Ezekiel 45:17
“Then it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, and at all the appointed seasons of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering, the grain offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings to make atonement for the house of Israel.” Ezekiel 45:17
The duties of the prince of the Jewish people were a lot. At the feasts, New Moons, every Sabbath, and every other appointed time, they were required to make sacrifices. For himself, and for all the Jewish people, he was required to perform the burnt offerings, drink offerings, sin offerings, and the peace offerings. This was to atone for his own sin and the sin of the Israelites. Even though this is a lot to go through, this kept them from being like other nations that used human sacrifices to appease their god. Other nations had worship rituals that broke every one of the Ten Commandments. As God spoke to the Israelites, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” Exodus 19:5
When Jesus Christ came to this earth the first time, He put an end to the need to make animal sacrifices. He is the fulfillment of the written Law and the spoken words of the Prophets, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” Luke 16:16 And that is said again in these following verses, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things…” Hebrews 1:1-2
Today, instead of making all those sacrifices, all we have to do is believe in Jesus Christ to have our sin atoned for. Believing in Him makes us righteous in the eyes of God as we embrace the Holy Spirit in our life. This is the sum of all the Holy Scriptures, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17
Burnt Offering for the atonement of sin and expression of devotion to God.
Grain Offering a voluntary expression of devotion to God, recognizing His goodness and providence.
Peace Offering to consecrate a meal between two or more people before God and share that meal together in fellowship of peace with God and each other.
Sin Offering is sometimes referred to as the Guilt Offering, Trespass Offering, or Reparation Offering. Unlike the English word “guilt” this does not refer to a matter of one’s conscience but rather to something one owes on account of a sin. Today, Jesus Christ has cancelled out that debt, He forgave us all our sins, “…having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the Cross.” Colossians 2:13-14 The Sin Offering relates to growing in the mercy and grace of God, in the process of our sanctification and walk of Holiness, “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” Romans 9:16
Drink Offering is to pour ourselves out to God as a living sacrifice to Him, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.” Phillipians 2:17-18
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