Ezekiel 44:15-31 New Temple Pt 9
We are moving on to the rules for the Levitical Priests for the new Temple. The descendants of Zadok will be the only ones dealing directly with the Lord.
I’m not sure if ONLY Zadok’s descendants will be able to serve in the Temple or if this restriction applies only to the inner court and beyond. God has a reason for singling out this specific line of the Levites. When Israel was being torn in two, Zadok stood up for the Lord. He was faithful to David throughout his whole life. He also stood as high priest when Solomon was on the throne. I’m imagining that he died before Solomon did. But his loyalty lived on.
God rewarded this loyalty. It would be MANY years between Zadok’s service and his appointed place in the new Temple but God NEVER forgot his service. God never forgot his faithful heart. This is something I would LOVE for God to think about me! My desire is for Him to call me faithful.
This faithfulness didn’t mean Zadok was perfect or that his descendants were above reproach. God still gave his descendants rules to live by, including having to make sacrifices for their own sins. The faithfulness of their father would not save them. But it did set them apart with a higher expectation. I would expect the same to be said of some of the families in our time. Thinking of Billy Graham, I would expect his children to live lives closer to God’s standards than others. NOT that their father’s faith saved them but it set a standard for them to follow. That is not a guarantee of the children walking in the father’s paths, but they have an example and years of training to lean on.
God also gave this line of Levi the task of teaching the people the difference between the holy and common. They will be in direct contact with God so they will KNOW the difference. They will learn from God’s own hand. His holiness will be on their clothing even.
I’m still at a loss for the need for the sacrificial system after Jesus’ return. But I will surrender to HIS wisdom and instructions. Was it because that was what was familiar to Israel at the time? Just a thought.
Father God, I want to be one You count as faithful. I’m not asking for special privileges or rewards, just Your recognition. I want to please You with ALL my heart.
