Question 1

Who is the prince in this passage and what does he do?

Accepted Answer

The prince is the leader who stands in front of God on behalf of the people. He enters by the porch of the east gate on Sabbaths and new moons, and he brings the required burnt and peace offerings. He worships at the threshold of the gate, not inside the inner court like the priests, which shows both honor and humility. He also has a special role during feast days and can bring voluntary offerings. His position is to lead the people in worship and to use his authority in a way that honors God and protects the people.

Question 2

Why is the east gate shut on workdays but opened on Sabbaths and new moons?

Accepted Answer

The east gate of the inner court is kept shut on the six working days, but opened on the Sabbath and on the day of the new moon. This shows that ordinary days and holy days are different. Workdays are for common labor, but the Sabbath and new moon are set apart for special worship. Opening the gate at those times highlights the importance of gathering before God, with the prince and people coming in an ordered way. It reminds God’s people that worship has a set time, and that rest and meeting with God are not to be treated as just another day.

Question 3

What is the meaning of entering one gate and leaving by the opposite gate?

Accepted Answer

When the people come before the Lord at the great feasts, anyone who enters by the north gate must go out by the south gate, and those who enter by the south must leave by the north. They are not allowed to go back the same way. This rule keeps order in the crowded courts, but it also pictures change. When people come before God, they should not leave in exactly the same way they came. Meeting with God should shape them, guiding their steps in a new and better way as they go back to their lives.

Question 4

Why are the offerings in this passage so detailed and without blemish?

Accepted Answer

The chapter lists exact numbers and types of animals for Sabbaths, new moons, feasts, and daily offerings. They must be without blemish, meaning healthy and unmarked. This shows that God deserves the best, not what is left over. The regular daily lamb offering points to constant, ongoing devotion. The richer Sabbath and feast offerings show special celebration before God. These sacrifices also point ahead to a perfect sacrifice that has no fault. The care in these instructions reminds us that approaching God is serious and should be done with respect and a sincere heart.

Question 5

What do the inheritance laws for the prince teach about leadership?

Accepted Answer

The prince may give parts of his land to his sons, and those gifts stay in the family. If he gives land to a servant, it belongs to that servant only until the year of liberty, then it returns to the prince. Most importantly, the prince is not allowed to take the people’s land by force or push them out of their portion. He must provide for his sons from his own share. These rules show that God cares about fair leadership. Rulers are not to enrich themselves by hurting others, but to protect the people so each family keeps the land given to them.

Question 6

Why are there special rooms for boiling and baking the offerings?

Accepted Answer

Ezekiel is shown chambers by the side of the gate where the priests boil the sin and trespass offerings and bake the grain offerings. There are also cooking courts in the four corners of the outer court. These places keep the holy parts of the offerings within the proper area so they are not carried into the outer court. This keeps what belongs to God from being treated like common food. It shows a clear line between holy and ordinary things, and it protects the people from wrongly handling what is set apart for God’s worship.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the daily morning burnt offering?

Accepted Answer

Each morning a year-old lamb without blemish is to be offered, with a set amount of grain and oil. This happens every day as a continual burnt offering. It shows that devotion to God is not only for special feast days, but is part of daily life. The people’s relationship with God is pictured as steady and ongoing, like morning by morning faithfulness. This regular offering points to the need for constant mercy and reminds worshipers that their lives belong to God every day, not only when they gather for larger celebrations.

Question 8

How does this passage point to Christ and worship today?

Accepted Answer

This chapter pictures a leader who stands with the people before God, brings offerings, and does not abuse his power. The pure, constant sacrifices point to a perfect sacrifice and a faithful leader who never fails. Many readers see this pointing ahead to Christ, who is both the one who leads his people in worship and the one who offers himself for them. For believers today, the ordered worship, daily devotion, and just leadership in this vision encourage a life of regular prayer, gathered worship, generous giving, and care for others under God’s rule.

Ezekiel 46:1

Thus saith the Lord God; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

The Prince’s Offerings

The Courts for Boiling and Baking

The Prince’s Offerings

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Ezekiel 46:1

Thus saith the Lord God; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

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The Prince’s Offerings

The Courts for Boiling and Baking

The Prince’s Offerings

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