Reading for April 8th

The reestablishment of the land and the people of Israel. In 47.13-48.35: The reconstruction of the Temple and the resulting renewal of creation provide the basis for the reestablishment of the land and people of Israel. Read Ezekiel 47.13-23 The boudaries of the land are an idealized portrayal of the greatest extent of David's kingdom and that of Jeroboam II (2 Sam 8.5-12; 2 Kings 14.25; compare Num 34). The northern border runs from the Mediterranean east to Hazar-enon, between Hamath (modern Hama) to the north and Damascus to the south (Num 34.7-9); the eastern border runs south through the Jordan valley to Tamar just south of the Dead Sea (Num 34.10-12); the sotuhern border runs through the Negeb to the Wadi of Egypt (modern Wadi el-Arish in the northeastern Sinai peninsula (see Num 34.3-5); the western border runs along the Mediterranean coast (Num 34.6). The aliens who reside among you (Hebrew "gerim" or "sojourners," later considered converts in post-biblical Hebrew) live according to the same laws as israelies (Lev 19.34; Num 15.29). Comments or Question..

Reading for April 7th

Read Ezekiel 47.1-12 Once the Temple is reestablished, water streams up from below the threshold of the Temple to the east to water the land of Israel. This indicates the role of the Temple as the center of creation (the Garden of Eden, Gen 2.10-14; Ps 46.4). The course of the water refelects that of the Gihon spring (compare the Edenic river, Gen 2.10, 13), and emerges eat of the city of David where its waters flow south into the Siloam pool (see 1 Kings 1.32-40; Isa 7.3; 2 Chr 34.4). The water flows into the Jordan Valley and eventually into the Arabah (the Jordan rift where the Dead Sea is located ) to transform the waters of the Dead Sea into fresh water that supports fish and fruit trees (see Gen 2.1-14). Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 6th

Read Ezekiel 46.19-24 Areas for the preparation of sacrifices for consumption by the priests are located in the northwest area of the inner court. Kitchens for the people are located at the four corners of the outer court. Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 5th

Read Ezekiel 46.11-18. In verses 11-15: The freewill and daily offerings of the prince are specified (Lev 22.18-23, vow or freewill offering; Num 28.3-8, daily offering). In verse 16-18: The prince may pass property on to his sons, but property passed to servants reverts to the prince at the Jubilee year (Lev 25.8-17). The prince may not pass property of the people to his own sons. Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 4th

Read Ezekiel 46.1-10 In 46.1-18: Regulations concerning offerings and property for the prince and the people. In verse 1-8: The west gate is opened on sabbaths and new moons so that the prince may enter to present his offerings. The prince shall take his stand by the post of the gate (see 2 kings 11.14) and bow down at the threshold of the gate. The people bow down at the same gate entrance. See Num 28.9-15 for sabbath and new moon sacrifices. In verses 9-10: The people enter by the north and south gates, but exit by the opposite gates for efficient crowd managment. Appointed festivals in v. 9 should read "appointed times." Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 3rd

Read Ezekiel 45.18-25 Observance of Passover and Sukkot (Booths). In verses 18-20: The blood of the sin offering purifies the Temple, altar, and inner court onthe first day of the first month. The animal blood atones for an individiual who has sinned inadvertently. Note the smearing of blood on the door posts at the Exodus (Ex 12.21-28). In verses 21-25: Many regard this as a festival calendar, but it merely specifies the obligation of the prince to provide offerings for Passover (Ex 23.15; Lev 23.4-8; Deut 18.1-6) and Sukkot (Ex 23.16; Lev 23.33-36; Deut 16.13-15). Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 2nd

Read Ezekiel 45.13-17 The people pay percentages of wheat (1.5%), oil (1%), and sheep (.5 %) as a tax for the grain offering (Lev 2); the burnt offerings (Lev 1); and the offerings of well-being (Lev 3). All the people of the land shall join with the prince in Israel in making this offering indicates that they pay their tax to the prince. The prince in turn is onligated to provide the sin offering (Lev 4.1-5.13), the grain offerings (Lev 2), the burnt offerings (Lev 1), and the offerings of well-being (Lev 3) on behalf of the people at all festivals, new moons, sabbaths, and appointed festivals. Comennets or Questions..