May 28, Ezekiel 44
They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. - Ezekiel 44:23
The Law of Moses taught the Israelites the concept of the holiness of God. God’s covenant with his chosen people taught them to hold the name of God and his appointed Sabbath in reverence. The law established and safeguarded the holiness of the tabernacle. It sanctified the priests and the offerings that the Israelites brought to the altar. This holiness was supposed to characterize more than the external exercise of their religion. God taught the Israelites to be holy in their everyday behavior as well as in their worship and sacrifice to him.
But centuries of idolatry and rebellion against God had dulled Israel's sense of holiness. Before the exiles were freed to return home, God taught them to respect his holiness again. In Chapter 44, God taught them more about reverence for him and the holy things associated with him.
The east gate entrance to the temple was off limits to the people. God forbade them to enter there because that was the gate through which the LORD's holy presence had entered the temple. No one else could enter the gate that God used to move his presence into the temple. The king was the only exception. He could enter the gate’s vestibule and eat his bread before the Lord. The restriction about the gate modeled and emphasized the holiness of God. The people needed a fresh reverence for the Lord and the things of the Lord.
God rebuked the priests for their failure to show reverence for him. They failed in their duty to reflect God’s holiness to the people. Some Levites had worshiped idols and led others to do the same instead of faithfully serving the Lord and being examples of dedicated servants of God. They were banished from any priestly activity and could only work as support staff to the priests in their ministry.
The sons of Zadok were the Levites God chose to serve as priests. God taught them to wear the holy linen garments while they were on duty in the temple. God required the linen clothes and headdress, and forbade any garment made of wool. He told the priests not to wear any garments that bound them too tightly and caused them to sweat. They wore the holy linen garments only in the holy areas of the temple. They left their holy clothes in the holy places and changed into other clothes when they went out. God gave the priests strict laws about their behavior, appearance, diet and marriages. The Lord restricted them from touching the dead, except for immediate family members.
The entire chapter emphasized respectful behavior that acknowledged the holiness of God. These laws taught them reverence, humility and discipline as they honored and obeyed God's will for their lives.
Today, the temple of the Lord is no building, but the church of the living God. The priesthood of all believers has replaced the Levitical priests. All the sacrifices prescribed under the law have been superseded by Jesus, who once for all made intercession for us when he offered his own blood as the effective sacrifice for our sins. But God still commands his people in Christ to be holy as he as holy. This practical holiness goes far beyond attending worship, participating in rituals and reciting memorized words. Genuine holiness includes respectful, reverent submission to God, and glorifying Jesus our Lord in everything we do.
Casual clothing may have replaced the concept of “church clothes" I knew as a boy and even as a
young preacher years ago. But causal must never mean irreverent. When we lose our sense of holy awe for God, we lose an essential part of what it means to be the children and servants of a holy God.
Copyright © 2024 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—May 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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