What role does the blood play in the consecration process described in Ezekiel 43:20? Setting the Scene Ezekiel is shown a future temple and receives detailed instructions for its dedication. Among those directions stands one key action: “You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar …”. Why Blood? • Leviticus 17:11 explains that “the life of the flesh is in the blood,” and God assigned blood to make atonement. • Hebrews 9:22 echoes that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. • Throughout Scripture, blood represents life offered to God and the means by which sin is covered. The Functions of the Blood in Consecration 1. Purification • Placing blood on the altar’s horns, ledge, and rim cleansed it from any defilement. • This act acknowledged that even holy objects need cleansing when set apart for the Lord’s service (cf. Exodus 29:36). 2. Atonement • The blood answered for sin, turning away God’s righteous wrath. • By applying it to every key surface, the priest symbolically spread atonement over the whole altar, ensuring every sacrifice offered there would be acceptable. 3. Dedication • Blood formally transferred the altar from common to sacred use. • Like oil on a king’s head or water in baptism, blood marked a decisive, once-for-all moment of setting apart. 4. Protection • With atonement made, the altar became a safe meeting point between a holy God and sinful people (cf. Exodus 30:10). Foreshadowing Christ • The ritual blood anticipates the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, whose own blood purifies our consciences (Hebrews 9:14). • As the altar’s horns were touched, so the cross became the place where atonement was fully accomplished (Colossians 1:20). • Just as the altar received life-blood before any regular offerings could commence, believers are invited to rest first in Christ’s finished work before offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5). Takeaways for Today • God still requires cleansing before fellowship; only the blood of Jesus meets that need. • Consecration is total—nothing in life is outside God’s claim once He applies the blood. • Worship flows from atonement: we serve confidently because a perfect sacrifice has already secured our acceptance. |
    |