You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and all around the rim; thus you will cleanse the altar and make atonement for it. You are to take some of its bloodThe blood of the sin offering bull represented the life given in the place of the guilty. God appointed blood for atonement because life belongs to Him and sin brings death (Leviticus 17:11). The consecration of the altar began with sacrificial blood, showing that access to God requires cleansing from sin. These offerings anticipated Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary by His own blood and secured eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). Lev 8:15 Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood,… and put it on the four horns of the altar, The horns stood at the altar’s highest points and marked it as the place where sacrificial power was displayed. Blood placed upon them consecrated the altar for its ministry of atonement. Those who sought mercy could take hold of the altar’s horns, appealing to the holiness and mercy of God (1 Kings 1:50–51). Exo 29:12 Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar… on the four corners of the ledge, The application of blood to the ledge’s four corners extended the cleansing throughout the altar’s structure. The altar was wholly set apart for the Lord, not merely in one visible area. Its sanctification prepared it to receive the offerings of Israel in the restored temple. Exo 27:5 Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar,… and all around the rim; Blood placed around the rim completed the purification of the altar. Every boundary of the altar was marked as holy, distinguishing the place of God’s appointed worship from common use. Sin defiles, but God provides cleansing so that His people may draw near to Him. Exo 29:16 You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood,… thus you will cleanse the altar The altar itself required cleansing because it would bear the sacrifices offered for the sins and uncleanness of the people. The ritual did not suggest that the altar had committed sin; rather, it demonstrated that everything associated with approach to the holy God must be purified. The seven-day consecration that followed established the altar for continual service (Ezekiel 43:25–27). Exo 29:36 Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement.… and make atonement for it. Atonement restored the altar to its holy purpose as the appointed meeting place between God and His worshipers. Under the new covenant, Jesus Christ fulfilled what the altar and its sacrifices foreshadowed. Through His once-for-all sacrifice, believers receive cleansing and confident access to God (Hebrews 10:19–22). Exo 29:37 For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar… Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who received visions and messages during the Babylonian exile, tasked with conveying God's instructions to the Israelites. 2. The Altar A central element in the temple, used for sacrifices and offerings to God, symbolizing worship and atonement. 3. The Blood Represents the life force and is used for purification and atonement, signifying the seriousness of sin and the need for cleansing. 4. The Four Horns of the Altar Protrusions on the altar's corners, symbolizing strength and the power of God’s presence. 5. Atonement The process of making amends or reparation for sin, restoring the relationship between God and His people. Teaching Points The Significance of Blood in AtonementBlood is central to the process of atonement, symbolizing life and the seriousness of sin. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood cleanses us from all sin. The Holiness of God’s Altar The altar represents a place of meeting between God and man. Its cleansing signifies the need for purity in worship and the seriousness with which we should approach God. The Role of Obedience in Worship Ezekiel’s instructions highlight the importance of following God’s commands precisely. Our worship should be characterized by obedience and reverence. The Continuity of God’s Plan The practices in Ezekiel connect to the broader account of Scripture, showing God’s consistent plan for redemption and relationship with His people. The Power of Atonement Atonement restores our relationship with God, emphasizing the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the use of blood in Ezekiel 43:20 relate to the concept of atonement in the New Testament?2. What does the cleansing of the altar teach us about the nature of worship and our approach to God today? 3. In what ways does the obedience of Ezekiel in following God’s instructions serve as a model for our own spiritual lives? 4. How can understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system deepen our appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus? 5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our worship is characterized by purity and reverence, as symbolized by the cleansing of the altar? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 16Discusses the Day of Atonement, where blood is used for purification, highlighting the importance of atonement in the Old Testament sacrificial system. Hebrews 9 Explains how Christ's sacrifice fulfills the Old Testament requirements for atonement, emphasizing the ultimate cleansing through His blood. Exodus 29 Details the consecration of the altar, showing the continuity of God's instructions for holiness and worship. Romans 3 Discusses the concept of atonement through faith in Jesus, connecting the Old Testament practices to New Testament theology.
People Ezekiel, Israelites, Levites, ZadokPlaces Chebar, Holy PlaceTopics Altar, Angles, Atonement, Blood, Border, Clean, Cleanse, Cleansed, Corners, Edge, Free, Hast, Horns, Ledge, Purge, Purified, Purify, Rim, Round, Settle, Shelf, Sin, Thereof, Thus, UpperDictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 43:20Library Solomon's Temple Spiritualizedor, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, … John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished. Ezekiel Links Ezekiel 43:20 NIVEzekiel 43:20 NLT Ezekiel 43:20 ESV Ezekiel 43:20 NASB Ezekiel 43:20 KJV Ezekiel 43:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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