Ezekiel 45

CHAPTER 45

Division of the Land (45:1–12)

1–8 Ezekiel’s vision relates to a future time, most likely the thousand–year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20:1–6. This millennial reign of Christ takes place before the coming of the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1); therefore, the actual land of Israel may still be present in the time period of Ezekiel’s vision—though its topography may be altered. Thus the Lord gives instructions concerning how this “millennial” Israel is to be apportioned.

The first portion is to be presented to the Lord as a sacred district (verse 1), 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide (about 12 by 10 kilometers). No tribe is to own this land; it is set apart for the Lord. The 500cubitsquare temple area (Ezekiel 42:1520) is to be located within this sacred district (verse 2). Then there is to be land for the priests (verses 3–4) and land for the Levites (verse 5)—all within the Lord’s sacred district. Just adjacent to this sacred district the city (the millennial Jerusalem) will be located (verse 6). With the 5,000–cubit city area added to it, the “sacred district” becomes a perfect 25,000–cubit square.

The prince, the ruler, will have land on either side of the sacred district (verses 78); one of the prince’s main duties will be to provide the various offerings that are presented to God¹⁰⁰ (verse 17).

9–12 Here the Lord addresses the leaders of the exiles, the “princes” of Ezekiel’s time. They had been oppressing the people, and now they must stop. In the millennial Israel, the princes will not oppress the people. One form of economic oppression that had to stop was the use of dishonest weights and measures. Inverses10–12, the Lord lists various weights and measures that must be kept accurate and honest (see Leviticus 19:35–36; Deuteronomy 25:13–16).

offerings and Holy Days (45:13–25)

13–25 In this section and in the entire next chapter, the Lord gives many regulations concerning the conduct of worship in the future Israel, particularly in regard to offerings and holy days.¹⁰¹

In verses 13–16, the Lord mentions a special gift that is to be given to the prince; the prince, in turn, will provide the necessary offerings. These offerings will make atonement for the people¹⁰² (verse 15). These offerings will not take away the sins of the people; rather, they will remind the people that their sins have already been taken away through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Notice that among all the holy days that Ezekiel lists, the Day of Atonement (Leviticus Chapter 16) is not included. That is because Jesus will have already made atonement for all people—including the people of the future Israel.¹⁰³