How does Ezekiel 45:17 connect with Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our sins? Ezekiel 45:17—The Prince’s Assignment “ It will be the prince’s duty to furnish the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings at the festivals, the New Moons, and the Sabbaths—at all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He will provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and fellowship offerings to make atonement on behalf of the house of Israel.” (Ezekiel 45:17) Ezekiel pictures a coming ruler who personally supplies every sacrifice required for Israel’s worship calendar. His offerings secure atonement for the entire nation. What the Prince Provides • Burnt offerings – total devotion • Grain offerings – thanksgiving and daily dependence • Drink offerings – poured‐out lives before God • Sin offerings – substitutionary atonement • Fellowship (peace) offerings – restored communion with God Every need—sin covered, fellowship restored, thanksgiving expressed—is met by one princely provider. Foreshadowing the Greater Prince 1. A single figure shoulders the entire sacrificial load. 2. He pays the cost himself. 3. His work results in national forgiveness. These elements echo and anticipate Christ: • “The Son of Man came…to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) • “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Christ’s Once-for-All Fulfillment • Hebrews 7:27: “He has no need to offer sacrifices day after day…He sacrificed for sins once for all when He offered Himself.” • Hebrews 10:4, 10, 14: animal blood pointed forward; Christ’s blood achieves “once-for-all” cleansing and perfects the worshiper. • Romans 3:25: God presented Jesus as “an atoning sacrifice, through faith in His blood.” Where Ezekiel’s prince repeatedly supplies animals, Jesus supplies His own body and ends the sacrificial system by fulfilling its purpose. Why Sacrifices Appear in Ezekiel’s Future Temple • They function as memorials, drawing attention back to the cross—much like the Lord’s Supper does today (1 Corinthians 11:26). • They affirm God’s faithfulness: the same holy standards remain, and the same Savior satisfies them. • They highlight Christ’s royal role: He is both Davidic king (2 Samuel 7:12-13) and priestly mediator (Psalm 110:4). Practical Encouragement • Because the Prince has paid, we enjoy permanent peace with God (Romans 5:1). • Because the sacrifice is complete, we’re free to serve “in newness of spirit and not in oldness of letter” (Romans 7:6). • Because His offering secures atonement, we confess sin confidently, knowing “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The offerings of Ezekiel 45:17 point like arrows to the cross. The Prince supplies every sacrifice; Christ embodies every sacrifice. The vision assures us that God’s plan always centered on one ultimate, all-sufficient offering—our Savior’s own life given for our sins. |
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