How can we apply the principles of sacrifice in Ezekiel 40:39 today? Ezekiel’s Picture of Prepared Sacrifice Ezekiel 40:39: “In the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings were to be slaughtered.” The prophet is shown a future temple where every sacrifice is carefully prepared on designated tables. Even this small detail underlines order, holiness, and intentionality in worship. Christ, the Once-for-All Sacrifice • Hebrews 10:10 – “By this will we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” • John 1:29 – “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Because Jesus fulfilled every burnt, sin, and guilt offering, we no longer bring animals; we bring ourselves. Timeless Principles We Still Live Out • Costly Worship – Old-covenant worshipers surrendered their best animals. – Today: Give God first place in time, finances, abilities (Proverbs 3:9; 2 Corinthians 9:7). • Holiness and Order – The tables were set apart for holy use. – Today: Guard private devotion, gather with the church, keep moral boundaries (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Substitution and Gratitude – A life was laid down in the worshiper’s place. – Today: Daily thank Christ for bearing God’s wrath for us (Galatians 2:20). • Continual Access – Multiple tables meant continual flow of offerings. – Today: “Through Him we both have access to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). Approach often, not occasionally. • Corporate Participation – Priests and people met at those tables together. – Today: Serve side by side—sing, give, share, bear burdens (Hebrews 10:24-25). Living Sacrifices in Real Life (Romans 12:1) 1. Start each morning acknowledging Christ’s sacrifice; surrender the day’s agenda. 2. Budget generosity first, not last. 3. Fast or forgo a preference regularly—redirect the cost into ministry or mercy. 4. Guard communion and church attendance like Israel guarded temple courts. 5. Speak words of praise and thanks—“sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15-16). 6. When wronged, forgive promptly, remembering the guilt offering accomplished at the cross (Ephesians 4:32). 7. Volunteer in unnoticed tasks—mirroring priests who labored behind the scenes at those tables. Seeing the Tables in Our Homes • Dining table: invite others, share Scripture before a meal. • Workbench or desk: dedicate professional skills to honor Christ. • Kitchen counter: prepare food with prayer, blessing family and guests. Looking Forward Ezekiel’s vision pushes us toward the ultimate temple scene—Revelation 21:22, “I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” Until then, we live sacrificially, trusting the finished work of the Lamb and echoing the ordered, wholehearted worship foreshadowed on those ancient stone tables. |
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