Ezekiel 43:18

“And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.”

Context:The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. It records the visions and messages of the prophet Ezekiel, who was among the exiles in Babylon. In this particular chapter, Ezekiel receives a vision of the future temple and the instructions regarding the altar.

Symbolism of the altar:The altar mentioned in this verse is a significant element in the worship of God in the Old Testament. It was a place where sacrifices and offerings were presented to God as an act of worship, seeking forgiveness, thanksgiving, or dedication. The altar symbolises the meeting place between God and His people.

The authority of God:The phrase “thus saith the Lord GOD” emphasises the authority and divine origin of the instructions given to Ezekiel. It indicates that the ordinances and regulations related to the altar are not mere human inventions but are the explicit commands of God Himself.

Purpose of the altar:The primary function of the altar was to facilitate the offering of burnt offerings and the sprinkling of blood. The burnt offerings were a central aspect of Israelite worship, signifying surrender, atonement, and dedication to God. The sprinkling of blood symbolised the cleansing and purification from sin.

Spiritual lessons:While this verse specifically refers to the physical altar and its ordinances, it also holds spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the importance of worship, sacrifice, and the recognition of God’s authority in our lives. It points to the need for surrendering ourselves completely to God, seeking His forgiveness, and dedicating our lives to His service.

Christ’s fulfilment:As Christians, we understand that the Old Testament rituals and sacrifices find their ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. He became the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for our sins, once and for all, through His death on the cross. The sprinkling of blood represents the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.

Application:While we may not offer burnt offerings or sprinkle blood on altars today, we can apply the principles behind these practices to our lives. We are called to worship God with sincerity and reverence, offering ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). We can approach God through Jesus Christ, acknowledging His authority in our lives and seeking forgiveness and purification through His blood.

• In conclusion:Ezekiel 43:18 highlights the significance of the altar in Old Testament worship and the importance of following God’s instructions. While the physical practices may not directly apply to us today, we can learn spiritual lessons from these ordinances and apply them in our relationship with God.