How does Ezekiel 43:19 connect to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our sins? The Command in Ezekiel 43:19 “You are to give a young bull as a sin offering to the priests, the Levites, who are of the line of Zadok, who draw near to serve Me, declares the Lord GOD.” Why a Young Bull? • A sin offering required an innocent, unblemished animal (Leviticus 4:3). • Blood shed pointed to the cost of sin: “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • The bull’s life substituted for the sinner’s life, satisfying God’s justice. Foreshadowing the Perfect Offering • Substitution – The innocent dies so the guilty live (Isaiah 53:5). • Purity – Only a flawless victim is acceptable (1 Peter 1:19). • Priestly mediation – Sacrifice must be presented by God-appointed priests (Leviticus 16:32-34). Christ Fulfills the Pattern • “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12) • “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4) • “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) The Priesthood Connection • Zadok’s descendants were the faithful line (Ezekiel 44:15). • Jesus is the ultimate faithful Priest: “We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God.” (Hebrews 4:14) • Where Zadok’s sons offered bulls, Christ offered Himself (Hebrews 7:27). The Once-for-All Fulfillment • One sacrifice, not many: “He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12). • Final victory declared: “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Living in the Light of His Sacrifice • Full forgiveness: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). • Bold access: “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19). • Call to holiness: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1). • Grateful worship: “To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood… be glory and dominion forever.” (Revelation 1:5-6). |
    |