Ezekiel 45:23

And seuen dayes of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the Lord, seuen bullockes, and seuen rammes without blemish dayly the seuen dayes, and a kidde of the goats daily for a sinne offering. Ezekiel 45:23 (KJV)

Ezekiel was a prophet who lived during the Babylonian exile. He received visions and messages from God concerning the future restoration of Israel and the temple. In this verse he describes a future temple and the regulations regarding the feast days and offerings.

The verse refers to “seven days of the feast.” Some readers associate this with the Passover feast, as indicated in Ezekiel 45:21 (KJV), while others see a possible connection to the Feast of Tabernacles (Feast of Booths), an annual festival in which the Israelites dwelt in temporary shelters to commemorate God’s provision. The burnt offerings mentioned were a central element of the Old Testament sacrificial system; they were entirely consumed by fire on the altar and symbolized total dedication and surrender to God, expressing gratitude, seeking forgiveness, and maintaining fellowship with Him.

The repeated use of the number seven underscores biblical symbolism of completeness or perfection, emphasizing that the offerings during the feast were to be fully and perfectly performed. The requirement that the bullocks and rams be without blemish highlights the call to present God our best and unblemished sacrifices, pointing to the purity and holiness required in approaching Him. The daily kid of the goats for a sin offering signifies the continual need for atonement and forgiveness, reminding believers that even in times of celebration, human sinfulness and the need for repentance remain.

Application:

Total Dedication – The burnt offerings symbolize total dedication and surrender to God. As Christians we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1), offering ourselves fully without reservation.

Offering Our Best – Just as the animals had to be without blemish, we should offer God our best in every aspect of life—time, talents, resources, and worship—demonstrating utmost devotion and excellence.

Atonement and Forgiveness – The sin offering points to our need for atonement. Through Jesus Christ we have access to forgiveness and reconciliation with God, urging us to continually seek His forgiveness and maintain a right relationship with Him.

Joyful Celebration – The biblical feasts were times of rejoicing. As believers we have much to celebrate in our relationship with God through Christ, rejoicing in His salvation, faithfulness, and abundant blessings.

For a fuller understanding, read the surrounding verses and consult reliable commentaries or study resources on Ezekiel 45.