How does Ezekiel 45:20 emphasize the importance of atonement for unintentional sins? Text of Ezekiel 45:20 “That is what you must do on the seventh day of the month for anyone who sins unintentionally or through ignorance; so you will make atonement for the temple.” (Ezekiel 45:20) Setting and context • Ezekiel 40–48 describes a literal future temple and its worship order. • Verse 20 follows instructions for New Year offerings (v. 18) and a seventh-day rite (v. 19) that cleanse the sanctuary. • The goal: a holy dwelling where God’s glory remains among a purified people. Focus on unintentional sin • “Unintentionally or through ignorance” highlights offenses committed without conscious rebellion. • Even sins we are unaware of defile God’s dwelling and demand cleansing. • By assigning a specific date every month, the Lord ensures nothing slips through the cracks. Why atonement is still needed for unintentional sins • God’s holiness is absolute; any sin—known or unknown—creates separation (Isaiah 59:2). • The temple represents His presence; it must be kept spotless (Leviticus 16:16). • Regular atonement underscores that ignorance does not equal innocence. Old Testament background • Leviticus 4:2-3, 13, 22, 27—sin offerings “for anyone who sins unintentionally.” • Numbers 15:27-29—one goat covers “anyone who sins unintentionally.” • Hebrews 9:7—on the Day of Atonement the high priest enters “for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.” These passages form a consistent pattern: God provides a way to cover sins people did not realize they committed. Foreshadowing Christ’s work • The monthly rite points forward to a once-for-all sacrifice able to cleanse fully (Hebrews 9:12-14). • Jesus fulfills the need for continual offerings, yet the principle stands: His blood covers both deliberate and inadvertent failures (1 John 1:7). • 1 John 2:1-2—Christ is “the atoning sacrifice … for our sins,” offering comprehensive coverage. Practical takeaways • Sin is deeper than conscious acts; we need constant cleansing (Psalm 19:12). • God graciously provides atonement before we even perceive our fault. • A humble, repentant heart regularly asks the Lord to reveal and wash away hidden sins (Psalm 139:23-24). • Confidence rests not in perfect self-awareness but in the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb “without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). |
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