On 11-9-14, Ezekiel 43:13-21 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as The Altar, A Sign of Hope or The Altar Offers Hope

The Altar, A Sign of Hope             

Or

The Altar Offers Hope

Ezekiel 43:13-21

International Sunday School Lesson

November 9, 2014

                                                                                 

                                                                                           Commentary                                                                      

By

Jed Greenough

I have done some thinking since I wrote my commentary for last week and I have decided that I can do no substantive harm by commenting that I believe this temple was definitely an ideal temple to be built and the sacrifices followed as described in today’s scripture as well.  But there is that word ideal. 

This all would happen if and only if the people of Israel were adequately ashamed as it said in 43:10-11.  I firmly believe this is why when they came out of exile this temple was not built as they were fully aware of Ezekiel’s vision.

Could it be that they discounted what he said?  It could be that the people’s very leaders in the priests made the decision for all.  Much was different about this temple and the described sacrifices and offerings therein.

Perhaps it was because things were like Hosea wrote in Hosea 9:7b, “Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool.”  This hostility towards prophets would certainly be consistent behavior for them.

So what then is to be taken from these measurements of an altar, the regulations for offerings and sacrifices?  For me it is always the same whether it is here or Leviticus where we see all the details it is that things being done in an orderly fashion matters to God.

1 Corinthians 14:33a says that God is not a God of disorder.  Specifics matter to Him and when we read the details such as in today’s scripture we should remind ourselves of that fact.  Think about the order in our worship, praise and in our prayers.  Clearly He has standards, standards that the people of Israel demonstrated they didn’t measure up to and which ultimately pointed to the necessity for Christ.

For Discussion:

1. Discuss the differences between the altar described and the one that Solomon built.
2. Discuss why the line of Zadok.
3. If you believe this to be a temple and sacrifices to come discuss this.
4. If you believe the opposite discuss that.
5. Be prepared to moderate!
6. Discuss where you need to bring in more order.

Upcoming Lessons

11-16-14   A Transforming Stream or Water from the Sanctuary Gives Life, Ezekiel 47:1-12

11-23-14   A Transformation Continued or Inheritance Marks a New Beginning, Ezekiel 47:13-23

11-30-14   Let Zion Rejoice or Good News Brings Rejoicing, Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12

12-7-14     Worship Christ’s Majesty, Hebrews 1:1-9

                                                                                                              

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved