How does Ezekiel 45:20 deepen our understanding of God's provision for sin? Setting the Scene in Ezekiel 45:20 “In this way you are to make atonement for the temple on the seventh day of the month for anyone who sins unintentionally or through ignorance.” • Ezekiel is describing worship in the future, millennial temple. • God Himself prescribes the calendar and the sacrifices. • The focus falls on sins “unintentionally or through ignorance,” reminding us that sin is more than deliberate rebellion; it is any falling short of God’s holiness. Key Observations from the Verse • Atonement is needed even when people did not mean to sin. • The sacrifice is corporate—covering “anyone” who has missed the mark. • The temple (God’s dwelling place among His people) must be cleansed, indicating that sin defiles worship. • The seventh-day repetition underscores persistence: God does not leave guilt unaddressed. What the Requirement Reveals about Sin • Sin is comprehensive. Ignorance is no shield from guilt (Leviticus 4:27-28). • Sin is contaminating. It affects the entire community and the very sanctuary (Isaiah 59:2). • Sin demands blood. God’s justice requires a life in exchange for life (Hebrews 9:22). God’s Ongoing Provision Displayed • He supplies both the pattern and the sacrifice. The people bring the animal, but God provides the means of atonement. • He initiates reconciliation; the worshiper simply responds in obedience. • He builds assurance into the calendar. By setting a specific day, He guarantees regular cleansing rather than leaving people in doubt. From Temporary Sacrifice to Ultimate Sacrifice • These sacrifices pointed forward to Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). • What bulls and goats could only cover, Jesus’ blood removes forever (Hebrews 10:1-4, 10). • He satisfies the need for atonement for unintentional sin and every other kind (1 John 2:1-2). • Christ also cleanses the true temple—our hearts—so God may dwell within (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Application for Believers Today • Take sin seriously, even the kinds we commit without noticing; confess quickly (Psalm 139:23-24). • Rest in God’s provision. Our assurance doesn’t rest on perfect awareness of every fault but on the finished work of Jesus (Hebrews 9:13-14). • Keep worship pure. Guard personal and corporate holiness, knowing sin still pollutes fellowship with God (James 4:8). • Celebrate regular reminders of the cross—the Lord’s Supper, daily repentance, corporate worship—because God, in love, built rhythms of atonement into His people’s lives. |
    |