What does Ezekiel 45:19 teach about God's holiness and our approach to Him? The Text “Then the priest is to take some of the blood from the sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the temple, on the four corners of the altar’s ledge, and on the gateposts at the entrance to the inner court.” (Ezekiel 45:19) Key Observations • Action: blood from a sin offering is applied. • Agent: a priest serves as mediator. • Locations: temple doorposts, altar corners, inner-court gateposts—points of entry and worship. • Purpose (v. 20 supplies the purpose): “to make atonement for the temple.” What It Reveals About God’s Holiness • Holiness is absolute; even the sanctuary—already set apart—must be purified (Isaiah 6:3). • Sin defiles places as well as people; nothing impure can dwell with God (Habakkuk 1:13). • God determines the exact means of cleansing; worship is on His terms, not ours (Leviticus 10:1-3). What It Teaches About Our Approach to Him • Atonement first, fellowship second. Blood precedes access (Hebrews 9:22). • Mediation is essential. The priest foreshadows the need for a perfect High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). • Entry points must be covered. Every step toward God requires cleansing—thoughts, motives, deeds. • Reverence and obedience mark acceptable worship; casual or self-styled approaches are excluded (Ecclesiastes 5:1). Connecting to the New Covenant • The blood application anticipates Christ: “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). • Jesus fulfills priest and sacrifice in one person (Hebrews 10:11-14). • Because His blood has been applied, believers “have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place” (Hebrews 10:19-22). • The imagery recalls Passover doorposts (Exodus 12:7); both point to deliverance through substitutionary blood. Practical Takeaways for Today • Cultivate reverence: recognize God’s holiness in corporate worship and personal devotion. • Examine entry points: confess sin before stepping into prayer, service, or communion (1 John 1:7-9). • Depend on the Mediator: approach God solely through Christ’s finished work, not human merit (John 14:6). • Live consecrated lives: if God insists on cleansing His house, His people must pursue purity in heart and conduct (2 Corinthians 7:1). |
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