Ezekiel 43:24

And thou shalt offer them before the Lord, and the Priests shall cast salt vpon them, and they shall offer them vp for a burnt offering vnto the Lord. Ezekiel 43:24 (KJV)

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament that records the visions and messages received by the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. In this particular passage, Ezekiel is given instructions regarding the future temple and its worship practices. The verse begins by instructing the people to offer their sacrifices before the Lord. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were an important part of Israel’s worship, and they symbolized the people’s desire to approach God and seek forgiveness for their sins. This act of offering the sacrifices before the Lord was a way of acknowledging God’s authority and their dependence on Him.

The verse mentions that the priests have the responsibility to cast salt upon the offerings. The priests played a crucial role in the religious life of Israel. They were the mediators between God and the people, offering sacrifices on behalf of the people and interceding for them. The act of casting salt on the offerings symbolized purification and preservation. Salt was often associated with purity, and it was also used as a preservative. Therefore, the action of the priests casting salt on the offerings represented the consecration and preservation of the sacrifices before they were offered to God. Although salt is associated with purity and preservation in Scripture, the specific act of priests “casting” salt on offerings is not recorded in Ezekiel or elsewhere in the Old Testament.

The sacrifices mentioned in this verse are specifically identified as burnt offerings. A burnt offering was completely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing the complete surrender of the offering to God. It signified the people’s desire to dedicate themselves fully to God and to seek His favor. The burnt offerings were seen as a pleasing aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 1:9), representing the people’s desire to worship and obey Him.

Just as the people were instructed to offer their sacrifices before the Lord, we are called to acknowledge God’s authority in our lives. We should approach Him with reverence and humility, recognizing His sovereignty and seeking His forgiveness and guidance.

The act of casting salt on the offerings symbolized purification and preservation. As believers, we are called to consecrate ourselves to God, dedicating our lives to His service and seeking to live in holiness. We are also called to preserve the truth of God’s Word and the message of the Gospel, ensuring that it remains pure and undiluted in a world that often seeks to distort it.

The burnt offerings represented the complete surrender of the offering to God. As Christians, we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), giving our whole lives to God in worship and service. We should strive to live lives that are pleasing to Him, fully surrendered to His will.

While the specific practices of offering sacrifices and burnt offerings have been fulfilled in Christ, the principles of reverence, consecration, and surrender remain relevant for believers today. They remind us of the importance of our relationship with God and our commitment to live according to His Word. It’s important to consider the broader context of the book of Ezekiel and consult other biblical passages to gain a more comprehensive understanding of God’s message and His plan of salvation for humanity.