What role does sacrifice play in our relationship with God, as seen here?

Setting the Scene

Ezekiel 43 describes the future temple and the restoration of true worship after Israel’s exile. God carefully outlines sacrifices that will re-consecrate the altar. Verse 27 brings the seven-day ritual to its climax:

“On the completion of these days, from the eighth day onward, the priests are to offer your burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar, and I will accept you, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 43:27)

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God’s Invitation through Sacrifice

• Sacrifice is God’s appointed way to say, “Come close.”

• In burnt offerings, the whole animal is consumed—symbolizing total surrender (cf. Leviticus 1:4-9).

• Peace offerings celebrate restored fellowship—shared portions are eaten in God’s presence (cf. Leviticus 3:1-17).

• The repeated phrase “I will accept you” shows sacrifice bridges the gap created by sin (cf. Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22).

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Acceptable Worship

• God Himself designs the terms; worship is never self-styled.

• Priests mediate, pointing forward to the ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).

• Holiness matters. Only after seven days of purification does God say, “from the eighth day onward… I will accept you.”

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From Old Covenant to New

• Animal sacrifices were real, effective for their time, yet anticipatory.

• They foreshadowed Christ’s once-for-all offering: “By this will we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

• On the cross, Jesus fulfilled every burnt and peace offering: complete surrender to the Father and perfect peace made with sinners (Colossians 1:20).

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Our Response Today

Because sacrifice still defines relationship with God—now centered on Christ—believers:

1. Trust the finished work of Jesus as the only ground of acceptance (John 14:6).

2. Offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God” (1 Peter 2:5), such as:

• Praise (Hebrews 13:15)

• Doing good and sharing (Hebrews 13:16)

• Presenting our bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1).

3. Maintain a lifestyle of holiness, remembering God still calls His people to approach on His terms (2 Corinthians 7:1).

In Ezekiel 43:27, sacrifice is not mere ritual; it is the God-given avenue to acceptance, fellowship, and transformed living—now fully realized through Jesus Christ.