them. The lamb was to be taken,
Out of the fat pastures of Israel . . . out of fields which were well watered, and produced good pasture, which fattened the sheep and lambs that were fed in them; and means that the best of the kind is to be given to the LORD, and to His servants, for the support of His interest. They were NOT to give the lean and the lame, the halt and the blind (Mal.1:8, 14), just good ones.  
For a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings . . . that the lamb was not given for all these; but the wheat and the oil for the meat offering, and the lamb for the burnt offerings and peace offerings. The sense may be that the provision of wheat and barley, oil and lambs, or the adequate maintenance indicated by them, was in the room of the meat offering, burnt offerings, and peace offerings, which fell to the share of the priests under the legal dispensation.
To make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord GOD . . .  either to this end, that the ministers of the Gospel, who have the Word of reconciliation committed to them, might cheerfully and faithfully dispense it to the people; or that they by these liberal and generous contributions of theirs to the maintenance of them, might testify that they have truly by faith received the atonement by the Sacrifice of CHRIST.

Ezekiel 45:16 All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the prince in Israel. (KJV)
All the people of the land shall give this oblation . . . no one shall be exempt. They all should give according to their capacity and ability, contribute to the support of the ministry, and the service of GOD.  
For the prince in Israel . . . not the high priest, not the civil magistrate, but the Prince MESSIAH: or to the Prince in Israel. What the people shall do in this way, they shall do it as to the LORD, freely and affectionately, and for His honor and glory; and He will take it as done to Himself (Mat.10:40-41).

Ezekiel 45:17 And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. (KJV)

And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings . . . or upon the prince shall be the burnt offerings; it shall lie on Him to provide them; who is not the high priest, as some think, nor the civil magistrate or king, as others . . . but CHRIST, who is both Prince and Priest; and whose Sacrifice of Himself is designed by these, and other sacrifices after mentioned, of which the sacrifices were all typical. Although He is only One, and they many, His answers to them all, is One for all; and although His Sacrifice was but ONCE offered up (Rom.6:10; Heb.7:27; 9:12, 26, 28; 10:10; 1 Pet.3:18) it ws sufficient! The burnt offerings,represent CHRIST (40:39).  
And meat offerings, and drink offerings . . . the meat offering (Lev.2:1-12; 6:14-16), is the bread offering, made of fine flour, typical of CHRIST, the Bread of life (Jn.6:35, 48), and was typical of CHRIST, compared to a grain of wheat dying in the Earth, to bring forth fruit (Jn.12:24), and to wheat as bruised and ground into fine flour, kneaded and baked, which may indicate His many different sufferings, and so made bread of; He being the true and living bread, which gives life to men. The oil poured on this offering may mean the grace of the SPIRIT without measure on CHRIST; and the frankincense how savory and acceptable He is to His people. The drink offering was of wine, which went along with other sacrifices, and was very acceptable to GOD; and may signify the Blood of CHRIST, which is drink indeed (Jn. 6:55), and His love so rightly expressed in the shedding of it. John 6:53-55 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (KJV)
See: http://www.godcannotlie.org/john_commentary_ch6.html
In the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, and in all solemnities of the house of Israel . . . in the feasts of the Passover, Tabernacle and Pentecost, which were all symbolic of CHRIST; of His being the Passover sacrificed for us, of His tabernacling in our nature, and of the effusion of His SPIRIT (Jn.14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Rom.8:9). The new moons, Sabbaths and solemn days are only Old Testament phrases to express the times of New Testament worship (Isa.66:23), as monthly days for the administration of the ordinance of the Supper, and the LORD'S Day for the preaching of the word, and other parts of public worship; in all which the Sacrifice of CHRIST, His precious Blood, His righteousness and His satisfaction (Jn.19:30), make up a principal part.
He shall prepare the sin offering . . . the sin offering also was a type of CHRIST; (40:39), and this, with the,
And the meat offering; and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings . . . of which were to be prepared by the Prince Himself, or our Lord JESUS CHRIST. The peace offerings or thank offerings, His own thank offerings for Himself and His people (Jn.11:41), and the thank offerings of them, or their sacrifices of praise (Jer.33:11; Heb.13:15), which become acceptable through Him, for whom the saints offer thanks to GOD (2 Cor.9:15), and as the end of all the legal sacrifices was,  
To make reconciliation for the house of Israel . . . so this is the end and use of the Sacrifice of CHRIST, typified by these sacrifices, to make peace with the GOD of Israel, which could NEVER be made by them, nor by their obedience, repentance or faith; and yet was necessary to their happiness, to their relationship with GOD, and being able to enjoy Him . . . all this CHRIST has made possible by His obedience, His horrible sufferings and His death, which has fulfilled the law, satisfied justice and made atonement for sin . . .  ALL this was paid for at the cross, where the Jews condemned their MESSIAH to die (Jn.19:6).

*****By His preparing these offerings; means His ready and willing appointment to become a Sacrifice; His voluntary offering up Himself to GOD on the behalf of us sinners, willingly giving Himself as an Offering and a Sacrifice to Him, for us!
It shall be the civil prince's part to provide all the offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. The people were to bring their offerings to him according to the rules, and he was to bring them to the sanctuary, and to make up what fell short out of his own. It is the duty of rulers to take care of religion, and to see that the duties of it were regularly and carefully performed by those under their charge, and that nothing be wanting that is required. In all the other of the 7 great feasts of GOD during the year, sacrifices will be offered (45:17; 46:11).
 

Worship in the Millennial Temple Continued (45:18-22)
Sin offering (45:18-20)

Ezekiel 45:18 Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary: (KJV)

Thus saith the Lord GOD . . . this begins the account of the times and seasons in which the above sacrifices should be prepared and offered; that which was indicated by them be held forth in the ministry of the Word to the faith of GOD'S people.  
In the first month, in the first day of the month . . . the month Nisan, which is the month of redemption, in which Israel was redeemed out of Egypt, and in which they shall be redeemed in time to come. Nisan is part of our March and part of April; it was the first month in the year with the Jews for their religious affairs; so that the first day of this month was New Year's Day.
Thou shall take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary . . . or make a sin offering. The Jews are puzzled at this because according to the Law of Moses, in the beginning of their months, they were to offer a burnt offering of two young bullocks and a ram (Num.28:11), where here only one bullock is stated and that a sin offering. Some Jews say this

must be left until Elijah comes to explain it (Rev.11:3-7).

*****Besides the above there will be many freewill offerings and sacrifices, as men of all nations come to Jerusalem and the Temple to worship from year to year (Isa.2:1-4;  Zec.14:16-21).

Ezekiel 45:19 And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court. (KJV)

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering . . . the blood of the sin offering is a symbol of the Blood of CHRIST, who was made sin for His people, and an Offering for their sin; and which Blood cleanses from all sin Lev.17:11; Heb.9:22).
And put it upon the posts of the house . . . of the House of GOD, the Temple; upon every one of the posts of it, which stood at the entrance into it. The Targum is, upon the threshold of the house.
And upon the four corners of the settle of the altar . . . or four horns of it (43:14),
And upon the posts of the gate of the inner court . . . inner court of the Temple . . . this is also a new law about putting the blood of the sacrifice into these different places, of which nothing is said in the Law of Moses; and shows that admission into the family of GOD, and the right fellowship with CHRIST and the blessings of His grace, as well as entrance into Heaven itself, are ALL through the precious Blood of Christ (1 Pet.1:18-19; Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12).

*****Verses 45:18-19 say that the first day of the first month, a bullock, along with flour, oil, and wine will be offered to cleanse the sanctuary. In the latter days there will be a change in the amount of flour, oil, and wine offered. Instead of Numbers 15, being obeyed, a new law taking the place of the old Mosaic Law is to be followed, as stated in (46:7). Wine is not mentioned as being offered with any of these sacrifices, but drink offerings are referred to, and this would require wine (45:17).

Ezekiel 45:20 And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one that erreth, and for him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house. (KJV)

And so thou shall do the seventh day of the month . . . of the first month Nisan; here is another new rule or law, of which no mention is made in the Law of Moses.
For everyone that erreth, and for him that is simple: so shall ye reconcile the house . . . reconcile the house or amend it, make atonement for it; meaning for the Temple of GOD, all His people; mainly for those who have gone astray, either in principle or practice; through ignorance, through the popularity of corruption, the temptations of Satan, and the snares of this world; but shall be recovered again. They shall be brought to repentance by the doctrines of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST (Rev.7). They shall be received by GOD, having their consciences sprinkled by the Blood of CHRIST; the same things being done on this day as on the first. And ye shall reconcile . . . or make amends for the one that errs, Reconcile the house, cleanse it  (45:18), which legally or ceremonially was defiled by the errors done.  

Passover (45:21-24)

Ezekiel 45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. (KJV)

In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month . . . the Passover was to be religiously observed at the time appointed. CHRIST is our Passover that is sacrificed for us. We celebrate the memorial of that sacrifice and feast upon it, triumphing in our deliverance out of the slavery of sin and our preservation from the sword of the destroying angel, the sword of divine justice, in the Lord's Supper (1 Cor.5:7).
Ye shall have the passover . . . CHRIST the Passover sacrificed for us; held forth in the ministry of the Word, and in the ordinance of the LORD'S Supper; for the Passover was a type of CHRIST: His purity was indicated by the lamb without blemish, a male of the first year.
A feast of seven days . . . this feast was kept a whole week; and indeed CHRIST the Passover is by faith to be lived upon throughout the week, as well as on LORD'S Days, and indeed in every week.
Unleavened bread shall be eaten . . . not leavened; with reference to which the Gospel feast is to be kept, not with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor.5:7).

Ezekiel 45:22 And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock for a sin offering. (KJV)

And upon that day . . . the fourteenth day of the month Nisan; the first day of the Passover.
Shall the prince prepare for himself, and for all the people of the land, a bullock for a sin offering . . . here everything again is new, not one circumstance according to the Law of Moses; which shows that this respects Gospel times in the latter days, when the law would be null and void, the types and shadows gone, for CHRIST is the sum of all. Under the law, every family was to prepare a lamb for themselves; but here the prince is to prepare for himself, and all the people of the land; by that it was to be a lamb, here a bullock, and that for a sin offering; whereas not a bullock, but a goat, was used for a sin offering. CHRIST Himself is this Prince, and who has prepared Himself a Sacrifice, for Himself, His church, which is spiritually
Himself; and to make atonement for all those sins which He took upon Himself.
 
*****On the 14th day of the first month (45:21-22), many thousands of lambs will be killed in readiness for the Passover as in the days of old. Jesus taught that even He would partake of the Passover, the wine, and the unleavened bread with His disciples in the coming Kingdom (Lk.22:15-18, 30). The prince of Israel, on the Passover day, will offer a bullock for himself and the people, as a sin offering (45:22), then, on each of the next 7 days of the feast of unleavened bread, burnt offerings of bullocks, rams, and kids of the goats will be sacrificed as sin offerings (45:23). With every bullock and ram an ephah (5 gallons, dry) of flour, a hin (6 quarts) of oil, and the same amount of wine will be offered (45:23-24; 46:5, 7). The Passover definitely refers to CHRIST.

Ezekiel 45:23 And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a kid of the goats daily for a sin offering. (KJV)

And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD . . . which is as follows:
Seven bullocks and seven rams without blemish daily the seven days . . . a bullock and a ram for each day.  
And a kid of the goats daily for a sin offering . . . all which were symbolic of CHRIST, shown by the bullock, for His labor and patience; by the ram, for His strength; and by the kid of the goats, for His likeness of sinful flesh, and having the sins of His people calculated to Him; which made Him of a bad aroma to the justice and holiness of GOD, and for which He fell a Sacrifice. This is also different from the Law of Moses, which required two young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs (Num.28:19). One confesses he knows not how to make this make sense.  
All I know is that the LORD knows what He is doing, and He is in charge.

Ezekiel 45:24 And he shall prepare a meat offering of an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and an hin of oil for an ephah. (KJV)

And he shall prepare a meat offering of an ephah for a bullock . . . of the meat offering (45:17), this was to consist of an ephah of fine flour; and for every bullock on each of the seven days of the Passover was a meat offering of such a quantity to be made.
And an ephah for a ram . . . a like quantity of fine flour was to be made into a meat offering for every ram on the same days.
And an hin of oil for an ephah . . . to every ephah of fine flour was to be allowed a hin of oil, a hin which seems to be a gallon and two pints, being the sixth part of an ephah or bath.
According to the law, three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour was only allowed to make a meat offering for one bullock, and two tenth parts for a ram (Num.28:12). This may mean more abundance of grace, and of the knowledge of CHRIST, under the Gospel dispensation, and especially in the latter days.

Feast of Tabernacles (45:25)

Ezekiel 45:25 In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days, according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meat offering, and according to the oil. (KJV)

In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month . . . the month Tisri, compares to part of our September and October.
Shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days . . . the feast of tabernacles, began the fifteenth of Tisri, and was kept seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, which is not here taken notice of. This feast was in memorial of the Jews dwelling in tabernacles in the wilderness; and was typical of CHRIST'S tabernacling in our nature, or of His incarnation (Jn.1:14), and which feast is to be kept in Gospel times, and mainly in the latter day, by believing in the incarnate Saviour, and in all the blessings flowing from His incarnation; and by attending the Gospel feast, His Word and ordinances, which makes Him the only Saviour (Zec.14:16). The same things are to be done at this feast as at the feast of the Passover.
According to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meat offering, and according to the oil . . . meaning so many bullocks and rams for the burnt offering, and a kid of the goats for the sin offering, as before; and the same amount of fine flour and oil for the meat offering. This also is a new law, for according to the Law of Moses, the sacrifices at the feast of Passover, and at the feast of tabernacles, were very different. It might be further observed, that there is nothing is said of the feast of Pentecost or first fruits; and this all confirms what has been already observed, that this shows the repeal of the Mosaic Law; and that these things are to be understood in a spiritual and evangelic sense.

*****The 15th day of the 7th month (45:25) . . . the same as the sin offerings with their flour, oil and wine, as mentioned above, will be offered.

Special Comments

CONSIDERING: First we have the division of the land directed here is very different from that made by Moses and Joshua, and the extent of the country divided greatly exceeds the ancient inheritance of GOD'S Israel, the land of Canaan. This may correctly be referred to the Kingdom of CHRIST, and His people, enlarged by the vast accession of converts both of Jews and Gentiles.
(1). The first portion is for GOD, with His Temple in the middle, and around it the homes of the priests and Levites, with the land set apart for their use.  
(2). The next portion is for the city, for the whole house of Israel, some for every tribe, a symbol of GOD’S Israel, united and becoming one fold under One Shepherd.
(3). The portion of the Prince is allotted Him outside: the measurement is not mentioned, but it shall be enough to maintain his dignity, and prevent the oppression of the people. Some interpret this of the Prince MESSIAH, whose dominion shall extend east and west, and who is around His people as a guard to protect them from every enemy.
(4). The rest of the land is appointed for the tribes to inhabit, who, under the government of their Prince MESSIAH, shall be safe and happy.

Second, we have:
(1). A ban laid on the civil princes to avoid all oppression, and minister true judgment to the people, it being about time to put an end to the past acts of extortion and violence. Princes must remember that they are only men, and accountable to GOD from whom they have received their power. Any abuse of this power will in the end prove to fatally ruin themselves.
(2). The people must exercise decency, honesty and uprightness in their dealings with each other, and especially be careful about exactness in their coins, weights and measures. True piety towards GOD will always produce honesty towards men.

Thirdly, particular directions and rules are laid down for the service of GOD.
(1). Regarding the sacrifices to be offered by all the people of the land: of their corn a sixtieth part; of their wine a hundredth; of their lambs one in two hundred, from the fattest pastures, must be offered, for the prince in Israel, or to the prince in Israel, the Lord JESUS, to whose honor these were devoted for the more immediate service of His people, and for whose sake they are accepted. (a). They who enjoy the blessings of GOD'S providence are bound to honor Him with a part of their abundance. (b). Our sacrifices, prayers and praises are only accepted, when the atoning Blood of the LAMB has made the reconciliation, and opened for us a way to the throne of GOD.
(2). Regarding their solemnities, which greatly differed from the Mosaic Law, and indicated a change in that dispensation: (a). On the first day of the year the sanctuary was to be cleansed by the blood of a sin-offering; and the same ceremony was to be repeated on the seventh day for him that had erred and was simple. (b). On the fourteenth of Nisan the Passover is to be kept, with the seven days of unleavened bread; and a bullock each day, offered for a sin-offering, prepared by the prince, with its meat and drink-offering; in addition a kid of the goats each day for a sin-offering, and seven bullocks and rams for a burnt-offering. All which are typical of the Lord JESUS, who has prepared Himself a Sacrifice for us, and is our Passover, by whose Blood we have received the atonement, to whom we must have an eye in all our approaches to GOD, and on whom by faith we must feast, to strengthen and refresh our souls. (c). On the seventh month, the fifteenth day, the feast of tabernacles is ordered to be observed seven days, with the same sacrifices as before: all pointing to the Great Redeemer, and directing us to Him in and through whom by Him alone, all our services are accepted by GOD.  

Book of Ezekiel

Eze.Ch.1 . . Eze.Ch.2 . . Eze.Ch.3. . Eze.Ch.4 . . Eze.Ch.5 . . . Eze.Ch.6 . . Eze.Ch.7 . . Eze.Ch.8 . . Eze.Ch.9 . . Eze.Ch.10 . . Eze.Ch.11 . . Eze.Ch.12 . . Eze.Ch.13 . . Eze.Ch.14. . Eze.Ch.15 . . Eze.Ch.16 . . Eze.Ch.17 . . Eze.Ch.18 . . Eze.Ch.19 . . Eze.Ch.20 . . Eze.Ch.21 . . Eze.Ch.22 . . Eze.Ch.23 . . Eze.Ch.24 . . Eze.Ch.25 . . Eze.Ch.26 . . Eze.27 . . Eze.28 . . Eze.29 . . Eze.30 . . Eze.31 . . Eze.32 . . Eze.33 . . Eze.34 . . Eze.35 . . Eze.36 . . Eze.37 . . Eze.38 . . Eze.39 . . Eze.40 . . Eze.41 . . Eze.42 . . Eze.43 . . Eze.44 . . Eze.45 . . . Eze.46 . . . Eze.47 . . . Eze.48 . . . Eze. Millennial Temple . . . Eze.Special Comments . . . Eze.What is Shekinah Glory? . . . Home Page