Ezekiel 45:13

This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley:

Ezekiel 45:13 (KJV)

Context

Ezekiel prophesied among the Israelites exiled in Babylon, and his book records visions of judgment and restoration. In Ezekiel 45, the prophet receives detailed instructions about the future temple and the worship that will take place there during the time of restoration. This verse specifies the grain offering the people are to bring as part of that restored worship.

Meaning

The verse gives precise instructions for the oblation, the portion of a sacrifice or offering given to God. From each homer of wheat and each homer of barley, the people are to give a sixth part of an ephah. An ephah was a unit of dry measure roughly equal to one bushel, and a homer was a larger unit containing ten ephahs. The offering therefore amounted to one-sixtieth of the total grain, a defined and relatively small proportion set apart for the Lord.

This offering was designated for the maintenance of the priests who served in the sanctuary. The surrounding instructions in this chapter include provisions for the sanctuary, the priests, the Levites, the city, and the prince, establishing a system of contributions to support temple worship and its ministers. Wheat and barley were the staple crops of the ancient Near East, so this command touched the daily life and livelihood of every household.

Application

Care for worship – The detailed instructions for temple offerings highlight the importance of careful, reverent worship and the need for precision and obedience in approaching the Lord.

Equal distribution – By requiring the same proportion from both wheat and barley, the passage promotes fairness and equality among the people, suggesting that everyone, regardless of economic status, is expected to bring their allotted portion.

Gratitude and provision – Offering grain represents gratitude to God for His provision, reminding the people to acknowledge Him as the ultimate source of their sustenance and to give thanks for His blessings.

Honoring God – Giving a portion of the harvest as an offering demonstrates the recognition that all they possess belongs to God and reflects a desire to honor Him with material possessions.

Reflection

The passage calls believers to worship God in spirit and truth, paying attention to the details of His instructions and obeying His commands with a willing heart. It encourages a spirit of thankfulness and responsible stewardship of the time, talents, and resources God has entrusted to us. As the offering promoted equality, Christians are urged to practice fairness and generosity, extending kindness and help to those in need, thereby reflecting God’s love and grace.