Ezekiel 46:16–24

Read the passage.

In between these sections about offerings and how they are prepared, we are told how the prince is to treat his inheritance, that is, the land that is set aside for him. Specifically, he must keep it within his family, just as the land allotted to other families must stay with them. If any land is ever signed over to another person, it can only be kept until the year of liberty, when all debts are erased, slaves are freed, and collateral is returned. This had actually been the law since the time of Moses, but there had never been any evidence that Israel ever observed it.

There also are admonitions that the prince must not evict anyone off the property they own and take it for himself. This was apparently a large problem throughout Israel’s history, and the Lord wants to reiterate how inappropriate it was for the leader of the people to use his power for his own gain at the expense of his people.

The final descriptions and measurements of the temple are given at the end of the chapter. Ezekiel is shown the kitchens of the temple where the grain offerings are baked and the sin and guilt offerings are boiled for the priests to eat. These are at the far western end of the inner court, as far from the outer court as possible. The outer court has four corners where the sacrificial meat for the rest of the people were to be prepared. Worship in Old Testament times involved communal meals as well as sacrifice and prayer.

Your laws and precepts declare Your holiness and benefit all Your people.