The Abundance of Preparation: A Study on Ezekiel 46:7
"And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah." - Ezekiel 46:7
In the book of Ezekiel, we stumble upon a passage that paints an intricate picture of the sacrificial rituals and offerings presented to God in the temple. Ezekiel 46:7 states, "And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah." This verse, while seemingly a facsimile of ancient sacrificial customs, holds profound spiritual significance that can teach us much about our approach to worship and our relationship with God today.
To fully grasp the essence of this verse, we must first understand the context of offerings in the Old Testament. The meat offering mentioned here refers not merely to physical food but symbolically represents the best of what we can offer to God. The term "ephah" denotes a measurement for grain, emphasizing quantity and quality—suggesting that the offerings given were to be substantial and meaningful. In our contemporary context, this can be analogized to how we approach our service and devotion to God. Are we giving Him our best, or are we simply presenting what is convenient and easy?
In the verse, the preparation of offerings reflects an act that goes beyond mere ritual; it highlights intentionality and dedication. The careful measurement—"an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram"—points to the importance of balance in our lives. God is not only concerned about what we give but how we allocate our resources, our time, and our heart. Are we preparing our offerings to Him with consideration and sincerity, or do we rush through our commitments, providing the bare minimum without thought?
The phrase "according as his hand shall attain unto" also prompts us to reflect on our capabilities and our personal relationship with God. It is vital that we acknowledge that each individual's offering will be different—some may provide abundantly, while others may contribute less due to their circumstances. However, what is paramount is the heart behind the offering. In moments when we feel we have little to give, God honors our authentic intentions and willingness to serve. Giving from scarcity can hold as much value, if not more, than giving from abundance, as evidenced in Mark 12:41-44, where Jesus commended the widow for her two mites, revealing His understanding of sacrificial giving.
The final part of the verse mentions "an hin of oil to an ephah." Oil often symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the Bible. This implication enhances the notion of our offerings. When we come before God with our hearts prepared, infused with His Spirit, our offerings become not only acceptable but also fragrant before Him. Oil, often associated with blessing and anointing, signifies that our worship, when done in full surrender to the Holy Spirit, becomes powerful and transformative.
As we meditate on Ezekiel 46:7, let us ponder our offerings to God in a profound manner. Are we approaching Him with half-heartedness and distraction, or are we preparing our hearts, minds, and souls to give Him not only our material possessions but our time, love, and service? In our churches, in our homes, and in our daily lives, may we strive to bring an "ephah" of our best offerings before the Lord, knowing that He values the heart behind each gift.
In conclusion, as we imitate the careful offerings outlined in this scripture, let us commit ourselves anew to prepare with intention. Let each act of worship, each moment of service, be infused with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and let everything we do be a fragrant offering to our God. As we stand before Him, may we reflect correctly on what He has entrusted to us and how we can use those gifts according to His divine purpose. Let us prepare generously, not just for ourselves but for the building of His kingdom.
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Ezekiel 46:7 - "And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah."
"And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah." - Ezekiel 46:7
Ezekiel 46:24 - "Then said he unto me, These are the places of them that boil, where the ministers of the house shall boil the sacrifice of the people."
Ezekiel 23:46 - "For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled."
Numbers 7:46 - "One kid of the goats for a sin offering:"
Ezekiel 46:15 - "Thus shall they prepare the lamb, and the meat offering, and the oil, every morning for a continual burnt offering."
Ezekiel 46:3 - "Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the sabbaths and in the new moons."
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Psalms 46:7 - "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."
Ezekiel 46:22 - "In the four corners of the court there were courts joined of forty cubits long and thirty broad: these four corners were of one measure."
Ezekiel 46:23 - "And there was a row of building round about in them, round about them four, and it was made with boiling places under the rows round about."
Ezekiel 46:10 - "And the prince in the midst of them, when they go in, shall go in; and when they go forth, shall go forth."
Nehemiah 7:46 - "¶ The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,"
John 7:46 - "The officers answered, Never man spake like this man."
Ezekiel 20:46 - "Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;"
Ezekiel 46:6 - "And in the day of the new moon it shall be a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish."
Acts 7:46 - "Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob."
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Ezekiel 46:13 - "Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning."
Jeremiah 46:7 - "Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?"
Ezekiel 46:5 - "And the meat offering shall be an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah."
Ezekiel 40:46 (KJVA) 46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him.
Ezekiel 46:16 - "¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance."
Ezekiel 46:11 - "And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah."
Ezekiel 46:8 - "And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of that gate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof."
"One kid of the goats for a sin offering:" - Numbers 7:46
1 Kings 7:46 - "In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan."
Ezekiel 46:21 - "Then he brought me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the court; and, behold, in every corner of the court there was a court."